by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
Translation by Emma Lazarus (1849 - 1887)
Ich bin 's gewohnt, den Kopf recht hoch...
Language: German (Deutsch)
Ich bin 's gewohnt, den Kopf recht hoch zu tragen, Mein Sinn ist auch ein bißchen starr und zähe; Wenn selbst der König mir ins Antlitz sähe, Ich würde nicht die Augen niederschlagen. Doch, liebe Mutter, offen will ich 's sagen: Wie mächtig auch mein stolzer Mut sich blähe, In deiner selig süßen, trauten Nähe Ergreift mich oft ein demutvolles Zagen. Ist es dein Geist, der heimlich mich bezwinget, Dein hoher Geist, der alles kühn durchdringet, Und blitzend sich zum Himmelslichte schwinget? Quält mich Erinnerung, daß ich verübet So manche Tat, die dir das Herz betrübet? Das schöne Herz, das mich so sehr geliebet?
About the headline (FAQ)
Authorship:
- by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856), no title, appears in Buch der Lieder, in Junge Leiden, in Sonette, in 2. An meine Mutter B. Heine, geborene v. Geldern, no. 1 [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):
- [ None yet in the database ]
Settings in other languages, adaptations, or excerpts:
- Also set in Italian (Italiano), a translation by Anonymous/Unidentified Artist ; composed by Pietro Abbà-Cornaglia.
Other available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Emma Lazarus) , appears in Poems and Ballads of Heinrich Heine, first published 1881
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2008-04-12
Line count: 14
Word count: 104
I have been wont to bear my forehead...
Language: English  after the German (Deutsch)
I have been wont to bear my forehead high -- My stubborn temper yields with no good grace. The king himself might look me in the face, And yet I would not downward cast mine eye. But I confess, dear mother, openly, However proud my haughty spirit swell, When I within thy blessed presence dwell, Oft am I smit with shy humility. Is it thy soul, with secret influence, Thy lofty soul piercing all shows of sense, Which soareth, heaven-born, to heaven again? Or springs it from sad memories that tell How many a time I caused thy dear heart pain, Thy gentle heart, that loveth me so well!
About the headline (FAQ)
Authorship:
- by Emma Lazarus (1849 - 1887), appears in Poems and Ballads of Heinrich Heine, first published 1881 [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856), no title, appears in Buch der Lieder, in Junge Leiden, in Sonette, in 2. An meine Mutter B. Heine, geborene v. Geldern, no. 1
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 text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2008-04-12
Line count: 14
Word count: 109