Songs

O weh, des Scheidens, das er tat

by Clara Schumann

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This song was recorded on the album 'Robert and Clara Schumann: Rückert Lieder' on Stone Records (in collaboration with BBC Music Magazine). Featuring every piano-accompanied setting of the poet Friedrich Rückert by both Robert and Clara Schumann, including duets and ensembles, it was recorded in preparation for Oxford Lieder's The Schumann Project in 2016.

Click here to listen to this song with Katie Bray and Sholto Kynoch, or click here to buy the CD from Stone Records.



Text & Translation

O weh, des Scheidens, das er tat
German source: Friedrich Rückert

Oh weh des Scheidens, das er tat,
Da er mich liess im Sehnen!
Oh weh des Bittens, wie er bat,
Des Weinens seiner Tränen!

Er sprach zu mir: Dein Trauern lass!
Und schied doch selbst in Schmerzen.
Von seinen Tränen ward ich nass,
Dass kühl mir’s ward im Herzen.

O pain of parting that he caused
English translation © Richard Stokes

O pain of parting that he caused,
Leaving me to yearn,
O pain of pleading, as he begged,
Of his shedding tears!

He said to me: Mourn no more!
But parted full of pain.
His tears bedewed me,
And made my heart grow cool

O weh, des Scheidens, das er tat
German source: Friedrich Rückert

O pain of parting that he caused
English source: Richard Stokes

Oh weh des Scheidens, das er tat,
O pain of parting that he caused,
Da er mich liess im Sehnen!
Leaving me to yearn,
Oh weh des Bittens, wie er bat,
O pain of pleading, as he begged,
Des Weinens seiner Tränen!
Of his shedding tears!

Er sprach zu mir: Dein Trauern lass!
He said to me: Mourn no more!
Und schied doch selbst in Schmerzen.
But parted full of pain.
Von seinen Tränen ward ich nass,
His tears bedewed me,
Dass kühl mir’s ward im Herzen.
And made my heart grow cool

Composer

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 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.…

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