They loved each other, yet neither Owned to his love for the other[;] Their bearing was cold and unfriendly And yet they adored each other. They parted at last and never met Except in dreamland at night And now they're dead and never Can read their hearts aright.
New Albums of Songs with German and English Words, Volume 1
by Maude Valérie White (1855 - 1937)
1. They loved each other
Text Authorship:
- Singable translation by Maude Valérie White (1855 - 1937), "They loved each other"
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856), no title, appears in Buch der Lieder, in Die Heimkehr, no. 33
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Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]1. Sie liebten sich beide, doch keiner
Sie liebten sich beide, doch keiner Wollt' es dem andern gestehn; Sie sahen sich an so feindlich, Und wollten vor Liebe vergehn. Sie trennten sich endlich und sahen sich Nur noch zuweilen im Traum; Sie waren längst gestorben Und wußten es selber kaum.
Text Authorship:
- by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856), no title, appears in Buch der Lieder, in Die Heimkehr, no. 33
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , copyright © 2015, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- CAT Catalan (Català) (Manuel Capdevila i Font) , copyright © 2025, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- DUT Dutch (Nederlands) [singable] (Lau Kanen) , "Verliefd waren beiden", copyright © 2016, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (David Kenneth Smith) , "They once loved each other", copyright © 1996, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (Emma Lazarus) , appears in Poems and Ballads of Heinrich Heine, first published 1881
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , "Ils s'aimaient tous les deux", copyright © 2008, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "Tous deux s'aimaient, pourtant aucun", copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ITA Italian (Italiano) (Amelia Maria Imbarrato) , "Si amavano entrambi", copyright © 2006, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Confirmed with: Heinrich Heine’s sämtliche Werke in vier Bänden, herausgegeben von Otto F. Lachmann, Erster Band, Leipzig: Druck und Verlag von Philipp Reclam jun, [1887], page 131.
Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]2. Mit Kosen und Lieben
Wir wollten mit Kosen und Lieben Geniessen der köstlichen Nacht. Wo sind doch die Stunden geblieben? Es ist ja der Hahn schon erwacht. Die Sonne, die bringt viel Leiden, Es weinet die scheidende Nacht; Ich also muß weinen und scheiden, Es ist ja die Welt schon erwacht. Ich wollt' es gäb' keine Sonne, Als eben dein Auge so klar. Wir weilten in Tag und in Wonne, Und schliefe die Welt immerdar.
Text Authorship:
- by Adelbert von Chamisso (1781 - 1838), "Morgenthau", written 1822, appears in Lieder und lyrisch epische Gedichte
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , copyright © 2015, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "Morning dew", copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "Rosée du matin", copyright © 2008, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
2. With love and caresses
We vowed that with love and caresses, We'd spend the whole soft summer's night. But what has become of the hours[?] The world is awake and 'tis light. The sun bringeth tears in his wake, love, The night sobs her tender good-bye, And I must be likewise departing, Departing alas! with a sigh. I would the whole world were illumin'd And bath'd in the light of thine eyes[;] By day and by night we'd rejoice, love, All heedless of time as it flies.
Text Authorship:
- Singable translation by Maude Valérie White (1855 - 1937), "With love and caresses"
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Adelbert von Chamisso (1781 - 1838), "Morgenthau", written 1822, appears in Lieder und lyrisch epische Gedichte
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Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]3. Wirthin und Betyár
Es war die Wirthin dem Betyáren hold, Doch dieser hat die Wirthin nicht gewollt. Der Wirthin Pflegekind, 'ne junge Maid, War des Betyáren einz'ge Seligkeit. Die Wirthin baß darüber Neid empfand, Und Neid erfüllt stieß sie mit rauer Hand In Gottes Welt hinaus das arme Kind -- Im Winter war's, und eisig blies der Wind. Die Maid ging wenig Schritte vor das Thor, Da hockte sie sich nieder und -- erfror. Als dies zu Ohren dem Betyáren kam, Die Wirthin ein entsetzlich Ende nahm. Darob verfiel dem Henker der Betyár; Ihm that's nicht leid, er freute sich sogar; Weil er, seitdem sein Mädchen lag im Grab, Nicht eine Pfeif' Tabak für's Leben gab.
Text Authorship:
- by László Neugebauer von Aszód (1845 - 1919), "Es war die Wirthin dem Betjáren hold . . ."
Based on:
- a text in Hungarian (Magyar) by Sándor Petőfi (1823 - 1849), "A csaplárné a betyárt szerette", written 1844
Go to the general single-text view
Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]3. Hostess and Betyar
The hostess burn'd with love for the Betyár, But hopelessly, for he reck'd not of her. The one soft strain in all his nature wild Was his devotion to her foster child. The hostess filled thereat with envious spite, Drove forth her helpless rival one black night, A poor fair child in Gods [sic] wide world alone -- In winter 'twas, the icy wind made moan. The maid went trembling forth into the night, Then cower'd down and died of cold and fright. When news of this was spread throughout the land, The hostess perish'd by the Betyár's hand. And e'en in goal the Betyár laugh'd at death, He'd not have giv'n a rush to buy his breath[.] For since the maid he lov'd lay in the earth; Not e'en a rush to him his life was worth.
Text Authorship:
- by Kittie Hall
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by László Neugebauer von Aszód (1845 - 1919), "Es war die Wirthin dem Betjáren hold . . ."
Based on:
- a text in Hungarian (Magyar) by Sándor Petőfi (1823 - 1849), "A csaplárné a betyárt szerette", written 1844
Go to the general single-text view
Note: White's score gives the poet's name as "Kitty Hall"Research team for this page: Grant Hicks [Guest Editor] , Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]
4. Det første mødes sødme
Det første mødes sødme, det er som sang i skogen, det er som sang på vågen i solens sidste rødme, -- det er som horn i uren de tonende sekunder, hvori vi med naturen forenes i et under.
Text Authorship:
- by Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson (1832 - 1910), no title, appears in Fiskerjenten
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Nigel Parker) , "The sweetness of a first meeting", copyright © 2013, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "La première rencontre", copyright © 2012, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- GER German (Deutsch) [singable] (Franz von Holstein) , "Erstes Begegnen"
Note: another form of the text can be found in Bjørnson, Bjørnstjerne. Samlede Værker, Mindeutgave, Første bind, Kristiania og Kjøbenhavn, Gyldendalske Boghandel Nordisk Forlag, 1910, p. 80:
Det første møtes sødme, det er som sang i skogen, det er som sang på vågen i solens siste rødme, -- det er som horn i uren, de tonende sekunder, hvori vi med naturen forenes i et under.
Note: White uses "forenes Inett under" as the last line (possibly a typo).
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]4. Love's first awak'ning sweetness
Love's first awak'ning sweetness Is like the song that floateth Upon the waves at ev'ning And through the woods at sunset. And like the horn's soft music Are those harmonious moments Wherein our souls with Nature Unite in the same wonder.
Text Authorship:
- Singable translation by Maude Valérie White (1855 - 1937), "Love's first awak'ning sweetness"
Based on:
- a text in Norwegian (Bokmål) by Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson (1832 - 1910), no title, appears in Fiskerjenten
Go to the general single-text view
Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]5. Kind! Es wäre dein Verderben
Kind! Es wäre dein Verderben, Und ich geb' mir selber Mühe, Daß dein liebes Herz für mich Nimmermehr in Lieb erglühe. Nur daß mir's so leicht gelinget, will's mich dennoch fast betrüben, Und ich denke dennoch manchmal: Möchtest du mich dennoch lieben!
Text Authorship:
- by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856), no title, appears in Buch der Lieder, in Die Heimkehr, no. 48
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English [singable] (Charles Godfrey Leland) , no title, appears in The works of Heinrich Heine, Volume II, London: William Heinemann, page 35, first published 1891
- ENG English (Emma Lazarus) , appears in Poems and Ballads of Heinrich Heine, first published 1881
- FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- POL Polish (Polski) (Aleksander Kraushar) , "Dziecko!", Warsaw, first published 1880
5. Child, it were thine utter ruin
Child! it were thine utter ruin And I do my best to stay thee From bestowing thy devotion, And thine own sweet self on me. Just because it were so easy To succeed, it almost grieves me, Yet how oft the thought recurreth Oh, to be belov'd of thee!
Text Authorship:
- Singable translation by Maude Valérie White (1855 - 1937), "Child it were thine utter ruin"
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856), no title, appears in Buch der Lieder, in Die Heimkehr, no. 48
Go to the general single-text view
Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]6. Die Wolken
Wenn ich ein Vöglein wär', ich flöge Nur zwischen Wolken stets einher -- Und gar nichts Andres wollt' ich malen Als Wolken, wenn ich ein Maler wär'. Wie sehr ich diese Wolken liebe! Ich grüße jede, naht sie mir, Und eh' sie wieder weiter wandert, Ruf' ich ihr zu: sei Gott mit dir! ... Ich habe sie so oft betrachtet, Wenn sie geschlummert an der Brust Der Abend- und der Morgenröthe, Wie Kinder, hold und unbewusst. ... Ich habe schon in allen Formen Betrachtet sie, so wechselreich, Und wie und wann auch ich sie sehe, Gefallen sie mir immer gleich. Was aber zieht mich so zu ihnen? Weil sie verwandt so ganz und gar Mit meiner Seele, die trotz Wechsel, Dieselbe bleibt auf immerdar. ...
Text Authorship:
- by László Neugebauer von Aszód (1845 - 1919), "Die Wolken"
Based on:
- a text in Hungarian (Magyar) by Sándor Petőfi (1823 - 1849) [text unavailable]
Go to the general single-text view
Confirmed with Gedichte von Alexander Petöfi. Aus dem Ungarischen von Ladislaus Neugebauer, Leipzig: Verlag von Otto Wigand, 1878, pages 67-68.Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]
6. Clouds
Were I a bird on joyous wing Amid the far clouds would be my flight[;] And were I a painter nought I'd paint But clouds and sky from morn till night. How dearly do I love each cloudlet, I greet it as it draweth nigh And as from sight it slowly fadeth, God be with thee I ever cry. I watch the clouds at morn and ev'ning When the red sky glows far and deep Upon its breast they lie so calmly, Like children peacefully asleep. I watch their forms in endless changes, And know not when they seem most fair. I see them parted and reblended, And lose their clear shape in the air. Why do I watch them so intently Through all their changes day by day [?] I, e'en as they, am changing ever, Yet am myself unchang'd for aye.
Text Authorship:
- Singable translation by Blanche Fanny Wyatt-Smith (flourished 1883-1921)
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by László Neugebauer von Aszód (1845 - 1919), "Die Wolken"
Based on:
- a text in Hungarian (Magyar) by Sándor Petőfi (1823 - 1849) [text unavailable]
Go to the general single-text view
Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]7. Die Arme‑Sünderblum
Am Kreuzweg wird begraben Wer selber sich brachte um; Dort wächst eine blaue Blume, Die Armesünderblum'. Am Kreuzweg sass ich und seufzte; Die Nacht war kalt und stumm. Im Mondschein bewegte sich langsam Die Armesünderblum'.
Text Authorship:
- by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856), no title, appears in Buch der Lieder, in Lyrisches Intermezzo, no. 62
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (T. P. (Peter) Perrin) , copyright © 2012, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Charles Beltjens) , no title, appears in Intermezzo lyrique, no. 62, first published 1827
- FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , copyright © 2016, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- RUS Russian (Русский) (Apollon Nikolayevich Maykov) , no title, appears in Роман в пяти стихотворениях = Roman v pjati stikhotvorenijakh (A novel in five poems), no. 5
7. The cross‑roads
Beneath the crossroads slumber The self-destroyed dead. There grows a pure blue flower The sinner's flow'r, 'tis said. I sat and sigh'd at the crossroads; It was the midnight hour. And there in the moonlight wav'd slowly, The sinner's pure blue flow'r.
Text Authorship:
- Singable translation by Maude Valérie White (1855 - 1937), "The cross-roads"
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856), no title, appears in Buch der Lieder, in Lyrisches Intermezzo, no. 62
Go to the general single-text view
Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]8. Ich wollte, meine Lieder
Ich wollte, meine Lieder
Das wären Blümelein:
Ich schickte sie zu riechen
Der Herzallerliebsten mein.
Ich wollte, meine Lieder
Das wären Küsse fein:
Ich schickt sie heimlich alle
Nach Liebchens Wängelein.
...
Text Authorship:
- by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856), appears in Nachgelesene Gedichte 1812-1827, no. 46
See other settings of this text.
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]8. I would that all these songs
I would that all these songs of mine Were flowers rare and sweet. I'd bid them all exhale their odour At my darling's feet. I would that all these songs of mine Were kisses soft and true. I'd send them secretly in turn To bear my love to you.
Text Authorship:
- by Maude Valérie White (1855 - 1937), "I would that all these songs"
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856), appears in Nachgelesene Gedichte 1812-1827, no. 46
Go to the general single-text view
Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]9. Daß du mich lieb hast, o Möpschen
Daß du mich lieb hast, o Möpschen, Das ist dir wohlbekannt. Wenn ich mit Zucker dich füttre, So leckst du mir die Hand. Du willst ja auch nur ein Hund sein, Und willst nicht scheinen mehr; All meine and'ren Freunde Verstellen sich zu sehr.
Text Authorship:
- by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856), no title, appears in Nachgelesene Gedichte 1812-1827, no. 10
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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]9. That you adore me, my doggy
That you adore me, my doggy, I always have firmly believed. When have you failed to caress me, For titbits that you received! True, that you're only a doggy, But to that role you adhere. None of my other acquaintances Are one half as sincere.
Text Authorship:
- Singable translation by Maude Valérie White (1855 - 1937), "That you adore me, my doggy"
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856), no title, appears in Nachgelesene Gedichte 1812-1827, no. 10
Go to the general single-text view
Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]10. Der Sturm
Der Wind zieht seine Hosen an, Die weißen Wasserhosen! Er peitscht die Wellen, so stark er kann, Die heulen und brausen und tosen. Aus dunkler Höh, mit wilder Macht, Die Regengüsse träufen; Es ist, als wollt die alte Nacht Das alte Meer ersäufen. An den Mastbaum klammert die Möwe sich Mit heis'ren Schrill'n und Schreien; Sie flattert und will gar ängstiglich Ein Unglück prophezeien.
Text Authorship:
- by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856), no title, appears in Buch der Lieder, in Die Heimkehr, no. 10
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Emma Lazarus) , appears in Poems and Ballads of Heinrich Heine, first published 1881
- FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "Le vent enfile son pantalon", copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Note: the White score has two typos in stanza 3. In line 1, "Möwe" is spelled "Möve" and in line 4, "prophezeien" is spelled "prophezeihen".
Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Johann Winkler10. The storm
The sea is tossing, moaning As it rises, trembles, crashes; To madness scourged by the wind That fiercely and restlessly lashes. From darken'd height, with wildest might, The rain in floods is falling; As tho' the night would drown the sea In agony appalling. The gulls are gathering round the mast, In hoarse tones shrilly crying, Too surely trouble will follow fast, Their hapless prophesying.
Text Authorship:
- Singable translation by Blanche Fanny Wyatt-Smith (flourished 1883-1921)
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856), no title, appears in Buch der Lieder, in Die Heimkehr, no. 10
Go to the general single-text view
Research team for this page: Grant Hicks [Guest Editor] , Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]