by Richard Pohl (1826 - 1896)
Translation Singable translation by John Troutbeck, Rev. Dr. (1832 - 1899)
Ich flüsterte leis in den einsamen Bach
Language: German (Deutsch)
Ich flüsterte leis in den einsamen Bach, er schien mir so still und verschwiegen, drei Wörtchen, so lieb, die bei Tag und bei Nacht in seeligste Träume mich wiegen. Doch als ich dem Bach das Geheimniß verrieth, hat eilig er's weiter getragen; eine liebliche Blume am Ufer ihm blüht, der dürft' er schon heimlich es sagen. Die Blume dem Schmetterling schüchtern verrieth, was der nicht konnte verscheigen; die Nachtigall sang es, da tönte das Lied bald schmetternd von allen Zweigen. Und als es durchflogen den rauschenden Wald, hat sich's zu den Bergen geschwungen, und höher und stärker mit Sturmesgewalt, ist's bis zu den Wolken gedrungen. Sie liebt mich, sie liebt mich! So schallte es laut, mir wollte das Herz fast zerspringen, daß Himmel und Erde, was sie mir vertraut, das süße Geheimniß nun singen!
About the headline (FAQ)
Note: "Geheimnis" is a modern spelling of "Geheimniss" or "Geheimniß"Text Authorship:
- by Richard Pohl (1826 - 1896), "Geheimniß" [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Johann Nepomuk Fuchs (1842 - 1899), "Das verrathene Geheimniss", op. 1 no. 3, published 1875 [ voice and piano ], from Drei Liebeslieder für 1 Singstimme mit Pianoforte, no. 3, Cöln, Tonger [sung text not yet checked]
- by Hermann (Gustav) Goetz (1840 - 1876), "Geheimnis", op. 12 (Sechs Lieder für Sopran (oder Tenor) mit Pianoforte) no. 1 (1868-76), published 1876 [ soprano or tenor and piano ], Leipzig, Kistner [sung text checked 1 time]
- by Hans Harthan (1855 - 1936), "Geheimniß", op. 33 (Vier Lieder für 1 mittlere Singstimme mit Pianofortebegleitung) no. 2, published 1892 [ medium voice and piano ], Leipzig, W. Hansen [sung text not yet checked]
- by Adolf Wallnöfer (1854 - 1946), "Geheimniss", op. 7 (Fünf Gedichte für 1 Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 5, published 1877 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Breitkopf & Härtel [sung text not yet checked]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English [singable] (John Troutbeck, Rev. Dr.) , "The Secret"
Researcher for this page: Harry Joelson
This text was added to the website: 2010-02-04
Line count: 20
Word count: 134
The Secret
Language: English after the German (Deutsch)
I trusted the brook with my whispering light, so lonely and still was it seeming; but three little words, which by day and by night inspire me of bliss to be dreaming. Vet scarce had I whisper'e the secret I knew, then hasted the brook to betray it; a beautiful flower, on its margin that grew, soon heard it in confidence say it. The flower to the butterfly coyly reveal'd the news, and it likewise told it, the nightingale sang it, nor longer conceal'd could all birds that warble hold it. And when through the murmuring wood it had pass'd, far off to the mountains it wended, and higher and stronger, as borne on the blast, right up to the clouds it ascended: She loves me, she loves me! the sounds widely sweep; my heart will asunder be springing, for hark! the sweet secret she gave me to keep the whole of creation is singing!
From a Goetz score.
Text Authorship:
- Singable translation by John Troutbeck, Rev. Dr. (1832 - 1899), "The Secret" [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Richard Pohl (1826 - 1896), "Geheimniß"
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- [ None yet in the database ]
Researcher for this page: Johann Winkler
This text was added to the website: 2025-12-10
Line count: 20
Word count: 155