Robert Schumann’s Der Nussbaum comes from the song cycle (Myrthen) for voice & piano, Op. 25/3, he gave to his bride (Clara) on their wedding day.  It was named after the traditional bridal finery, Myrthens (Myrtles; Myrtus spp. 香桃木).

Nussbaum

The poem and lyrics by Julius Mosen tell of the whispers and caresses shared by two nut tree blossoms, revealing a certain maiden’s dreams of a bridegroom; nearby a girl listens, drifting gently into reverie.

[http://www.answers.com/topic/der-nussbaum-es-gr-net-ein-nussbaum-vor-dem-haus-song-for-voice-piano-myrthen-op-25-3]

Song videos:

Barbara Bonney (soprano) – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0p6v1mhSjYY

Marie-Nicole Lemieux (contralto) –  As the second lied starting at 3:18 —http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGvLPP_hyQg&feature=fvsr

Richard Tauber (tenor) – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40uPuWUvmrs&NR=1

Es grünet ein Nußbaum vor dem Haus,
Duftig, luftig breitet er blättrig die Blätter aus
Viel liebliche Blüten stehen dran
Linde Winde kommen, sie herzlich zu umfahn
Es flüstern je zwei zu zwei gepaart
Neigend, beugend zierlich zum Kusse die Häuptchen zart
Die flüstern von einem Mägdlein,
Das dächte die Nächte und Tage lang,
Wußte, ach! selber nicht was
Die flüstern – wer mag verstehn so gar leise Weis?
Flüstern von Bräut’gam und nächstem Jahr
Das Mägdlein horchet, es rauscht im Baum
Sehnend, wähnend sinkt es lächelnd in Schlaf und Traum.

Myrtus_communis

Tr. Sara Smith, Apr 22 2007, 09:33 PM

The nut-tree is turning green in front of the house,
Scented and airy it spreads its leaves
There are many sweet blossoms on it
Gentle winds come and blow tenderly round them
They whisper to each other in pairs
Nodding, bowing their sweet heads gently
They whisper of a young girl,
Who ponders night and day,
But still doesn’t know
They whisper – who could understand such soft wisdom?
They whisper about a groom and next year
The girl listens, it’s rustling in the tree
Longing and imagining she sinks smiling into sleep and dreams.