Attention! Some of this material is not in the public domain.
It is illegal to copy and distribute our copyright-protected material without permission. It is also illegal to reprint copyright texts or translations without the name of the author or translator.
To inquire about permissions and rates, contact Emily Ezust at
If you wish to reprint translations, please make sure you include the names of the translators in your email. They are below each translation.
Note: You must use the copyright symbol © when you reprint copyright-protected material.
Eine Melodie Singt mein Herz, die du gesungen. Still auf deinem Knie Lag mein Haupt, von deinem Arm umschlungen. Schwerer Duft der Nacht Zog mit müdem Hauch vorüber. Bang' hab ich gedacht: Sterben müßt' ich, hätt' ich dich noch lieber. Liebst du auch so sehr? Warum singst du solche Lieder? Aus verhülltem Meer Läuten Glocken auf und tauchen nieder. Tief im dunklen Dom Schwanken Weihrauch und Choräle . . . Wie ein Tränenstrom Zieht es einsam jetzt durch meine Seele.
About the headline (FAQ)
Authorship:
- by Ricarda Octavia Huch (1864 - 1947), no title, appears in Neue Gedichte (Liebesgedichte), first published 1907 [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 Hans Helmuth Chemin-Petit (1902 - 1981), "Eine Melodie singt mein Herz", 1961 [voice and piano], from Drei Lieder, no. 3. [ sung text not yet checked against a primary source]
- by Otto Frickhoeffer (1892 - 1968), "Eine Melodie singt mein Herz" [voice and piano], from Lieder, no. 4. [ sung text not yet checked against a primary source]
- by Gunther Martin Göttsche (b. 1953), "Eine Melodie singt mein Herz, die du gesungen", published 1999 [soprano and piano], from Fünf Lieder nach Texten von Ricarda Huch, no. 5. [ sung text not yet checked against a primary source]
- by Hans Erich Pfitzner (1869 - 1949), "Eine Melodie singt mein Herz", op. 35 no. 5 (1924), published 1924 [high voice and piano], from Sechs Liebeslieder nach Gedichten von Ricarda Huch für hohe Stimme und Klavier, no. 5, Berlin, Fürstner [ sung text checked 1 time]
- by Hermann Reutter (1900 - 1985), "Eine Melodie singt mein Herz, die du gesungen", 1951, from Lieder der Liebe, no. 3. [ sung text not yet checked against a primary source]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (John Glenn Paton) , copyright © 2017, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "Une mélodie", copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this text: John Versmoren
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 16
Word count: 80
Mon cœur chante Une mélodie que tu as chantée. Silencieuse, ma tête était posée Sur tes genoux, entourée de ton bras. Un lourd parfum de nuit Passait dans un souffle exténué. Craintive, j'avais pensé : Si je devais mourir, je t'aimerais encore mieux. Aimes-tu aussi autant ? Pourquoi chantes-tu de telles chansons ? Sur la mer voilée Émergent et coulent des tintements de cloches. Au fond, dans la sombre cathédrale, Encens et chorale flottent ... Il passe dans mon âme Comme un fleuve de larmes solitaires.
Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to French (Français) copyright © 2011 by Pierre Mathé, (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:
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Ricarda Octavia Huch (1864 - 1947), no title, appears in Neue Gedichte (Liebesgedichte), first published 1907
This text was added to the website: 2011-11-06
Line count: 16
Word count: 86