Songs
Lieber Gott, du weisst, wie oft bereut ich hab
by Johannes Brahms From Zigeunerlieder, 'Gypsy Songs' (ensemble version) (1887) Op. 103
Lieber Gott, du weisst, wie oft bereut ich hab
German source:
Hugo Conrat
Daß ich meinem Liebsten einst ein Küßchen gab.
Herz gebot, daß ich ihn küssen muß,
Denk so lang ich leb an diesen ersten Kuß.
Lieber Gott, du weißt, wie oft in stiller
Nacht Ich in Lust und Leid an meinen Schatz gedacht.
Lieb ist süß, wenn bitter auch die Reu,
Armes Herze bleibt ihm ewig, ewig treu.
Dear God, you know how often I’ve regretted
English translation ©
Richard Stokes
That little kiss I once gave my dearest.
My heart decreed I had to kiss him,
As long as I live I’ll think of that first kiss.
Dear God, you know how often in silent nights
I’ve thought of my love in joy and pain.
Love is sweet, however bitter the regret,
My poor heart will ever be faithful to him.
Translation © Richard Stokes, author of The Book of Lieder (Faber, 2005)
Lieber Gott, du weisst, wie oft bereut ich hab
German source:
Hugo Conrat
Dear God, you know how often I’ve regretted
English source:
Richard Stokes
Lieber Gott, du weißt, wie oft bereut ich hab,
Dear God, you know how often I’ve regretted
Daß ich meinem Liebsten einst ein Küßchen gab.
That little kiss I once gave my dearest.
Herz gebot, daß ich ihn küssen muß,
My heart decreed I had to kiss him,
Denk so lang ich leb an diesen ersten Kuß.
As long as I live I’ll think of that first kiss.
Lieber Gott, du weißt, wie oft in stiller
Dear God, you know how often in silent nights
Nacht Ich in Lust und Leid an meinen Schatz gedacht.
I’ve thought of my love in joy and pain.
Lieb ist süß, wenn bitter auch die Reu,
Love is sweet, however bitter the regret,
Armes Herze bleibt ihm ewig, ewig treu.
My poor heart will ever be faithful to him.
Composer
Johannes Brahms
Johannes Brahms (7 May 1833 – 3 April 1897) was a German composer, pianist, and conductor of the Romantic period. Born in Hamburg into a Lutheran family, Brahms spent much of his professional life in Vienna. Brahms has been considered, by his…
Poet
Hugo Conrat
Hugo Conrat is most known for his German adaptations of the Hungarian folksongs in Zigeunerlieder (Brahms). He was a member of Brahms' circle in Vienna.