After a couple of weeks in the program I have found out that there is a great amount of effort required to succeed.  Yesterday I spent one hour in the library translating the text from Italian and German art songs into literal, word-for-word English.  But there was one song that the collection of translations did not have.  Treue Liebe, by Johannes Brahms.  I went to my teacher, Dr. Dewey, who then took the time one on one to personally translate, (from her own mind) the piece.  The text was rather stirring, and that is why we as singers need to have a literal translation.  Because you need to know which words to stress.  It may not seem that important, but it is needed if you wish to become serious about your singing.