...
Wozu, wozu mir sein
Sollte das Aug', das helle, klare mein,
Soll nicht damit mein Liebster beäugelt sein? --
Wozu, wozu mir sein
Sollte die Hand, die zarte, weiße mein,
Soll nicht damit mein Liebster gestreichelt sein? --
Wozu, wozu mir sein
Sollte der Arm, der runde, weiche mein,
Soll nicht damit mein Liebster umschlungen sein?
Wozu, wozu mir sein
Sollte das Herz, das volle, heiße mein,
Soll nicht damit mein Liebster geliebet sein?
Note: the text above is taken from stanzas 3-6 of the original text.
Composition:
Set to music by Robert Franz (1815 - 1892), "Volkslied", op. 42 no. 1, published 1867, stanzas 3-6 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Siegel (formerly Whistling)
Text Authorship:
Based on:
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , copyright © 2019, (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: 2009-01-07
Line count: 18
Word count: 109
...
Of what use, of what use would
My eyes be to me, my bright, clear eyes,
If not to glance flirtatiously at my beloved? --
Of what use, of what use would
My hand be to me, my delicate, white hand,
If not to caress my beloved? --
Of what use, of what use would
My arm be to me, my round, white arm,
If not to embrace my beloved?
Of what use, of what use would
My heart be to me, my full, fervent heart,
If not to cherish my beloved?
