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Wozu, wozu mir sein Sollte das Haar, das schöne, lange mein, Soll nicht damit im Putze gepranget sein? -- Wozu, wozu mir sein Sollte der Fuß, der leichte, flinke mein, Soll nicht damit im Tanze geflogen sein? -- 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?
R. Franz sets stanzas 3-6
About the headline (FAQ)
Confirmed with G. Fr. Daumer, Hafis: Eine Sammlung persischer Gedichte. Nebst poetischen Zugaben aus verschiedenen Völkern und Ländern, Hamburg: Bei Hoffmann und Campe, 1846, page 225.
Authorship
- by Georg Friedrich Daumer (1800 - 1875), no title, appears in Hafis - Eine Sammlung persischer Gedichte, in Poetische Zugaben aus verschiedenen Ländern und Völkern, in Aus Krain, first published 1846 [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
- a text in Slovenian (Slovenščina) from Volkslieder (Folksongs) , from Carniola (German: Krain) [text unavailable]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive)
- by Robert Franz (1815 - 1892), "Volkslied", op. 42 (Aus Osten, sechs Gesänge) no. 1, published 1867, stanzas 3-6 [voice and piano], Leipzig, Siegel (formerly Whistling) [ sung text checked 1 time]
- by Eduard Schütt (1856 - 1933), "Wozu, wozu mir sein sollte das Haar!", op. 23 (Vier Lieder für 1 Singstimme mit Pianofortebegleitung) no. 4, published 1887 [voice and piano], Hamburg, Rahter [ sung text not yet checked against a primary source]
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 text: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Sharon Krebs [Guest 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 hair be to me, my lovely long hair, If not to be flaunted with all its finery? -- Of what use, of what use would My foot be to me, my light, quick foot, If not to fly in the dance? -- 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?
About the headline (FAQ)
Translations of title(s):
"Volkslied" = "Folksong"
"Wozu, wozu mir sein sollte das Haar!" = "Of what use, of what use would my hair be to me!"
Authorship
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2019 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:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Georg Friedrich Daumer (1800 - 1875), no title, appears in Hafis - Eine Sammlung persischer Gedichte, in Poetische Zugaben aus verschiedenen Ländern und Völkern, in Aus Krain, first published 1846
- a text in Slovenian (Slovenščina) from Volkslieder (Folksongs) , from Carniola (German: Krain) [text unavailable]
This text was added to the website: 2019-03-05
Line count: 18
Word count: 139