Da unten im Tale

Da unten im Tale

"Down in the valley there" is one of Brahms' best Lieder based on a folk song. Originally a Swabian song, it was included in the Brahms' "Deutsche Volkslieder mit ihren Original-Weisen." Lehmann recorded this song in 1941 with Paul Ulanowsky. I have always enjoyed Lehmann's singing here: at once earthy and at the same time sophisticated. Note the hint of bitterness when Lehmann sings the word "Falschheit" [falsehood or falseness] and her absolute comfort with the dialect.

Da unten im Tale Down in the valley there
Läuft's Wasser so trüb, the water flows so troubled,
Und i kann dir's net sagen, and I can't tell you
I hab' di so lieb. that I love you so.
Sprichst allweil von Liebe, You always speak of love,
Sprichst allewil von Treu', you always speak of fidelity,
Und a bissele Falschheit but a bit of falsehood
Is auch wohl dabei. is always there too.
Und wenn i dir's zehnmal sag, And if I tell you ten times,
Daß i di lieb und mag, that I love and care about you,
Und du willst nit verstehn, and you do not want to understand,
Muß i halt weitergehn. then I will have to move on. [go my own way]
Für die Zeit, wo du gliebt mi hast, For the time that you loved me,
Da dank i dir schön, I thank you kindly,
Und i wünsch, daß dir's anderswo and I wish that somewhere else
Besser mag gehn. things may go better for you. [that you fare better elsewhere]

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