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Gedenkst du mein, wenn du mit reinen Blicken Hinausstrebst in die dunkle Nacht? Ich denke dein; und, kann mich was erquicken, So ist's nur, weil ich Dein gedacht. Gedenkst du mein, wenn dir die Thränen kommen? Mein Leben ist ein stilles Ach; Die Freude draus ward mir mit dir genommen, Und nur der Schmerz ist ewig wach. Gedenkst du mein, wenn dir die Pulse stocken Im Kampf des Lebens? Zage nicht! Der Lorbeer grünt so schön um braune Locken, Wenn auch das Herz im Busen bricht. Gedenkst du mein, wenn Freude dir im Herzen Manchmal die alten Saiten rührt? So wunderbar sind, ach, der Liebe Schmerzen, Daß man sie fast wie Freuden spürt. Gedenkst du mein? Du hast es mir versprochen, Und [darum]1 lebt' ich bisher fort, -- Getrost. Denn, hättest du dein Wort gebrochen, Wär' mehr gebrochen, als ein Wort. Gedenkst du mein? Ich weiß: Du hast's gehalten; Und Seel' um Seele längst sich schlingt Mit Allgewalt, bis auch von den Gestalten Der Eisenreif des Schicksals springt.
J. Lang sets stanzas 1-2, 5
About the headline (FAQ)
View original text (without footnotes)Confirmed with: Christian Reinhold Köstlin’s poetry manuscripts, Z 2704, [129.], Deutsches Literaturarchiv, Marbach, Germany (unpublished poem, dated December 12/13, [1840]).
Note for Lang's setting: when the last line is repeated, the word "mehr" becomes first "mehr wohl" and in the next repetition, "ja mehr wohl"
1 Lang: "darum ja"Text Authorship:
- by Christian Reinhold (1813 - 1856), no title, written [1840] [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Josephine Lang (1815 - 1880), "Gedenkst du mein", op. 10 (Sechs Lieder) no. 1 (1841), published 1841, stanzas 1-2,5 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Kistner [sung text checked 1 time]
- by Edwin Schultz (1827 - 1907), "Gedenkst du mein", op. 12 (Fünf Lieder für 1 Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 2, published 1856 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Bote und Bock [sung text not yet checked]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "Do you think of me", copyright © 2006, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2006-11-21
Line count: 24
Word count: 167
Do you think of me when, with pure gaze, You strive out into the dark night? I think of you; and if anything can refresh me, It is only because I thought of you. Do you think of me when the tears come? My life is a quiet sigh; Happiness was taken from me when you were taken from me, And only pain is eternally vigilant. Do you think of me when your heart skips a beat In the battle of life? Do not despair! The green of the laurel is so beautiful around brown curls, Even if the heart breaks within your breast. Do you think of me when joy sometimes Stirs the heartstrings of yore? The pains of love are, ah, so wondrous That often one almost perceives them as happiness. Do you think of me? You promised to, And that is [why]1 I have been able to continue living until now, -- Secure. For if you had broken your word, More would have been broken than just a promise. Do you think of me? I know: You have kept your word; And our two souls have long powerfully Entwined themselves, awaiting the time when from our bodies as well The encircling iron ring of fate shall burst.
Note for Lang's setting: when the last line is repeated and becmes first "mehr wohl" and then "ja mehr wohl", these can be translated as "more well" and "yes more well".
1 Lang: "why of course"Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2006 by Sharon Krebs, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
Contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Christian Reinhold (1813 - 1856), no title, written [1840]
This text was added to the website: 2006-11-21
Line count: 24
Word count: 209