Songs

Lieber Gott, du weisst, wie oft bereut ich hab (1886)

Part of a series or song cycle:

Lieber Gott, du weisst, wie oft bereut ich hab

Hugo Conrat

Lieber Gott, du weißt, wie oft bereut ich hab,

Daß ich meinem Liebsten einst ein Küßchen gab.

Herz gebot, daß ich ihn küssen muß,

Denk so lang ich leb an diesen ersten Kuß.

Lieber Gott, du weißt, wie oft in stiller

Nacht Ich in Lust und Leid an meinen Schatz gedacht.

Lieb ist süß, wenn bitter auch die Reu,

Armes Herze bleibt ihm ewig, ewig treu.

Dear God, you know how often I’ve regretted

English Translation © Richard Stokes

Dear God, you know how often I’ve regretted

That little kiss I once gave my dearest.

My heart decreed I had to kiss him,

As long as I live I’ll think of that first kiss.

Dear God, you know how often in silent nights

I’ve thought of my love in joy and pain.

Love is sweet, however bitter the regret,

My poor heart will ever be faithful to him.

Translation © Richard Stokes, author of The Book of Lieder (Faber, 2005)

Composer

Johannes Brahms (7 May 1833 – 3 April 1897) was a German composer, pianist, and conductor of the Romantic period. Born in Hamburg into a Lutheran family, Brahms spent much of his professional life in Vienna.

Brahms has been considered, by his contemporaries and by later writers, as both a traditionalist and an innovator. His music is firmly rooted in the structures and compositional techniques of the Classical masters. While many contemporaries found his music too academic, his contribution and craftsmanship have been admired by many.

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