The third movement is a full display of despair. Entitled “Ich hab’ein glühend Messer” (“I Have a Gleaming Knife”), the Wayfarer likens his agony of lost love to having an actual metal blade piercing his heart. He obsesses to the point where everything in the environment reminds him of some aspect of his love, and he wishes he actually had the knife.

The music is intense and driving, fitting to the agonized nature of the Wayfarer’s obsession.

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A listening guide of Lieder Eines Fahrenden Gesellen – Ich Hab’ Ein Glühend Messer with Lew Smoley.