English translations of Sechs Lieder, opus 2

by Karl August Friedrich Fetzer (1809 - 1885)

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1. Die Träne  [sung text not yet checked]
by Karl August Friedrich Fetzer (1809 - 1885), "Die Träne", op. 2 (Sechs Lieder) no. 1
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)
1. 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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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 16
Word count: 83

Translation © by Emily Ezust
2. Frühlingslied  [sung text not yet checked]
by Karl August Friedrich Fetzer (1809 - 1885), "Frühlingslied", op. 2 (Sechs Lieder) no. 6
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Leise [zieht]1 durch mein Gemüth
Liebliches Geläute.
Klinge, kleines Frühlingslied,
Kling' hinaus in's Weite.

[Kling']2 hinaus bis an das Haus,
Wo die [Blumen]3 sprießen.
Wenn du eine Rose schaust,
Sag' ich lass' sie grüßen.

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Confirmed with Neue Gedichte von Heinrich Heine, Zehnte Auflage, Hamburg, Hoffmann und Campe, 1871, page 10.

Note: modern German would change the spelling "Gemüth" to "Gemüt"

1 Quiteria: "klingt"; further changes may exist not shown above.
2 Grieg: "Zieh"
3 Gade, Grieg, Urspruch, Zenger: "Veilchen"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
2. Sweet chimes are softly filling my soul
Language: English 
Sweet chimes are softly
filling my soul;
Ring, little springtime-song
Ring out: far and wide.

Go forward till you reach the house,
where the violets bloom;
And if you see a rose,
give her my greetings.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Marty Lucas, (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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Based on:

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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 Marty Lucas