Eliland. A Song from the Chiemsee

Translations © by Sharon Krebs

Song Cycle by Alexander von Fielitz (1860 - 1930)

View original-language texts alone: Eliland. Ein Sang vom Chiemsee von K. Stieler. Zehn Lieder für 1 mittlere Singstimme mit Pianofortebegleitung

1. Stilles Leid  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Eine stille Zelle
An blauer Welle,
Das ist mein Leid.
Wohlan, ich trag' es -
Aber ich klag' es
[Doch allezeit]1!

Ich hab' mein Leben
An Gott gegeben
Und das ist sein.
Das wend' ich nimmer. - -
Doch denk' ich immer:
O, wär' es mein!

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1 Bill: "Allezeit, ja, allezeit"

by Karl Stieler (1842 - 1885)
1. Quiet sorrow
Language: English 
A quiet cell
By the blue waves,
That is my sorrow.
Now then, I bear it -
But I lament it
All the time!

My life I have
Given to God
And it is His.
That I shall never change --
Yet I always think:
Oh, if it were mine!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2014 by Sharon Krebs, (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: 2014-03-11
Line count: 12
Word count: 48

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
2. Frauenwörth  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Das war ein Tag voll Maienwind,
Da ist auf blauen Wogen
Zu Nonnenwörth ein Grafenkind
Gar lenzhold eingezogen.

Die war geheißen Irmingard;
Ich sah es, wie der Bangen
Kränzlein und Schleier eigen ward ...
Die Nonnen alle sangen.

Ihr aber fielen die Tränen drauf,
Die barg ich lang im Sinne;
Nun gingen sie mir im Herzen auf
Als Knospen süßer Minne.

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by Karl Stieler (1842 - 1885)
2. Frauenwörth
Language: English 
That was a day full of the winds of May,
There, upon blue waves,
A duke's child entered the nunnery,
[She was] as utterly lovely as spring.

She was called Irmingard;
I saw, how the apprehensive one
Was outfitted with wreath and veil . . .
All the nuns sang.

But her tears fell upon [wreath and veil],
[Tears,] which I long harboured in my spirit;
Now they have sprouted within my heart
As buds of sweet love.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2014 by Sharon Krebs, (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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Note: This abbey still exists today. http://www.frauenwoerth.de/english/



This text was added to the website: 2014-03-11
Line count: 12
Word count: 78

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
3. Rosenzweige  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wohl manchen Rosenzweig brach ich vom Pfade
Am grünen Strand,
Es trug der Wind ihn fort an ihr Gestade,
Bis sie ihn fand.

Sie flocht den Kranz sich draus zum Kirchengange --
O holde Noth!
Von meinen Rosen ward ihr Stirn und Wange
So heiß und roth!

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by Karl Stieler (1842 - 1885)
3. Rose-twigs
Language: English 
Many a rose-twig I broke from the path
By the greenery of the beach,
The wind carried it off to her shore
Until she found it.

She wove a wreath out of it to wear to church --
Oh lovely affliction!
From my roses her brow and cheek became
So warmed and red!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2014 by Sharon Krebs, (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: 2014-03-25
Line count: 8
Word count: 52

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
4. Heimliche Grüsse  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
O Irmingard, wie schön bist du,
Holdseliger ist keine;
Bei grünen Linden wandelst du
Im luftigen Sonnenscheine!

O Irmingard, wie silbern klingt
Dein Sang zu uns herüber;
Wie fliegen meine Grüße beschwingt
In euer Gärtlein hinüber!

Wie zage Vöglein bergen sie sich
Im tiefen Gezweig der Linden,
Doch wenn du wandelst und denkst an mich,
Magst du sie drinnen finden!

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by Karl Stieler (1842 - 1885)
4. Secret greetings
Language: English 
Oh Irmingard, how beautiful you are,
No woman is fairer;
You walk under the green lime trees
In the breezy sunshine!

Oh Irmingard, how silverly drifts
Your singing over to us;
How swiftly my greetings wing their way
Over to your little garden!

Like timid little birds they conceal themselves
In the deep branches of the lime trees,
But when you walk [beneath] and think of me,
May you find them [hiding] therein!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2014 by Sharon Krebs, (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: 2014-03-25
Line count: 12
Word count: 73

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
5. Am Strande  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Mein Liebling ist ein Lindenbaum,
Der steht am Strand;
Es spielen die Wogen mit leisem Schaum
Um den weißen Sand.

Und der Lindenduft, der zieht mir hinein
Bis ins tiefste Gemüt -
Halt still, mein [Herze]1, und gib dich drein -
Du hast geblüht!

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1 Huller: "Herz"

by Karl Stieler (1842 - 1885)
5. At the shore
Language: English 
My beloved is a lime tree
That stands on the shore;
The waves with their gentle foam play
About the white sands.

And the scent of the lime blossoms is drawn into
My deepest inner being -
Be still, my heart, and accept it -
You have bloomed!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2014 by Sharon Krebs, (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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Translated titles:
"Am Strande" = "At the shore"
"Geblüht" = "Bloomed"


This text was added to the website: 2014-03-31
Line count: 8
Word count: 46

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
6. Kinderstimmen  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Mit unsern [Fischern]1 war ein Kind gekommen
Von Frauenwörth.
Das hab' ich spielend auf mein Knie genommen
Und frug betört:

"Wer ist die lieblichste der frommen Frauen,
Die du gewahrt?"
Da schlug es auf den vollen Blick, den blauen:
"Frau Irmingard!" - -

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1 Attenhofer: "Kindern" (according to Hofmeister); further changes may exist not noted

by Karl Stieler (1842 - 1885)
6. Children's voices
Language: English 
With our [fisherfolk]1 a child came
From [the abbey of] Frauenwörth.
Playfully I took it upon my knee
And, besotted, I asked:

"Who is the loveliest of the pious women
Whom you have seen?"
Thereupon the child opened wide its eyes, the blue eyes:
"Frau Irmingard!" - -

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2014 by Sharon Krebs, (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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View original text (without footnotes)
1 Attenhofer: "children" (according to Hofmeister); further changes may exist not noted


This text was added to the website: 2014-03-31
Line count: 8
Word count: 47

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
7. Mondnacht  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich lieg' an meines Lagers End'
Und lug' in stille Sterne;
Die blaue Woge, die uns trennt,
Wie rauscht sie leis und ferne!

Verschleiert schaut der Mond herein,
Mein Herz hält stille Feier; - -
Wie sind so bleich die Wangen dein,
Wie ist so dicht dein Schleier!

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by Karl Stieler (1842 - 1885)
7. Moonlit night
Language: English 
I lie upon the edge of my bed
And peer out into the quiet stars;
The blue waves that separate us,
How they murmur, quietly and distantly!

Veiled, the moon looks in,
My heart is celebrating a quiet ritual; - -
How very pale are your cheeks,
How very impenetrable is your veil!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2014 by Sharon Krebs, (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: 2014-03-31
Line count: 8
Word count: 51

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
8. Wanderträume  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
O, der Alpen blanke Kette,
Wie sie glänzt im Morgenblau! -
Daß ich dort mein Wandern hätte,
Wenn im Wald noch liegt der Tau,

Langgelockt und freigelassen,
Wie ich's einst gewesen bin, -
Scharfe Pfeile möcht' ich fassen;
Singend zög' ich dort dahin,

Wo am tiefsten niederhinge
Das Gezweig auf meine Fahrt -
Und an meiner Seite ginge
Schleierlos -- Frau Irmingard!

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by Karl Stieler (1842 - 1885)
8. Dreams while wandering
Language: English 
Oh the shining chain of the Alps,
How it gleams in the blue of morning! -
If I could only be wandering there
When the forest is still covered with dew,

With long curls and freed,
As I once was, -
I would grasp at sharp darts;
With singing would I wander there,

Where the branches hang
Down the lowest over my path -
And walking at my side
Without her veil -- Frau Irmingard!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2014 by Sharon Krebs, (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: 2014-03-31
Line count: 12
Word count: 71

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
9. Anathema  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Nun ist wohl Sanges Ende!
Wie hart ich davon schied',
Die Wintersunnenwende
Ist kommen für mein Lied!

Es rief der Abt mit Zürnen
Mich in die Zelle sein
Und sprach: "Dein Herz sei hürnen
Und deine Gedanken rein!

Was heimlich du geschrieben,
Mir ward es offenbart;
Fluch über dein sündig Lieben,
Fluch über Frau Irmingard!

Doch eh' der Tag zerfallen,
Das schwör' mir zu Gesicht:
Sei von den Liedern allen
Nicht eines mehr am Licht!"

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by Karl Stieler (1842 - 1885)
9. Anathema
Language: English 
Now it is surely the end of singing!
However hard it might be to give it up,
The winter solstice
Has come for my song!

In a rage the abbot called
Me into his cell
And said:  "Your heart should be bone-hard
And your thoughts pure!

That which you have secretly written
Was disclosed to me;
A curse upon your sinful loving,
A curse upon Frau Irmingard!

But before this day has ended,
This you must swear before me:
Not one of all your songs
Must still exist!"

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2014 by Sharon Krebs, (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: 2014-03-31
Line count: 16
Word count: 88

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
10. Ergebung  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Gehorchen ist das erste!
Ich hab' mich stumm geneigt,
Und ob das Herz mir berste,
Mein Herz gehorcht und schweigt.

Mich hat mein Abt verfluchet, -
Ich war wohl gottverwaist,
Daß Sang mir heimgesuchet
So süß den stillen Geist!

Viel' letzte Grüße sag' ich
Nun dir, Frau Irmingard!
Euch Lieder aber trag' ich
Zum Dickicht in stiller Fahrt.

Dort will ich in Waldgrund legen
Sie unter eisernem Schrein
Und ihre Hüter mögen
Waldvöglein, die lieben, sein!

Und mag sie je ergründen
Ein Pilger auf seinem Pfad,
So bin ich ohne Sünden, -
Ein Mönch, dem Gott genad'.

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by Karl Stieler (1842 - 1885)
10. Submission
Language: English 
Obedience comes first!
I have bowed down mutely,
And though my heart may burst,
My heart obeys and remains silent.

I have been cursed by my Abbot,-
I must have truly strayed from God
That singing could so sweetly
Have caused the quiet spirit to become obsessed!

Many final greetings I now
Send you, Frau Irmingard!
You my songs, however, I carry
To the spinney with silent steps.

There in the forest depths I shall
Place them into an iron shrine
And may the little forest birds,
The dear ones, be their guardians!

And should a pilgrim ever
Discover them upon his journey,
I am without sin, -
A monk, to whom God was merciful.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2014 by Sharon Krebs, (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: 2014-03-31
Line count: 20
Word count: 114

Translation © by Sharon Krebs