Zärtliche Liebe (Tender love)

Text by Karl Friedrich Wilhelm Herrosee (1754–1821)

Set by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827), WoO 123, also known as Ich liebe dich

Ich liebe dich, so wie du mich,

      
I love you, as you love me,

Am Abend und am Morgen,

    
in-the evening and in-the morning,

Noch war kein Tag, wo du und ich

       
still was no day, when you and I
(there has never been a day when you and I)

Nicht teilten unsre Sorgen.

   
not shared our troubles/worries.
(have not shared our troubles.)

Auch waren sie für dich und mich

      
Also were they for you and me

Geteilt leicht zu ertragen,

   
(so)-shared easy to bear,
(So shared, they were easier for us to bear,)

Du tröstest im Kummer mich,

    
you comforted in grief/troubles me,
(you comforted me in my grief,)

Ich weint' in deine Klagen.

    
I wept for your laments.
(I wept when you lamented.)

Drum Gottes Segen über dir,

    
Therefore, God's blessing upon you,
(Therefore, God's blessings upon you,)

Zärtliche Liebe (Herrosee) Page 1 of 2

Du, meines Lebens Freude,
   
you, my life's joy,
(you, the joy of my life;)

Gott schütze dich, erhalt' dich mir,

     
God protect you, keep you for-me,

Schütz' und erhalt' uns beide.

    
protect and keep us both.

(Literal translation and IPA transcription © 2008 by Bard Suverkrop—IPA Source, LLC)

Zärtliche Liebe (Herrosee) Page 2 of 2