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Hab' ich tausendmal geschworen Dieser Flasche nicht zu trauen, Bin ich doch wie neugeboren, Läßt mein Schenke fern [sie]1 schauen. Alles ist an ihr zu loben, Glaskristall und Purpurwein; Wird der Propf herausgehoben, Sie ist leer und ich nicht mein. Hab' ich tausendmal geschworen, Dieser [Falschen]2 nicht zu trauen, Und doch bin ich neugeboren, Läßt sie sich ins Auge schauen. Mag sie doch mit mir verfahren, Wie's dem stärksten Mann geschah. Deine Scher' in meinen Haaren, Allerliebste Delila!
Confirmed with Goethes poetische und prosaische Werke in zwei Bänden, Bd. 1, Stuttgart und Tübingen, 1837.
1 Wallnöfer: "sich"2 Wallnöfer: "Flasche" (this is very likely a typo in the score)
Text Authorship:
- by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832), "Unüberwindlich", first published 1860 [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 Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), "Unüberwindlich", op. 72 (Fünf Gesänge) no. 5 (1875), published 1877 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Simrock
Score: IMSLP [external link] [sung text checked 1 time] - by Adolf Wallnöfer (1854 - 1946), "Unüberwindlich", op. 77 (Drei Gesänge nach Gedichten von Johann Wolfgang von Goethe) no. 1 [ voice and piano ] [sung text checked 1 time]
- by Wendelin Weißheimer (1838 - 1910), "Unüberwindlich" [ voice and piano ] [sung text not yet checked]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , "Invencible", copyright © 2022, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- DUT Dutch (Nederlands) [singable] (Lau Kanen) , "Onoverwinnelijk", copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (Emily Ezust) , "Unconquerable", copyright ©
- FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "J'ai mille fois juré", copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRL Friulian (Ermes Culos) , copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Johann Winkler
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 16
Word count: 80
Although I've sworn a thousand times Not to trust this bottle, I feel born again when from afar my innkeeper presents it. Everything about it may be praised: crystal glass and purple wine; but when the cork is drawn, it is soon empty and I am not my own master. Although I've sworn a thousand times not to trust this false one, I feel born again when she gazes into my eyes. She may treat me as the strongest of men was treated. Your scissors are in my hair, most beloved Delilah!
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Emily Ezust
Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:
Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
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Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832), "Unüberwindlich", first published 1860
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 16
Word count: 93