by Anonymous / Unidentified Author
Translation © by Linda Godry

Bescheidene Liebe
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Our translations:  CAT ENG FRE
Ich bin wie and're Mädchen nicht, 
die, wenn sie lieben, schweigen
und ihr Geheimnis hütend stumm,
das kranke Köpfchen neigen.
Ja, meine Liebe ist nicht stumm,
mein Plaudern geb' ich nicht darum; 
ich liebe doch ganz eigen.

Ich bin wie and're Mädchen nicht, 
die, wenn sie lieben, hoffen;
ich trage meine Lieb' zur Schau 
vor aller Welt ganz offen.
Oft hat mich schon lieb Mütterlein
mit dem Herzallerliebsten mein
beim Kosen angetroffen.

Ich bin wie and're Mädchen nicht, 
doch glücklich, wie ich glaube,
denn meine Liebe richtet sich
auf Trauring nicht und Haube.
Er bleibt mein trauter Bräutigam,
er girrt so süß, er ist so zahm
mein Lieb ist meine Taube.

Text Authorship:

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):

Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

  • CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , "Amor modest", copyright © 2021, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • ENG English (Linda Godry) , "Modest love", copyright © 2004, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , "Amour modeste", copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission


Research team for this page: Peter Donderwinkel , Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]

This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 21
Word count: 111

Modest love
Language: English  after the German (Deutsch) 
I'm not like other girls
who, if in love, hide their secret,
silently withdrawing,
and bow their head in sorrow.
Yes, my love is not mute
I won't shut up;
That's how I am if in love.

I'm not like other girls
Who, if in love
secretly hope;
I show my feelings
for all the world to see.
Often already has my dearest mother
seen me hand in hand with my loved one.

I'm not like other girls
but happy none the less I think,
because my love strives not
for a ring and bonnet1.
He remains my beloved bridegroom,
cooing sweetly, as tame as
a dove he is my love.

View original text (without footnotes)
1 that is, the bonnet of a married woman

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2004 by Linda Godry, (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.
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Based on:

 

This text was added to the website: 2004-12-01
Line count: 21
Word count: 113