Entertainment Music 'Vilja Lied' Lyrics, English Translation, and Recommended Recordings Hanna's Aria from The Merry Widow (Die Lustige Witwe) by Franz Lehár Print Dame Joan Sutherland performs the role of Hanna in Franz Lehár's famous opera, The Merry Widow. Photo by Ron Scherl/Redferns/Getty Images Music Classical Music Lyrics Basics Operas Rock Music Pop Music Alternative Music Country Music Folk Music Rap & Hip Hop Rhythm & Blues World Music Punk Music Heavy Metal Jazz Latin Music Oldies Learn More By Aaron Green Aaron Green Music Expert B.A., Classical Music and Opera, Westminster Choir College of Rider University Aaron M. Green is an expert on classical music and music history, with more than 10 years of both solo and ensemble performance experience. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on 02/20/18 Sung in the second act of Franz Lehár's opera, "Die Lustige Witwe" ("The Merry Widow"), Hanna, the wealthy (and merry) widow, hosts an extravagant party in full style of the Pontevedrian culture while they are in Paris. Hanna is unaware that the Baron is trying to arrange a marriage for her. (The Baron's country is on the verge of bankruptcy, and he fears that if Hanna marries a man from another country, she will take her large fortune valued at over $20 million with her and move to his homeland.) As the opera progresses, Hanna becomes aware of what is going on, but continues to play along; she finds it to be incredibly entertaining. As a most gracious host, Hanna entertains her guests and sings this aria about a forest fairy who enchants hunters. German Lyrics Nun lasst uns aber wie daheimJetzt singen unsern RingelreimVon einer Fee, die wie bekanntDaheim die Vilja wird genannt! Es lebt eine Vilja, ein Waldmägdelein,Ein Jäger erschaut sie im Felsengestein!Dem Burschen, dem wurdeSo eigen zu Sinn,Er schaute und schautauf das Waldmägdlein hin.Und ein niegekannter SchauderFasst den jungen Jägersmann,Sehnsuchtsvoll fing er still zu seufzen an!Vilja, o Vilja, Du Waldmägdelein,Fass mich und lass michDein Trautliebster sein!Vilja, O Vilja, was tust Du mir an?Bang fleht ein liebkranker Mann! Das Waldmägdelein strecktedie Hand nach ihm ausUnd zog ihn hinein in ihr felsiges Haus.Dem Burschen die Sinne vergangen fast sindSo liebt und so küsst gar kein irdisches Kind.Als sie sich dann satt geküsstVerschwand sie zu derselben Frist!Einmal hat noch der Arme sie gegrüsst:Vilja, o Vilja, Du Waldmägdelein,Fass mich und lass michDein Trautliebster sein!Vilja, O Vilja, was tust Du mir an?Bang fleht ein liebkranker Mann! English Translation But now let's do as we do at homeLet's sing our ring dance rhymeAbout a fairy known whomat home we call Vilja! Once lived a Vilja, a maid of the woods,And hunter spotted her in rocky outcroppings!The young boy, who wasAffected curiously by her presense,He looked and lookedat the wood-maiden.And a shudder the boy had never knownTook hold of him,Longingly he began quietly to sigh!Vilja, oh Vilja, you maid of the woods,Take me and let mebe your dearest true love!Vilja, O Vilja what are you doing to me?Begs a lovesick man! The maid of the woods stretchedher hand to himAnd pulled him into her rocky home.The boy nearly lost all his senseAnd so she loved him and kissed him as no earthly child.When she kissed him to his contentShe disappeared in an instant!The hunter waved goodbye only once before she vanished:Vilja, oh Vilja, you maid of the woods,Take me and let mebe your dearest true love!Vilja, O Vilja what are you doing to me?Begs a lovesick man! Recommended Listening Here are the best performances of Hanna's "Vilja-Lied" aria. Each of these leading women are a joy to listen to; each voice is special and unique, so it is hard to say who takes the cake. Happy listening! Dame Joan Sutherland's "Vilja-Lied" sung in English Lucia Popp's "Vilja-Lied" Renee Fleming's "Vilja-Lied" Elizabeth Schwarzkopf's "Vilja-Lied" Karita Mattila's "Vilja-Lied"