New Love Songs

Translations © by Robert Schall

Song Cycle by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897)

View original-language texts alone: Neue Liebeslieder

1.
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Verzicht', o Herz, auf Rettung,
  Dich wagend in der Liebe Meer!
Denn tausend Nachen schwimmen
  Zertrümmert am Gestad' umher!

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by Georg Friedrich Daumer (1800 - 1875)
1.
Language: English 
Give up, o heart, on rescue
when you sail forth on love’s high sea!
For untold shipwrecks litter
her beaches with their grim debris!

Text Authorship:

  • Singable translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2020 by Robert Schall, (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: 2020-03-09
Line count: 4
Word count: 24

Translation © by Robert Schall
2.
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Finstere Schatten der Nacht,
Wogen- und Wirbelgefahr!
Sind wohl, die da gelind
rasten auf sicherem Lande,
euch zu begreifen im Stande?
Das ist der nur allein,
welcher auf wilder See
stürmischer Öde treibt,
Meilenentfernt vom Strande.

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by Georg Friedrich Daumer (1800 - 1875)
2.
Language: English 
Tenebrous shadows of night,
dangers of maelstrom and wave!
Those things can’t understand
they who are perfectly safe,
resting in comfort on land.
Only they comprehend
who have drifted before
in heavy sea through the void
many miles from the shore.

Text Authorship:

  • Singable translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2020 by Robert Schall, (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: 2020-03-09
Line count: 9
Word count: 41

Translation © by Robert Schall
3.
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
An jeder Hand die Finger
hatt' ich bedeckt mit Ringen,
die mir geschenkt mein Bruder
in seinem Liebessinn.
Und einen nach dem andern
gab ich dem schönen,
aber unwürdigen Jüngling hin.

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by Georg Friedrich Daumer (1800 - 1875)
3.
Language: English 
The fingers of my hands were
richly bedecked with rings,
the presents of my brother,
signs of the love, in truth.
But each ring, one by one,
I gave away to that good-looking
but ignoble youth.

Text Authorship:

  • Singable translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2020 by Robert Schall, (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: 2020-03-09
Line count: 7
Word count: 36

Translation © by Robert Schall
4.
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ihr schwarzen Augen, ihr dürft nur winken;
Paläste fallen und Städte sinken.
Wie sollte steh'n in solchem Strauß
mein Herz, von Karten das schwache Haus?

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by Georg Friedrich Daumer (1800 - 1875)
4.
Language: English 
Her ink-black eyes' most fleeting wink
makes strongholds fall and cities sink.
How should her gaze not tear apart
this feeble house of cards: my heart?

Text Authorship:

  • Singable translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2020 by Robert Schall, (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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Line count: 4
Word count: 26

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5.
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wahre, wahre deinen Sohn,
Nachbarin, vor Wehe,
weil ich ihn mit schwarzem Aug'
zu bezaubern gehe.
 
O wie brennt das Auge mir,
das zu Zünden fordert!
Flammet ihm die Seele nicht --
deine Hütte lodert.

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by Georg Friedrich Daumer (1800 - 1875)
5.
Language: English 
Neighbouress, protect your son
from tremendous anguish,
for with shining eyes I shall
try to make him languish.

Oh, that fire of my eyes
craves to light more fire!
Should his soul not burn, your house
burns, lit by my ire.

Text Authorship:

  • Singable translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2020 by Robert Schall, (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: 2020-03-09
Line count: 8
Word count: 41

Translation © by Robert Schall
6.
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Rosen steckt mir an die Mutter,
weil ich gar so trübe bin.
Sie hat recht, die Rose sinket,
so wie ich, entblättert hin.

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by Georg Friedrich Daumer (1800 - 1875)
6.
Language: English 
Mother pins on me red roses
to console me in my grief.
She is right for I must wither
as a rose must stripped of leaf.

Text Authorship:

  • Singable translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2020 by Robert Schall, (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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Word count: 26

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7.
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Vom Gebirge Well auf Well
kommen Regengüsse,
und ich gäbe dir so gern
hunderttausend Küsse.

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by Georg Friedrich Daumer (1800 - 1875)
7.
Language: English 
Water thunders down the cliff
with a ceaseless roar,
how I long to kiss you sweet,
ceaselessly – and more!

Text Authorship:

  • Singable translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2020 by Robert Schall, (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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Word count: 20

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8.
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Weiche Gräser im Revier,
schöne, stille Plätzchen!
O, wie linde ruht es hier
sich mit einem Schätzchen!

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by Georg Friedrich Daumer (1800 - 1875)
8.
Language: English 
Mellow grasses by the pond,
quiet, fair location,
where my sweetheart finds with me
gentle relaxation.

Text Authorship:

  • Singable translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2020 by Robert Schall, (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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9.
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Nagen am Herzen fühl ich ein Gift mir.
Kann sich ein Mädchen,
ohne zu fröhnen zärtlichem Hang,
fassen ein ganzes wonneberaubtes Leben entlang?

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by Georg Friedrich Daumer (1800 - 1875)
9.
Language: English 
I feel my heart tormented by poison.
Can any maiden,
never indulging a tender streak,
suffer a life that stays all her years long joyless and bleak?

Text Authorship:

  • Singable translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2020 by Robert Schall, (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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Word count: 27

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10.
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich kose süß mit der und der
und werde still und kranke,
denn ewig, ewig kehrt zu dir,
o Nonna, mein Gedanke!

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by Georg Friedrich Daumer (1800 - 1875)
10.
Language: English 
I sweetly dally here and there,
but then I grow distraught,
because to you, always to you,
Nonna, returns my thought.

Text Authorship:

  • Singable translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2020 by Robert Schall, (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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Word count: 21

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11.
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Alles, alles in den Wind
sagst du mir, du Schmeichler!
Alle samt verloren sind
deine Müh'n, du Heuchler!
 
Einem andern Fang' zu lieb
stelle deine Falle!
Denn du bist ein loser Dieb,
denn du buhlst um alle!

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by Georg Friedrich Daumer (1800 - 1875)
11.
Language: English 
Charmer, all your words are trite:
wind, or sly devices!
Of your efforts, hypocrite,
none at all suffices!

Set for someone else your trap,
try to make her fall!
All you do is toy, old quack,
toy with one and all!

Text Authorship:

  • Singable translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2020 by Robert Schall, (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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Word count: 41

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12.
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Schwarzer Wald, dein Schatten ist so düster!
Armes Herz, dein Leiden ist so drückend!
Was dir einzig wert, es steht vor Augen;
ewig untersagt ist Huldvereinung.

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by Georg Friedrich Daumer (1800 - 1875)
12.
Language: English 
Blackest wood, your shadows are so gloomy!
Poorest heart, your troubles are oppressive!
All that you desire stands before your eyes;
but graceful union is barred forever.

Text Authorship:

  • Singable translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2020 by Robert Schall, (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: 2020-03-09
Line count: 4
Word count: 27

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13.
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Nein, Geliebter, setze dich
mir so nahe nicht!
Starre nicht so brünstiglich
mir ins Angesicht!
 
Wie es auch im Busen brennt,
dämpfe deinen Trieb,
daß es nicht die Welt erkennt,
wie wir uns so lieb.

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by Georg Friedrich Daumer (1800 - 1875)
13.
Language: English 
Dearest, no, don’t sit so close,
leave a little space!
Don’t betray your lust – it shows! –
staring at my face.

Even as your urges burn,
douse them, as it were,
for the world must not yet learn
that we are a pair.

Text Authorship:

  • Singable translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2020 by Robert Schall, (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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Line count: 8
Word count: 44

Translation © by Robert Schall
14.
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Flammenauge, dunkles Haar,
Knabe wonnig und verwogen,
Kummer ist durch dich hinein
in mein armes Herz gezogen!

Kann in Eis der Sonne Brand,
sich in Nacht der Tag verkehren?
Kann die heisse Menschenbrust
atmen ohne Glutbegehren?

Ist die Flur so voller Licht,
daß die Blum' im Dunkel stehe?
Ist die Welt so voller Lust,
daß das Herz in Qual vergehe?

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by Georg Friedrich Daumer (1800 - 1875)
14.
Language: English 
Pitch-black hair and eyes aflame,
daring and delightful lad,
through your doing, all the same,
my poor heart and soul are sad.

Can the day turn into night,
turn to ice a blazing fire?
Can a living bosom breathe
never having felt desire?

Are the fields so full of light
that the flow’r stands in the gloom?
Is the world so full of joy
that the heart must meet its doom?

Text Authorship:

  • Singable translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2020 by Robert Schall, (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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Line count: 12
Word count: 71

Translation © by Robert Schall
15. Zum Schluß
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Nun, ihr Musen, genug! Vergebens strebt ihr zu schildern,
Wie sich Jammer und Glück wechseln in liebender Brust.
Heilen könnet die Wunden ihr nicht, die Amor geschlagen;
Aber Linderung kommt einzig, ihr Guten, von euch.

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by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832)
15.
Language: English 
Now, you muses, enough! In vain you strive to describe how
joy and sorrow might mix inside a heart filled with love.
Heal you cannot the wounds that unerring Amor inflicted,
but any balm will come from you, o Good Ones, alone.

Text Authorship:

  • Singable translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2020 by Robert Schall, (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: 2020-03-09
Line count: 4
Word count: 42

Translation © by Robert Schall