Lyrics by Frank DiGiacomo with assistance from Julian R. Pace.

This duet ends the opera. Through Hulbrand’s betrayal, Undine has become a wraith and lost her soul, which can only be regained by the death of her betrayer. Hulbrand returns to the forest in desperation, seeking Undine as his only true love and inspiration. He is told by Mother Hulda that he must drink each of three cups to regain her; each cup brings fearful and remorseful visions. And the third is poisoned—but it is the third cup which will bring her back. He loses his courage when approaching the third cup, but Undine, his truest friend, gives him the cup, helping him to die, when it is only death which will bring fulfillment. He lies in her lap as they sing this closing duet, in which she discloses that she is bearing his child, symbolizing their reunion and regeneration. Hulbrand dies in her arms with the forest creatures looking on silently.

LYRICS
Prince Hulbrand:
      You have come back to me!

Undine:
      I never left you.

Prince Hulbrand:
      Why did it happen?

Undine:
      Would you have known before what you know now?
      Would we have been before what we are now?

Prince Hulbrand:
      Do you forgive me?

Undine:
      I have always forgiven you.

Prince Hulbrand:
     And will you remember me?

Undine:
      I have never forgotten you.
      It is always of you that I shall sing, always your story, your song, forever.
      I bear your child within me now;
      our hearts beat together in rhythm with your dance.

Prince Hulbrand: (Ecstatically)
      My child! My child!
(to the forest and those around him)
      Do you hear? It has not been for naught!
      Undine, I love you! I have always loved only you.

Undine:
      Ah, my love, I have loved only you, only you.
      Who was it sang you to sleep with lullabies?

Prince Hulbrand:
      It was you, it was always you.

Undine:
      Who was it, woke you with songs and kisses sweet?

Prince Hulbrand:
      Undine...it was always you.

Undine:
      Who poured herself into your veins, like wine?

Prince Hulbrand:
      It was you, it was always you.

Undine:
      Who was it wept when her voice was stilled for love?

Prince Hulbrand:
       Undine...it was always you.

Undine:
      And who am I?

Prince Hulbrand:
      You are my music, the song sung in my dreams.
      I cannot live without your voice. If you live I cannot die.

Undine:
      Who was it sang you to sleep with lullabies?
      Who was it woke you with songs for you alone?
      You are my voice, my poet.
      We shall live together forever.

Prince Hulbrand:
     My song, my heart, my soul.
     It was you, it was always you.
     My love, my life, and the magic of my dreams...
     Hold my hand, Undine...hold my hand!
     It is as if I’ve been dreaming ever since I left this place.
     Now, I feel awake; now, for the first time, unafraid.

Undine: (Crooning) Ooooh...

Prince Hulbrand:
     What will you tell our child?
     What song will you sing to him?
     what stories will you tell him?

Undine:
     I shall sing him a song of a hero who strove, but so gently,
     who fought without armor and won the fairest of creatures as his bride.
     He gave his life that she might live! And she will never forget him.
     Together we shall sing a new song, welcome to those who would hear it;
     and this song will be yours, yours and mine...

Prince Hulbrand:
     Undine!
(He dies, Undine motions the forest creatures to silence.)

Undine:
     Sssh! Sssh! They all have lost!
     Now there can be no end: now we are forever, forever!
     I love you!