Entertainment Music Gretchen am Spinnrade Text and Translation Composed by Schubert Print Franz Schubert Memorial. Meinzahn/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 10/08/18 "Gretchen am Spinnrade" (or "Gretchen at the Spinning Wheel") is the name of a lied—a German ballad—which was composed in 1814 by Franz Schubert, based on a story in Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's Faust. In this great 18th century play, Mephistopheles has made a bet with God, that he can corrupt the righteous mortal Faust. Faust is lured into a pact with the devil, in which the poor scholar Faust gets whatever he wants on earth, with a promise to serve Mephistopheles in Hell. One of the things that Faust wants is Gretchen, but the romance ends in murder and infanticide. In Scene 18 of the first part of Goethe's two-part drama, Gretchen narrates the story of her tragic relationship with the scholar and Doctor Faust. German Text Meine Ruh ist hin,Mein Herz ist schwer,Ich finde sie nimmerUnd nimmermehr.Wo ich ihn nicht hab,Ist mir das Grab,Die ganze WeltIst mir vergällt. Mein armer KopfIst mir verrückt,Mein aremer SinnIst mir zerstückt. Nach ihm nur schau ichZum Fenster hinaus,Nach ihm nur geh ichAus dem Haus. Sein hoher Gang,Sein' edle Gestalt,Seines Mundes Lächeln,Seiner Augen Gewalt, Und seiner RedeZauberfluss,Sein Händedruck,Und ach, sein Kuss. Mein Busen drängtSich nach ihm hin.Auch dürf ich fassenUnd halten ihn, Und küssen ihn,So wie ich wollt,An seinen KüssenVergehen sollt! English Translation of Gretchen am Spinnrade My peace is gone,My heart is heavy,I will find it neverand never more. Where I do not have him,That is the grave,The whole worldIs bitter to me. My poor headIs crazy to me,My poor mindIs torn apart. For him only, I lookOut the windowOnly for him do I goOut of the house. His tall walk,His noble figure,His mouth's smile,His eyes' power, And his mouth'sMagic flow,His handclasp,and ah! his kiss! My peace is gone,My heart is heavy,I will find it neverand never more. My bosom urges itselftoward him.Ah, might I graspAnd hold him! And kiss him,As I would wish,At his kissesI should die!