Wer das Scheiden hat erfunden
Wer das Scheiden hat erfunden
Whoever Invented Parting
Traditional Song
Traditional Song
(German)
(English)
Wer das Scheiden hat erfunden
Hat an Liebe nicht gedacht
Sonst hätt' er die schönsten Stunden
In der Liebe zugebracht
Darf ich dich noch einmal sprechen
Darf ich dich noch einmal sehen
Werdest du oh mein geliebte
Sicher niemals von mir gehen
Meine Augen stehen von Tränen
Und mein Herz das schlägt im glut
Niemals werd ich dich vergessen
Denn du warst mir ja so gut
Stehst du einst an meinem Grabe
Und du lauschest immer zu
Denk was ich gelitten habe
Gönne mir die ew'ge Ruh.
Whoever invented parting
Didn't think of love
Otherwise the beautiful hours
Spent in love would not be broken.
May I speak to you again?
May I see you again?
Will you, oh my beloved,
Certainly never leave me.
My eyes are filled with tears
And my heart is beating wildly,
I will never forget you
Because you were so good to me.
If you once stand at my grave
And keep listening
Think of what I've suffered
Grant me eternal peace.
Notes
Text: Author unknown, from around 1890.
Music: Tune is from the folk melody of the Russian song called "Ponizovaya Volnitsa", better known by the words "Volga, Volga mat' rodnaya, Iz za ostrova na strezhen" and simply, "Stenka Razin" per Wikipedia. The tune was also used in The Seekers hit song "When the Carnival is over".
More verses exist and different people sing different verses.
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Thanks to George Nicholson for sharing this song and for the translation (which was done with Mama Lisa).
