“Ich Liebe Dich” (Zärtliche Liebe) by Ludwig van Beethoven 

with text by Karl Friedrich Wilhelm Herrosee 

 
Ludwig van Beethoven ​(1770-1827) is a German, Classical period composer. Beethoven’s 
musical talents were realized at a young age and he began his musical journey during his 
childhood in lessons with his father Johann van Beethoven and would later graduate to 
compositional studies with the great Franz Joseph Haydn in Vienna. Known primarily for his 
symphonies, sonatas, concertos, and other classical orchestral works, Beethoven also wrote a 
series of vocal works, including what is considered to be the first vocal song cycle, An die ferne 
Geliebte. “Zärtliche Liebe” more popularly known as “Ich Liebe Dich” was composed in 1795 
but wasn’t published until 1803. This song showed a shift in Beethoven’s compositional voice 
and style, as he began to gain traction and public attention as a composer.  
 
Karl Friedrich Herrosee ​(1764-1821) is a Berlin-born poet and clergyman.  
Herrosee founded ​Töchterschule in Züllichau, a school where he taught religion, pedagogy, 
and led educational seminars. He was well-known for his hymns but wrote poetry as well. 
Among his other poems, Beethoven selected “Ich Liebe Dich” for this lieder. 
 
Text and English Translation ​(Translation by Richard Stokes)  
Ich liebe dich, so wie du mich,  I love you as you love me, 
Am Abend und am Morgen,  At evening and at morning, 
Noch war kein Tag, wo du und ich  No day there was when you and I 
Nicht teilten unsre Sorgen.  Did not share our sorrows. 
   
Auch waren sie für dich und mich  And for me and you they were, 
Geteilt leicht zu ertragen;  When shared, an easy burden; 
Du tröstetest im Kummer mich,  You comforted me in my distress, 
Ich weint' in deine Klagen.  I wept when you lamented. 
   
Drum Gottes Segen über dir,  May God then bless you, 
Du, meines Lebens Freude.  You, my life's delight. 
Gott schütze dich, erhalt' dich mir,  God protect and keep you for me, 
Schütz und erhalt' uns beide.  Protect and keep us both.