Songs
Warum willst du and're fragen?
by Clara Schumann From Zwölf Gedichte aus „Liebesfrühling“ (1841) Op. 37 4–11 & 16.i.1841
'Warum willst du and're fragen?'. Filmed by TallWall Media.
Warum willst du and're fragen?
German source:
Friedrich Rückert
Die’s nicht meinen treu mit dir?
Glaube nicht, als was dir sagen
Diese beiden Augen hier!
Glaube nicht den fremden Leuten,
Glaube nicht dem eignen Wahn;
Nicht mein Tun auch sollst du deuten,
Sondern sieh die Augen an!
Schweigt die Lippe deinen Fragen,
Oder zeugt sie gegen mich?
Was auch meine Lippen sagen,
Sieh mein Aug’, ich liebe dich!
Why enquire of others
English translation ©
Richard Stokes
Who are not faithful to you?
Only believe what these two eyes
Here tell you!
Do not believe what others say;
Do not believe strange fancies;
Nor should you interpret my deeds,
But instead look at these eyes!
Are my lips silent to your questions
Or do they testify against me?
Whatever my lips might say;
Look at my eyes; I love you!
Translations by Richard Stokes, author of The Book of Lieder (Faber, 2005)
Warum willst du and're fragen?
German source:
Friedrich Rückert
Why enquire of others
English source:
Richard Stokes
Warum willst du and’re fragen,
Why enquire of others,
Die’s nicht meinen treu mit dir?
Who are not faithful to you?
Glaube nicht, als was dir sagen
Only believe what these two eyes
Diese beiden Augen hier!
Here tell you!
Glaube nicht den fremden Leuten,
Do not believe what others say;
Glaube nicht dem eignen Wahn;
Do not believe strange fancies;
Nicht mein Tun auch sollst du deuten,
Nor should you interpret my deeds,
Sondern sieh die Augen an!
But instead look at these eyes!
Schweigt die Lippe deinen Fragen,
Are my lips silent to your questions
Oder zeugt sie gegen mich?
Or do they testify against me?
Was auch meine Lippen sagen,
Whatever my lips might say;
Sieh mein Aug’, ich liebe dich!
Look at my eyes; I love you!
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.…
Performances
Previously performed at:
- Album für die Frau 12 Oct 2024
- A Scandinavian Frauenliebe 18 Oct 2023
- Paula Murrihy & Sholto Kynoch: Tell Me the Truth About Love 18 Mar 2022
- 11. Clara Schumann and Johannes Brahms: Tara Erraught & James Baillieu 13 Oct 2019
- Eichendorff Liederkreis: Felicity Lott & Eugene Asti 26 Oct 2016
- Robert & Clara, Songs & Duets: Sophie Karthäuser, Sarah Connolly & Eugene Asti 15 Oct 2016