Ach, wie wärs möglich dann

Ach, wie ist's möglich dann also known as Treue Liebe (True/Loyal Love), is a German now-traditional song. Friedrich Wilhelm Kücken (1810 - 1882), a German composer and conductor, claimed to have composed the tune, and that it was later modified "probably by Silcher" ("wahrscheinlich von Silcher her") and given the general name Thüringer Volkslied ("Thuringian folksong"). Its popularity helped Küchen get chosen for the court of Grand Duke Paul Friedrich von Mecklenburg-Schwerin.[1] The tune is used at West Point, Lincoln University (Missouri) (Lincoln, O, Lincoln) and Wake Forest University. Marlene Dietrich sang the song and it has been used in a couple of movies.

The lyrics are generally credited to Helmina von Chézy.

Ach wie ist's möglich, dann daß ich dich lassen kann! Hab dich von Herzen lieb, das glaube mir. Du hast die Seele mein so ganz genommen ein, daß ich kein Andre lieb, als dich allein. Blau ist ein Blümelein, das heißt Vergißnichtmein; dies Blümlein leg ans Herz und denk an mich! Stirbt Blüm' und Hoffnung gleich, wir sind an Liebe reich, denn die stirbt nie bei mir, das glaube mir! Wär ich ein Vögelein, wollt ich bald bei dir sein, scheut Falk und Habicht nicht, flög schnell zu dir; schöß mich ein Jäger tot, fiel ich in deinen Schoß; sähst du mich traurig an, gern stürb ich dann.

Oh, how is it possible that I can leave you! I hold you in my heart, believe that of me! You have my soul taken so completely, that I love no one, but you alone. Blue is a little flower, that is called forget-me-not; Lay this bloom upon your heart and think of me! Were flower and hope to die, we would still be rich in love, because it would never die in me, believe that of me. If I were a little bird, I would soon be with you, Not avoiding falcon or hawk, I would fly quickly to you; If a hunter mortally wounded me, And I fell onto your lap; If you were saddened, I would die in peace.

References

1. Gaynor G. Jones, "Friedrich Wilhelm Kücken". The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians. London:Macmillan, 2001

External links

• Video of a nice rendition of the song performed on piano
• Ach wie ist's moeglich on Songs Archive including sheet music with lyrics