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

.

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?
 .
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?
.
.
.