Songs

Ich denke dein

by Robert Schumann From Vier Duette (1849) Op. 78 25.viii– 4.ix.1849

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Text & Translation

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Ich denke dein
German source: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Ich denke dein, wenn mir der Sonne Schimmer
Vom Meere strahlt;
Ich denke dein, wenn sich des Mondes Flimmer
In Quellen malt.

Ich sehe dich, wenn auf dem fernen Wege
Der Staub sich hebt;
In tiefer Nacht, wenn auf dem schmalen Stege
Der Wandrer bebt.

Ich höre dich, wenn dort mit dumpfem Rauschen
Die Welle steigt.
Im stillen Haine geh ich oft zu lauschen,
Wenn alles schweigt.

Ich bin bei dir, du seist auch noch so ferne,
Du bist mir nah!
Die Sonne sinkt, bald leuchten mir die Sterne.
O wärst du da!

I think of you
English translation © Richard Stokes

I think of you, when the shimmering sun
Gleams from the sea;
I think of you, when the glittering moon
Is mirrored in streams.

I see you, when on the distant path
Dust rises;
In deep night, when on the narrow bridge
The traveller trembles.

I hear you where, with muffled roar
The wave rears up.
In the silent wood I often hearken
When all is silent.

I am with you, however far away you be,
You are by my side!
The sun sets, soon the stars will shine for me.
Ah! were you but here!

Translations by Richard Stokes, author of The Book of Lieder (Faber, 2005)

Ich denke dein
German source: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

I think of you
English source: Richard Stokes

Ich denke dein, wenn mir der Sonne Schimmer
I think of you, when the shimmering sun
Vom Meere strahlt;
Gleams from the sea;
Ich denke dein, wenn sich des Mondes Flimmer
I think of you, when the glittering moon
In Quellen malt.
Is mirrored in streams.

Ich sehe dich, wenn auf dem fernen Wege
I see you, when on the distant path
Der Staub sich hebt;
Dust rises;
In tiefer Nacht, wenn auf dem schmalen Stege
In deep night, when on the narrow bridge
Der Wandrer bebt.
The traveller trembles.

Ich höre dich, wenn dort mit dumpfem Rauschen
I hear you where, with muffled roar
Die Welle steigt.
The wave rears up.
Im stillen Haine geh ich oft zu lauschen,
In the silent wood I often hearken
Wenn alles schweigt.
When all is silent.

Ich bin bei dir, du seist auch noch so ferne,
I am with you, however far away you be,
Du bist mir nah!
You are by my side!
Die Sonne sinkt, bald leuchten mir die Sterne.
The sun sets, soon the stars will shine for me.
O wärst du da!
Ah! were you but here!

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…

Poet

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Johann Wolfgang Goethe was a German writer and statesman. His body of work includes epic and lyric poetry written in a variety of metres and styles; prose and verse dramas; memoirs; an autobiography; literary and aesthetic criticism; treatises on…

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