The dream | When I see you in my dreams

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by Ludwig Koch (1806 - 1888)

Translation © by Sharon Krebs

Der Traum

Language: German (Deutsch)

Our translations: ENG

Wenn ich im Traum dich sehe --
So freundlich und so mild --
Verschwindet Alles Wehe 
Vor Deinem lieben Bild!

Da hör' ich auf zu zagen, 
Du flößest Muth mir ein -- 
Da könnt' ich es Dir sagen
Daß ich Dich lieb' allein!

Da könnt ich Dir erzählen, 
Von meines Wachens Schmerz, 
Die Worte prüfend wählen
Und rühren Dir das Herz.

Da könnt ich Dir gestehen 
Den schmerzlich süßen Trieb. --
Da könnt' ich an Dich flehen
Um deine Gegen-Lieb! --

Doch wenn der Traum verschwunden 
Und wenn mein wacher Blick 
Dich wirklich hat gefunden[:] 
Unseliges Geschick!

Da werd' ich's nimmer wagen
Und nimmer fähig sein, 
Geliebte[,] Dir zu sagen --
Daß ich Dich lieb' Allein.

Text Authorship:

by Ludwig Koch (1806 - 1888) [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by Josephine Lang (1815 - 1880), "Der Traum", 1839 [ voice and piano ], unpublished [sung text checked 1 time]

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

ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "The dream", copyright © 2023, (re)printed on this website with kind permission

Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]

This text was added to the website: 2023-02-08
Line count: 24
Word count: 110

The dream

Language: English after the German (Deutsch)

When I see you in my dreams --
So amiable and so gentle --
All pain vanishes
Before your dear image!

Then I stop hesitating,
You fill me with courage --
Then I could tell you
That I love you alone!

Then I could tell you
Of the pain of my waking hours;
I could choose my words carefully
And move your heart.

Then I could confess to you
The bittersweet desire. --
Then I could plead with you
To return my love! --

But when the dream has vanished
And when my waking gaze
Has lighted upon you in reality[:]
Evil fate!

Then I shall never dare
And never be capable of 
Telling you, beloved --
That I love you alone.

Text Authorship:

Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2023 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 Ludwig Koch (1806 - 1888)
- Go to the text page.

This text was added to the website: 2023-02-08
Line count: 24
Word count: 116