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Ist's denn Wahrheit, nicht ein Traum? Ach, ich faß', ich faß' es kaum! Doch ich halte deine Hand In der meinen unverwandt, Schau' -- o traute, traute Stunde! -- Durch dein Auge bis zum Grunde Dir in's treue Herz hinein, Ach, und hör's aus deinem Munde, Daß du mein, auf ewig mein! Ja, zur Wahrheit ward der Traum! Ach, ich faß', ich faß' es kaum! Ist's denn Wahrheit, nicht ein Traum? Ach, ich faß', ich faß' es kaum! Sieh, hervor noch heller bricht Tag für Tag des Glückes Licht! Wie im Lenz die zarte Blüthe, Deine Reinheit, deine Güte Immer schöner sich erschließt, Daß vor Wonne mein Gemüthe Und vor Jubel überfließt. O der Wahrheit nach dem Traum! Ach, ich faß', ich faß' es kaum! Ist's denn Wahrheit, nicht ein Traum? Ach, ich faß', ich faß' es kaum! Ja, ein Traum, der nicht verweht, Ob auch Jahr um Jahr vergeht! Alle Freuden, alle Leiden, Liebste, frommen nur uns Beiden, Daß wir lieben uns noch mehr, Und was kann die Herzen scheiden, Die vereinet Gott, der Herr! Ewge Wahrheit, ewger Traum! Ach, ich faß', ich faß' es kaum!
About the headline (FAQ)
Confirmed with Liederbuch von Friedrich Oser, 1842-1874. Mit einem biographischen Verzeichnis der Componisten, Basel: Benno Schwabe, Verlagsbuchhandlung, 1875, pages 176-177.
Note to stanza 3, line 7: The published poem contains an error "Das" instead of "Daß"; it has been corrected above.
Text Authorship:
- by Friedrich Heinrich Oser (1820 - 1891), "Ist's denn Wahrheit, nicht ein Traum?", appears in Liederbuch, in 2. Liebeslieder, no. 200 [author's text checked 1 time 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 Franz Wilhelm Abt (1819 - 1885), "Ist's denn Wahrheit", op. 285 (3 Lieder für eine Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 1, published 1865 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Klemm [sung text not yet checked]
- by Rudolf Löw-Burckhardt (1832 - 1898) [sung text not yet checked]
- by Wilhelm Popp (1828 - 1903) [sung text not yet checked]
- by Philipp Tietz (1816 - 1878) [sung text not yet checked]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , copyright © 2026, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs [Senior Associate Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2025-11-22
Line count: 33
Word count: 186
Is it true then, and not a dream? Ah, I can hardly, hardly grasp it! But steadfastly I hold Your hand in mine, I gaze -- oh lovely, lovely hour! -- Through your eyes into the depths Of your faithful heart, Ah, and from your lips I hear it That are you mine, eternally mine! Yes, the dream has become a reality! Ah, I can hardly, hardly grasp it! Is it true then, and not a dream? Ah, I can hardly, hardly grasp it! Lo, day after day the light of happiness Dawns ever more brightly! As the delicate blossoms in spring Your purity, your goodness Reveals itself ever more beautifully, So that my spirit overflows With bliss and rejoicing! Oh, the reality after the dream! Ah, I can hardly, hardly grasp it! Is it true then, and not a dream? Ah, I can hardly, hardly grasp it! Yes, a dream that never vanishes Though year upon year may pass! All joys, all sorrows, Dearest, only serve to make The two of us love each other all the more; And what can part the hearts That the Lord God has joined together! Eternal truth, eternal dream! Ah, I can hardly, hardly grasp it!
About the headline (FAQ)
Translations of titles:
"Ist's denn Wahrheit" = "Is it true then"
"Ist's denn Wahrheit, nicht ein Traum?" = "Is it true then, and not a dream?"
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2026 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 Heinrich Oser (1820 - 1891), "Ist's denn Wahrheit, nicht ein Traum?", appears in Liederbuch, in 2. Liebeslieder, no. 200
This text was added to the website: 2026-03-08
Line count: 33
Word count: 202