by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832)
Translation © by Emily Ezust

Liebhaber in allen Gestalten
 (Sung text for setting by F. Schubert)
 See original
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Our translations:  CAT DUT ENG FRE ITA
Ich wollt' ich wär' ein Fisch,
So munter so frisch;
Und kämst du zu angeln,
Ich würde nicht mangeln.
Ich wollt' ich wär' ein Fisch,
So hurtig und frisch.

Ich wollt' ich wär' ein Pferd,
Da wär' ich dir werth.
O wär' ich ein Wagen,
Bequem dich zu tragen.
Ich wollt' ich wär' ein Pferd,
Da wär' ich dir werth. 

Ich wollt' ich wäre Gold,
Dir immer im Sold;
Und thätst du was kaufen,
Käm ich wie gelaufen.
Ich wollt' ich wäre Gold,
Dir immer im Sold.

 ... 

Doch bin ich wie ich bin,
Doch nimm mich nur hin!
Willst  ...  bess're besitzen,
So laß dir sie schnitzen.
Ich bin nun wie ich bin;
So nimm mich nur hin!

Note: the text above is taken from stanzas 1-3,9 of the original text.

Composition:

    Set to music by Franz Peter Schubert (1797 - 1828), "Liebhaber in allen Gestalten", D 558 (1817), published 1887, stanzas 1-3,9 [ voice, piano ], Friedlaender VII, Leipzig

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

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

  • CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , copyright © 2017, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • DUT Dutch (Nederlands) [singable] (Lau Kanen) , "Minnaars in soorten", copyright © 2006, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • ENG English (Emily Ezust) , "I wish I were a fish", copyright ©
  • FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "Amoureux sous toutes ses formes", copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • ITA Italian (Italiano) (Amelia Maria Imbarrato) , "Innamorato in tutte le forme", copyright © 2006, (re)printed on this website with kind permission


Research team for this page: Martin-Beatus Meier , Peter Rastl [Guest Editor]

This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 54
Word count: 256

Language: English  after the German (Deutsch) 
I wish I were a fish,
so quick and fresh;
and if you came to fish,
I would not stay away.
I wish I were a fish,
so quick and fresh;

I wish I were a horse
that you esteemed;
O were I only a cart
to bear you comfortably!
I wish I were a horse
that you esteemed.

I wish I were gold,
always in your pocket,
and if you used me to buy something,
I would come running back.
I wish I were gold,
always in your pocket.

 ... 

But I am just as I am;
and take me for that!
If you want something better,
then let them carve it out of you.
For I am just as I am;
and take me for that.

Note: the text above is taken from stanzas 1-3,9 of the original text.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Emily Ezust

    Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:

    Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
    from the LiederNet Archive

    For any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.


Based on:

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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 54
Word count: 274