English translations of Vier Lieder für 1 Mittelstimme mit Pianofortebegleitung, opus 25

by Franz Ries (1846 - 1932)

1. Das alte Lied  [sung text not yet checked]
by Franz Ries (1846 - 1932), "Das alte Lied", op. 25 (Vier Lieder für 1 Mittelstimme mit Pianofortebegleitung) no. 1, published 1876 [ medium voice and piano ], Dresden, Ries
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Es war ein alter König,
sein Herz war schwer, sein [Haupt]1 war grau;
der arme alte König,
er nahm eine junge Frau.

Es war ein [schöner]2 Page,
blond war sein [Haupt]3, leicht war sein Sinn;
er trug die [seid'ne]4 Schleppe
der jungen Königin.

Kennst du das alte Liedchen?
Es klingt so süß, es klingt so trüb!
Sie mußten beide sterben,
sie hatten sich viel zu lieb.

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Confirmed with Neue Gedichte von H. Heine, Zweite Auflage, Hamburg, bei Hoffmann und Campe, 1844, page 28.

1 Diepenbrock: "Haar"
2 Schnorr von Carolsfeld, Zemlinsky: "junger"
3 Wolfrum: "Haar"
4 Goldschmidt: "seidene"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
1. There was an old king
Language: English 
 There was an old king,
 his heart was heavy, his head was gray;
 the poor, old king,
 he took a young wife.
 
 There was a handsome pageboy,
 blond was his hair, light was his manner;
 he carried the silk train
 of the young queen.
 
 Do you know this old song?
 It sounds so sweet, it sounds so troubled!
 They both had to die,
 for they loved each other too much.

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: 71

Translation © by Emily Ezust
2. Bitte  [sung text not yet checked]
by Franz Ries (1846 - 1932), "Bitte", op. 25 (Vier Lieder für 1 Mittelstimme mit Pianofortebegleitung) no. 2, published 1876 [ medium voice and piano ], Dresden, Ries
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Weil' auf mir, du dunkles Auge,
Übe deine ganze Macht,
Ernste, milde, [träumerische]1,
Unergründlich süße Nacht!

Nimm mit deinem Zauberdunkel
Diese Welt von hinnen mir,
Daß du über meinem Leben
Einsam schwebest für und für.

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Confirmed with Nicolaus Lenau's sämtliche Werke, herausgegeben von G. Emil Barthel, Leipzig: Druck und Verlag von Philipp Reclam jun., [1883], page 11.

1 Bolko von Hochberg: "zauberische"; Sjögren: "träumereiche"

by Nikolaus Lenau (1802 - 1850)
2. Linger on me, dark eyes
Language: English 
Linger on me, dark eyes -
exert your entire power,
somber, mild, dream-like,
unfathomably sweet night.

With your magic darkness
take from me this world,
so that above my life
you alone will float forever and ever.

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: 8
Word count: 36

Translation © by Emily Ezust
3. Die blauen Frühlingsaugen  [sung text not yet checked]
by Franz Ries (1846 - 1932), "Die blauen Frühlingsaugen", op. 25 (Vier Lieder für 1 Mittelstimme mit Pianofortebegleitung) no. 3, published 1876 [ medium voice and piano ], Dresden, Ries
Language: German (Deutsch) 
  Die blauen Frühlingsaugen
Schau'n aus dem Gras [hervor]1;
Das sind die [lieben]2 Veilchen,
Die ich zum Strauß erkor.

  Ich pflücke sie und denke,
Und die Gedanken all,
Die mir im Herzen seufzen,
Singt laut die Nachtigall.

  [Ja,]3 was ich denke, singt sie
[Lautschmetternd]4, daß es schallt;
Mein zärtliches Geheimnis
Weiß schon der ganze Wald.

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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 243

1 Decker: "empor"
2 Methfessel: "blauen"
3 Decker: "Und"
4 Methfessel, Thuille: "Und schmettert"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
3.
Language: English 
  The blue eyes of spring 
Peep [forth]1 from the grass;
Those are the [dear]2 violets
That I chose for a bouquet.

  I pick them and I ponder,
And all of the thoughts
That are sighing within my heart,
The nightingale sings them loudly.

  [Yes,]3 what I'm thinking, [the nightingale] sings
[Like a loud]4 clarion, so that it resounds;
My most tender secret
Is already known to the whole wood.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2018 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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Translations of title(s):
"Frühlingslied II" = "Spring song II"
"Schubert" = "Schubert"
"Im Frühling" = "In spring"
"Verratene Liebe" = "Revealed love"
"Das verrathene Geheimniss" = "The revealed secret"
"Frühlingslied" = "Spring song"
"Neuer Frühling" = "New spring"
"Die blauen Frühlingsaugen schau'n aus dem Gras hervor" = "The blue eyes of spring peep forth from the grass"
"Lautes Geheimnis" = "Open secret"
"Verratene Liebe: Duett" = "Revealed love: duet"
"Das Veilchen" = "The violet"
"Die blauen Frühlingsaugen" = "The blue eyes of spring"
"Frühlingsaugen" = "Eyes of spring"
"Duett" = "Duet"

1 von Decker "up"
2 Methfessel "blue"
3 von Decker "And"
4 Methfessel "And like a"


This text was added to the website: 2018-04-16
Line count: 12
Word count: 74

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
4. Der schwere Abend  [sung text not yet checked]
by Franz Ries (1846 - 1932), "Der schwere Abend", op. 25 (Vier Lieder für 1 Mittelstimme mit Pianofortebegleitung) no. 4, published 1876 [ medium voice and piano ], Dresden, Ries
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Die [dunklen]1 Wolken hingen
Herab so bang und schwer,
Wir beide traurig gingen
Im Garten hin und her.

So [heiß und]2 stumm, so trübe
[Und]3 sternlos war die Nacht,
So ganz, wie unsre Liebe,
Zu Tränen nur gemacht.

Und als ich mußte scheiden
Und gute Nacht [dir]4 bot,
Wünscht' ich bekümmert beiden
Im Herzen uns den Tod.

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Confirmed with Gedichte von Nicolaus Lenau, Stuttgart, Karl Göpel's Verlag, Cotta'scher Druck, 1869, page 182.

1 Bolko von Hochberg, Rübner: "dunkeln"; Horn: "trüben"; Schleuning: "schweren"; further changes may exist not shown above.
2 Bolko von Hochberg: "heiß, so"
3 Bolko von Hochberg, Thuille: "So"
4 Thuille: "ihr"

by Nikolaus Lenau (1802 - 1850)
4. The oppressive evening
Language: English 
The dark clouds were hanging down
So forebodingly and heavily.
We two walked sadly to and fro
In the garden.

So hot and silent, so dreary
And starless was the night --
Just like our love,
Created only for tears.

And when I had to depart
And wished you good night,
In my sorrowing heart
I sadly wished death for us both.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2008 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.
    Contact: 

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This text was added to the website: 2008-01-09
Line count: 12
Word count: 61

Translation © by Sharon Krebs