The words are from a love poem "Cäcilie" written by Heinrich Hart (1855–1906), a German dramatic critic and journalist who also wrote poetry.

The instrumentation is: 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets in B♭, 2 bassoons, 4 horns in E♭, 2 trumpets in E♭, 3 trombones, tuba, 3 timpani, harp and the orchestral string section.

[3] Strauss, in his rich and lively orchestration, included parts for a solo string player from each section.

If you but knew, sweet, the anguish of waking thro' nights long and lonely and rocked by the storm when no-one is near to soothe and comfort the strife weary spirit.

Richard Strauss recorded it in once in 1944, accompanying the Austrian soprano Maria Reining on the piano.