Category Archives: Karl von Lemcke


Karl von Lemcke: “Do you wish me to go?”

by Karl von Lemcke (1831-1913)
“Auf der Heide saust der Wind”
from Lieder und Gedichte, Hamburg, published 1861

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Auf der Heide saust der Wind

 

Set by Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) , “Willst du, daß ich geh’?”, op. 71 (Fünf Gesänge) no. 4 (1877). Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust, from The Lied & Art Song Texts Page.

 

On the heath blows the wind -
Sweet child, sweet child -
do you wish me, despite the storm and horror,
to go out into the night -
do you wish me to go?
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On the heath at the top of the mountain
Piles the snow, piles the snow;
It sweeps the street, the gorge and pool alike
with white wings.
Do you wish me to go?
 .
Hark! the sound of the sea
is wild and woeful, wild and woeful!
By the willows sits an evil sprite
and my path goes past that place -
Do you wish me to go?
 .
For here in your arms,
how cosy and warm, cosy and warm;
Ah, how often have I thought:
if only I could have just one night with you...
Do you wish me to go?
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.
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Karl von Lemcke: In the loneliness of the forest

by Karl von Lemcke (1831-1913)
from Lieder und Gedichte, Hamburg, published 1861

Set by Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) , “In Waldeseinsamkeit”, op. 85 (Sechs Lieder) no. 6 (1878). Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,from The Lied & Art Song Texts Page.

In Waldeseinsamkeit

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 I sat at your feet
In the loneliness of the forest;
The breath of the wind, like longing,
Went through the broad treetops.
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In mute struggle I sank
my head into your lap,
And my shaking hands
I clasped about your knees.
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The sun set,
The day lost its glow,
Far, far, far away
Sang a single nightingale.