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The young maid
Translations © by Bertram Kottmann
Song Cycle by Paul Hindemith (1895 - 1963)
View original-language texts alone: Die junge Magd
1. Oft am Brunnen
Language: German (Deutsch)
Oft am Brunnen, wenn es dämmert, Sieht man sie verzaubert stehen Wasser schöpfen, wenn es dämmert. Eimer auf und nieder gehen. In den Buchen Dohlen flattern Und sie gleichet einem Schatten. Ihre gelben Haare flattern Und im Hofe schrein die Ratten. Und umschmeichelt von Verfalle Senkt sie die entzundenen Lider. Dürres Gras neigt im Verfalle Sich zu ihren Füßen nieder.
Text Authorship:
- by Georg Trakl (1887 - 1914), no title, appears in Gedichte 1909 -1913 , in Die junge Magd, no. 1
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by Georg Trakl (1887 - 1914)
1. Often by the well
Language: English
Often by the well at dawning people see her standing spellbound scooping water when it’s dawning. Up and down the pails are going. In the beeches jackdaws flutter and she seems to be a shadow. E’en her yellow hair does flutter, in the backyard rats are screaming. And caressed by dissolution she just closes her sore eyelids. Wispy grass, disintegrating bends and bows down to her feet.
Text Authorship:
- Singable translation from German (Deutsch) to English 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
If you wish to commission a new translation, please contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Georg Trakl (1887 - 1914), no title, appears in Gedichte 1909 -1913 , in Die junge Magd, no. 1
Go to the general single-text view
Translation of title "Oft am Brunnen" = "Often by the well"This text was added to the website: 2016-11-30
Line count: 12
Word count: 67
Translation © by Bertram Kottmann
2. Stille schafft sie in der Kammer
Language: German (Deutsch)
Stille schafft sie in der Kammer Und der Hof liegt längst verödet. Im Hollunder vor der Kammer Kläglich eine Amsel flötet. Silbern schaut ihr Bild im Spiegel Fremd sie an im Zwielichtscheine Und verdämmert fahl im Spiegel Und ihr graut vor seiner Reine. Traumhaft singt ein Knecht im Dunkel Und sie starrt von Schmerz geschüttelt. Röte träufelt durch das Dunkel. Jäh am Tor der Südwind rüttelt.
Text Authorship:
- by Georg Trakl (1887 - 1914), no title, appears in Gedichte 1909 -1913 , in Die junge Magd, no. 2
Go to the general single-text view
by Georg Trakl (1887 - 1914)
2. She works softly in the chamber
Language: English
She works softly in the chamber and the farm lies long deserted. In the elders by the chamber woefully a blackbird warbles. Silverly and strangely mirrored shines her image in the gloaming, turning paler in the mirror, and she’s dreading its appearance. In the dark a farmhand’s singing, unreal, and she stares grief-stricken. Redness trickles through the darkness. At the door the south-wind rattles.
Text Authorship:
- Singable translation from German (Deutsch) to English 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
If you wish to commission a new translation, please contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Georg Trakl (1887 - 1914), no title, appears in Gedichte 1909 -1913 , in Die junge Magd, no. 2
Go to the general single-text view
Translation of title "Stille schafft sie in der Kammer" = "She works softly in the chamber"This text was added to the website: 2016-12-18
Line count: 12
Word count: 64
Translation © by Bertram Kottmann
3. Nächtens übern kahlen Anger
Language: German (Deutsch)
Nächtens übern kahlen Anger Gaukelt sie in Fieberträumen. Mürrisch greint der Wind im Anger Und der Mond lauscht aus den Bäumen. Balde rings die Sterne bleichen Und ermattet von Beschwerde Wächsern ihre Wangen bleichen. Fäulnis wittert aus der Erde. Traurig rauscht das Rohr im Tümpel Und sie friert in sich gekauert. Fern ein Hahn kräht. Übern Tümpel Hart und grau der Morgen schauert.
Text Authorship:
- by Georg Trakl (1887 - 1914), no title, appears in Gedichte 1909 -1913 , in Die junge Magd, no. 3
Go to the general single-text view
by Georg Trakl (1887 - 1914)
3. Nightly o’er the grassless meadow
Language: English
Nightly o’er the grassless meadow bound in fever dreams she’s fluttering. Winds whine dourly in the meadow - from the trees the moon is listening. Soon around, the stars turn paler and, exhausted from complaining, waxen turn her cheeks - and paler. Rottenness from earth is rising. Sadly water reeds are rustling and curled up the maid is freezing. Distant cock-crows. Morning shivers grey and grimly o'er the water.
Text Authorship:
- Singable translation from German (Deutsch) to English 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
If you wish to commission a new translation, please contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Georg Trakl (1887 - 1914), no title, appears in Gedichte 1909 -1913 , in Die junge Magd, no. 3
Go to the general single-text view
Translation of title "Nächtens übern kahlen Anger" = "Nightly o’er the grassless meadow"This text was added to the website: 2016-12-18
Line count: 12
Word count: 67
Translation © by Bertram Kottmann
4. In der Schmiede dröhnt der Hammer
Language: German (Deutsch)
In der Schmiede dröhnt der Hammer Und sie huscht am Tor vorüber. Glührot schwingt der Knecht den Hammer Und sie schaut wie tot hinüber. Wie im Traum trifft sie ein Lachen; Und sie taumelt in die Schmiede, Scheu geduckt vor seinem Lachen, Wie der Hammer hart und rüde. Hell versprühn im Raum die Funken Und mit hilfloser Geberde Hascht sie nach den wilden Funken Und sie stürzt betäubt zur Erde.
Text Authorship:
- by Georg Trakl (1887 - 1914), no title, appears in Gedichte 1909 -1913 , in Die junge Magd, no. 4
Go to the general single-text view
by Georg Trakl (1887 - 1914)
4. In the smithy clangs the hammer
Language: English
In the smithy clangs the hammer and she scurries past the gateway. A youth swings the blazing hammer and she looks at him with dead eyes. Dreamily she’s struck by laughter; and she reels into the smithy, shyly cringing from his laughter, Like the hammer hard and uncouth. Bright with fire the sparks are flying and she, with a helpless gesture, tries to snatch the wild sparks flying and falls to the ground, unconscious.
Text Authorship:
- Singable translation from German (Deutsch) to English 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
If you wish to commission a new translation, please contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Georg Trakl (1887 - 1914), no title, appears in Gedichte 1909 -1913 , in Die junge Magd, no. 4
Go to the general single-text view
Translation of title "In der Schmiede dröhnt der Hammer" = "In the smithy clangs the hammer"This text was added to the website: 2016-12-18
Line count: 12
Word count: 74
Translation © by Bertram Kottmann
5. Schmächtig hingestreckt im Bette
Language: German (Deutsch)
Schmächtig hingestreckt im Bette Wacht sie auf voll süßem Bangen Und sie sieht ihr schmutzig Bette Ganz von goldnem Licht verhangen, Die Reseden dort am Fenster Und den bläulich hellen Himmel. Manchmal trägt der Wind ans Fenster Einer Glocke zag Gebimmel. Schatten gleiten übers Kissen, Langsam schlagt die Mittagsstunde Und sie atmet schwer im Kissen Und ihr Mund gleicht einer Wunde.
Text Authorship:
- by Georg Trakl (1887 - 1914), no title, appears in Gedichte 1909 -1913 , in Die junge Magd, no. 5
Go to the general single-text view
by Georg Trakl (1887 - 1914)
5. Lankly sprawled over her bed
Language: English
Lankly sprawled over her bed She awakes full of sweet yearning And she sees her sullied bed wholly veiled by golden light beams, mignonettes there at the window and the bluish, lucid heavens. Sometimes winds waft to the window timid tinkling of a church bell. Shadows gliding o’er the pillow, gradually the chimes of midday and she wheezes in the pillow and her mouth is like a lesion.
Text Authorship:
- Singable translation from German (Deutsch) to English 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
If you wish to commission a new translation, please contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Georg Trakl (1887 - 1914), no title, appears in Gedichte 1909 -1913 , in Die junge Magd, no. 5
Go to the general single-text view
Translation of title "Schmächtig hingestreckt im Bette" = "Lankly sprawled over her bed"This text was added to the website: 2016-12-18
Line count: 12
Word count: 68
Translation © by Bertram Kottmann
6. Abends schweben blutige Linnen
Language: German (Deutsch)
Abends schweben blutige Linnen, Wolken über stummen Wäldern, Die gehüllt in schwarze Linnen. Spatzen lärmen auf den Feldern. Und sie liegt ganz weiß im Dunkel. Unterm Dach verhaucht ein Girren. Wie ein Aas in Busch und Dunkel Fliegen ihren Mund umschwirren. Traumhaft klingt im braunen Weiler Nach ein Klang von Tanz und Geigen, Schwebt ihr Antlitz durch den Weiler, Weht ihr Haar in kahlen Zweigen.
Text Authorship:
- by Georg Trakl (1887 - 1914), no title, appears in Gedichte 1909 -1913 , in Die junge Magd, no. 6
Go to the general single-text view
by Georg Trakl (1887 - 1914)
6. In the evening bloody linens
Language: English
In the evening bloody linens - clouds - that float o’er silent forests, that are wrapped in blackish linens. Sparrows roister in the meadows. And she lies dead-white in darkness. Under rooftops dies a cooing. As if there’s carrion in bush and darkness, flies around her mouth are buzzing. Dreamily the brownish hamlet rings with dance and fiddle echoes, floats her visage through the hamlet, blows her hair in leafless branches.
Text Authorship:
- Singable translation from German (Deutsch) to English 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
If you wish to commission a new translation, please contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Georg Trakl (1887 - 1914), no title, appears in Gedichte 1909 -1913 , in Die junge Magd, no. 6
Go to the general single-text view
Translation of title "Abends schweben blutige Linnen" = "In the evening bloody linens"This text was added to the website: 2016-12-18
Line count: 12
Word count: 69
Translation © by Bertram Kottmann