English translations of Zwölf Lieder, opus 4

by Karl Ritter

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1. In meiner Erinnrung erblühen  [sung text not yet checked]
by Karl Ritter , "In meiner Erinnrung erblühen", op. 4 (Zwölf Lieder) no. 1
Language: German (Deutsch) 
In meiner Erinnrung erblühen
Die Bilder, die längst verwittert -
Was ist in deiner Stimme,
Das mich so tief erschüttert?

Sag nicht, daß du mich liebst!
Ich weiß, das Schönste auf Erden,
Der Frühling und die Liebe,
Es muß zuschanden werden.

Sag nicht, daß du mich liebst!
Und küsse nur und schweige,
Und lächle, wenn ich dir morgen
Die welken Rosen zeige.

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by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
1. In my memory
Language: English 
In my memory, images yet bloom
That have long since weathered away --
What is it in your voice
That stirs me so deeply?

Do not say that you love me!
I know the most beautiful things on earth,
Spring and Love,
Must eventually come to naught.

Do not say that you love me!
And just kiss and remain silent,
And smile, when tomorrow
I show you the wilted roses.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2011 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: 2011-01-21
Line count: 12
Word count: 69

Translation © by Michael P Rosewall
2. Mit deinen blauen Augen  [sung text not yet checked]
by Karl Ritter , "Mit deinen blauen Augen", op. 4 (Zwölf Lieder) no. 5
Language: German (Deutsch) 
  Mit deinen blauen Augen
Siehst du mich [lieblich]1 an,
Da ward mir so träumend zu Sinne,
Daß ich nicht sprechen kann.
 
  An deinen blauen Augen
Gedenk' ich allerwärts: --
Ein Meer von blauen Gedanken
Ergießt sich über mein Herz.

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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 245.

1 Würz: "freundlich"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
2. With your blue eyes
Language: English 
With your blue eyes
You look at me lovingly,
Then my senses grow so dreamy
That I cannot speak.

Of your blue eyes
I am reminded everywhere:
A sea of blue thoughts
Pours forth over my heart.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Lawrence Snyder and Rebecca Plack, (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: 8
Word count: 37

Translation © by Lawrence Snyder, Rebecca Plack
3. Wenn du gute Augen hast  [sung text not yet checked]
by Karl Ritter , "Wenn du gute Augen hast", op. 4 (Zwölf Lieder) no. 6
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wenn du gute Augen hast,
Und du schaust in meine Lieder,
Siehst du eine junge Schöne
Drinnen wandeln auf und nieder.

Wenn du gute Ohren hast,
Kannst du gar die Stimme hören,
Und ihr Seufzen, Lachen, Singen
Wird dein armes Herz betören.

Denn sie wird, mit Blick und Wort,
Wie mich selber dich verwirren;
Ein verliebter Frühlingsträumer,
Wirst du durch die Wälder irren.

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by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
3. If you have good eyes to see
Language: English 
If you have good eyes to see,
And have a close look at my songs,
You will see a young beauty
Strolling along at will inside.

If you have good ears to listen,
You can even hear the voice,
And her sighs, her laughs, her singing
will beguile your poor heart.

Because she will, by gaze and word,
Just like me confuse you;
A  dreamer drunk from spring and love,
You will roam the woods.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2008 by Linda Godry, (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: 2008-12-30
Line count: 12
Word count: 75

Translation © by Linda Godry
4. Ich will meine Seele tauchen  [sung text not yet checked]
by Karl Ritter , "Ich will meine Seele tauchen", op. 4 (Zwölf Lieder) no. 7
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich will meine Seele tauchen
In den Kelch der Lilie hinein;
Die Lilie soll [klingend]1 hauchen
Ein Lied von der Liebsten mein.

Das Lied soll [schauern]2 und beben
Wie der Kuß von ihrem Mund,
Den sie mir einst gegeben
In wunderbar süßer Stund'.

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Confirmed with Heinrich Heine, Buch der Lieder, Hoffmann und Campe, Hamburg, 1827, page 115.

1 Raif: "klingen und"
2 Raif: "schau'rn"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
4. I want to delve my soul
Language: English 
I want to delve my soul
Into the cup of the lily;
The lily should give resoundingly
A song belonging to my beloved.

The song should shudder and tremble
Like the kiss from her lips
That she once gave me
In a wonderfully sweet hour.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Paul Hindemith, (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: 8
Word count: 45

Translation © by Paul Hindemith
5. Dein Angesicht, so lieb und schön  [sung text not yet checked]
by Karl Ritter , "Dein Angesicht, so lieb und schön", op. 4 (Zwölf Lieder) no. 8
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Dein Angesicht so lieb und schön,
Das hab' ich jüngst im Traum gesehn,
Es ist so mild und engelgleich,
Und doch so bleich, so [schmerzenbleich]1.

Und nur die Lippen, die sind rot;
Bald aber küßt sie bleich der Tod.
Erlöschen wird das Himmelslicht,
Das aus den frommen Augen bricht.

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

1 Schumann: "schmerzenreich"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
5.
Language: English 
Your face so lovable and fair:
I saw it recently in a dream.
It is so mild and angelic,
and yet so pale, so [pale with]1 pain!

And only your lips are red;
but soon Death will kiss them pale.
Out will go the heavenly light
that reflects out from your innocent eyes.

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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1 Schumann: "full of"

Translations of titles
"Dein Angesicht" = "Your face"
"Dein Angesicht so lieb und schön" = "Your face so lovable and fair"
"Im Traumbild" = "In a dream image"
"Liebchens Angesicht" = "Darling's face"


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 8
Word count: 54

Translation © by Emily Ezust