Songs

Liebhaber in allen Gestalten

by Franz Schubert

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Text & Translation

Liebhaber in allen Gestalten
German source: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Ich wollt’ ich wär’ ein Fisch,
So hurtig und frisch;
Und kämst Du zu angeln,
Ich würde nicht mangeln.
Ich wollt’ ich wär’ ein Fisch,
So hurtig und frisch.

Ich wollt', ich wär' ein Pferd,
Da wär' ich dir wert.
Oh, wär' ich ein Wagen,
Bequem dich zu tragen.
Ich wollt', ich wär' ein Pferd,
Da wär' ich dir wert.

Ich wollt’ ich wäre Gold!
Dir immer im Sold;
Und tätst Du was kaufen,
Käm’ ich gelaufen.
Ich wollt’ ich wäre Gold!
Dir immer im Sold.

Doch bin ich wie ich bin,
Und nimm mich nur hin!
Willst bess’re besitzen,
So lass Dir sie schnitzen.
Ich bin nun wie ich bin;
So nimm mich nur hin!

Love in all guises
English translation © Richard Wigmore

I wish I were a fish,
so agile and fresh;
and if you came to catch me,
I would not fail you.
I wish I were a fish,
so agile and fresh.

I wish I were a horse
that you cherished
O were I only a cart
to bear you comfortably!
I wish I were a horse
that you cherished.

I wish I were gold,
always at your service.
And if you bought something,
I would come running back again.
I wish I were gold,
always at your service!

But I am as I am;
just accept me like this.
If you want a better man,
then have him made for you.
I a m as I am;
just accept me like this.

Translations by Richard Wigmore first published by Gollancz and reprinted in the Hyperion Schubert Song Edition

Liebhaber in allen Gestalten
German source: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Love in all guises
English source: Richard Wigmore

Ich wollt’ ich wär’ ein Fisch,
I wish I were a fish,
So hurtig und frisch;
so agile and fresh;
Und kämst Du zu angeln,
and if you came to catch me,
Ich würde nicht mangeln.
I would not fail you.
Ich wollt’ ich wär’ ein Fisch,
I wish I were a fish,
So hurtig und frisch.
so agile and fresh.

Ich wollt', ich wär' ein Pferd,
I wish I were a horse
Da wär' ich dir wert.
that you cherished
Oh, wär' ich ein Wagen,
O were I only a cart
Bequem dich zu tragen.
to bear you comfortably!
Ich wollt', ich wär' ein Pferd,
I wish I were a horse
Da wär' ich dir wert.
that you cherished.

Ich wollt’ ich wäre Gold!
I wish I were gold,
Dir immer im Sold;
always at your service.
Und tätst Du was kaufen,
And if you bought something,
Käm’ ich gelaufen.
I would come running back again.
Ich wollt’ ich wäre Gold!
I wish I were gold,
Dir immer im Sold.
always at your service!

Doch bin ich wie ich bin,
But I am as I am;
Und nimm mich nur hin!
just accept me like this.
Willst bess’re besitzen,
If you want a better man,
So lass Dir sie schnitzen.
then have him made for you.
Ich bin nun wie ich bin;
I a m as I am;
So nimm mich nur hin!
just accept me like this.

Composer

Franz Schubert

Franz Peter Schubert was an late Classical and early Romantic composer. He produced a vast oeuvre during his short life, composing more the 600 vocal works (largely Lieder), and well as several symphonies, operas, and a large body of piano music. He…

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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