Whilst studying in Leipzig, Sullivan met the Barnett sisters, Clara and Rosamond. Clara described Sullivan as 'a smiling youth with an oval, olive-tinted face, dark eyes, a large generous mouth, and a thick crop of dark curly hair, which overhung his low forehead... The sight of him excited in me a strange emotion never before experienced!' But she added sadly that Sullivan 'showed a distinct inclination to flirt with Rosamond.'

Rosamond eventually married R. E. Francillon, the Victorian novelist, and the manuscript of this song, together with some letters from Sullivan to Rosamond and Clara, was discovered by their nephew whilst clearing out a cupboard and who sent it to Leslie Bailey in 1947.

MIDI File [14K, 1' 48"]

Score [243K]

Ich möchte mit krätigen Armen I want to use strong arms to scatter die Wolken streifen zurück, The clouds in heav'n above, den Sternen, den flimmernden Sternen And show to the glittering stars zu zeigen mein jubelndes Glück, The wonder and joy of my love, zu zeigen mein jubelndes Glück. The wonder and joy of my love. Ich möchte die schlafenden Menschen I want all mankind to awaken, aufrütteln mit wilder Lust, To be woken by my desire, dass sie schauten die stolze Sonne So they'll see the deep stirring passion flammen in meiner Brust, Burning within my breast, dass sie schauten die stolze Sonne So they'll see the deep stirring passion flammen in meiner Brust, Burning within my breast, dass sie schauten die Sonne See the deep stirring passion flammen in meiner Brust. Burning within my breast.

Archive Home  |  Arthur Sullivan  |  Songs & Ballads  

Page updated 19 June, 2006