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Vier Lieder von Hermann Hesse , opus 15

by Friedrich Niggli (1875 - 1959)

Translations available for the entire opus: ENG FRE 

1. Böse Zeit
 (Sung text)

Language: German (Deutsch) 
Nun sind wir still 
Und singen keine Lieder mehr. 
Der Schritt wird schwer. 
Das ist die Nacht, die kommen will. 

Gib mir die Hand, 
Vielleicht ist unser Weg noch weit. 
Es schneit, es schneit. 
Hart ist der Winter in dem fremden Land. 

Wo ist die Zeit 
Da uns ein Licht, ein Herd gebrannt? 
Gib mir die Hand, 
Vielleicht ist unser Weg noch weit.

Text Authorship:

  • by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Böse Zeit", written c1909

See other settings of this text.

Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

  • CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , "Temps dolent", copyright © 2023, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "Bad times", copyright © 2017, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "Mauvais temps", copyright © 2017, (re)printed on this website with kind permission

Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada and the U.S., but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.

Confirmed with Hermann Hesse, Sämtliche Werke, herausgegeben von Volker Michels, Band 10 Die Gedichte, bearbeitet von Peter Huber, Frankfurt am Main: Suhrkamp Verlag, 2002, page 182.


2. Bitte
 (Sung text)

Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wenn du die kleine Hand mir gibst,
Die so viel Ungesagtes sagt,
Hab ich dich jemals dann gefragt,
Ob du mich liebst?

Ich will ja nicht, daß du mich liebst,
Will nur, daß ich dich nahe weiß
Und daß du manchmal stumm und leis
Die Hand mir gibst.

Text Authorship:

  • by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Bitte", written 1901

See other settings of this text.

Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

  • CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , copyright © 2023, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "Request", copyright © 2012, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "S'il te plaît", copyright © 2012, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • ITA Italian (Italiano) (Gianni Franceschi) , "Richiesta", copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission

Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada and the U.S., but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.

3. Liebeslied
 (Sung text)

Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich singe von deinem seidenen Schuh
Und von deinem rauschenden Kleid,
Ich träume dich jede Nacht, o du,
Meine Böse, mein Herzeleid!

Ich weiß keinen Namen als deinen,
Ich kann um keinen Schmerz
Und um keine Lust mehr weinen,
Als um dich allein, mein Herz.

Ich will kein Glück mehr kennen
Und keine andere Not,
Als um dich in Sehnsucht brennen -
O du, warum bist du tot?

Text Authorship:

  • by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Liebeslied", subtitle: "(1908)", written 1908

See other settings of this text.

Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

  • CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , "Cançó d’amor", copyright © 2025, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "Love song", copyright © 2018, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "Chanson d'amour", copyright © 2017, (re)printed on this website with kind permission

Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada and the U.S., but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.

Confirmed with Hermann Hesse, Sämtliche Werke, herausgegeben von Volker Michels, Band 10 Die Gedichte, bearbeitet von Peter Huber, Frankfurt am Main: Suhrkamp Verlag, 2002, page 152.


4. Tod im Felde
 (Sung text)

Language: German (Deutsch) 
Sei du willkommen, frühe Nacht,
Die mich umfängt und müde macht,
Sei du willkommen, Bruder Tod!
Ich sehe Sterne scheinen,
Ach, meine Mutter wird weinen --
Nein, weine nicht, ich leide keine Not!

Du Fremder, der mich hingestreckt,
Nun liegst auch du von Nacht bedeckt
Im friedevollen Sternenschein,
Und unser Streit und Hassen
Muß in der Nacht verblassen,
Bald werden wir versöhnt und Brüder sein.

Nimm mich, du Welt, an deine Brust
Und ströme deine dunkle Lust
Noch einmal durch mein ängstlich Herz.
Wie sind wir irr gegangen
Und müssen doch gelangen
Zur Mutter alle heimatwärts

Text Authorship:

  • by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Tod im Felde", written 1914

See other settings of this text.

Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

  • ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , copyright © 2019, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , copyright © 2017, (re)printed on this website with kind permission

Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada and the U.S., but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.

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