Thomas Hampson / Twenty Songs
Songs VII - XII
The next group of three songs (Ich will meine Seele tauchen, Im Rhein, im heiligen Strome, and Ich grolle nicht) continues to explore the tensions between forced optimism and brooding doubt, culminating in the terrifying image of a serpent curled around the helpless heart of the poet's beloved, whom he endeavors to exonerate as also a victim of fate by repeating his pained lament, "I will not complain!" His resolve wavers in the subsequent three Lieder, as he attempts to banish the nightmares of his beloved's betrayal. Und wüssten's die Blumen, where nature appears to sympathize, is followed by the schizophrenic anguish of the wedding scene, Das ist ein Flöten und Geigen, and by the cathartic release in tears of Hör ich' das Liedchen klingen.
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Ich grolle nicht, und wenn das Herz auch bricht, Ewig verlornes Lieb! ich grolle nicht. Wie du auch strahlst in Diamantenpracht, Es fällt kein Strahl in deines Herzens Nacht. |
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I will not complain, even if my heart does break, Forever lost, o love! I will not complain. However you may shine in bediamonded splendour, No ray illuminates the night in your heart. |
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Daß weiß ich längst. Ich sah dich ja im Traume, Und sah die Nacht in deines Herzens Raume, Und sah die Schlang, die dir am Herzen frißt, Ich sah, mein Lieb, wie sehr du elend bist. [Ich grolle nicht, ich grolle nicht.] |
Long have I known this. Yes, I saw you in a dream, And saw the night in the abyss of your heart, And saw the serpent that gnaws at your breast, I saw, my love, how miserable you are. [I will not complain, I will not complain!] |
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