Songs

Liebst du um Schönheit

by Clara Schumann From Zwölf Gedichte aus „Liebesfrühling“ (1841) Op. 37 4–11 & 16.i.1841

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'Liebst du um Schönheit'. Recorded by TallWall Media. 



Text & Translation

View IPA

Liebst du um Schönheit
German source: Friedrich Rückert

Liebst du um Schönheit,
O nicht mich liebe!
Liebe die Sonne,
Sie trägt ein gold’nes Haar!

Liebst du um Jugend,
O nicht mich liebe!
Liebe den Frühling,
Der jung ist jedes Jahr!

Liebst du um Schätze,
O nicht mich liebe!
Liebe die Meerfrau,
Sie hat viel Perlen klar!

Liebst du um Liebe,
O ja, mich liebe!
Liebe mich immer,
Dich lieb’ ich immerdar!

If you love for beauty
English translation © Richard Stokes

If you love for beauty,
O love not me!
Love the sun,
She has golden hair!

If you love for youth,
O love not me!
Love the spring
Who is young each year!

If you love for riches,
O love not me!
Love the mermaid
Who has many shining pearls!

If you love for love,
Oh yes, love me!
Love me always;
I shall love you forever!

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

Liebst du um Schönheit
German source: Friedrich Rückert

If you love for beauty
English source: Richard Stokes

Liebst du um Schönheit,
If you love for beauty,
O nicht mich liebe!
O love not me!
Liebe die Sonne,
Love the sun,
Sie trägt ein gold’nes Haar!
She has golden hair!

Liebst du um Jugend,
If you love for youth,
O nicht mich liebe!
O love not me!
Liebe den Frühling,
Love the spring
Der jung ist jedes Jahr!
Who is young each year!

Liebst du um Schätze,
If you love for riches,
O nicht mich liebe!
O love not me!
Liebe die Meerfrau,
Love the mermaid
Sie hat viel Perlen klar!
Who has many shining pearls!

Liebst du um Liebe,
If you love for love,
O ja, mich liebe!
Oh yes, love me!
Liebe mich immer,
Love me always;
Dich lieb’ ich immerdar!
I shall love you forever!

Composer

Clara Schumann

Clara Schumann

Clara Schumann (1819-96) née Wieck is one of the most significant women in musical history. Apart from being a tremendously successful pianist and pedagogue, she wrote numerous songs alongside other works in various genres. She also transformed the…

Poet

Friedrich Rückert

Friedrich Rückert

Friedrich Rückert was a German poet, translator, and professor of Oriental languages. Rückert was born at Schweinfurt and was the eldest son of a lawyer. He was educated at the local Gymnasium and at the universities of Würzburg and Heidelberg.…

Performances

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