Ich Gehör Nur Mir - Elisabeth

Prolog

Voice of Judge:
But why Lucheni? Why did you kill the Empress Elisabeth?

Lucheni:
Alla malora!

Voice of Judge:
Answer, Luigi Lucheni!

Lucheni:
Why, why? Every night the same question – for a hundred years! Why all this questioning? Merda! I’m dead!

Voice of Judge:
The terrible assassination of the Empress of Austria!

Lucheni:
Va a farti fottere!

Voice of Judge:
Explain at last what was the motive!

Lucheni:
The motive? I killed her because…she wanted it!

Voice of Judge:
Don’t talk such nonsense.

Lucheni:
She really did! There are honourable witnesses to testify for it!

Voice of Judge:
What witnesses would that be?

Lucheni:
Her contemporaries, my dear sir! They can’t find peace and still talk about….Elisabeth!

Chorus:

but we still dance the dance of death
lust, grief (or suffering) duty, which suffocates us
Dream, h….. ? That’s all that’s left.

Sisi’s Parents:

The child was so sensitive
She did expect too much from life
Our little daughter

Her Husband (Franz Joseph):

we were too much alike
she felt misunderstood.

Voice:

For the last time Lucheni! Who was pulling the strings behind you?

Lucheni:

Death, Only Death!

Voice:

The motive Lucheni!!!!

Lucheni:

Love. UNA GRANDE AMOREEE!!!

Chorus and Lucheni:

Elisabeth

Wie Du (Like You)

Young Elisabeth: (Sisi)

I hate it so much
All the uncles and aunts will come
And I sure wish I could escape all the gossip and the affectations,

but the governess won’t have it.
Father, why can’t I go with you?

Her father:

Because it’s not possible.

Sisi:

But everything you like, I like even more

Father:

Nevertheless, it’s not possible

Sisi:

I would love to be like you.

Father:

and family gatherings, I hate as much as the plague.

Sisi:

Why can’t I climb the cherry tree today?

Father:

Just be happy that you’re not in your poor sister’s shoes…

Sisi:

Or try to balance on a rope!

Father:

They’re training her to be a princess!

Sisi:

Or play with my brothers on the meadows behind the house.

Father:

I will not take sides!

Sisi:

But the Governess won’t allow it.

Father:

I just can’t help you.

Sisi:

Father, but why can’t I go with you….

Father:

Maybe I’ll be back by tomorrow afternoon!

Sisi:

As far as Egypt, Spain, or Kathmandu

Father:

Time to go now!

Sisi:

just travel with a zither, do what I like.

Father:

Adieu Sisi.

Sisi:

And always want (to do?) what I am doing.

Father:

Be good.

Sisi:

I would love to be like you.

Jedem Gibt er das Seine (He gives to everyone what he deserves)

Narrator:

In Vienna rules the young emperor Franz Josef,

his power is secured by a standing army of soldiers,

a sitting army of administrators

and a kneeling army of priests
and a crawling army of informers—
And he relies heavily on the advice of his mother
People say she is the only man at Court.

Sophie (His mother):

Be severe, be strong, be cold, be hard

Court people:

He does everything for the greater good
God Save and Protect our young emperor.

Guard:

THE ARCHBISHOP…

Archbishop:

Majesty, the Holy Church encounters resistance.

Sophie:

OUTRAGEOUS!

Archbishop:

have the supervision of schools in the country.

Emperor:

Granted!

Court:

He gives everybody what he deserves….

Guard:

A Mother

Woman:

and now he is in jail.

Sophie:

GOOD!

Woman:

he does not deserve to die.

Sophie:

Be Severe…

Franz Josef:

If I could do what I would like to…

Sophie:

Be Strong…

Franz Josef:

If I would not have to rule the way an emperor should

Sophie:

Be hard….Be hard…

Franz Josef:

Declined.

Sophie:

What other business do we have?

Count Gruenne:

Majesty the war at Crimea threatens to spread over to other countries.

It is unavoidable that we becomes Russia’s ally this time.

We have to thank Russia for saving us from the revolution (?)
and besides we get a piece of Turkey for our services.

Franz Josef:

What do you think of the political development, Count Gruenne?

Count:

but if we become England’s ally, the Russians will be upset,
in any case an alliance would be fatal.

Franz Josef:

We have to decide!

Sophie:

The emperor of Austria does not have to do anything!

Repeat choruses:

He gives everybody what he deserves…

Sophie:

Be sly, be smart…

So Wie Man Denkt, so Kommt es nie (Things never happen the way you plan them)

Narrator:

and the heart so hopeful,
Sophie has explained to her sister

the whole arrangement in detail,

but it does not work the way she planned it!

Sophie:

So why did you arrive so late?

Her sister (Sisi’s mother):

we have to rest now for a while.

Sophie:

No way! The emperor is expecting you at 4 p.m.!

Sister:

What, that early? How does Helen look?

Sisi’s father:

Max could not come, but I brought Sisi instead.

Sophie: (To Sisi)

and your hair looks awful.

Sisi:

I’ll go change!

Sophie:

You won’t make the emperor wait for you!

Narrator:

It’s in the end just theory
only one thing is certain for sure
The way you plan and think is never
the way it will be in the end

The mothers have a lot to talk about,

the emperor is silent.
The marriage candidate feels uncomfortable.

The whole thing gets out of hand
because the emperor demonstrates that he has his own opinion about his marriage!

Sophie:

Well Franz, speak Freely. How do you like her?

Franz Josef:

Who?

Sophie:

Why, your charming cousin, of course.

Franz Josef:

She looks like a fresh almond…

Sophie:

Like what?

Franz Josef:

A fresh almond about to burst.

Sophie:

That is almost poetry!

Franz Josef:

and her lips are as red as strawberries

Sophie:

And her manners are good too.

Franz Josef:

At the Ball tonight I will only dance with her! (indicating Sisi)

Mothers:

Well then, let’s invite her.
Get up, go get her!!!

Narrator:

What use is a plan, even a smart one…

Sophie:

education and careful planning, all for nothing!!

Chorus:

What use is a plan….

Alle Fragen sind gestellt (All questions are asked)

Narrator:

Strange time for a wedding ceremony

but appropriate on this 24th of April 1854,

very appropriate.

Chorus:

We are the last of a world with no hope left

because all Sins are ( either asked, or lasted or past)
all virtues are memorised and all curses are said
and all blessings are voiced
ugliness can’t shock us,
the good deed no longer an example
the evil deed leaves us indifferent
because all miracles are done
and all borders destroyed
we have seen every image and
all questions are asked and all chances are gone
we are the last of a world, which always thinks
about suicide and everything,
everything that happens helps us kill time
We finally see the stars’ descent
ELISABETH…..

Priest:

Is that your wish, then answer with “Yes”

Elisabeth:

Yes.

Bells.

Sie passt nicht (She does not fit in)

Voice:

Sisi gives up for him everything that makes life exciting!
Love will kill her!
She should escape while she still has a taste (German Expression)
before she gets used to it to not having the taste (for life?)

Sophie:

Franz does not know what he’s doing.
He does not listen to me.

Max:

Why did it have to be him!?

Sophie:

She has destroyed all of my plans.

Both:

I see her/him and think he/she isn’t the one!

An old aristocrat:

“What a beautiful wedding”.

A young aristocrat:

The priest (incense giver) has spoken too long.

His wife:

As always!

Wedding Guests (1st Group simultaneously)

And soft
as wax! Didn’t speak much.

A Countess:

How do you like the new empress?

Two Aristocrats:

She does look nice…

Three Aristocrats:

She is really charming!

Wedding Guests (1st Group simultaneously)

We’ll have an easy game with her!

An old man:

Her family tree has two blemishes.

A young Prince:

That we will overlook!

Male Aristocrats:

A child still!

Female Aristocrats:

That is a bad omen!

Countesses (simultaneously)

She is friendly!

Aristocrats:

In the Treasury (Jewelry Room) …

More Aristocrats:

She is shy…

Aristocrats:

… the crown fell on the floor.

Sophie:

She is naïve.

Female Aristocrats:

… and at her alighting from the coach

Male Aristocrats:

… somewhat clumsy …

Female Aristocrats:

… the young empress almost lost…

Aristocrats:

She does herself

Female Aristocrats:

… her new diadem!

Male Aristocrats:

…still difficult ….

Wedding Guests (1st Group)

It is almost like a fairy tale. A child becomes Empress.

Wedding Guests (2nd Group)

helpless like a sheep.

She carries no weight here … she is
a small light.

Chorus:

She fits/does not fit in here.

Der Letzte Tanz (The last dance)

Death:

two guys who love the same girl – you.
You’ve already chosen. I am the loser.
I’m only a guest at your wedding.
You turned away from me, but you only pretend.
You would be loyal to him but you have been wanting me.
He holds you in his arms, but you smile at me.
And where that will lead to, you know as well as I do.

The Last dance belongs only to me
The last dance, I dance only with you.

Time becomes old and tiresome
The wine becomes stale
The air is sultry and stifling
In the Hall of Mirrors.
Invisible eyes looks at us
while everybody waits for the rendezvous.

The last dance, the last dance belongs to me.
The last dance I only dance with you.

And I am waiting in the dark, and always look at you
and seem to be the big loser,
but I know that I will win.
The last dance…

Eine Kaiserin muss Glanzen (An Empress has to shine)

Sophie:

Where is the Empress?

Servant:

Still sleeping, Your Highness.

Sisi:

What’s going on?

Sophie:

My dear child, you can’t sleep in that long.

Sisi:

Why?

Sophie:

I won’t have any laziness from you

Sisi:

But I was tired

Sophie:

with the stroke of the bell!

Sisi:

I want to go horseback riding today.

Sophie

You can’t behave that way as an Empress.

That’s disgusting.

Sisi:

Why not?

Sophie:

An empress has to shine

and only see to her duty

which is to keep the dynasty alive
and she has to sacrifice everything.

Now show me your teeth.

Sisi:

My teeth?

Sophie:

They are too yellow, we’ll have to do something about them.

Sisi:

Am I a horse!!!?

Sophie:

Of course not..only a pony.

Sisi:

Everything I want is forbidden to me

Sophie:

You’re too wild and not raised properly.

Sisi:

I think you’re just jealous of me!

Sophie:

Jealous of you…that’s ridiculous

Sisi:

I want….

Sophie:

You’ll learn first to be modest.

Sisi:

Help me Franz Josef- look here your mother is torturing me!

Sophie:

I’ll teach you manners! Leave her to me my son.

Sisi:

Franz Jozef, don’t leave me alone!

Franz Josef:

But it would be better for both of us
if you would take the advice of my mother.

Sophie:

Be dominant, be strong…

Sisi:

So you abandon me?

Ich Gehor nur mir (I belong to me)

(These is an amalgamation of all my favourite translations 🙂
Elisabeth:

I will not give up my own self
Just to be with you
I will not be glad just to do
What I’m told to do
I’m not meant to be your property
No, I belong I me

If I want to reach for the stars
You can’t hold me back
I want to take chances
Far off from the beaten track
Don’t force me to be what I can’t be
I belong to me

If you try to tame me
I will not obey
I’d rather leave you alone
If you try to change me
I must break away
To be what I am on my own

I’m freezing, I’m burning
I live without compromise
I’m growing, I’m learning
I’m ready to pay the price
I know it’s not easy to be free
But I belong to me

I hate to be burdened
With duties that I despise
You know I can’t stand
To be watched by a thousand eyes
I flee from the crowd in agony
I just belong to me

If you want to keep me
Don’t hold me so tight
I can’t give my life for your love
If you want to break me
I’ll not even fight
I’ll just fly away like a dove

I’m here when you need me
I live and I die with you
I’ll share all your troubles
I’ll laugh and I’ll cry with you
You can blame me and bless me
But you cannot possess me
‘Cause I belong to me
To me!

(Literal translation)

I don’t want to become obedient,
tamed and well mannered
I don’t want to be modest,
popular and deceived
I am not your possession
I want to look down from a rope (?)
at the world
I want to go on the ice and see for myself
how long it will hold me
What is it to you what I risk?
I only belong to me!

If you want to lecture me
then you will force me

to escape the tiresome duty
If you want to convert me
I will break free and fly.
Like a bird into the light.
And if I want the stars,
then I will find myself a way to them
I will grow and learn
and will still be the person I am.
I want it all before I am lost.
Because I only belong to me.

I don’t want to be pressured
with questions and wishes and
From head to feet be looked at by curious eyes
I get defensive
when I feel strange eyes on me because
I only belong to me
And if you want to be with me,
then don’t tie me down
I won’t give up my freedom
and if you want to tie me down
I will leave your nest and
dive like a bird into the ocean.
I am waiting for my friends and look for comfort.
I share the joy and I share the sadness
But don’t demand my life that I can’t give to you
because I only belong to me!

Die Frohliche Apokalypse (The cheerful apocalypse)

What’s the latest news in the journals? How is the soup
Who wants to play skat with me!?
Dear God everything is so boring!!!
Our young Empress cries all day long.
She does not eat anymore since she’s lost her child…
Would you like another melange
She’s probably pregnant again, she doesn’t show herself anymore
we have waited too long already for an heir to the throne
She was visiting circus Rene the other day
The mother of the emperor was not too pleased

We sit around in the cafe and wait for the apocalypse
Chatterers (German) who don’t know anything,
they just sit there and kill time
Again a year is gone– LIKE I should care!!!

Who would like to play skat with me?
Our young Emperor does not seem to be very clever
or at least not in political affairs– another drink?
The last war in Crimea put us in a neutral position
And now Austria is politically completely isolated
France, England and Russia stay on one line what is worse
we have a war with Pieramont (?)

So what if we sit in the cafe and kill time
and wait cheefully for the apocalypse,
this time she’s got a son,
we didn’t believe it anymore
and him they took away from her.
I found out she likes the Hungarians
Is she a liberal or is she radical?
She is a strange woman
Whatever, we cheefully wait for the apocalypse.

When young Rudolf was born, his mother had a terrible vision
She saw red flags, and crowds of people at the Batthaus place
Threatening her with their fists.

She saw barricades and her own son as the leader of the revolution
wonderful eccentric and decadent
Austria now needs a parliament

(repeated a few times)
Whatever, we sit in the cafe and kill time and

cheefully wait for the apocalypse.

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