Gypsy Songs

Translations © by Emily Ezust

Song Cycle by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897)

View original-language texts alone: Zigeunerlieder

1.
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
He, Zigeuner, greife in die Saiten ein!
Spiel das Lied vom ungetreuen Mägdelein!
Laß die Saiten weinen, klagen, traurig bange,
Bis die heiße Träne netzet diese Wange!

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by Hugo Conrat (1845 - 1906)
1.
Language: English 
Hey, Gypsy, pluck your strings!
Play the song of the unfaithful maiden!
Let the strings weep and lament, mournful and despairing, 
Until hot tears flow down these cheeks!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2019 by Emily Ezust

    Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:

    Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
    from the LiederNet Archive

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This text was added to the website: 2019-12-02
Line count: 4
Word count: 28

Translation © by Emily Ezust
2.
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Hochgetürmte Rimaflut,
Wie bist du so trüb;
An dem Ufer klag ich
Laut nach dir, mein Lieb!

Wellen fliehen, Wellen strömen,
Rauschen an dem Strand heran zu mir.
An dem Rimaufer laß mich
Ewig weinen nach ihr!

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by Hugo Conrat (1845 - 1906)
2.
Language: English 
High-towering River Rima,
How murky you are;
On the water's edge I lament
Loudly for you, my beloved!

The waves flee, the waves stream by,
Roaring toward me on the shore;
At the edge of the Rima let me 
Weep for her forever!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2019 by Emily Ezust

    Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:

    Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
    from the LiederNet Archive

    For any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.


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This text was added to the website: 2019-12-02
Line count: 8
Word count: 43

Translation © by Emily Ezust
3.
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wißt ihr, wenn mein Kindchen am allerschönsten ist?
Wenn ihr süßes Mündchen scherzt und lacht und küßt. 
Mägdelein, du bist mein, inniglich küß ich dich,
Dich erschuf der liebe Himmel einzig nur für mich!

Wißt ihr, wenn mein Liebster am besten mir gefällt?
Wenn in seinen Armen er mich umschlungen hält.
Schätzelein, du bist mein, inniglich küß ich dich,
Dich erschuf der liebe Himmel einzig nur für mich!

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by Hugo Conrat (1845 - 1906)
3.
Language: English 
Do you know when my beloved is the fairest?
When her sweet little mouth jests and laughs and kisses.
Maiden, you are mine; dearly I kiss you,
Dear heaven created you for me alone!

Do you know when my beloved pleases me the best?
When he enfolds me in his arms.
My treasure, you are mine; dearly I kiss you,
Dear heaven created you for me alone!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2019 by Emily Ezust

    Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:

    Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
    from the LiederNet Archive

    For any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.


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Line count: 8
Word count: 67

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4.
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Lieber Gott, du weißt, wie oft bereut ich hab,
Daß ich meinem Liebsten einst ein Küßchen gab.
Herz gebot, daß ich ihn küssen muß,
Denk, solang ich leb, an diesen ersten Kuß.

Lieber Gott, du weißt, wie oft in stiller Nacht
Ich in Lust und Leid an meinen Schatz gedacht.
Lieb ist süß, wenn bitter auch die Reu,
Armes Herze bleibt ihm ewig, ewig treu.

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by Hugo Conrat (1845 - 1906)
4.
Language: English 
Dear God, You know how often I've been sorry 
That I once gave my beloved a little kiss.
My heart told me that I had to kiss him;
As long as I live, I'll think about that first kiss.

Dear God, You know how often in the silent night
I've thought of my beloved in joy and sorrow.
Love is sweet, even if regret is bitter;
My poor heart will forever be true to him.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2019 by Emily Ezust

    Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:

    Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
    from the LiederNet Archive

    For any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.


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This text was added to the website: 2019-12-02
Line count: 8
Word count: 75

Translation © by Emily Ezust
5.
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Brauner Bursche führt zum Tanze
Sein blauäugig schönes Kind;
Schlägt die Sporen keck zusammen,
Csardasmelodie beginnt.

Küßt und herzt sein süßes Täubchen,
Dreht sie, führt sie, jauchzt und springt;
Wirft drei blanke Silbergulden
Auf das Zimbal, daß es klingt.

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by Hugo Conrat (1845 - 1906)
5.
Language: English 
A swarthy young man leads to the dance
His fair, blue-eyed maiden;
His spurs strike boldly together,
The csárdás medody begins.

He kisses and hugs his sweet little dove,
He whirls her around, leads her, cheers, and jumps;
And he tosses three shining silver pieces
Upon the cymbal so that it jingles.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2019 by Emily Ezust

    Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:

    Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
    from the LiederNet Archive

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Line count: 8
Word count: 52

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6.
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Röslein dreie in der Reihe blühn so rot,
Daß der Bursch zum Mädel gehe, ist kein Verbot!
Lieber Gott, wenn das verboten wär,
Ständ die schöne weite Welt schon längst nicht mehr;
Ledig bleiben Sünde wär!

Schönstes Städtchen in Alföld ist Ketschkemet,
Dort gibt es gar viele Mädchen schmuck und nett!
Freunde, sucht euch dort ein Bräutchen aus,
Freit um ihre Hand und gründet euer Haus,
Freudenbecher leeret aus.

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by Hugo Conrat (1845 - 1906)
6.
Language: English 
Three little roses in a row, blossoming so red,
That it is not forbidden for the boy to woo a maiden!
Dear god, if it had been forbidden,
The beautiful wide world would long have been no more;
To remain single would be a sin!

The loveliest village in Alföld is Kecskemét,
There are many maidens who live there, pretty and nice!
Friends, choose a little bride there,
Ask for her hand and build your house,
And drain the cup of happiness!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2019 by Emily Ezust

    Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:

    Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
    from the LiederNet Archive

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Translation of title "Röslein dreie" = "Three little roses"



This text was added to the website: 2019-06-23
Line count: 10
Word count: 82

Translation © by Emily Ezust
7.
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Kommt dir manchmal in den Sinn, mein süßes Lieb,
Was du einst mit heil'gem Eide mir gelobt?
Täusch mich nicht, verlaß mich nicht,
Du weißt nicht, wie lieb ich dich hab,
Lieb du mich, wie ich dich,
Dann strömt Gottes Huld auf dich herab!

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by Hugo Conrat (1845 - 1906)
7.
Language: English 
Do you sometimes remember, my sweet love,
What you once swore to me with a sacred vow?
Do not deceive me, do not leave me --
You do not know how much I love you!
If you loved me as I love you,
God's favour would stream down upon you!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2019 by Emily Ezust

    Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:

    Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
    from the LiederNet Archive

    For any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.


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Line count: 6
Word count: 49

Translation © by Emily Ezust
8.
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Horch, der Wind klagt in den Zweigen traurig sacht;
süßes Lieb, wir müssen Scheiden: gute Nacht.
Ach wie gern in deinen Armen ruhte ich,
doch die Trennungsstunde naht, Gott schütze dich.

Dunkel ist die Nacht, kein Sternlein spendet Licht;
süßes Lieb vertrau auf Gott und weine nicht;
führt der liebe Gott mich einst zu dir zurück,
bleiben ewig wir vereint in Liebesglück.

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by Hugo Conrat (1845 - 1906)
8.
Language: English 
Hark, the wind laments in the branches, mournful and soft;
Sweet love, we must part: good night.
Ah, how gladly I rested in your arms,
But the hour of parting is approaching, may God protect you.

Dark is the night: not even a small star gives any light.
Sweet love, trust in God and do not weep;
If our dear God one day leads me back to you,
We will be united forever in love's bliss.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2019 by Emily Ezust

    Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:

    Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
    from the LiederNet Archive

    For any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.


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This text was added to the website: 2019-12-02
Line count: 8
Word count: 76

Translation © by Emily Ezust
9.
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Weit und breit schaut niemand mich an,
und wenn sie mich hassen, was liegt mir dran?
Nur mein Schatz der soll mich lieben allezeit,
soll mich küssen, umarmen und herzen in Ewigkeit.

Kein Stern blickt in finsterer Nacht;
keine Blum mir strahlt in duftiger Pracht.
Deine Augen sind mir Blumen Sternenschein,
die mir leuchten so freundlich, die blühen nur mir allein.

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by Hugo Conrat (1845 - 1906)
9.
Language: English 
Far and wide, no one looks at me,
And if they hate me, what is it to me?
Only my beloved, who will love me forever,
Shall kiss me, hold me, and embrace me for eternity.

No star gleams in the dark night;
No flower radiates fragrant splendour at me.
To me, your eyes are starlight flowers
That shine on me so kindly and that blossom for me alone.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2019 by Emily Ezust

    Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:

    Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
    from the LiederNet Archive

    For any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.


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This text was added to the website: 2019-12-02
Line count: 8
Word count: 69

Translation © by Emily Ezust
10.
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Mond verhüllt sein Angesicht,
süßes Lieb, ich zürne dir nicht.
Wollt ich zürnend dich betrüben, sprich
wie könnt ich dich dann lieben?

Heiß für dich mein Herz entbrennt,
keine Zunge dir's bekennt.
Bald in Liebesrausch unsinnig,
bald wie Täubchen sanft und innig.

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by Hugo Conrat (1845 - 1906)
10.
Language: English 
The moon is veiling her face,
Sweet love; I am not angry with you.
Were I to afflict you with my anger, tell me,
How could I then love you?

My heart blazes feverishly for you,  
Even if no tongue confesses to it,
One moment left absurd by its intoxication,
Another moment, as gentle and earnest as a little dove.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2019 by Emily Ezust

    Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:

    Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
    from the LiederNet Archive

    For any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.


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Line count: 8
Word count: 60

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11.
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Rote Abendwolken ziehn am Firmament,
Sehnsuchtsvoll nach dir,
Mein Lieb, das Herze brennt,
Himmel strahlt in glühnder Pracht,
Und ich träum bei Tag und Nacht
Nur allein von dem süßen Liebchen mein.

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by Hugo Conrat (1845 - 1906)
11.
Language: English 
Red evening clouds drift across the heavens;
Full of longing for you,
My love, my heart burns;
The sky blazes in glowing splendour,
And I dream day and night
Of my sweet beloved alone.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2019 by Emily Ezust

    Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:

    Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
    from the LiederNet Archive

    For any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.


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This text was added to the website: 2019-12-02
Line count: 6
Word count: 34

Translation © by Emily Ezust