by Joseph Viktor von Scheffel (1826 - 1886)
Translation © by Sharon Krebs

Es hat nicht sollen sein
 (Sung text for setting by F. Abt)
 See original
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Our translations:  ENG ITA
Das ist im Leben häßlich eingerichtet,
Daß bei den Rosen gleich die Dornen steh'n,
Und was das arme Herz auch sehnt und dichtet,
Zum Schlusse kommt das Voneinandergeh'n.
In deinen Augen hab' ich einst gelesen,
Es blitzte drin von Lieb' und Glück ein Schein:
  Behüet dich Gott! es wär' zu schön gewesen,
  Behüet dich Gott, es hat nicht sollen sein! -- 

 ... 

Wolken entfliehn, der Wind saust durch die Blätter,
Ein Regenschauer zieht durch Wald und Feld,
Zum Abschiednehmen just das rechte Wetter,
Grau wie der Himmel steht vor mir die Welt.
Doch wend' es sich zum Guten oder Bösen,
Mein Leben lang in Treuen denk' ich dein!
  Behüet dich Gott, es wär zu schön gewesen,
  Behüet dich Gott, es hat nicht sollen sein! --

Note: the text above is taken from stanzas 1,3 of the original text.

Note to the last two lines of each stanza: Most settings use the more common spelling of the word "Behüt."

Composition:

    Set to music by Franz Wilhelm Abt (1819 - 1885), "Es hat nicht sollen sein", op. 213 no. 2, published 1868, stanzas 1,3 [ voice and guitar or piano ], Offenbach, André

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

  • ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "Song of Young Werner (It was not to be)", copyright © 2006, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • ENG English [singable] (Virginia Woods) , "Young Werner"
  • ITA Italian (Italiano) (Amelia Maria Imbarrato) , from Il trombettiere di Säckingen, copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission


Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Sharon Krebs [Senior Associate Editor]

This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 24
Word count: 189

Song of Young Werner (It was not to be)
 (Sung text translation for setting by F. Abt)
 See original
Language: English  after the German (Deutsch) 
It is poorly arranged in life
That with the roses one immediately finds thorns.
And whatever a poor heart desires and dreams -
In the end comes parting.
I once read in your eyes;
A light of love and joy glinted in them.
  May God protect you!  It would have been too beautiful!
  May God protect you!  It was not to be!

 ... 

Clouds rush away, the wind rushes loudly through the leaves,
A shower of rain passes over forest and field:
Just the right sort of weather for taking farewell,
The world stands before me, as grey as the sky.
But no matter how my life turns out, whether good or bad,
My whole life long I shall think of you in faithfulness.
  May God protect you!  It would have been too beautiful!
  May God protect you!  It was not to be!

Note: the text above is taken from stanzas 1,3 of the original text.

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.
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Based on:

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This text was added to the website: 2006-11-15
Line count: 24
Word count: 215