English translations of Zwei Lieder, opus 13

by Hermann Genss (1856 - 1940)

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1. Es fällt ein Stern herunter  [sung text not yet checked]
by Hermann Genss (1856 - 1940), "Es fällt ein Stern herunter", op. 13 (Zwei Lieder) no. 1, published 1886 [ voice and piano ], Hamburg, Hentze
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Es fällt ein Stern herunter
Aus seiner funkelnden Höh;
Das ist der Stern der Liebe,
Den ich dort fallen seh.
 
Es fallen vom Apfelbaume,
Der [weißen Blätter so viel]1,
Es kommen die neckenden [Lüfte]2,
Und treiben damit ihr Spiel.
 
Es singt [der]3 Schwan im [Weiher]4,
Und rudert auf und ab,
Und immer leiser singend,
Taucht er ins Flutengrab.
 
Es ist so still und [dunkel]5!
Verweht ist Blatt und Blüt',
Der Stern ist knisternd zerstoben,
Verklungen das Schwanenlied.

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Confirmed with Heinrich Heine, Buch der Lieder, Hoffmann und Campe, Hamburg, 1827, page 163.

1 Backer-Grøndahl, Haine: "Blüten und Blätter viel"; Cui, Gernsheim, Pfitzner: "Blüten und Blätter so viel"; Mangold: "weißen Blätter viel"; Unger: "Blätter und Blüten viel"
2 Gernsheim: "Winde"
3 Unger: "ein"
4 Gernsheim: "Wasser"
5 Haine, Mangold: "so dunkel"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
1. A star is tumbling downward
Language: English 
A star is tumbling downward
From where it sparkled on high,
It is the star for lovers,
That falling there I spy.

The apple tree has been shedding
White petals abundantly
Along come the breezes so teasing
And toying with the debris.

The swan sings in the water,
And paddles o'er each wave,
And singing ever softer,
Dives to his watery grave.

It is so dark and silent,
Swept off are bloom and leaf,
The star has fizzled and scattered;
And faded, the swan's song, so brief.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 1996 by Walter Meyer, (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 between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 16
Word count: 87

Translation © by Walter Meyer
2. Wo ich bin, mich rings umdunkelt  [sung text not yet checked]
by Hermann Genss (1856 - 1940), "Wo ich bin, mich rings umdunkelt", op. 13 (Zwei Lieder) no. 2, published 1886 [ voice and piano ], Hamburg, Hentze
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wo ich bin, mich rings umdunkelt
Finsterniß so dumpf und dicht,
Seit mir nicht mehr leuchtend funkelt,
Liebste, deiner Augen Licht.

[Mir]1 erloschen ist der süßen
Liebessterne goldne Pracht,
Abgrund gähnt zu meinen Füßen.
Nimm mich auf, uralte Nacht.

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Confirmed with Heinrich Heine, Buch der Lieder, Hoffmann und Campe, Hamburg, 1827, page 166.

1 Strauss: "Wie"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
2.
Language: English 
Where I am, all around me
there is darkness, gloomy and dense,
because the light of your eyes, dearest, 
no longer sparkles before me.

Extinct for me is the golden splendour
of  those sweet stars of love.
An abyss gapes at my feet.
Receive me, ancient night.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2008 by Emily Ezust

    Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:

    Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
    from the LiederNet Archive

    For any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.


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This text was added to the website: 2008-04-26
Line count: 8
Word count: 47

Translation © by Emily Ezust