Hauptmanns Weib
German source:
Wilhelm Gerhard
Stahl auf zartem Leibe,
Helm und Schwert
Ziemen Hauptmanns Weibe.
Tönet Trommelschlag
Unter Pulverdampf,
Siehst du blut’gen Tag
Und dein Lieb im Kampf.
Schlagen wir den Feind,
Küssest du den Gatten,
Wohnst mit ihm vereint
In des Friedens Schatten.
The Captain's Lady
English translation ©
Richard Stokes
Steel across your tender body,
Helmet and sword
Become a captain’s lady.
When the drums beat
And the powder smokes,
You’ll behold a bloody day
And your love in battle.
When the foe is vanquished,
You’ll kiss your husband,
You’ll live united with him
In the shadow of peace.
Translations by Richard Stokes, author of The Book of Lieder (Faber, 2005)
Hauptmanns Weib
German source:
Wilhelm Gerhard
The Captain's Lady
English source:
Richard Stokes
Hoch zu Pferd!
Mount your horse!
Stahl auf zartem Leibe,
Steel across your tender body,
Helm und Schwert
Helmet and sword
Ziemen Hauptmanns Weibe.
Become a captain’s lady.
Tönet Trommelschlag
When the drums beat
Unter Pulverdampf,
And the powder smokes,
Siehst du blut’gen Tag
You’ll behold a bloody day
Und dein Lieb im Kampf.
And your love in battle.
Schlagen wir den Feind,
When the foe is vanquished,
Küssest du den Gatten,
You’ll kiss your husband,
Wohnst mit ihm vereint
You’ll live united with him
In des Friedens Schatten.
In the shadow of peace.
Composer
Robert Schumann
Robert Schumann was a German composer and influential music critic. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest composers of the Romantic era. Schumann left the study of law, intending to pursue a career as a virtuoso pianist. He had been assured…
