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Wer der Meine wohl wird werden?
Ob mein Auge ihn schon sah?
Wo er wandeln mag auf Erden?
Ist er ferne oder nah'?
Wird er schön von Angesichte
Oder doch nicht häßlich sein?
Krause Locken? Augen lichte?
Groß von Wuchse oder klein?
Stark von Gliedern oder schmächtig?
Ob er leicht im Tanz sich dreht?
Ob er nüchtern und bedächtig,
Oder recht romantisch denkt?
...
Sagt mir's, holde Blütendüfte,
Die ihr weht in's Kämmerlein,
Sagt mir's, holde Abendlüfte,
Sag' mir's, sanfter Mondenschein!
Sagt mir's, Elfen, kleine, lose,
Die ihr lauscht und lacht und nickt,
Sag' mir's, süße, rothe Rose,
Die mir in das Fenster blickt!
Saget mir's, ihr klugen Sterne,
Die herauf am Himmel zieh'n!
Triebe schwellen in die Ferne,
Und sie wissen nicht, wohin?
Liebesarme stehen offen,
Ach, wen sollen sie empfah'n?
Lippen, die auf Küsse hoffen,
Ach, wer wird zum Kusse nah'n?
Oder soll ich lieber sagen,
Lieblich sei's, so blind zu sein?
Dieses Klagen, dieses Fragen
Sei uns Mädchen süße Pein?
Träume können sel'ger spielen
Kindern gleich im leeren Haus,
Wenn nach unbekannten Zielen
Holde Wünsche ziehen aus?
Freudig Bangen! Bange Freude!
Ungewisser, finde mich!
Leid in Lust und Lust im Leide!
Künftiger, ich liebe dich!
Note: the text above is taken from stanzas 1-3,8-14 of the original text.
Composition:
- Set to music by Ignaz Brüll (1846 - 1907), "Mädchens Abendgedanken", op. 78 no. 1, published 1898, stanzas 1-3,8-14 [ voice and piano ], Langensalza, Beyer & Söhne
Text Authorship:
- by Friedrich Theodor Vischer (1807 - 1887), "Mädchens Abendgedanken", appears in Lyrische Gänge, first published 1882
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "Evening thoughts of a maiden", copyright © 2017, (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: 2009-09-23
Line count: 56
Word count: 286
Who shall be mine?
Have my eyes seen him yet?
Where might he be wandering on earth?
Is he far or is he near?
Will he have a handsome face
Or at least not be ugly?
Curly hair? Light eyes?
Tall of stature or short?
Strong-limbed or slender?
Shall he turn himself lightly when dancing?
Shall his thoughts be sober and deliberate,
Or quite romantic?
...
Tell me, lovely blossom scents
That waft into my chamber,
Tell me, lovely evening breezes,
Tell me, gentle moonlight!
Tell me, fairies, small, wanton,
You who eavesdrop and laugh and nod,
Tell me, sweet red rose
That peeps into my window!
Tell me, you wise stars
That rise upon the heavens!
Sprouts swell into the distance,
And they know not whither?
Loving arms stand outstretched,
Ah, whom shall they receive?
Lips that hope for kisses,
Ah, who shall come near for a kiss?
Or should I rather say
That it is lovely to be so blind?
That this lamenting, this questioning
Be a sweet suffering for us maidens?
That dreams can play more blissfully,
Like children in an empty house,
When lovely wishes travel forth
To unknown destinations?
Joyful anxiety! Anxious joy!
Unknown one, come find me!
Sorrow in happiness and happiness in sorrow!
You who are to come, I love you!
Note: the text above is taken from stanzas 1-3,8-14 of the original text.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2017 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 Friedrich Theodor Vischer (1807 - 1887), "Mädchens Abendgedanken", appears in Lyrische Gänge, first published 1882
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This text was added to the website: 2017-06-07
Line count: 56
Word count: 313