Songs

Warum willst du and're fragen?

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

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'Warum willst du and're fragen?'.   Filmed by TallWall Media. 














Text & Translation

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Warum willst du and're fragen?
German source: Friedrich Rückert

Warum willst du and’re fragen,
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

Why enquire of others,
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.…

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