English translations of Sechs Lieder für eine Singstimme mit Pianoforte, opus 9

by Ernst Hermann Seyffardt (1859 - 1942)

1. Wolle keiner mich fragen  [sung text not yet checked]
by Ernst Hermann Seyffardt (1859 - 1942), "Wolle keiner mich fragen", op. 9 (Sechs Lieder für eine Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 1, published 1873 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Bote & Bock
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wolle Keiner mich fragen,
Warum mein Herz so schlägt,
Ich kann's nicht fassen, nicht sagen,
Was mich bewegt.

Als wie im Traume schwanken
Trunken die Sinne mir;
Alle meine Gedanken
Sind nur bei dir.

Ich habe die Welt vergessen,
Seit ich dein Auge gesehn;
Ich möchte dich an mich pressen
Und still im Kuß vergehn.

Mein Leben möcht' ich lassen
Um ein Lächeln von dir,
Und du - ich kann's nicht fassen -
Versagst es mir.

Ist's Schicksal, ist's dein Wille?
Du siehst mich nicht. -
Nun wein' ich stille, stille,
Bis [das Herz mir zerbricht]1.

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1 Randhartinger (1869 version): "bricht"; Lessmann, Schnaubelt: "mir das Herz zerbricht"

by Emanuel von Geibel (1815 - 1884)
1. Does nobody want to ask me
Language: English 
Does nobody want to ask me,
Why my heart beats so fast,
I cannot believe it, I cannot tell
What it is that moves me.

My senses alternate
Like drunk dreams;
All my thoughts
Are only concerned with you.

I have forgotten about the world,
Since I saw your eyes;
I want to lean against you
And kiss you silently.

I want to die
For the sake of your smile,
And you – I cannot believe it – 
Reject me.

Is it destiny? Is it your will?
You do not see me.
Now I will cry quietly,
Until my heart breaks.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2014 by Anja Bunzel, (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: 2014-07-24
Line count: 20
Word count: 101

Translation © by Anja Bunzel
2. Wiegenlied  [sung text not yet checked]
by Ernst Hermann Seyffardt (1859 - 1942), "Wiegenlied", op. 9 (Sechs Lieder für eine Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 2, published 1873 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Bote & Bock
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Die Ähren nur noch nicken,
Das Haupt ist ihnen schwer;
Die müden Blumen blicken,
Nur schüchtern noch umher.

[Da]1 kommen Abendwinde,
[Still wie die]2 Engelein,
Und [wiegen]3 sanft und linde
Die Halm' und [Blumen]4 ein.

Und wie die Blumen blicken,
So schüchtern blickst du nun,
Und wie die Ähren nicken
Will auch dein Häuptlein ruh'n.

Und Abendklänge schwingen
[Still wie die]2 Engelein
Sich um die Wieg', und singen
Mein Kind in Schlummer ein.

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Confirmed with Kinderlieder von Hoffmann von Fallersleben. Erste vollständige Ausgabe besorgt durch Dr. Lionel von Donop, Zweite Auflage, Berlin, G. Grote'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung, 1878, page 183.

Note: in many older editions, the spelling of the word "Ähren" becomes "Aehren", but as can be seen in how "über" becomes "Ueber" when capitalized, this is due to the printing process and not to rules of orthography, so we use "Ähren".

1 Decker: "Es"
2 Keller: "So still wie"
3 Decker (possibly an error): "neigen"
4 Kiel: "Büsche"

by August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben (1798 - 1874)
2. Lullaby
Language: English 
Only the ears of wheat still nod,
Their heads are heavy;
The tired flowers gaze
Only shyly about now.
 
[Then come evening breezes]1,
As silently as little angels,
And softly and gently [rock]2
The stalks and [flowers]3 to rest.
 
And as the flowers gaze about,
So shyly you too gaze now,
And as the ears of wheat are nodding
Your little head wishes to rest as well.
 
And the evening sounds come gliding
Quietly, like the little angels,
About your cradle, and sing
My child into slumber.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2016 by Sharon Krebs, (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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Translated titles:
"Die Ähren nur noch nicken" = "Only the ears of wheat still nod"
"Schlummerlied" = "Slumber Song"
"Wiegenlied" = "Lullaby"
"Wiegenliedchen" = "Little lullaby"
"Wiegenlied im Sommer" = "Lullaby in summertime"

1 Decker: "The evening breezes come"
2 Decker (possibly an error): "incline"
3 Kiel: "bushes"


This text was added to the website: 2016-08-09
Line count: 16
Word count: 91

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
3. Mein Herz ist schwer  [sung text not yet checked]
by Ernst Hermann Seyffardt (1859 - 1942), "Mein Herz ist schwer", op. 9 (Sechs Lieder für eine Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 3, published 1873 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Bote & Bock
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Mein Herz ist schwer, Gott sei's geklagt,
Mein Herz ist schwer für Einen.
O Gott, eine lange Winternacht
Könnt' wachen ich für Einen!
O Leid, für Einen!
O Freud', für Einen!
Die ganze Welt könnt' ich durchziehn für Einen!

Ihr Mächte, reiner Liebe hold,
O lächelt mild auf Einen!
Schützt vor Gefahr ihn, bringt gesund
Zurück mir meinen Einen!
O Leid, für Einen!
O Freud', für Einen!
Ich tät' - o Gott, was tät' ich nicht für Einen?

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Confirmed with Gedichte von Ferdinand Freiligrath, 7. Aufl., Stuttgart und Tübingen, 1844.


by Ferdinand Freiligrath (1810 - 1876)
3.
Language: English 
My heart is worried, God it laments,
My heart is worried for the One.
O God, through a long winter’s night
I would keep watch for the One!
O sorrow, for the One!
O joy, for the One!
I could withstand the whole earth for the One!

You powers, pure love so kind,
O, smile gently upon the One!
Shield him from danger; Bring, healthy,
My One back to me!
O sorrow, for the One!
O joy, for the One!
I would… O God, what wouldn’t I do for the One?

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2022 by Michael P Rosewall, (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: 2022-07-12
Line count: 14
Word count: 91

Translation © by Michael P Rosewall
4. Frühlingsgedränge  [sung text not yet checked]
by Ernst Hermann Seyffardt (1859 - 1942), "Frühlingsgedränge", op. 9 (Sechs Lieder für eine Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 4, published 1873 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Bote & Bock
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Frühlingskinder im bunten Gedränge,
Flatternde Blüten, duftende Hauche,
Schmachtende, jubelnde Liebesgesänge
Stürzen ans Herz mir aus jedem Strauche.
Frühlingskinder mein Herz umschwärmen,
Flüstern hinein mit schmeichelnden Worten,
Rufen hinein mit [trunkenem]1 Lärmen,
Rütteln an längst [verschlossenen]2 Pforten.
Frühlingskinder, mein Herz umringend,
[Was doch sucht ihr darin so dringend?]3
Hab' ich's verrathen euch jüngst im [Traume]4,
Schlummernd [unter dem]5 [Blüthenbaume]6?
Brachten euch Morgenwinde die Sage,
Daß ich im Herzen eingeschlossen
Euren lieblichen Spielgenossen,
Heimlich und selig -- ihr Bildnis trage?

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Confirmed with Nicolaus Lenau, Gedichte, Dritte Auflage, Stuttgart und Tübingen: Verlag der J.G. Cotta'schen Buchhandlung, 1837, page 81.

Note for line 7, word 4: Lang has "trunkenen", which is likely a typo.

1 Strauss: "trunknem"
2 Strauss: "verschlossnen"; Schultz: "verschlossene"; Wolfrum: "verschloss'nen"
3 Lang: "Was doch sucht ihr darinnen so dringend?"; Marek: "was sucht ihr darin, was doch sucht ihr so dringend?"
4 Schultz: "Traum"
5 Strauss: "unterm"
6 Schultz: "Blüthenbaum"

by Nikolaus Lenau (1802 - 1850)
4.
Language: English 
Children of spring in colorful profusion,
fluttering blossoms, fragrant breezes,
yearning, jubilant songs of love -
they burst upon my heart from every bush.
Children of spring swarm around my heart,
whispering cajoling words,
calling with intoxicated shouts,
rattling gates long locked.
Children of spring, besetting my heart,
what do you still seek so urgently within?
Did I betray it to you recently in a dream
as I slumbered beneath a blossoming tree?
Or did the morning wind bring tidings to you
that, locked in my heart,
your lovely playmate's 
image I bear secretly and blissfully?

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 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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Translation of title "Frühlingsgedränge = "Spring's profusion"


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 16
Word count: 95

Translation © by Emily Ezust
5. Der Schmied  [sung text not yet checked]
by Ernst Hermann Seyffardt (1859 - 1942), "Der Schmied", op. 9 (Sechs Lieder für eine Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 5, published 1873 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Bote & Bock
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich hör' meinen Schatz,
Den Hammer er schwinget,
Das rauschet, das klinget,
Das dringt in die Weite,
Wie Glockengeläute,
Durch Gassen und Platz.

Am schwarzen Kamin,
Da [sitzet]1 mein Lieber,
[Doch]2 geh' ich vorüber,
Die Bälge dann sausen,
Die Flammen aufbrausen
Und lodern um ihn.

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Confirmed with: Uhlands Werke in drei Teilen, Erster Teil. Gedichte, herausgegeben von Adalbert Silbermann, Berlin, Leipzig, Wien, Stuttgart: Deutsches Verlagshaus Bong & Co., [no year given], page 37.

1 Randhartinger: "stehet"
2 Randhartinger: "Da"

by Johann Ludwig Uhland (1787 - 1862)
5. I hear my sweetheart
Language: English 
I hear my sweetheart -
The hammer he swings -
The rustling, the clinking,
Comes to me from afar,
Like the sound of bells,
Through streets and squares.

By the black fireplace
There my lover sits;
But if I pass by,
The bellows then whistle,
And the flames roar
And glow around him.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 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 between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 51

Translation © by Emily Ezust
6. Nun die Schatten dunkeln  [sung text not yet checked]
by Ernst Hermann Seyffardt (1859 - 1942), "Nun die Schatten dunkeln", op. 9 (Sechs Lieder für eine Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 6, published 1873 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Bote & Bock
Language: German (Deutsch) 
[Nun]1 die Schatten dunkeln,
Stern [an]2 Stern erwacht:
Welch ein Hauch der Sehnsucht
Flutet [in der]3 Nacht!

Durch das [Meer]4 der Träume
Steuert ohne Ruh',
[Steuert]5 meine Seele
Deiner Seele zu.

Die sich dir ergeben,
Nimm sie ganz dahin!
Ach, du weißt, daß nimmer
Ich [mein]6 eigen bin.

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Confirmed with Emanuel Geibel, Juniuslieder, Stuttgart und Tübingen: J.G. Cotta'scher Verlag, 1848, page 34.

1 Lewy: "Wenn"; further changes may exist not shown above.
2 Bolko von Hochberg: "bei"
3 Bolko von Hochberg, Hermann, Rubinstein, Schachner, Zumpe: "durch die"
4 Bolko von Hochberg: "Reich"
5 Hermann: "Sehnend"
6 Schachner: "mir"

by Emanuel von Geibel (1815 - 1884)
6. Now the shadows are darkening
Language: English 
Now the shadows are darkening
star after star is waking up:
what a breath of longing
is flooding through the night!

Across the sea of dreams,
steering ceaselessly
my soul is steering
towards your soul.

Anything that surrenders to you
is to be taken completely.
Oh, you know, that I am no longer
my own.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2005 by Malcolm Wren, (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: 2005-04-11
Line count: 12
Word count: 55

Translation © by Malcolm Wren