As You Like It

Forest of Arden

I wander through the birch grove,
here in the Forest of Arden
where virtue and honour reside
We are banished people
(and) feel no bitterness
for we are strengthened
by the bonds of friendship

Here in the Forest of Arden
True faith in future can be found

I savour the sweet odour of the forest
that a gentle breeze brings to my face
All villains shall see the glint in my eyes
swearing to the world that I‘ll master my destiny

Here in the Forest of Arden
True faith in future can be found

Love song

Sweetest rose named Rosalind touched my heart so tenderly
All haze vanished at once so I could see clearly
You were standing there in the most adorable way
I’ll always remember this great fateful day

You belong to me, I knew it immediately

Come close to me, come close to my face and whisper the words I’m longing for
You are most unforgettable to me

Oh, how many times I heard you say these words to me
The soft lips of your gorgeous mouth formed them passionately
I want you so badly, I will always be your man
Oh, Rosalind, will our ways ever cross again?

You belong to me, I knew it immediately

Come close to me, come close to my face and whisper the words I’m longing for
You are most unforgettable to me, to me


Orlando sings

Triumph of Virtue

Dear friends, let me sing about the triumph of virtue
All harsh winds forgotten, no pricks bother anymore,
The sunlight finds its way through the treetops again,
All harm left behind us, all melancholy’s gone away,
Let us be merry, join my hymn on virtue and let us dance all night

Courtiers in the forest live peacefully together,
The duke has regained now his former strength,
We all return to the court joyfully,
Birds sing all lovers’ desires are satisfied,
Let us be merry and fête the triumph of virtue and of love

Die folgenden Lieder sind originale Texte von Shakespeare.

Under the greenwood tree

 

Under the greenwood tree,

Who loves to lie with me,

And turn his merry note

Unto the sweet bird's throat,

Come hither, come hither, come hither.
Here shall he see

No enemy,

But winter and rough weather.

 

Who doth ambition shun

And loves to live i' th' sun

Seeking the food he eats,

and pleased with what he gets,

Come hither, come hither, come hither.

Here shall he see

No enemy,

But winter and rough weather.



Blow, blow thou winter wind

 

Blow, blow, thou winter wind.
Thou art not so unkind
As man's ingratitude;
Thy tooth is not so keen,
Because thou art not seen,
Although thy breath be rude.


Heigh-ho! Sing, heigh-ho, unto the green holly:
Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly:
Then, heigh-ho, the holly!
This life is most jolly.


Freeze, freeze, thou bitter sky,
That dost not bite so nigh
As benefits forgot:
Though thou the waters warp,
Thy sting is not so sharp
As friend remembered not.


Heigh-ho! Sing, heigh-ho, unto the green holly:

Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly:
Then, heigh-ho, the holly!
This life is most jolly.



It was a lover and his lass

 

It was a lover and his lass,
With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonny-no,
That o'er the green corn-field did pass


In spring time, the only pretty ring time,
When birds do sing, hey ding a ding, ding:
Sweet lovers love the spring.

 

Between the acres of the rye,  
With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonny-no
These pretty country folks would lie,


In spring time, the only pretty ring time,
When birds do sing, hey ding a ding, ding:
Sweet lovers love the spring.

 

This carol they began that hour,              
With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonny-no,
How that a life was but a flower


In spring time, the only pretty ring time,
When birds do sing, hey ding a ding, ding:
Sweet lovers love the spring.

 

And therefore take the present time,
With a hey, and a ho, and a hey nonny-no;
For love is crownèd with the prime

 

In spring time, the only pretty ring time,
When birds do sing, hey ding a ding, ding:
Sweet lovers love the spring.