Album of German Songs (later published as Sixteen German Songs)

by Maude Valérie White (1855 - 1937)

Word count: 4079

1. Wenn ich in deine Augen seh'  [sung text checked 1 time]

Wenn ich in deine Augen seh',
So schwindet [all' mein Leid]1 und Weh; 
Doch wenn ich küße deinen Mund,
So werd' ich ganz und gar gesund.

Wenn ich mich lehn' an deine Brust,
Kommt's über mich wie Himmelslust;
Doch wenn du sprichst: ich liebe dich!
[So]2 muß ich weinen bitterlich.

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

  • CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , "Quan et miro als ulls", copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • DUT Dutch (Nederlands) (Jan Rot) , "Als ik je lieve ogen zie", copyright © 2000, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • DUT Dutch (Nederlands) [singable] (Lau Kanen) , "Als ik jou in de ogen kijk", copyright © 2012, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • ENG English (Paul Hindemith) , "When I gaze into your eyes", copyright ©, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • FIN Finnish (Suomi) (Erkki Pullinen) , copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • FRE French (Français) (Charles Beltjens) , no title, appears in Intermezzo lyrique, no. 4, first published 1827
  • FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , copyright © 2016, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • GRE Greek (Ελληνικά) (Effimia Gianniou) , "Όταν κοιτάζω μέσα στα μάτια σ&", copyright © 2013, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • HEB Hebrew (עברית) (Assaf Levitin) (Michal Levitin) , copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • IRI Irish (Gaelic) [singable] (Gabriel Rosenstock) , copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • ITA Italian (Italiano) (Amelia Maria Imbarrato) , "Quando ti guardo negli occhi", copyright © 2006, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • POL Polish (Polski) (Aleksander Kraushar) , no title, appears in Pieśni Heinego, in Intermezzo, no. 4, first published 1880
  • SPA Spanish (Español) (Wilson Hidalgo) , "Si te miro a los ojos", copyright © 2007, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • SPA Spanish (Español) (Gerardo Garciacano Hinojosa) (Simone von Büren) , "Cuando te miro en los ojos", copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission

View original text (without footnotes)

Confirmed with Heinrich Heine, Buch der Lieder, Hoffmann und Campe, Hamburg, 1827, page 114.

1 Franz, Dresel: "alles Leid"
2 Wolf: "Dann"

Research team for this text: René Slot , Pierre Mathé [Guest Editor]

2. Im wunderschönen Monat Mai  [sung text checked 1 time]

Im wunderschönen Monat Mai,
Als alle Knospen sprangen, 1 
Da ist in meinem Herzen
Die Liebe aufgegangen.

Im wunderschönen Monat Mai,
Als alle Vögel sangen, 2
Da hab' ich ihr gestanden
Mein Sehnen und Verlangen.

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

  • CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , "En el meravellós mes de maig", copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • DUT Dutch (Nederlands) [singable] (Jan Rot) , "Hoe onwaarschijnlijk mooi is mei", copyright © 2000, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • DUT Dutch (Nederlands) [singable] (Anonymous/Unidentified Artist) , "In 't wonderschoone meigetij"
  • DUT Dutch (Nederlands) [singable] (Lau Kanen) , "In mei, die wondermooie maand", copyright © 2012, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • ENG English (Paul Hindemith) , "In the wonderfully beautiful month of May", copyright ©, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • ENG English (Edgar Alfred Bowring) , appears in The Poems of Heine Complete, first published 1861
  • ENG English [singable] (Shula Keller) , "Month of May", copyright © 2008, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • FIN Finnish (Suomi) (Erkki Pullinen) , "Suloisessa toukokuussa", copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • FRE French (Français) (Charles Beltjens) , no title, appears in Intermezzo lyrique, no. 1, first published 1827
  • FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , copyright © 2016, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • GRE Greek (Ελληνικά) (Effimia Gianniou) , "Στον υπέροχο μήνα του Μαγιού", copyright © 2013, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • HEB Hebrew (עברית) (Assaf Levitin) (Michal Levitin) , copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • IRI Irish (Gaelic) [singable] (Gabriel Rosenstock) , copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • ITA Italian (Italiano) (Amelia Maria Imbarrato) , "Nel meraviglioso mese di maggio", copyright © 2006, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • POL Polish (Polski) (Aleksander Kraushar) , no title, appears in Pieśni Heinego, in Intermezzo, no. 1, first published 1880
  • SPA Spanish (Español) (Ariel E. Ramos) , "En el maravillosamente bello mes de mayo", copyright © 2005, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • SPA Spanish (Español) (Wilson Hidalgo) , "En el mes de mayo, prodigiosamente bello", copyright © 2007, (re)printed on this website with kind permission

View original text (without footnotes)

Confirmed with Heinrich Heine, Buch der Lieder, Hoffmann und Campe, Hamburg, 1827, page 112.

1. Lachner inserts here: "Geweckt von süssen Schmerzen, / Von Sehnsucht sanft umfangen,"
2. Lachner inserts here: "Die Blüten sich umwanden, / Die Zweige sich umschlangen,"

Research team for this text: René Slot , Pierre Mathé [Guest Editor]

3. Hör' ich das Liedchen klingen  [sung text checked 1 time]

Hör' ich das Liedchen klingen,
Das einst die Liebste sang,
[So will mir die Brust]1 zerspringen
[Vor]2 wildem [Schmerzendrang.]3

[Es treibt mich]4 ein dunkles Sehnen
Hinauf [zur]5 Waldeshöh',
Dort löst sich auf in Tränen
Mein übergroßes Weh'.

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

  • CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , "Quan sento la cançoneta", copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • DUT Dutch (Nederlands) (Jan Rot) , "Hoor nou 's wat ze zingen", copyright ©, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • DUT Dutch (Nederlands) [singable] (Lau Kanen) , "Hoor ik het liedje zingen", copyright © 2012, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • ENG English (Paul Hindemith) , "I hear the dear song sounding", copyright ©, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • FIN Finnish (Suomi) (Erkki Pullinen) , "Kun kuulen laulun soivan", copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • FRE French (Français) (Charles Beltjens) , no title, appears in Intermezzo lyrique, no. 40, first published 1827
  • FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , copyright © 2016, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • GRE Greek (Ελληνικά) (Effimia Gianniou) , "Όταν ακούω το τραγούδι που", copyright © 2013, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • HEB Hebrew (עברית) (Assaf Levitin) (Michal Levitin) , copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • IRI Irish (Gaelic) [singable] (Gabriel Rosenstock) , copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • ITA Italian (Italiano) (Amelia Maria Imbarrato) , "Sento risuonare la canzone", copyright © 2006, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • SPA Spanish (Español) (Wilson Hidalgo) , "Cuando escucho la canción", copyright © 2007, (re)printed on this website with kind permission

View original text (without footnotes)

Confirmed with Heinrich Heine, Buch der Lieder, Hoffmann und Campe, Hamburg, 1827, page 145.

1 Meyerbeer: "Will mir das Herz"
2 Schumann: "Von"
3 Franz, Hinrichs: "Schmerzensdrang"
4 Meyerbeer: "Mich treibt"
5 Hinrichs: "zu der"

Research team for this text: René Slot , Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor] , Pierre Mathé [Guest Editor]

3. Whenever I hear the strain  [sung text checked 1 time]

Whenever I hear the strain
That once my darling sang
Love tortures my heart and brain
With many a bitter pang.

To the woods I hurry fast
Through stormy winds and rain,
And blessed tears at last
Flow forth and soothe my pain.

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Researcher for this text: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]

4. Ein Jüngling liebt ein Mädchen  [sung text checked 1 time]

Ein Jüngling liebt ein [Mädchen,]1
Die hat einen andern erwählt;
Der andre liebt eine andre,
Und hat sich mit dieser vermählt.

Das Mädchen [heiratet]2 aus Ärger
Den ersten besten Mann,
Der ihr in den Weg gelaufen;
Der Jüngling ist übel dran.

Es ist eine alte Geschichte,
Doch bleibt sie immer neu;
Und wem sie [just]3 passieret,
Dem bricht das Herz entzwei.

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

  • CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , "Un noi estima una noia", copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • DUT Dutch (Nederlands) (Jan Rot) , "Wil Jantje graag met Pietje", copyright © 2000, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • DUT Dutch (Nederlands) [singable] (Lau Kanen) , "Een jongen houdt van 'n meisje", copyright © 2012, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • ENG English (Paul Hindemith) , "A young man loved a girl", copyright ©, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • FIN Finnish (Suomi) (Erkki Pullinen) , copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • FRE French (Français) (Charles Beltjens) , no title, appears in Intermezzo lyrique, no. 39, first published 1827
  • FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , copyright © 2016, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • GRE Greek (Ελληνικά) (Effimia Gianniou) , "Ένας νέος αγαπά μια νέα", copyright © 2013, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • HEB Hebrew (עברית) (Assaf Levitin) (Michal Levitin) , copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • ITA Italian (Italiano) (Amelia Maria Imbarrato) , "Un giovanotto ama una fanciulla", copyright © 2006, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • SPA Spanish (Español) (Wilson Hidalgo) , "Un chico ama a una chica", copyright © 2007, (re)printed on this website with kind permission

View original text (without footnotes)

Confirmed with Heinrich Heine, Buch der Lieder, Hoffmann und Campe, Hamburg, 1827, page 144.

1 Heine: in the original published version: "Mägdlein"
2 Alnæs, Schumann: "nimmt" (took)
3 Engelmann: "jüngst"

Research team for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Pierre Mathé [Guest Editor]

5. Aus meinen Tränen sprießen  [sung text checked 1 time]

Aus meinen Tränen sprießen
Viel blühende Blumen hervor,
Und meine Seufzer werden
Ein Nachtigallenchor.

Und wenn du mich lieb hast, Kindchen,
Schenk' ich dir die Blumen all',
Und vor deinem Fenster soll klingen
Das Lied der Nachtigall.

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

  • CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , "De les meves llàgrimes broten", copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • DUT Dutch (Nederlands) [singable] (Jan Rot) , "Als dichters 's nachtjes wenen", copyright © 2000, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • DUT Dutch (Nederlands) [singable] (Lau Kanen) , "Zie, uit mijn tranen", copyright © 2012, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • ENG English (Paul Hindemith) , "From my tears sprout forth", copyright ©, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • ENG English (Louis Untermeyer) , "Out of my tears and sorrows", appears in Poems of Heinrich Heine, first published 1917
  • FIN Finnish (Suomi) (Erkki Pullinen) , copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • FRE French (Français) (Charles Beltjens) , no title, appears in Intermezzo lyrique, no. 2, first published 1827
  • FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , copyright © 2016, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • GRE Greek (Ελληνικά) (Effimia Gianniou) , "Με τα δάκρυά μου ανθίζουν", copyright © 2013, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • HEB Hebrew (עברית) (Assaf Levitin) (Michal Levitin) , copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • IRI Irish (Gaelic) [singable] (Gabriel Rosenstock) , copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • ITA Italian (Italiano) (Amelia Maria Imbarrato) , "Dalla mie lacrime nascono", copyright © 2006, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • POL Polish (Polski) (Aleksander Kraushar) , no title, appears in Pieśni Heinego, in Intermezzo, no. 2, first published 1880
  • SPA Spanish (Español) (Wilson Hidalgo) , "De mis lágrimas brotan", copyright © 2007, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • SPA Spanish (Español) (Elisa Rapado) , copyright © 2018, (re)printed on this website with kind permission

Confirmed with Heinrich Heine, Buch der Lieder, Hoffmann und Campe, Hamburg, 1827, page 113.


Research team for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Pierre Mathé [Guest Editor]

6. Die Himmelsaugen  [sung text checked 1 time]

Aus den Himmelsaugen droben
Fallen zitternd goldne Funken
Durch die Nacht, und meine Seele
Dehnt sich liebeweit und weiter.

O ihr Himmelsaugen droben!
Weint euch aus in meine Seele,
Daß von lichten Sternentränen
Überfließet meine Seele.

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

Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

6. The eyes of heaven  [sung text checked 1 time]

From the eyes of heav'n above us
Fall the trembling golden starbeams
Through the night and all my being
Turns to love and tender longing.

O ye eyes of heav'n above us
Weep yourselves into my soul
Till my being overfloweth
With those tears of heavenly beauty.

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Researcher for this text: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]

7. Es war ein König in Thule  [sung text checked 1 time]

Es war ein König in Thule
Gar treu bis an [das]1 Grab,
Dem sterbend seine Buhle
Einen goldnen Becher gab.

Es ging ihm nichts darüber,
Er leert' ihn jeden Schmaus;
Die Augen gingen ihm über,
So oft er trank daraus.

Und als er kam zu sterben,
Zählt' er seine Städt' im Reich,
[Gönnt']2 alles [seinem]3 Erben,
Den Becher nicht zugleich.

Er saß beim Königsmahle,
Die Ritter um ihn her,
[Auf hohem]4 Vätersaale,
Dort auf dem Schloß am Meer.

Dort stand der alte Zecher,
Trank letzte Lebensgluth,
Und warf den [heil'gen]5 Becher
Hinunter in die Fluth.

Er sah ihn stürzen, trinken,
Und sinken tief ins Meer.
Die Augen täten ihm sinken;
Trank nie einen Tropfen mehr.

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

  • CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , copyright © 2016, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • CZE Czech (Čeština) (Jan Evangelista Nečas) , "Král v Thule"
  • CZE Czech (Čeština) (Otokar Fischer) , "Král v Thule"
  • DUT Dutch (Nederlands) [singable] (Lau Kanen) , "De koning van Thule", copyright © 2005, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • ENG English (Emily Ezust) , "There was a King of Thule", copyright ©
  • ENG English [singable] (Arthur Westbrook) , "The King of Thule"
  • IRI Irish (Gaelic) [singable] (Gabriel Rosenstock) , "Bhí rí ann fadó in Thule", copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • ITA Italian (Italiano) (Amelia Maria Imbarrato) , "Il re in Tule", copyright © 2006, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • POR Portuguese (Português) (Margarida Moreno) , "O rei em Thule", copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • SPA Spanish (Español) (Diego Gonzales) , copyright © 2020, (re)printed on this website with kind permission

View original text (without footnotes)

Confirmed with Goethe's Werke, Vollständige Ausgabe letzter Hand, Erster Band, Stuttgart und Tübingen, in der J.G.Cottaschen Buchhandlung, 1827, pages 187-188; and with Faust. Ein Fragment. in Goethe's Schriften. Siebenter Band. Leipzig, bey Georg Joachim Göschen, 1790, pages 94-95.

First published in a different version in Volks- und andere Lieder, mit Begleitung des Forte piano, In Musik gesetzt von Siegmund Freyherrn von Seckendorff. Dritte Sammlung. Dessau, 1782, pages 6-9; see below.

1 Liszt: "sein"
2 Zelter: "Lies"
3 Fritze, Liszt, Schubert (Neue Gesamtausgabe): "seinen"
4 Zelter: "In hohen"
5 Goethe (Faust): "heiligen"

Research team for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor] , Peter Rastl [Guest Editor]

7. There was a king of Thule  [sung text checked 1 time]

Subtitle: Ballad from Goethe's Faust

There was a King of Thule
True even to the grave
To whom his dying mistress
A golden beaker gave.

Beyond ought else he priz'd it,
And drain'd its purple draught.
His tears came gushing freely
As often as he quaff'd.

When death he felt approaching,
His cities o'er he told
And grudg'd his heir no treasure,
Except his cup of gold.

Girt round with knightly vassals
At a royal feast sat he
In yon proud hall ancestral
In his castle by the sea.

Up stood the jovial monarch
And quaff'd his last life's glow,
Then hurl'd the hallow'd goblet
In the ocean depth below.

He saw it splashing, drinking
And plunging in the sea.
His eyes meanwhile were sinking
And never more drank he.

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Researcher for this text: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]

8. I feel thy breath's strange magic  [sung text checked 1 time]

I feel thy breath's strange magic
Alike where'er I be.
Where'er my footsteps wander,
I see but only thee.
Thou can'st but sink belov'd one
Beneath my song's deep flow
To rise afresh each morning
E'en like the sun aglow.

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From a Maude Valerie White score, 16 German Songs, Huntsville, Texas: Recital Publications, 1995.


Researcher for this text: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]

8. Ich fühle deinen Odem  [sung text checked 1 time]

Ich fühle deinen Odem
Mich überall umwehn.
Wohin die Augen schweifen
Wähn ich Dein Bild zu sehn.
Im Meere meiner Gedanken
Kannst Du nur untergehn,
Um, wie die Sonne Morgens
Schön wieder aufzustehn.

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

  • ENG English [singable] (Constance Bache) (William Stigand, né Stigant) , "I feel thy breath in sweetness"
  • ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , copyright © 2013, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2016, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • SPA Spanish (Español) (Andrew Schneider) , copyright © 2018, (re)printed on this website with kind permission

Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

9. Tod und Leben  [sung text checked 1 time]

Begrabe deine Todten
Tief in dein Herz hinein.
So werden sie dein Leben
Lebendige Todte sein.

So werden sie im Herzen
Stets wieder aufersteh'n
Und als ein guter Engel
Mit dir durch's Leben geh'n. --

Begrab' dein eigen Leben
In And'rer Herz hinein.
So wirst du, und wärst du ein Todter,
Ein ewig Lebender sein.

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Confirmed with Wolff's poetischer Hausschatz des deutschen Volkes, Leipzig: Verlag von Otto Wigand, 1884, pages 331-332.


Researcher for this text: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]

9. Death and life  [sung text checked 1 time]

O bury the well lov'd dead
Within thine inmost breast
And they shall live again with thee
Companions sweet and blest.

In tender and loving hearts
The agony and pain
Of memory shall quicken
To blessed life again.

By ties of faithful friendship
My heart was bound to thine,
And now thy beloved memory
Keep thee alive in mine.

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Researcher for this text: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]

10. The sea hath its pearls  [sung text checked 1 time]

The sea hath its pearls,
The heaven hath its stars;
But my heart, my heart,
My heart has its love.

Great are the sea and the heaven;
Yet greater is my heart,
And fairer than pearls and stars
Flashes and beams my love.

Thou little, youthful maiden,
Come unto my great heart;
My heart, and the sea and the heaven
Are melting away [with]1 love!

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1 White: "for"

Researcher for this text: Joanna Lonergan

10. Auf dem Meere  [sung text checked 1 time]

Das Meer hat seine Perlen,
Der Himmel hat seine Sterne,
Aber mein Herz, mein Herz,
Mein Herz hat seine Liebe.

Groß ist das Meer und der Himmel,
Doch größer ist mein Herz,
Und schöner als Perlen und Sterne
Leuchtet und strahlt meine Liebe.

Du kleines, junges Mädchen,
Komm an mein großes Herz;
Mein Herz und das Meer und der Himmel
Vergehn vor lauter Liebe.

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

Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

11. Der Kindesengel  [sung text checked 1 time]

Einen Engel, liebes Kind, 
Hat dir Gott gegeben,
Der, wenn du recht fromm gesinnt, 
Stets dich wird umschweben. 

Wenn du bei des Morgen Schein
Nicht versäumst zu beten, 
Dann wird in dein Kämmerlein
Still der Engel treten;

Bleibt bei dir den ganzen Tag, 
Wird dich treu bewahren,
Daß kein Leid und Ungemach
Dir kann widerfahren;

Hält dir alles Böse fern, 
Daß du nicht mußt weinen, 
Bis der goldne Abendstern
Ruft zu Bett die Kleinen.

Sprichst du dann vor'm Schlafengehn
Fromm den Abendsegen, 
Wird der Engel bei dir stehn,
Wiegen dich und pflegen;

Wird auch einen bunten Traum 
Dir, mein Kindchen, schicken,
Läßt wohl gar den Weihnachtsbaum 
Dich im Traum erblicken.

[ ... ]

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1 Hiller here repeats the first stanza, changing the first word to "Solchen"

Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

11. The guardian angel  [sung text checked 1 time]

An angel bright and holy
God has sent from high
To watch thee, my sweet baby,
With kind and loving eye.

Children's simple little pray'rs
He reveres and he blesses,
And when they're good he covers them
With his holy kisses.

He'll remain with thee all day
Bending gently o'er thee
And he'll spread his silver wings
Lovingly before thee.

He will wipe the tears away
From my darling's brown eyes,
He will watch her tenderly
All the night till sunrise.

He will waft thy little pray'r
That no harm betide thee,
Straight to God's white throne above
Where he will surely guide thee.

He will send thee dreams, my babe,
Sweet dreams of pretty things,
Dreams of pretty Christmas gifts
Hidden 'neath his wings.

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Researcher for this text: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]

12. Stille Träne  [sung text checked 1 time]

Du bist vom Schlaf erstanden
Und wandelst durch die Au.
Da liegt ob allen Landen
Der Himmel wunderblau.

[So lang du ohne Sorgen
Geschlummert schmerzenlos]1,
Der Himmel bis zum Morgen
Viel Tränen niedergoß.

In stillen Nächten weinet
Oft mancher aus dem Schmerz,
Und morgens dann [ihr]2 meinet,
Stets fröhlich sei sein Herz.

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

  • CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , "Llàgrimes silencioses", copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • DUT Dutch (Nederlands) [singable] (Lau Kanen) , copyright © 2012, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • ENG English (Emily Ezust) , "Silent tears", copyright ©
  • FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "Larmes silencieuses", copyright © 2008, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • ITA Italian (Italiano) (Amelia Maria Imbarrato) , "Lacrime silenziose", copyright © 2006, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • NOR Norwegian (Bokmål) (Marianne Beate Kielland) , "Stille tårer", copyright © 2008, (re)printed on this website with kind permission

View original text (without footnotes)
1 Triest: "Weißt nicht, daß, als ohn' Sorgen / Du schliefest schmerzenlos"
2 Triest: "man"

Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

12. Silent tears  [sung text checked 1 time]

Thou wakest full of gladness
From slumbers sweet and blest,
Unconscious of the sadness
In many a weary breast.

In peace thou hast been sleeping
For thou hast never mourn'd,
The day of bitter weeping
Not yet for thee hath dawn'd.

How oft a night of sorrow
Succeeds the weary day,
Yet all think on the morrow
The pain hath pass'd away.

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Researcher for this text: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]

13. Wenn dein Auge freundlich  [sung text checked 1 time]

Wenn dein Auge freundlich
In das meine blickt,
Fühlt sich meine Seele
Allem Leid entrückt;

Und es lacht das Leben
Mich so freundlich an,
Und des Himmels Pforten
Sind mir aufgethan;

Und mir ist, als zög' ich
Jubelnd mit dir ein,
Und als könnt' ich nimmer
Wieder traurig sein.

Doch kaum daß du scheidest,
Schwindet auch der Traum,
Düsteren Gedanken
Giebt die Seele Raum;

Und mir ist, als stünd' ich
Auf der Welt allein,
Und als könnt' ich nimmer
Wieder fröhlich sein.

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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

13. When thine eyes  [sung text checked 1 time]

When thine eyes are kindly
Gazing into mine,
Calming all my sorrows
With that glance of thine.

Life seems full of gladness
Sweet'ned, purified,
And the doors of Heaven
Seem to open wide.

And I seem to enter
Joyfully with thee,
All my grief is changed
Into ecstacy.

But when we are parted
Quickly fades my dream,
Gloomy thoughts oppress me,
All things dreary seem

And I feel the world is
Empty without thee
And the doors of Heaven
Seem to close for me.

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Researcher for this text: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]

14. Frithjof's Gesang  [sung text checked 1 time]

[ ... ]

[Schlank wie die Lilie so voll Fülle] 1,
Wie eine Rose voll erblüht;
Du bist so rein wie Götterwille,
Und doch so warm, wie Freja glüht.
[Küß]2, Holde, mich, o laß durchsprühen
Auch deine Brust der Lieb' Erguß;
Ach! Erd' und Himmelsräume fliehen,
Geliebte, mir bei deinem Kuß.

Heg' keine Furcht, nicht droh'n Gefahren
Zur [Wacht]3 hat Björn sich aufgestellt,
Mit Kämpen, gält es uns zu wahren,
Selbst gegen eine ganze Welt.
Und ich, wie ich dich jetzt umschlinge,
Ich kämpfte gern für dich allein!
Wie glücklich ich nach Walhall ginge.
Du [würdest]4 mir Walkyre sein!

[ ... ]

Vom Himmel mehr, als von der Erde
Stammt meine Lieb'; verschmäh' sie nicht!
Der Himmel war es, der sie nährte,
Drum sehnt sie sich zum Himmelslicht.
O wer doch schon dort oben weilte!
Wer jetzt mit dir, dem Tod geweiht,
Als Sieger zu den Göttern eilte,
Umarmt von seiner bleichen Maid!

Wenn dann die Heldenschaaren eilen
Zum Kampfplatz durch das Silberthor,
Dein Treuer würde bei dir weilen,
Der sich in deinem Blick verlor.
Wenn dann Walhalla's Mädchen bringen
Das Methhorn mit dem goldnen Schaum,
Mit dir allein nur würd' ich klingen,
Von Liebe flüsternd, hörbar kaum.

[ ... ]

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Confirmed with Die Frithjofs-Sage von Esaias Tegnér, fifth edition, aus dem Schwedischen von G. Berger, Stuttgart: Rieger'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung (A. Benedict), 1866, pages 43-49.

1 White: "Schlank wie ein bluh'nder [sic] Liliestengel [sic]"
2 White: "Kuss [sic]"
3 White: "Wehr"
4 White: "wurdest [sic]"

Researcher for this text: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]

14. Slim as the stalk of any flower  [sung text checked 1 time]

[ ... ]

Slim as the stalk of any flower,
Round as the form of full-blown rose,
With purity thy native [dower]1,
Thy love thou may'st with warmth disclose.
Kiss me, my fair one. Let the glow
Which warms my veins e'en quicken thee.
Ah! heaven above and earth below
Swim round me when thou kissest me.

Be not afraid -- there is no fear;
Björn stands below, with sails unfurled,
And warriors armed with shield and spear,
Fit to defend us 'gainst a world.
O that the Fates would so decide
That I might die for thee e'en now,
And joyful to Valhalla ride,
If my Valkyria wert thou.

[ ... ]

More unto heaven than to earth
Belongs my love. Despise it not;
For heaven it was that gave it birth,
It longeth for that sacred spot.
On high how pure would be our love!
O might I die by foeman's blade,
And glorious rise to realms above,
Clasped in the arms of my pale maid!

When to the fight the warriors ride
From out the silver portals free,
I should repose thy form beside,
A faithful friend, and gaze on thee.
When Valhall's maids around the board
Hand the large mead-horn, foaming high,
To thee I'd whisper low a word
Of love, and heave a tender sigh.

[ ... ]

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View original text (without footnotes)
Confirmed with The Tale of Frithiof by Esias Tegner, translated from the Swedish by Captain H. Spalding, 104th Fusiliers, London: John Murray, 1872, pages 50-58.

1 White: "dow'r"

Researcher for this text: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]

15. Volkslied  [sung text checked 1 time]

Mei Schätzerl, das hat mi verlassen,
Wie is mir mei Herz ach so schwer.
Den Jammer i kann ihn nicht fassen,
S'ist Alles so öd und so leer.
Wird er wohl noch meiner gedenken,
Einen freundlichen Blick mir noch schenken?

Nun bin ich so traurig alleine
Und denke mir immer mein Leid.
Mei Schätzel liebt' ich, sonst Keinen,
Und jetzt hab' ich nichts was mich freut.
Sonst schaut' ich am Fenster so gerne
Jetzt seh' ich mit Wehmut in die Ferne.

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Researcher for this text: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]

15. How lang and dreary is the night  [sung text checked 1 time]

[ ... ]

When I think on the [lightsome]4 days
 I spent wi' [thee]5, my Dearie;
And now what [seas]6 between us [roar]7,
 How can I be but eerie?
       For oh, &c.

How slow ye move, ye heavy hours;
 [The joyless day how dreary:]8
It was na sae ye glinted by,
 When I was wi' my Dearie!
       For oh, &c.

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

  • CZE Czech (Čeština) (Josef Václav Sládek) , "Jak dlouhá, smutná je ta noc"
  • FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "Comme la nuit est longue et maussade", copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission

View original text (without footnotes)
Confirmed with Burns, Robert. Poems and Songs. Vol. VI. The Harvard Classics. New York: P.F. Collier & Son, 1909–14; Bartleby.com, 2001. www.bartleby.com/6/485.html.

Note: the Burns text appears in the White score as if it is a translation of the German text (or vice versa), but they are unrelated textually.

1 Beach modernizes this to "long"
2 Beach and other versions of the poem: "tae"
3 [sic] - but in some editions it is modernized to "widow'd"
4 White: "happy"
5 White: "you"
6 Beach and White: "lands"
7 Beach and White: "lie"
8 Beach and White: "As ye were wae and weary"

Glossary:
Eerie = affected with fear or dread
Glinted = passed quickly like a transient gleam

Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

16. Anfangs wollt' ich fast verzagen  [sung text checked 1 time]

Anfangs wollt' ich fast verzagen,
und ich glaubt', ich trüg' es nie;
und ich hab' es doch getragen -
aber fragt mich nur nicht, wie?

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

  • CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • DUT Dutch (Nederlands) [singable] (Lau Kanen) , "In 't begin wou 'k haast versagen", copyright © 2012, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • ENG English (Emily Ezust) , "At first I almost despaired", copyright ©
  • FIN Finnish (Suomi) (Erkki Pullinen) , copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "Au début, j'étais presque découragé", copyright © 2008, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • ITA Italian (Italiano) (Amelia Maria Imbarrato) , "All'inizio stavo per scoraggiarmi", copyright © 2006, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • SPA Spanish (Español) (Beate Binnig) , copyright © 2016, (re)printed on this website with kind permission

Poem headed with An Carl v. U Ins Stammbuch

Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

16. At first I thought I should despair  [sung text checked 1 time]

At first I thought I should despair,
My sorrow seemed too great;
And now, the bitter pain so hard to bear
I've borne, but do not ask me how!

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Researcher for this text: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]