Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: 'Gretchen am Spinnrade'

 

Gretchen at the Spinning Wheel

 

All my rest is gone,

my heart is lead;

I’ll never no never

repair the thread.

 

Now that he’s not mine

I hear grave’s call,

The whole wide world

is sour as gall.

 

My wretched head

grows quite insane,

My wretched mind

bursts from the pain.

 

All my rest is gone,

my heart is lead;

I’ll never no never

repair the thread.

 

Just at the window

For him do I gaze

Just from this house now

My heart strays.

 

His stately form

And bearing I prize,

His own way of smiling,

And the power of his eyes,

 

The stream of magic

From his lips,

His hands’ firm clasp,

And oh his kiss!

 

All my rest is gone,

my heart is lead;

I’ll never no never

repair the thread.

 

To him my breast

would now take flight

Ah, could I grasp him

And hold him tight,

 

And on his lips

My kisses strew,

And from his kissing

then swoon anew!