Paradies - 7 Lieder für Sopran und Klavier

Translations © by Bertram Kottmann

Song Cycle by Juliana Hall (b. 1958)

View original-language texts alone: Paradise - 7 songs for Soprano and Piano

1. I sing to use the waiting  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English 
I sing to use the waiting, 
My bonnet but to tie, 
And shut the door unto my house; 
No more to do have I, 
  
Till, his best step approaching,
We journey to the day, 
And tell each other how we sang 
To keep the dark away.

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by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886)
1.
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich sing, vertreib das Warten,
bind’ meinen Schutenhut
und schließe hinter mir das Tor -
mehr hab ich nicht zu tun

bis seine lieben Schritte nah’n.
Wir wandern durch den Tag,
erzählen, wie einst unser Sang
die Dunkelheit hielt ab.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from English to German (Deutsch) copyright © 2016 by Bertram Kottmann, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you must ask the copyright-holder(s) directly for permission. If you receive no response, you must consider it a refusal.

    Bertram Kottmann.  Contact: BKottmann (AT) t-online.de

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This text was added to the website: 2016-05-04
Line count: 8
Word count: 39

Translation © by Bertram Kottmann
2. I've heard an organ talk sometimes  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English 
I've heard an organ talk sometimes
In a cathedral aisle
And understood no word it said
Yet held my breath the while...

And risen up and gone away,
A more Bernardine girl
And know not what was done to me
In that old hallowed aisle.

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by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886)
2.
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Manchmal hört’ ich im Kirchenschiff
der Orgel Lobgesang.
Obwohl ich keinen Ton verstand,
hielt ich den Atem an…

Dann stand ich auf und ging hinaus
und war ein frömm’res Kind -
und weiß nicht, was mit mir geschah
im heil’gen Kirchenschiff.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from English to German (Deutsch) copyright © 2015 by Bertram Kottmann, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you must ask the copyright-holder(s) directly for permission. If you receive no response, you must consider it a refusal.

    Bertram Kottmann.  Contact: BKottmann (AT) t-online.de

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This text was added to the website: 2015-06-10
Line count: 8
Word count: 40

Translation © by Bertram Kottmann
3. Why ‑‑ do they shut me out of Heaven  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English 
Why -- do they shut me out of Heaven?
Did I sing -- too loud?
But -- I can sing a little minor,
Timid as a bird.

Wouldn't the angels try me -- 
just -- once -- more --
Just -- see -- if I troubled them --
But don't -- shut the door!

Oh if I -- were the Gentlemen 
in the White [Robe]1
and they -- were the little Hand -- that knocked --
Could -- I -- forbid?

Why do they shut me out of Heaven?
Did I sing too loud?

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1 Copland: "Robes"

by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886)
3.
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Warum ist mir die Himmelstür versperrt?
Sang ich denn zu laut?
Wohl kann ich's etwas leiser,
wie ein Vogel, zag.

Würden es die Engel wagen
einmal mehr,
nur  zu sehen, ob ich stör' -  
jedoch, die Tür lasst auf!

Oh, wäre ich die Herren
in ihrem Lichtgewand,
und sie die kleine Hand, die pocht - 
könnt' ich es dann verwehren?

Warum ist mir die Himmelstür versperrt?
Sang ich denn zu laut?

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from English to German (Deutsch) copyright © 2011 by Bertram Kottmann, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you must ask the copyright-holder(s) directly for permission. If you receive no response, you must consider it a refusal.

    Bertram Kottmann.  Contact: BKottmann (AT) t-online.de

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This text was added to the website: 2011-01-17
Line count: 14
Word count: 69

Translation © by Bertram Kottmann
4. At least ‑‑ to pray ‑‑ is left ‑‑ is left   [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English 
At least to pray is left, is left.
O Jesus! in the air
I know not which thy chamber is, -
I'm knocking everywhere.

Thou stirrest earthquake in the South,
And maelstrom in the sea;
Say, Jesus Christ of Nazareth,
Hast thou no arm for me?

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by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886)
4.
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Zumindest bleibt Gebet Gebet
Herr Jesus - himmelan
ich weiß nicht, wo dein Zimmer ist,
klopf allerorten an.

Den Mahlstrom lässt du drehn das Meer,
die Erde bebt durch dich;
hast, Jesus Christ aus Nazareth
du keine Hand für mich?

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from English to German (Deutsch) copyright © 2017 by Bertram Kottmann, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you must ask the copyright-holder(s) directly for permission. If you receive no response, you must consider it a refusal.

    Bertram Kottmann.  Contact: BKottmann (AT) t-online.de

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This text was added to the website: 2017-06-23
Line count: 8
Word count: 39

Translation © by Bertram Kottmann
5. Teach Him – When He makes the names  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English 
Teach Him -- When He makes the names --
Such an one -- to say --
On his babbling -- Berry -- lips --
As should sound -- to me --
Were my Ear – as near his nest --
As my thought -- today --
As should sound --
"Forbid us not" --
Some like "Emily."

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Note (provided by Bertram Kottmann) about line 8 ( "Forbid us not" – ): cf. Mk 10,14


by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886)
5.
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Lehr ihn, wenn es an Namen geht,
solch einen zu sagen,
brabbelnd mit seinen -Beeren- Lippen,
der klingen sollt für mich, 
wäre mein Ohr - so nahe seinem Nest -
wie meine Gedanken - heut - ,
dann sollt er klingen,
„Wehrt uns nicht“ -
etwa wie - „Emily“.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from English to German (Deutsch) copyright © 2017 by Bertram Kottmann, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you must ask the copyright-holder(s) directly for permission. If you receive no response, you must consider it a refusal.

    Bertram Kottmann.  Contact: BKottmann (AT) t-online.de

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Translator's notes:
Eines der wenigen Gedichte, denen Emily Dickinson einen Titel gegeben hat.
Line 8: vgl. Mk 10,14



This text was added to the website: 2017-06-23
Line count: 9
Word count: 43

Translation © by Bertram Kottmann
6. What is ‑‑ "Paradise"  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English 
What is -- "Paradise" --
Who live there --
Are they "Farmers" --
Do they "hoe" --
Do they know that this is "Amherst" --
And that I -- am coming -- too --

Do they wear "new shoes" -- in "Eden" --
Is it always pleasant -- there --
Won't they scold us -- when we're homesick --
Or tell God -- how cross we are --

You are sure there's such a person
As "a Father" -- in the sky --
So if I get lost -- there -- ever --
Or do what the Nurse calls "die" --
I shan't walk the "Jasper" -- barefoot --
Ransomed folks -- won't laugh at me --
Maybe -- "Eden" a'n't so lonesome
As New England used to be!

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Note provided by Bertram Kottmann for line 3-5: cf. Revelation 21:18


by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886)
6.
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Was ist - „Paradies“ -
wer lebt dort -
sind es „Bauern“ -
„hacken“ sie -
wissen sie etwas von „Amherst“
und dass ich - auch - kommen werd -

trägt man „neue Schuh“ in „Eden“ -
ist es stets erfreulich - dort -
schilt man uns ob unsres Heimwehs -
petzt man unsern Groll dem Herrn -

Du bist sicher, dass im Himmel
jemand namens „Vater“ ist -
Sollt ich mich dort je verirren -
oder tun, was „sterben“ heißt -,
ich nicht barfuß stoß an „Jaspis“ 
von Erlösten ausgelacht -
„Eden“ ist wohl nicht so einsam
wie Neuenland es einst war.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from English to German (Deutsch) copyright © 2017 by Bertram Kottmann, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you must ask the copyright-holder(s) directly for permission. If you receive no response, you must consider it a refusal.

    Bertram Kottmann.  Contact: BKottmann (AT) t-online.de

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Translator's note for line 3-5: vgl. Offb 21,18



This text was added to the website: 2017-06-23
Line count: 18
Word count: 87

Translation © by Bertram Kottmann
7. Tie the strings to my life, my Lord   [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English 
Tie the strings to my life, my Lord,
Then I am ready to go! 
Just a look at the horses -
Rapid! That will do! 

Put me in on the firmest side,
So I shall never fall;
For we must ride to the Judgment,
And it 's partly down hill. 

But never I mind the bridges,
And never I mind the sea;
Held fast in everlasting race
By my own choice and thee. 

Good-by to the life I used to live,
And the world I used to know;
And kiss the hills for me, just once;
Now I am ready to go!

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by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886)
7.
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Spann meinen Lebenswagen an,
ich steh bereit, mein Gott!
Ein Blick noch auf die Pferde -
schleunig! Das genügt!

Setz auf die sichre Seite mich,
auf dass ich niemals fall’;
denn unsre Fahrt geht zum Gericht,
zuweilen geht’s bergab.

Was gehen mich die Brücken an,
das Meer, was sorgt es mich;
in ewges Rennen eingespannt
durch eigne Wahl und dich.

Lebwohl, all dem, was ich gewohnt,
lebwohl, Welt alter Zeit;
küsst mir die Hügel einmal noch;
zu gehn bin ich bereit!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from English to German (Deutsch) copyright © 2017 by Bertram Kottmann, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you must ask the copyright-holder(s) directly for permission. If you receive no response, you must consider it a refusal.

    Bertram Kottmann.  Contact: BKottmann (AT) t-online.de

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Based on:

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This text was added to the website: 2017-06-23
Line count: 16
Word count: 80

Translation © by Bertram Kottmann