Was soll ich sagen?
German source:
Adelbert von Chamisso
Du heißest mich reden, es sei darum!
Dein Aug’ ist klar, dein Mund ist roth,
Und was du nur wünschest, das ist ein Gebot.
Mein Haar ist grau, mein Herz ist wund,
Du bist so jung und bist so gesund!
Du heissest mich reden und machst mir’s so schwer.
Ich seh’ Dich so an und zittre so sehr.
What should I say?
English translation ©
Richard Stokes
You tell me to speak—so be it, then!
Your eyes are bright, your lips are red,
And all that you wish is one command.
My hair is grey, my heart is sore,
You are so young and so healthy!
You tell me to speak, and make it so hard.
I look at you so and tremble so.
Translations by Richard Stokes, author of The Book of Lieder (Faber, 2005)
Was soll ich sagen?
German source:
Adelbert von Chamisso
What should I say?
English source:
Richard Stokes
Mein Aug’ ist trüb’, mein Mund ist stumm,
My eyes are dim, my lips are silent,
Du heißest mich reden, es sei darum!
You tell me to speak—so be it, then!
Dein Aug’ ist klar, dein Mund ist roth,
Your eyes are bright, your lips are red,
Und was du nur wünschest, das ist ein Gebot.
And all that you wish is one command.
Mein Haar ist grau, mein Herz ist wund,
My hair is grey, my heart is sore,
Du bist so jung und bist so gesund!
You are so young and so healthy!
Du heissest mich reden und machst mir’s so schwer.
You tell me to speak, and make it so hard.
Ich seh’ Dich so an und zittre so sehr.
I look at you so and tremble so.
Composer
Robert Schumann
Robert Schumann was a German composer and influential music critic. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest composers of the Romantic era. Schumann left the study of law, intending to pursue a career as a virtuoso pianist. He had been assured…
Poet
Adelbert von Chamisso
Adelbert von Chamisso was a German poet and botanist, author of Peter Schlemihl, a famous story about a man who sold his shadow. He was commonly known in French as Adelbert de Chamisso(t) de Boncourt, a name referring to the family estate at…