Schumann’s song-cycle Frauenliebe und Leben (Woman’s Life and Love) continues to inspire contemporary re-workings. Mary Johnston has cast the original text by Adalbert von Chamisso into Doric. Here is her version of the third poem from the set, in which the singer expresses her joy and wonder at reciprocated love. The Doric text with accompanying CD is published by Poetry Monthly Press, 39 Cavendish Road, Long Eaton, Nottingham, NG10 4HY, at £4.

I canna oonerstan, I canna tak iss in,
ma dream mun be playin me fause;
fit wye, oot o aa the lave o men
kin he mak me sae happy, dae me sae prood?
 
I thocht I heard him say,
“I’m yours for iver”
but I mun aye be dreamin
kis shairly iss canna be.
 
O lat me slip awa fen dreamin;
cooried agin his hert,
lat me slurp iss maist deleecious daith
wi tears o niver endin seil.