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Sehnsucht (1896) Op. 32 no.2

Part of a series or song cycle:

Five Songs (Op. 32)

Sehnsucht

Baron Detlev von Liliencron

Ich ging den Weg entlang, der einsam lag,
Den stets allein ich gehe jeden Tag.
Die Heide schweigt, das Feld ist menschenleer.
Der Wind nur webt im Knickbusch vor mir her.
Weit liegt vor mir die Straße ausgedehnt.
Es hat mein Herz nur dich, nur dich ersehnt.
Und kämest du, ein Wunder wär’s für mich,
Ich neigte mich vor dir: ich liebe dich.
Und im Begegnen, nur ein einzger Blick,
Des ganzen Lebens wär es mein Geschick.
Und richtest du dein Auge kalt auf mich,
Ich trotze Mädchen dir: ich liebe dich.
Doch wenn dein schönes Auge grüßt und lacht,
Wie eine Sonne mir in schwerer Nacht,
Ich zöge rasch dein süßes Herz an mich
Und flüstre leise dir: ich liebe dich.

Longing

English Translation © Richard Stokes

I walked along the lonely road,
As I’m wont to do each day alone.
The heath is silent, not a soul in the fields,
Merely the wind in the hedge before me.
The road stretches far ahead.
My heart yearned for you, you alone.
And were you to come, it would be a miracle,
I should bow down before you: I love you.
And a single glance from you as we met
Would be my life’s happiest moment.
And were you to gaze at me coldly,
I’d defy you, my girl: I love you.
But if your lovely eyes smile in welcome,
Like a sun in my dark night,
I should quickly embrace your sweet heart
And gently whisper: I love you.

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Composer

Richard Strauss

Richard Georg Strauss was a German composer of the late Romantic and early modern eras. He is particularly well-known for his operas, Lieder, and tone poems. 

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Poet

Baron Detlev von Liliencron

Liliencron first attracted attention by the volume of poems, Adjutantenritte und andere Gedichte (1883), which was followed by several unsuccessful dramas, a volume of short stories, Eine Sommerschlacht (1886), and a novel Breide Hummelsbüttel (1887). His complete works were published in 14 volumes (1904–1905); his Gedichte having been previously collected in four volumes under the titles Kampf und Spiele, Kämpfe und Ziele, "Nebel und Sonne and Bunte Beute (1897–1903).

 

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