English translations of Drei Gedichte für Bass (oder Alt) mit Pianoforte, opus 3

by Al. Kern

1. Schäfers Sonntagslied  [sung text not yet checked]
by Al. Kern , "Schäfers Sonntagslied", op. 3 (Drei Gedichte für Bass (oder Alt) mit Pianoforte) no. 1, published 1856 [ bass or alto and piano ], Wien, Haslinger
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Das ist der Tag des Herrn!
Ich bin allein auf weiter Flur;
Noch eine Morgenglocke nur,
Nun Stille nah und fern.

Anbetend knie ich hier.
O süßes Graun, geheimes Wehn,
Als knieten viele ungesehn
Und beteten mit mir.

Der Himmel nah und fern
Er ist so [klar]1 und feierlich,
So ganz, als wollt er öffnen sich.
Das ist der Tag des Herrn!

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Note: Hensel's score has "Nur" in stanza 1, line 3, word 1, but this is probably a typo.

1 Hensel, Mendelssohn: "still" (in some printings)

by Johann Ludwig Uhland (1787 - 1862)
1. A shepherd's Sunday song
Language: English 
This is the day of the Lord!
I am alone on the wide meadow;
yet only one morning bell,
then silence near and far.
 
Adoring,  I kneel here.
O sweet shudder!  Secret stirring!
As if many knelt unseen
and prayed with me.
 
The sky near and far,
it is so serene and solemn,
altogether as if it would open up!
This is the day of the Lord!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2003 by John Glenn Paton, (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: 2004-01-28
Line count: 12
Word count: 67

Translation © by John Glenn Paton
2. Der gute Kamerad  [sung text not yet checked]
by Al. Kern , "Der gute Kamerad", op. 3 (Drei Gedichte für Bass (oder Alt) mit Pianoforte) no. 2, published 1856 [ bass or alto and piano ], Wien, Haslinger
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich hatt' einen Kameraden,
Einen bessern findst du nit.
Die Trommel schlug zum Streite,
Er ging an meiner Seite
[Im gleichen Schritt und Tritt]1.

Eine Kugel kam geflogen:
Gilt's mir oder gilt es dir?
Ihn hat es weggerissen,
Er [liegt]2 mir vor den Füßen
Als wär's ein Stück von mir.

Will mir die Hand noch reichen,
Derweil ich eben lad'.
Kann dir die Hand nicht geben,
Bleib du im ew'gen Leben
Mein guter Kamerad!

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1 Kreutzer: "In gleichem Tritt und Schritt"
2 Kreutzer: "lag"

by Johann Ludwig Uhland (1787 - 1862)
2. The good comrade
Language: English 
 I had a comrade,
 and a better one you could not find.
 They beat on the drums to sound the battle,
 and he went by my side
 step for step at the same pace.
 
 A bullet came flying:
 was it meant for me or you?
 It tore him away
 and he lay at my feet
 as if he were a part of me.
 
 He wanted still to reach me his hand,
 but I had to load my musket just then.
 I cannot give you my hand -
 may you rest in eternal peace,
 my good comrade!

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: 15
Word count: 96

Translation © by Emily Ezust
3. Abschied  [sung text not yet checked]
by Al. Kern , "Abschied", op. 3 (Drei Gedichte für Bass (oder Alt) mit Pianoforte) no. 3, published 1856 [ bass or alto and piano ], Wien, Haslinger
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Schöne Wiege meiner Leiden,
schönes Grabmal meiner Ruh',
schöne Stadt, wir müssen scheiden, -
Lebe wohl! ruf' ich dir zu.

Lebe wohl, du heil'ge Schwelle,
wo da wandelt Liebchen traut;
lebe wohl! du heil'ge Stelle, 
wo ich sie zuerst geschaut.

Hätt' ich dich doch nie [gesehen]1,
schöne Herzenskönigin!
Nimmer wär' es dann geschehen,
daß ich jetzt so elend bin.

Nie wollt' ich dein Herze rühren,
Liebe hab' ich nie erfleht;
nur ein stilles Leben führen
wollt' ich, wo dein Odem weht.

Doch du drängst mich selbst von hinnen,
bittre Worte spricht dein Mund;
Wahnsinn wühlt in meinen Sinnen,
und mein Herz ist krank und wund.

Und die Glieder matt und träge
schlepp' ich fort am Wanderstab,
bis mein müdes Haupt ich lege
ferne in ein kühles Grab.

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1 Schumann: "gesehn"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
3. Pretty cradle of my sorrows
Language: English 
 Pretty cradle of my sorrows,
 pretty tombstone of my rest,
 pretty town - we must part, -
 farewell! I call to you.
 
 Farewell, you holy threshhold,
 across which my darling would tread;
 farewell! you sacred spot
 where I first saw her.
 
 Would that I had never seen you,
 lovely queen of my heart!
 Never would it then have happened,
 that I would now be so wretched.
 
 I never wished to touch your heart,
 I never begged for love;
 all I wished was to lead a quiet life
 where your breath could stir me.
 
 Yet you yourself pushed me away from you,
 with bitter words at your lips;
 Madness filled my senses,
 and my heart is sick and wounded.
 
 And my limbs are heavy and sluggish;
 I'll drag myself forward, leaning on my staff, 
 until I can lay my weary head 
 in a cool and distant grave.

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.


Based on:

Go to the general single-text view


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 24
Word count: 145

Translation © by Emily Ezust