Pierrot lunaire

Song Cycle by Arnold Franz Walter Schoenberg (1874 - 1951)

View original-language texts alone: Pierrot lunaire

1. Mondestrunken
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Den Wein, den man mit Augen trinkt,
Gießt Nachts der Mond in Wogen nieder,
Und eine Springflut überschwemmt
Den stillen Horizont.

Gelüste schauerlich und süß,
Durchschwimmen ohne Zahl die Fluten!
Den Wein, den man mit Augen trinkt,
Gießt Nachts der Mond in Wogen nieder.

Der Dichter, den die Andacht treibt,
Berauscht sich an dem heilgen Tranke,
Gen Himmel wendet er verzückt
Das Haupt und taumelnd saugt und schlürft er
Den Wein, den man mit Augen trinkt.

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by Otto Erich Hartleben (1864 - 1905)
1. Moondrunk
Language: English 
The wine we drink through the eyes
The moon pours down at night in waves,
And a flood tide overflows
The silent horizon.

Longings beyond number, gruesome sweet frissons,
Swim through the flood.
The wine we drink through the eyes
The moon pours down at night in waves.

The poet, slave to devotion,
Drunk on the sacred liquor,
Enraptured, turns his face to Heaven
And staggering sucks and slurps
The wine we drink through the eyes.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Mimmi Fulmer and Ric Merritt, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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Line count: 13
Word count: 76

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2. Columbine
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Des Mondlichts bleiche Blüten,
Die weißen Wunderrosen,
Blühn in den Julinachten -
O brach ich eine nur!

Mein banges Leid zu lindern,
Such ich am dunklen Strome
Des Mondlichts bleiche Blüten,
Die weißen Wunderrosen.

Gestillt wär all mein Sehnen,
Dürft ich so märchenheimlich,
So selig leis - entblättern
Auf deine brauenen Haare
Des Mondlichts bleiche Blüten!

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by Otto Erich Hartleben (1864 - 1905)
2. Columbine
Language: English 
The moonlight's pale blossoms,
The white wonder-roses,
Bloom in July nights.
O could I pluck but one!

To soothe my deepest sorrow,
Through darkening streams I seek
The moonlight's pale blossoms,
The white wonder-roses.

All my longings would be satisfied,
Dared I as gently
As a fairy sprite to scatter
Over your brown tresses
The moonlight's pale blossoms.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Mimmi Fulmer and Ric Merritt, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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3. Der Dandy
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Mit einem phantastischen Lichtstrahl
Erleuchtet der Mond die krystallnen Flacons
Auf dem schwarzen, hochheiligen Waschtisch
Des schweigenden Dandys von Bergamo.

In tönender, bronzener Schale
Lacht hell die Fontaine, metallischen Klangs.
Mit einem phantastischen Lichtstrahl
Erleuchtet der Mond die krystallnen Flacons.

Pierrot mit dem wächsernen Antlitz
Steht sinnend und denkt: wie er heute sich schminkt?
Fort schiebt er das Rot und das Orients Grün
Und bemalt sein Gesicht in erhabenem Stil
Mit einem phantastischen Mondstrahl.

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Confirmed with Die Lyrik des Auslandes in neuerer Zeit, ed. Hans Bethge, Leipzig: Max Hesses Verlag, 1907, page 20

by Otto Erich Hartleben (1864 - 1905)
3. The dandy
Language: English 
 With a ghostly light ray
 The moon illumines the crystal flasks
 Upon the dark altar-the holy Washbasin
 Of the taciturn Dandy from Bergamo.
 
 In the resonant bronze basin
 The fountains laugh a metallic clangor.
 With a ghostly light ray
 The moon illumines the crystal flasks.
 
 Pierrot with waxen complexion
 Stands deep in thought:  What makeup for today?
 He shoves aside the red and oriental green
 And paints his face in sublime style
 With a ghostly light ray.

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  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Mimmi Fulmer and Ric Merritt, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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4. Eine blasse Wäscherin
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Eine blasse Wäscherin
Wäscht zur Nachtzeit bleiche Tücher;
Nackte, silberweiße Arme
Streckt sie nieder in die Flut.

Durch die Lichtung schleichen Winde,
Leis bewegen sie den Strom.
Eine blasse Wäscherin
Wäscht zur Nachtzeit bleiche Tücher.

Und die sanfte Magd des Himmels,
Von den Zweigen zart umschmeichelt,
Breitet auf die dunklen Wiesen
ihre lichtgewobnen Linnen -
Eine blasse Wäscherin.

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by Otto Erich Hartleben (1864 - 1905)
4. A pale washerwoman
Language: English 
 A pale washerwoman
 Washes faded garments at nighttime.
 Naked, silver-white arms
 She stretches down into the flood.
 
 Breezes tiptoe through the clearing,
 Lightly ruffle the stream.
 A pale washerwoman
 Washes faded garments at nighttime.
 
 And the gentle maid of heaven,
 Softly fondled by the boughs,
 Spreads her linen spun from moonbeams
 Across the dusky meadows-
 A pale washerwoman.

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  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Mimmi Fulmer and Ric Merritt, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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5. Valse de Chopin
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wie ein blasser Tropfen Bluts
Färbt die Lippen einer Kranken,
Also ruht auf diesen Tönen
Ein vernichtungssüchtger Reiz.

Wilder Lust Accorde stören
Der Verzweiflung eisgen Traum -
Wie ein blasser Tropfen Bluts
Färbt die Lippen einer Kranken.

Heiß und jauchzend, süß und schmachtend,
Melancholisch düstrer Walzer,
Kommst mir nimmer aus den Sinnen!
Haftest mir an den Gedanken,
Wie ein blasser Tropfen Bluts!

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by Otto Erich Hartleben (1864 - 1905)
5. Chopin Waltz
Language: English 
 As a bleached drop of blood
 Stains a sufferer's lips,
 So lurks within this music
 The lure of annihilation.
 
 In untamed strains the chords disorder
 Despair's icy dream-
 As a bleached drop of blood
 Stains a sufferer's lips.
 
 Fierce, exulting, sweet, and yearning,
 Melancholy dismal waltzes,
 You cling to my consciousness,
 You are borne on my thoughts
 Like a bleached drop of blood.

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  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Mimmi Fulmer and Ric Merritt, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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6. Madonna
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Steig, o Mutter aller Schmerzen,
Auf den Altar meiner Verse!
Blut aus deinen magren Brusten
Hat des Schwertes Wut vergossen.

Deine ewig frischen Wunden
Gleichen Augen, rot und offen.
Steig, o Mutter aller Schmerzen,
Auf den Altar meiner Verse!

In den abgezehrten Händen
Hältst du deines Sohnes Leiche.
Ihn zu zeigen aller Menschheit -
Doch der Blick der Menschen meidet
Dich, o Mutter aller Schmerzen!

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by Otto Erich Hartleben (1864 - 1905)
6. Madonna
Language: English 
 Ascend, O Mother of All Sorrows
 The altar of my verses!
 The sword's fury has drawn blood
 From thy withered breasts.
 
 Thy eternal open wounds
 Are like eyes, red and open.
 Ascend, O Mother of All Sorrows
 The altar of my verses!
 
 In thy shriveled hands
 Thou holdest thy Son's body,
 Revealed to all mankind-
 But mankind's gaze is turned away
 From thee, O Mother of All Sorrows.

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  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Mimmi Fulmer and Ric Merritt, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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7. Der kranke Mond
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Du nächtig todeskranker Mond
Dort auf des Himmels schwarzem Pfühl,
Dein Blick, so fiebernd übergroß,
Bannt mich wie fremde Melodie.

An unstillbarem Liebesleid
Stirbst du, an Sehnsucht, tief erstickt,
Du nächtig todeskranker Mond
Dort auf des Himmels schwarzem Pfühl.

Den Liebsten, der im Sinnenrausch
Gedankenlos zur Liebsten schleicht,
Belustigt deiner Strahlen Spiel -
Dein bleiches, qualgebornes Blut,
Du nächtig todeskranker Mond.

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by Otto Erich Hartleben (1864 - 1905)
7. The sick moon
Language: English 
 You dark moon, deathly ill,
 Laid over heaven's sable pillow,
 Your fever-swollen gaze
 Enchants me like alien melody.
 
 You die of insatiable pangs of love,
 Suffocated in longing,
 You dark moon, deathly ill,
 Laid over heaven's sable pillow.
 
 The hotblooded lover
 Slinking heedless to the tryst
 You hearten with your play of light,
 Your pale blood wrung from torment,
 You dark moon, deathly ill.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Mimmi Fulmer and Ric Merritt, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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8. Nacht (Passacaglia)
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Finstre, schwarze Riesenfalter
Töteten der Sonne Glanz.
Ein geschlossnes Zauberbuch,
Ruht der Horizont - verschwiegen.

Aus dem Qualm verlorner Tiefen
Steigt ein Duft, Erinnrung mordend!
Finstre, schwarze Riesenfalter
Töteten der Sonne Glanz.

Und vom Himmel erdenwärts
Senken sich mit schweren Schwingen
Unsichtbar die Ungetume
Auf die Menschenherzen nieder...
Finstre, schwarze Riesenfalter.

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by Otto Erich Hartleben (1864 - 1905)
8. Night
Language: English 
 Giant black butterflies
 Have blotted out the sunshine.
 A closed book of magic spells,
 The horizon sleeps-silent.
 
 Vapors from lost abysses
 Breathe out an odor, murdering memory.
 Giant black butterflies
 Have blotted out the sunshine.
 
 And from Heaven earthward
 Gliding down on leaden wings
 The invisible monsters
 Descend upon our human hearts...
 Giant black butterflies.

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  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Mimmi Fulmer and Ric Merritt, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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9. Gebet an Pierrot
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Pierrot! Mein Lachen
Hab ich verlernt!
Das Bild des Glanzes
Zerfloß - Zerfloß!

Schwarz weht die Flagge
Mir nun vom Mast.
Pierrot! Mein Lachen
Hab ich verlernt!

O gieb mir wieder,
Roßarzt der Seele,
Schneemann der Lyrik,
Durchlaucht vom Monde,
Pierrot - mein Lachen!

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by Otto Erich Hartleben (1864 - 1905)
9. Prayer to Pierrot
Language: English 
 Pierrot!  My laughter
 I've unlearned.
 The image of splendor
 Melted away.
 
 To me the flag waves black
 Now from the mast.
 Pierrot!  My laughter
 I've unlearned.
 
 O give me back--
 Horse-doctor to the soul,
 Snowman of Lyric,
 Your Lunar Highness,
 Pierrot!  my laughter.

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  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Mimmi Fulmer and Ric Merritt, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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10. Raub
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Rote, fürstliche Rubine,
Blutge Tropfen alten Ruhmes,
Schlummern in den Totenschreinen,
Drunten in den Grabgewolben.

Nachts, mit seinen Zechkumpanen,
Steigt Pierrot hinab - zu rauben
Rote, fürstliche Rubine,
Blutge Tropfen alten Ruhmes.

Doch da - strauben sich die Haare,
Bleiche Furcht bannt sie am Platze:
Durch die Finsternis - wie Augen! -
Stieren aus den Totenschreinen
Rote, fürstliche Rubine.

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by Otto Erich Hartleben (1864 - 1905)
10. Theft
Language: English 
Princely red rubies,
Bloody drops of ancient glory,
Slumber in the coffins,
Down there in the sepulchers.

Nighttimes, with his drinking buddies,
Pierrot climbs down-to steal
Princely red rubies,
Bloody drops of ancient glory.

But look-their hair stands on end,
Fear roots them to the spot:
Through the darkness-like eyes!-
Out of the coffins stare
Princely red rubies.

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  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Mimmi Fulmer and Ric Merritt, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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11. Rote Messe
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Zu grausem Abendmahle
Beim Blendeglanz des Goldes,
Beim Flackerschein der Kerzen,
Naht dem Altar - Pierrot!

Die Hand, die gottgeweihte,
Zerreißt die Priesterkleider --
Zu grausem Abendmahle
Beim Blendeglanz des Goldes.

Mit segnender Geberde
Zeigt er den bangen Seelen
Die triefend rothe Hostie --
Sein Herz in blut'gen Fingern,
Zu grausem Abendmahle.

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Note: modernized spelling would change "Geberde" to "Gebärde" and "rothe" to "rote".

by Otto Erich Hartleben (1864 - 1905)
11. Red mass
Language: English 
 At the gruesome Eucharist,
 In golden glitter,
 In flickering candlelight,
 To the altar comes-Pierrot!
 
 His hand, consecrated to God,
 Tears open the priestly robes
 At the gruesome Eucharist,
 In golden glitter.
 
 Signing the cross,
 He shows the suffering souls
 The dripping red Host:
 His heart-in bloody fingers-
 At the gruesome Eucharist.

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  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Mimmi Fulmer and Ric Merritt, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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12. Galgenlied
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Die dürre Dirne
Mit langem Halse
Wird seine letzte
Geliebte sein.

In seinem Hirne
Steckt wie ein Nagel
Die dürre Dirne
Mit langem Halse.

Schlank wie die Pinie,
Am Hals ein Zöpfchen -
Wollüstig wird sie
Den Schelm umhalsen,
Die dürre Dirne!

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by Otto Erich Hartleben (1864 - 1905)
12. Gallows song
Language: English 
The scrawny wench
With the long neck
Will be
His last lover.

Stuck in his brain
Like a nail is
The scrawny wench
With the long neck.

Thin as a pine tree,
Pigtail down her neck-
Lasciviously she'll
Embrace the knave,
The scrawny wench!

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  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Mimmi Fulmer and Ric Merritt, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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13. Enthauptung
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Der Mond, ein blankes Türkenschwert
Auf einem schwarzen Seidenkissen,
Gespenstisch groß - dräut er hinab
Durch schmerzendunkle Nacht.

Pierrot irrt ohne Rast umher
Und starrt empor in Todesängsten
Zum Mond, dem blanken Türkenschwert
Auf einem schwarzen Seidenkissen.

Es schlottern unter ihm die Knie,
Ohnmächtig bricht er jäh zusammen.
Er wähnt: es sause strafend schon
Auf seinen Sünderhals hernieder
Der Mond, das blanke Türkenschwert.

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Confirmed with Die Lyrik des Auslandes in neuerer Zeit, ed. Hans Bethge, Leipzig: Max Hesses Verlag, 1907, pages 22-23

by Otto Erich Hartleben (1864 - 1905)
13. Beheading
Language: English 
The moon, a shining scimitar
On a black silk cushion,
Preternaturally large-glowers down
Through night's pall of sorrow.

Pierrot wanders about restlessly
And stares aloft in deadly fear
At the moon, a shining scimitar
On a black silk cushion.

His knees tremble,
He collapses senseless.
He fancies it's already whistling down
In vengeance on his guilty neck,
The moon, the shining scimitar.

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  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Mimmi Fulmer and Ric Merritt, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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14. Die Kreuze
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Heilge Kreuze sind die Verse,
Dran die Dichter stumm verbluten,
Blindgeschlagen von der Geier
Flatterndem Gespensterschwarme!

In den Leibern schwelgten Schwerter,
Prunkend in des Blutes Scharlach!
Heilge Kreuze sind die Verse,
Dran die Dichter stumm verbluten.

Tot das Haupt - erstarrt die Locken -
Fern, verweht der Lärm des Pöbels.
Langsam sinkt die Sonne nieder,
Eine rote Königskrone. -
Heilge Kreuze sind die Verse!

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by Otto Erich Hartleben (1864 - 1905)
14. Crosses
Language: English 
Poems are poets' holy crosses
On which they bleed in silence,
Struck blind by phantom swarms
Of fluttering vultures.

Swords have feasted on their bodies,
Reveling in the scarlet blood!
Poems are poets' holy crosses
On which they bleed in silence.

Dead the head, the tresses stiffened,
Far away the noisy rabble.
Slowly the sun sinks,
A red royal crown.-
Poems are poets' holy crosses.

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  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Mimmi Fulmer and Ric Merritt, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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15. Heimweh
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Lieblich klagend - ein krystallnes Seufzen
Aus Italiens alter Pantomime,
Klingts herüber: wie Pierrot so holzern,
So modern sentimental geworden.

Und es tönt durch seines Herzens Wüste,
Tönt gedämpft durch alle Sinne wieder,
Lieblich klagend - ein krystallnes Seufzen
Aus Italiens alter Pantomime.

Da vergißt Pierrot die Trauermienen!
Durch den bleichen Feuerschein des Mondes,
Durch des Lichtmeers Fluten - schweift die Sehnsucht
Kühn hinauf, empor zum Heimathimmel
Lieblich klagend - ein krystallnes Seufzen!

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by Otto Erich Hartleben (1864 - 1905)
15. Homesickness
Language: English 
 Sweetly lamenting-a crystalline sigh
 Out of the old Italian pantomime,
 It resonates in our time:  Why's Pierrot become
 So wooden, so sentimental modern?
 
 And it sounds through his heart's wasteland,
 Sounds an undertone through all his senses,
 Sweetly lamenting-a crystalline sigh
 Out of the old Italian pantomime.
 
 Then Pierrot forgets the mask of tragedy!
 Through the moon's pale fireshine,
 Through the sea's light-tide-sails his yearning
 Bravely forth, heavenward home,
 Sweetly lamenting-a crystalline sigh.

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  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Mimmi Fulmer and Ric Merritt, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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16. Gemeinheit!
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
In den blanken Kopf Cassanders,
Dessen Schrein die Luft durchzetert,
Bohrt Pierrot mit Heuchlermienen,
Zärtlich - einen Schädelbohrer!

Darauf stopft er mit dem Daumen
Seinen echten türkischen Taback
In den blanken Kopf Cassanders,
Dessen Schrein die Luft durchzetert!

Dann dreht er ein Rohr von Weichsel
Hinten in die glatte Glatze
Und behäbig schmaucht und pafft er
Seinen echten türkischen Taback
Aus dem blanken Kopf Cassanders!

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by Otto Erich Hartleben (1864 - 1905)
16. Practical joke
Language: English 
 Into the gleaming pate of Cassander,
 Who's crying bloody murder,
 Pierrot drills with a disingenuous air,
 Gently, with a trepan [skull-borer]!
 
 Then tamps in with his finger
 His genuine Turkish tobacco
 Into the gleaming pate of Cassander,
 Who's crying bloody murder.
 
 Then screws a cherry pipestem
 Into the bald spot behind
 And smugly puffs away on
 His genuine Turkish tobacco
 From the gleaming pate of Cassander.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Mimmi Fulmer and Ric Merritt, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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Line count: 13
Word count: 66

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17. Parodie
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Stricknadeln, blank und blinkend,
In ihrem grauen Haar,
Sitzt die Duenna murmelnd,
Im roten Röckchen da.

Sie wartet in der Laube,
Sie liebt Pierrot mit Schmerzen,
Stricknadeln, blank und blinkend,
In ihrem grauen Haar.

Da plötzlich - horch! - ein Wispern!
Ein Windhauch kichert leise:
Der Mond, der böse Spötter,
Äfft nach mit seinen Strahlen -
Stricknadeln, blink und blank.

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by Otto Erich Hartleben (1864 - 1905)
17. Parody
Language: English 
Knitting needles gleaming and flashing
In her gray hair,
The duenna sits there muttering
In her little red dress.

She's waiting in the arbor;
She loves Pierrot to distraction,
Knitting needles gleaming and flashing
In her gray hair.

Of a sudden-hark!-a whisper!
A breath of wind softly snickers:
The moon, wicked aping scoffer,
Beams down a simulacrum of
Knitting needles gleaming and flashing.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Mimmi Fulmer and Ric Merritt, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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Word count: 63

Translation © by Mimmi Fulmer, Ric Merritt
18. Der Mondfleck
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Einen weißen Fleck des hellen Mondes
Auf dem Rücken seines schwarzen Rockes,
So spaziert Pierrot im lauen Abend,
Aufzusuchen Glück und Abenteuer.
 
Plötzlich - stört ihn was an seinem Anzug,
Er beschaut sich rings und findet richtig -
Einen weißen Fleck des hellen Mondes
Auf dem Rücken seines schwarzen Rockes.
 
Warte! denkt er: das ist so ein Gipsfleck!
Wischt und wischt, doch - bringt ihn nicht herunter!
Und so geht er, giftgeschwollen, weiter,
Reibt und reibt bis an den frühen Morgen --
Einen weißen Fleck des hellen Mondes.

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Confirmed with Die Lyrik des Auslandes in neuerer Zeit, ed. Hans Bethge, Leipzig: Max Hesses Verlag, 1907, page 22
by Otto Erich Hartleben (1864 - 1905)
18. Moonfleck
Language: English 
 A white fleck of bright moon
 On the back of his black coat,
 Pierrot sets off one balmy evening,
 To seek his fortune.
 
 Suddenly something's awry in his toilette;
 He casts about until he finds it-
 A white fleck of bright moon
 On the back of his black coat.
 
 Drat! he thinks:  a fleck of plaster!
 Wipes and wipes, but-can't get it off!
 So on he goes, his pleasure poisoned,
 Till break of day, rubbing and rubbing
 A white fleck of bright moon.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Mimmi Fulmer and Ric Merritt, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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19. Serenade
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Mit groteskem Riesenbogen
Kratzt Pierrot auf seiner Bratsche,
Wie der Storch auf einem Beine,
Knipst er trüb ein Pizzicato.

Plötzlich naht Cassander - wütend
Ob des nächtgen Virtuosen -
Mit groteskem Riesenbogen
Kratzt Pierrot auf seiner Bratsche.

Von sich wirft er jetzt die Bratsche:
Mit der delikaten Linken
Faßt den Kahlkopf er am Kragen -
Träumend spielt er auf der Glatze
Mit groteskem Riesenbogen.

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by Otto Erich Hartleben (1864 - 1905)
19. Serenade
Language: English 
With a grotesquely outsized bow
Pierrot scrapes on his viola.
Like a stork on one leg,
He plucks a doleful pizzicato.

Suddenly here's Cassander -- raging
At the nighttime virtuoso --
With a grotesquely outsized bow
Pierrot scrapes on his viola.

He tosses the viola aside,
With his left hand delicately
Takes Sir Baldy by the collar --
Dreamily he plays on his pate
With a grotesquely outsized bow.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Mimmi Fulmer and Ric Merritt, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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Line count: 13
Word count: 66

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20. Heimfahrt
 (Sung text)

Subtitle: Barcarole

Language: German (Deutsch) 
Der Mondstrahl ist das Ruder,
Seerose dient als Boot;
Drauf fährt Pierrot gen Süden
Mit gutem Reisewind.

Der Strom summt tiefe Skalen
Und wiegt den leichten Kahn.
Der Mondstrahl ist das Ruder,
Seerose dient als Boot.

Nach Bergamo, zur Heimat,
Kehrt nun Pierrot zurück;
Schwach dämmert schon im Osten
Der grüne Horizont.
- Der Mondstrahl ist das Ruder.

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by Otto Erich Hartleben (1864 - 1905)
20. Homeward journey
Language: English 
 Moonbeam is the rudder,
 Waterlily serves as boat:
 Thus Pierrot fares southward
 On a fair following wind.
 
 The stream hums deep scales
 And rocks the fragile craft.
 Moonbeam is the rudder,
 Waterlily serves as boat.
 
 To Bergamo, to Homeland,
 Pierrot now wends his way;
 Faintly in the east
 Glows the green horizon.
 --Moonbeam is the rudder.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Mimmi Fulmer and Ric Merritt, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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Line count: 13
Word count: 56

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21. O alter Duft
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
O alter Duft aus Märchenzeit,
Berauschest wieder meine Sinne;
Ein närrisch Heer von Schelmerein
Durchschwirrt die leichte Luft.

Ein glückhaft Wünschen macht mich froh
Nach Freuden, die ich lang verachtet:
O alter Duft aus Märchenzeit,
Berauschest wieder mich!

All meinen Unmut gab ich preis;
Aus meinem sonnumrahmten Fenster
Beschau ich frei die liebe Welt
Und träum hinaus in selge Weiten...
O alter Duft - aus Märchenzeit!

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by Otto Erich Hartleben (1864 - 1905)
21. O sweet fragrance
Language: English 
 O redolence from fairytale times,
 Bewitch again my senses!
 A knavish swarm of silly pranks
 Buzzes down the gentle breeze.
 
 A happy impulse calls me back
 To joys I have long neglected:
 O redolence from fairytale times,
 Bewitch me again!
 
 All my ill humors I've renounced;
 From my sun-framed window
 I behold untrammeled the beloved world
 And dream me out to blissful vistas...
 O redolence from fairytale times.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Mimmi Fulmer and Ric Merritt, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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This text was added to the website: 2003-11-16
Line count: 13
Word count: 68

Translation © by Mimmi Fulmer, Ric Merritt