Ich hatte eine Nachtigall,
Die sang so schön, die sang so schön;
Sie ist davon geflogen,
Weit über Thal und Höh'n.
Ich hatt' ein junges Röselein,
So frisch und klar, so frisch und klar;
Es war mir weggestohlen,
Dieweil ich ferne war.
Ich hatte einen lieben Schatz,
Mein Glück und Glanz, mein Glück und Glanz,
Sie ist davon gezogen,
Trug einen Myrthenkranz.
Composition:
Set to music by Pauline von Decker (1811 - 1882), "Volkslied", op. 16 (Drei Lieder) no. 1, published 1875 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Breitkopf & Härtel
Text Authorship:
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English [singable] (Constance Bache) , "My loss"
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , copyright © 2023, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Research team for this page: Sharon Krebs
[Senior Associate Editor], Harry Joelson
This text was added to the website: 2008-01-02
Line count: 12
Word count: 65
I had a nightingale,
It sang so beautifully, it sang so beautifully;
It has flown away,
Far across valley and heights.
I had a young little rose,
So fresh and clear, so fresh and clear;
It was stolen from me,
The while I was far away.
I had a beloved darling,
My happiness and splendour, my happiness and splendour
She has gone away,
She wore a myrtle wreath.