English translations of Zwei Lieder, opus 14

by Heinrich, Freiherr von Bach (1835 - 1915), as Heinrich Molbe

1. Drunten auf der Gassen  [sung text not yet checked]
by Heinrich, Freiherr von Bach (1835 - 1915), as Heinrich Molbe, "Drunten auf der Gassen", op. 14 (Zwei Lieder) no. 1 [ voice and piano ], Wien, Rörich
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Drunten auf [der]1 Gassen 
Stand ich, sein zu passen;
Schlugen Nachtigallen 
An den Fenstern allen,
Und ich [blieb]2 alleine 
Bei der Blitze Scheine,
Bis die Nacht [gewichen]3,
Und [da]4 bin ich frierend heimgeschlichen.

Über meine Wangen 
Ist der Thau gegangen,
Und nun lös' ich stille 
Meiner Locken Fülle.
Daß ein Sturm erginge,
Sich darein verfinge,
Mich [zum]5 Himmel trüge --
Weit hinweg [von]6 dieser Welt der Lüge!

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Confirmed with Gesammelte Werke von Paul Heyse. Erster Band. Gedichte, Berlin, Verlag von Wilhelm Hertz, 1872, page 14.

1 Hildach: "den"
2 Hildach: "stand"
3 Hildach: "verwichen"
4 Hildach: "dann"
5 Hildach: "gen"
6 Hildach: "aus"

by Paul Heyse (1830 - 1914)
1. Below in the lane
Language: English 
I stood below in the lane
to please him;
the nightingales were singing 
in all the windows
and I stayed there alone 
in the glare of the lightning,
until night gave way
and then I snuck home, freezing.

The dew is now gone 
from my cheeks
and I have loosened 
my abundant curls.
Would that a storm had come,
caught me up in itself,
and bore me off to heaven,
far away from this world of lies!

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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Translations of title(s):
"Die Verlassene" = "The abandoned girl"
"Drunten auf der Gassen" = "Below in the lane"
"Drunten auf der Gassen stand ich" = "I stood below in the lane"
"Mädchenlied" = "Girl's song"
"Stelldichein" = "Rendez-vous"
"Trutzlied" = "Song of defiance"



This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 16
Word count: 77

Translation © by Emily Ezust
2. Welch' süßer Duft umweht mich?  [sung text not yet checked]
by Heinrich, Freiherr von Bach (1835 - 1915), as Heinrich Molbe, "Welch' süßer Duft umweht mich?", op. 14 (Zwei Lieder) no. 2 [ voice and piano ], Wien, Rörich
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Welch' süßer Duft umweht mich?
Du Veilchen, versteckt im Strauch,
Leb' wohl, ich darf nicht weilen,
Nicht werben nach Liebesbrauch.

Du welkst wohl ungebrochen,
Ohn' Dank für lieblichen Duft.
Bis Gott im neuen Frühling
Zur Auferstehung dich ruft.

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by Matthias Jacob Schleiden (1804 - 1881), as Ernst
2. Fleeting greeting
Language: English 
What sweet scent wafts about me?
You violet, concealed in the bush,
Farewell, I must not tarry,
Must not woo as is the custom of lovers.

You will likely wilt unpicked,
Without receiving thanks for your lovely fragrance.
Until God in a new springtime
Calls you to resurrection.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2010 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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This text was added to the website: 2010-11-22
Line count: 8
Word count: 48

Translation © by Sharon Krebs