Lotte Lehmann on Der Rosenkavalier

New Version of Lehmann Poem Discovered

While researching the Lehmann Chronology at the Columbia University Rare Books and Manuscripts in March 2004, Gary Hickling discovered a Lehmann poem that is slightly different from the version printed in her “Gedichte” (Poems) of 1969.

Here is the published version along with the altered (earlier?) version on the right.The translation was accomplished with the help of Hilde Randolph. The last strophe was unaltered.
Wie schön is dieser tiefe Schlummer Wie schön is dieser tiefe Schimmer
How beautiful is this deep slumber How beautiful is this deep glimmer
Wie schöne die saphirblaue Ferne! Wie schöne die licht durchströmte Ferne!
How beautiful the saphire-blue distance

How beautiful the light permeated distance
Es leuchten über mir die Sterne, Es leuchten über mir die Sterne,
The stars shine above me, The stars shine above me,
Der ganze Himmel ist mein Zimmer, Der ganze Himmel ist mein Zimmer,
The whole sky is my room, The whole sky is my room,
In dem ich träumend liege. In dem ich schlafend, träumend liege
In which I lay dreaming. In which I lay sleeping dreaming.
Der Wind spielt in dem stillen Zweigen, Der Wind schläft in Tannenzweigen,
The wind plays in the silent branches, The wind sleeps in the pine branches,
Wie eine schwanke, grüne Wiege. Wie eine schwanke, grüne Wiege
Like a swaying, green cradle. Like a swaying, green cradle.
Drei schwarze Tannen stehen Wacht Drei schwarze Tannen stehen Wacht
Three black pine trees stand guard Three black pine trees stand guard
Und breiten ihre Engelsschwingen Und breiten ihre Engelsschwingen
And extend their angel wings And extend their angel wings
Über mein Bett. Und Sterne singen Über mein Bett. Und Sterne singen
Above my bed. And stars trace Above my bed. And stars trace
Ihre erhab’nen, ew’gen Kreise Ihre erhab’nen, ew’gen Kreise
Their sublime, eternal paths Their sublime, eternal paths
Uralte, wundersame Weise Uralte, wundersame Weise
Ancient, wonderous songs Ancient, wonderous songs
Durch diese warme Julinacht. Durch diese warme Julinacht.
Through this warm July night Through this warm July night

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