English translations of Lieder, opus 2

by O. Esfonde

1. O schwöre nicht und küsse  [sung text not yet checked]
by O. Esfonde , "O schwöre nicht und küsse", op. 2 (Lieder) no. 1
Language: German (Deutsch) 
O schwöre nicht und küsse nur,
Ich glaube keinem Weiberschwur!
Dein Wort ist süß, doch süßer ist
Der Kuß, den ich dir abgeküßt!
Den hab ich, und dran glaub ich auch,
Das Wort ist eitel Dunst und Hauch.

O schwöre, Liebchen, immerfort,
Ich glaube dir aufs bloße Wort!
An [deinen]1 Busen sink ich hin,
Und glaube, daß ich selig bin;
Ich glaube, Liebchen, ewiglich,
Und noch viel länger, liebst du mich.

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Confirmed with Heinrich Heine, Buch der Lieder, Hoffmann und Campe, Hamburg, 1827, page 122.

1 Rufinatscha: "deinem"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
1.
Language: English 
Oh, do not swear, and only kiss,
I don’t believe any woman’s oaths!
Your word is sweet, but sweeter
Is the kiss I’ve kissed from you!
That I have, and so I believe in it;
The word is idle vapor and breath.

Oh, dearest, go ahead and swear!
I believe you word for word.
I sink down on your breast,
And believe that I am happy.
I believe, darling, that you’ll love me
Eternally, and far longer still!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2025 by Will Crutchfield, (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: 2025-05-02
Line count: 12
Word count: 78

Translation © by Will Crutchfield
2. Was will die einsame Träne  [sung text not yet checked]
by O. Esfonde , "Was will die einsame Träne", op. 2 (Lieder) no. 2
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Was will die einsame Thräne?
Sie trübt mir ja den Blick.
Sie blieb aus alten Zeiten
In meinem Auge zurück.

Sie [hatte]1 viel' leuchtende Schwestern,
Die alle zerflossen sind,
Mit meinen Qualen und Freuden,
Zerflossen in Nacht und Wind.

Wie Nebel sind auch zerflossen
Die blauen Sternelein,
Die mir [jene]2 Freuden und Qualen
Gelächelt ins Herz hinein.

Ach, meine Liebe selber
Zerfloß wie eitel Hauch!
Du alte, einsame Thräne,
Zerfließe jetzunder auch!

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Confirmed with Buch der Lieder von Heinrich Heine, Sechsundfünfzigste Auflage (56th edition), Hamburg, Hoffmann und Campe, 1887, page 147. Note: in this edition, the poem is number 29.

Modern German would change "Thräne" to "Träne".

1 Franz: "hat"
2 Cornelius: "die"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
2. What does this solitary tear mean?
Language: English 
 What does this solitary tear mean?
 - it so blurs my gaze.
 It has lingered since long ago
 behind my eye.
 
 It had several shining sisters,
 which have all flown away
 with my agonies and joys,
 flown away in night and wind.
 
 Like mist have also faded away
 the blue little stars
 through which my joys and agonies
 were smiled into my heart.
 
 Alas, my love itself
 has vanished, like a vain breath!
 You old, lonely tear,
 flow down then and be gone!

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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Line count: 16
Word count: 83

Translation © by Emily Ezust