English translations of Sechs Lieder, opus 15

by Julius Otto Grimm (1827 - 1903)

1. Wenn die Sonne weggegangen
 (Sung text)
by Julius Otto Grimm (1827 - 1903), "Wenn die Sonne weggegangen", op. 15 (Sechs Lieder) no. 1, published 1868 [ low voice and piano ], Leipzig: J. Rieter-Biedermann
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wenn die Sonne weggegangen,
Kommt die Dunkelheit heran,
Abendroth hat goldne Wangen,
Und die Nacht hat Trauer an.

Seit die Liebe weggegangen,
Bin ich nun ein Mohrenkind,
Und die rothen frohen Wangen
Dunkel und verloren sind.

Dunkelheit muß tief verschweigen
Alles Wehe, alle Lust;
Aber Mond und Sterne zeigen,
Was mir wohnet in der Brust.

Wenn die Lippen dir verschweigen
Meines Herzens stille Gluth,
Müssen Blick' und Thränen zeigen,
Wie die Liebe nimmer ruht!

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

by Clemens Maria Wenzeslaus von Brentano (1778 - 1842)
1. When the sun has departed
Language: English 
When the sun has departed,
The darkness arrives,
The sunset glow has golden cheeks,
And the night is dressed in mourning.

Since love has departed,
I am nothing but a Moor-child,
And my [red fresh]1 cheeks
Have become dark and forlorn.

Darkness must deeply conceal
All pain, all joy;
But the moon and the stars show
What dwells within my bosom.

When my lips do not tell you
Of the quiet fervour of my heart,
My gaze and my tears show you
How love never rests.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2012 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: 

Based on:

Go to the general single-text view

View original text (without footnotes)
1 Grimm: "rose-red"


This text was added to the website: 2012-07-09
Line count: 16
Word count: 87

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
2. Bitte
 (Sung text)
by Julius Otto Grimm (1827 - 1903), "Bitte", op. 15 (Sechs Lieder) no. 2, published 1868 [ low voice and piano ], Leipzig: J. Rieter-Biedermann
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Weil' auf mir, du dunkles Auge,
Übe deine ganze Macht,
Ernste, milde, träumerische,
Unergründlich süße Nacht!

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

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

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.


Based on:

Go to the general single-text view


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 8
Word count: 36

Translation © by Emily Ezust
3. Jägerbraut
 (Sung text)
by Julius Otto Grimm (1827 - 1903), "Jägerbraut", op. 15 (Sechs Lieder) no. 3, published 1868 [ low voice and piano ], Leipzig: J. Rieter-Biedermann
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Mein junger Liebster zog zu Wald
Im funkelnden Jägergeschmeide.
Wie warst so schmuck, mein herziger Schatz,
In dem grünen blitzenden Kleide!

Es blasen die Jäger Hallali.

Und wie sie den Eber, den wilden, gestellt,
Mein Schatz der erste von Allen, weh!
Da ist er, getroffen vom blutigen Zahn
Des wilden Gesellen, gefallen.

Es blasen die Jäger Hallali.

Ihr Jäger, was bringt ihr vom dunkeln Wald
Uns heim als glückliche Beute?
Wir bringen getragen ein edles Wild,
Wir bringen dein Schätzlein heute.

Es blasen die Jäger Hallali.

Im Walde kenn' ich ein kühles Grab,
Da sitz ich vom Frührothscheine
Bis in die dunkle kalte Nacht
Und wein', und wein', und weine.

Und wenn in des Herbstwind's traurigem Weh'n
Die welken Blätter sich regen,
Dann sollt ihr die arme, verlassene Braut
Dem Liebsten zur Seite legen.

Text Authorship:

Go to the general single-text view

by Franz Hüffer (1843 - 1889)
3. The huntsman’s bride
Language: English 
My young beloved set off into the forest
In a sparkling huntsman's outfit.
How dashing you looked, my dearest darling,
In your gleaming green garb!

The hunters are blowing their horn-call.

And when they had cornered the boar, the wild one,
My darling was the first of them all, woe!
Struck by the bloody tooth of the wild creative,
There he lies, dead.

The hunters are blowing their horn-call.

Ye huntsmen, what lucky prize are you 
Bringing back to us from the dark forest?
We come bearing noble game,
Today we are bringing back your darling.

The hunters are blowing their horn-call.

I know of a cool grave in the forest,
There I sit from the early glow of morning
Until the dark cold night
And weep, and weep, and weep.

And when, in the sad blowing of the autumn wind,
The withered leaves move,
Then you are to lay the poor, forsaken bride
At her beloved's side.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2022 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: 

Based on:

Go to the general single-text view


This text was added to the website: 2022-07-15
Line count: 23
Word count: 158

Translation © by Sharon Krebs

 (The following is a multi-text setting.)

4. Liebesnacht 
Du sprichst von Scheiden? O sag' es nicht,
  Wie Abendroth verglüh' die Lust der Stunden; --
Schau, wie des Mondes sieggewohntes Licht
  Die weite, stille Waldnacht überwunden!

Du sprichst von Scheiden? O sag' es nicht,
  Ein Schmerz nur sei der Liebe kurz Genießen; --
Schau, wie der Glanz in jene Tiefen bricht
  Und lächelnd sich die Blumen ihm erschließen!

 ...

Text Authorship:

Go to the general single-text view

Confirmed with Alexander Kaufmann, Unter den Reben. Lieder und erzählende Gedichte, Berlin: Franz Lipperheide, 1871, page 50.


Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor] 
Ruh' mir am Herzen in sich'rer Hut!
  Ob Alles auch in leeres Nichts zerstiebe,
O glaube meines Kusses reiner Gluth:
  Weltüberdauernd, ewig ist die Liebe.

Text Authorship:

  • by Anonymous / Unidentified Author, "Liebesnacht"

Go to the general single-text view

Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
Author(s): Anonymous/Unidentified Artist , Alexander Kaufmann (1817 - 1893)
4. Night of love
You speak of parting?  Oh do not say
  That the bliss of the hours fades like the glow of evening; --
Look how the moonlight, accustomed to victory,
  Has conquered the broad, silent forest night!

You speak of parting?  Oh do not say
  That the short enjoyment of love is only pain; --
See how the radiance breaks into yonder depths
  And how the flowers smilingly open for it!

 ...

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2022 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: 

Based on:

Go to the general single-text view


Rest upon my heart in secure protection!
  Though everything may dissolve into empty nothingness,
Oh, believe in the pure ardour of my kiss:
  Love lasts longer than the world will, love is eternal.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2022 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: 

Based on:

Go to the general single-text view


Translation © by Sharon Krebs
5. Nachtlied
 (Sung text)
by Julius Otto Grimm (1827 - 1903), "Nachtlied", op. 15 (Sechs Lieder) no. 5, published 1868 [ low voice and piano ], Leipzig: J. Rieter-Biedermann
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Der Mond kommt still gegangen
Mit seinem goldnen Schein,
Da schläft mit holdem Prangen 
Die müde Erde ein.

Im Traum die Wipfel weben,
Die Quellen rauschen sacht;
Singende Engel durchschweben
Die blaue Sternennacht

Und auf den Lüften schwanken
Aus manchem treuen Sinn
Viel tausend Liebesgedanken
Über die Schläfer hin.

Und drunten im Thale, da funkeln
Die Fenster von Liebchens Haus;
Ich aber blicke im Dunkeln
Still in die Welt hinaus.

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

Note: in Lachner's score, the first word of stanza 4 is "Da" but becomes "Und" in the repetition.

by Emanuel von Geibel (1815 - 1884)
5. The moon so peaceful rises
Language: English 
The moon so peaceful rises
with all its golden shine,
here sleeps in lovely glitter
the weary earth below.

[...
...
...
...]

And on the breezes waft down
from many faithful hearts
true loving thoughts by the thousand
upon the sleeping ones.

And down in the valley, there twinkle
the lights from my lover's house;
but I in darkness still look out -
silent - into the world.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 1996 by David Kenneth Smith, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., please ask the copyright-holder(s) directly.

    David Kenneth Smith.  Contact: dksmith (AT) geneva.edu


    If the copyright-holder(s) are unreachable for three business days, please write to:


Based on:

Go to the general single-text view


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 16
Word count: 63

Translation © by David Kenneth Smith
6. Minnelied
 (Sung text)
by Julius Otto Grimm (1827 - 1903), "Minnelied", op. 15 (Sechs Lieder) no. 6, published 1868, stanzas 1,3 [ low voice and piano ], Leipzig: J. Rieter-Biedermann
Language: German (Deutsch) 
  Ich unternahm's, den Falken gleich,
Die, kraft verweg'ner edler Art,
Aufschweben hoch zur Sonne.
Ich wagte kühnen Flug zu Euch,
Ihr, schönes Bild, wie keines ward,
Ihr, meiner Augen Wonne.
Euch laßt mich seh'n, und immer sehen!
Ja, schritt ein Kaiser stolz heran,
Er müßte knieend Liebe flehen.

 ... 

  O fänd' ich gnadenreichen Muth,
Ich riefe, süßer Hoffnung voll:
"Ihr seid mein Wunsch, mein Leben!
"Lohnt Minnedienst und Minnegluth!" --
Ach, wenn ich Gnade finden soll,
Muß ich verstummen, beben.
Doch Eines habt Ihr längst erfahren:
In Geist' und Herzen pfleg' ich Euch,
Hold oder unhold, treu zu wahren.

Text Authorship:

Go to the general single-text view

by Otto von Turne ( flourished c. 1275 )
6. Song of courtly love
Language: English 
  I undertook it, like the falcons who,
By virtue of their audacious, noble nature,
Soar upward to the sun.
I dared the [lofty]1 flight to you,
You, beautiful being, such as has never yet existed,
You, the delight of my eyes.
Let me see you, and see you always!
Yes, were an emperor to stride proudly hither,
He must, kneeling, plead for your love.

[ ... ]

  Oh would I find courage, by rich grace,
I would call out, full of sweet hope:
"You are my wish, my life!
"Reward the servitude and fervour of courtly love!"--
Ah, if I am to [seek]2 grace,
I must fall mute, must tremble.
But one thing you must have discovered long ago:
It is my custom, in spirit and heart to hold you,
Well or ill, faithfully enshrined.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2022 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: 

Based on:

Go to the general single-text view

View original text (without footnotes)
1 Grimm: "audacious"
2 Grimm: "find"


This text was added to the website: 2022-09-17
Line count: 27
Word count: 184

Translation © by Sharon Krebs