Die Lotosblume

"Die Lotosblume" ("The Lotus Flower") is a poem written by Heinrich Heine, and published in his Buch der Lieder (The Book of Songs, 1827).[1] Set to music by Robert Schumann in 1840,[2] this Lied is part of Schumann's Myrthen collection (op. 25 no. 7))[3] and Six Songs for Männerchor (op. 33 no. 3). It is written in the key of F Major, and set in ⁶
₄ time.[4] The piece speaks of the blooming of a lotus flower, who hides from the sun and only reveals herself at night to her lover, the moon.[5] Due to circumstances at the time, the lyrics were intended to have a double meaning.

Text

Deutsch	English
Die Lotosblume ängstigt Sich vor der Sonne Pracht, Und mit gesenktem Haupte Erwartet sie träumend die Nacht.   Der Mond, der ist ihr Buhle, Er weckt sie mit seinem Licht, Und ihm entschleiert sie freundlich Ihr frommes Blumengesicht.   Sie blüht und glüht und leuchtet, Und starret stumm in die Höh; Sie duftet und weinet und zittert Vor Liebe und Liebesweh.	The Lotus flower fears for the sun's splendour, and with drooping head she dreamily awaits the night. The moon, he is her lover. He wakes her with his light and to him she happily unveils her devoted flower-face. She blooms and glows and shines and stares mute in the heavens. She exhales and weeps and trembles with love and love's pain.

References

1. Sammons, Jeffrey L. "Heinrich Heine". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
2. Programs Stanford University. Dept. of Music - 2003 Die Lotosblume is a poem by Heinrich Heine, a poet whose works Schumann used heavily in his song cycles. Schumann was interested in the contrast between innocence and sensuality in Heine's poems and this contrast is clearly seen here
3. Palmer, John. "Robert Schumann - Myrthen, 26 songs for voice & piano, Op. 25". Allmusic. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
4. "Die Lotosblume - Composed by Robert Schumann". musicnotes.com. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
5. Gailey, Meredith. "Robert Schumann - Die Lotosblume". Allmusic. Retrieved January 28, 2018.