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So wünsch ich ihr ein gute Nacht, bei der ich [war]1 alleine; ein freundlich Wort sie zu mir sprach, da wir [uns sollten]2 scheiden. Ich scheid mit Leid, Gott weiß die Zeit, wiederkommen bringt [uns Freud]3. [Zu]4 Nächten da ich bei ihr [war]1, ihr [Angesicht wollt röten]5, sie sah den Knaben freundlich an, sprach: Gott tu dich behüten. Mein Schimpf, mein [Schmerz]6, [bricht mir mein Herz]7, [das]8 werd ich jetzund innen. Das Maidlein an der Zinnen [stand]9, hub kläglich an zu weinen: [gedenk daran du Reitersknab]10, laß mich nicht läng'r alleine; kehr wieder bald, mein Aufenthalt, lös mich von schweren Träumen. Der Knab wohl üb'r die Heiden reit't und wend't sein Rößlein rumme: daran gedenk, du schöne Maid, und kehr dein Red nit umme; beschert Gott Glück, gehts wieder zurück, du bleibst mein'm Herzen eine Kron.
About the headline (FAQ)
View original text (without footnotes)Note: the last stanza is not included in Barth's score, but is certainly meant to be sung; cf. the instructions: "Die erste Strofe langsam, die beiden folgenden etwas bewegter".
1 Barth: "was"(Middle High German form for "war") 2 Barth: "sollten uns"
3 Barth: "Freuden"
4 Barth: "Und"
5 Barth: "Ang'sicht voller Röten"
6 Barth: "Scherz"
7 Barth: "Scheiden bringt Schmerz"
8 Barth: "des"
9 Barth: "stund"
10 Barth: "Daran gedenk, du junger Knab"
The text shown is a variant of another text. [ View differences ]
It is based on
- a text in German (Deutsch) from Volkslieder (Folksongs) , "Abschied"
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Gustav Barth (1818 - 1897), "Es ist so schlimm noch nicht" [sung text checked 1 time]
- by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), "So wünsch ich ihr ein gute Nacht", WoO. 33 no. 18, published [1894], from Deutsche Volkslieder, no. 18, Berlin, N. Simrock [sung text checked 1 time]
- by Clara Mathilda Faisst (1872 - 1948), "So wünsch ich ihr eine gute Nacht", op. 10 no. 2 (1914-8) [ voice and piano ], from Sieben Lieder aus des Knaben Wunderhorn, no. 2, Karlsruhe: Selbstverlag, später: Karlsruhe: Müller [sung text not yet checked]
- by Melchior Franck (1573 - 1639), "So wünsch ich ihr ein gute Nacht" [sung text not yet checked]
- by Hugo Wilhelm Ludwig Kaun (1863 - 1932), "Kurze Weile", op. 75 (Männerchöre) no. 5 [ men's chorus a cappella ], Leipzig, Kahnt Nachfolger [sung text not yet checked]
- by Wilhelm Tappert (1830 - 1907), "So wünsch' ich ihr ein' gute Nacht", published 1880 [ voice and piano ], from Lieder für 1 Singstimme mit Pianoforte, aus der Sammlung: Deutsche Lieder aus dem 15., 16. und 17. Jahrh. , no. 5, Berlin, Challier & Co. [sung text not yet checked]
Settings in other languages, adaptations, or excerpts:
- Also set in German (Deutsch), [adaptation] ; composed by August Bungert.
Other available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , copyright © 2022, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- DUT Dutch (Nederlands) [singable] (Lau Kanen) , "Dus wens ik haar een goede nacht", copyright © 2015, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (Laura Prichard) , copyright © 2016, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "Ainsi je lui souhaitai une bonne nuit", copyright © 2013, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Johann Winkler
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 28
Word count: 154
So I wished her a good night, as we were alone together; and a friendly word, she spoke to me, as we were going our separate ways. I departed full of sorrow, and only God knows when we’ll meet again and be happy. That night, when I was near her, her cheeks blushed, she looked at her sweetheart kindly, saying: “God protect you.” My unhappiness, my pain is breaking my heart, I’m realizing that now. The maiden stood on the battlements, beginning to weep bitterly: “Think on me, my dear knight’s page, don’t leave me alone long; return soon to my residence, release me from troubled dreams.” The boy rode over the heath and stopped briefly to turn his little horse: “Think on me, you beautiful girl, don’t change the way you speak of me; if God bestows us with good luck, I’ll be right back, and you’ll remain the crown of my heart.
About the headline (FAQ)
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2016 by Laura Prichard, (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 Not Applicable [an adaptation]
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) from Volkslieder (Folksongs) , "Abschied"
This text was added to the website: 2016-10-22
Line count: 28
Word count: 154