English translations of Sechs Lieder und Gesänge, opus 18

by Julius Otto Grimm (1827 - 1903)

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1. Es kommen die Tage
 (Sung text)
by Julius Otto Grimm (1827 - 1903), "Es kommen die Tage", op. 18 (Sechs Lieder und Gesänge) no. 1, published 1873 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Rieter-Biedermann
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Es kommen die Tage, die Nächte vergehn,
Es scheinen die Sonne, die Sterne;
Ich lehne am Fenster Nacht und Tag
Und schaue den wandernden Wolken nach
In die weite, unendliche Ferne.

Es ziehen unten die Strassen entlang
Viel emsige, glückliche Leute;
Mit jubelndem Scherz und lautem Gesang
Und mit der Geigen gellendem Klang
Kam eine Hochzeit heute.

Was kümmerte mich der freundliche Gruss,
Den mancher Geselle mir schickte?
Mein Auge zieht es mit süsser Gewalt,
Wo ich deine fliehende schöne Gestalt
Zum letztenmal erblickte.

Wohl leuchtet die Sonne, es blitzen so hell
Die Sterne am Himmelsbogen:
Wie liebt' ich sie einst und hatte sie gern,
Doch ach! mir scheint kein heller Stern,
Seit du in die Ferne gezogen!

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by Franz Hüffer (1843 - 1889)
1. The days come
Language: English 
The days come, the nights pass,
The sun shines, the stars as well;
I lean at my window night and day
And gaze after the wandering clouds
Into the broad, endless distance.

Down below along the streets 
Many industrious, happy people are walking;
With rejoicing jests and loud singing
And with the shrill sound of violins
A wedding party came by today.

What did I care about the friendly greeting
That many a comrade sent me?
With sweet force my eye is drawn
To where I saw your fleeing, beautiful form
For the last time.

To be sure, the sun shines; so brightly blink
The stars on the vault of heaven:
How I once loved them and was fond of them,
But ah! no bright star shines for me
Since you departed for faraway places!

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.
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This text was added to the website: 2022-02-12
Line count: 20
Word count: 135

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
2. Ständchen
 (Sung text)
by Julius Otto Grimm (1827 - 1903), "Ständchen", op. 18 (Sechs Lieder und Gesänge) no. 2, published 1873 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Rieter-Biedermann
Language: German (Deutsch) 
  Rosen, die mit Purpurstrauß
Ihr umrankt das stille Haus,
Hauchet ihr den süssen
Duft hinein
Ins Fensterlein,
Webt ihr Träume, schön und rein,
Ihr der Rosengleichen!

  Silbermond, nur du allein
Blickst in's keusche Kämmerlein,
Wo sie schläft, die Süße;
Unerkannt
An der Wand
Schreib' ihr mit der lichten Hand
Viele Herzensgrüsse!

  Rosenstrauch und Mondenschein,
Wollt ihr mir zu Willen sein?
Thut mir den Gefallen!
Grüßt sie mir,
Saget ihr,
Wie sie lieb und theuer mir
Einzig unter allen!

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by Berthold Sigismund (1819 - 1864)
2. Serenade
Language: English 
  Roses, which with crimson bouquets
Twine yourselves around the quiet house,
Breathe ye the [soft]1
Scent into
Her little [chamber]2,
Weave dreams for her, beautiful and pure,
For her, who is herself like a rose!

  Silvery moon, only you alone
Gaze into the chaste little chamber
Where she sleeps, the sweet one;
Unrecognized
Upon the wall
With your hand of light write 
Many greetings of my heart to her!

  Rosebush and moonlight,
Do you wish to do what I've asked?
Do me that favour!
Greet her for me,
Tell her
That she is dear and valuable to me,
My one and only among all others!

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.
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View original text (without footnotes)
1 Grimm: "sweet"
2 Grimm: "window"


This text was added to the website: 2022-02-12
Line count: 21
Word count: 109

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
3. Dämmrung senkte sich von oben
 (Sung text)
by Julius Otto Grimm (1827 - 1903), "Dämmrung senkte sich von oben", op. 18 (Sechs Lieder und Gesänge) no. 3, published 1873 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Rieter-Biedermann
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Dämmrung senkte sich von oben,
Schon ist alle Nähe fern;
Doch zuerst emporgehoben
Holden Lichts der Abendstern!
Alles schwankt in's Ungewisse,
Nebel schleichen in die Höh';
Schwarzvertiefte Finsternisse
Widerspiegelnd ruht der See.

Nun am östlichen Bereiche
Ahn' ich Mondenglanz und Gluth,
Schlanker Weiden Haargezweige
Scherzen auf der nächsten Fluth.
Durch bewegter Schatten Spiele
Zittert Luna's Zauberschein,
Und durch's Auge zieht die Kühle
Sänftigend in's Herz hinein.

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by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832)
3.
Language: English 
Twilight sank from high above;
All that was near already is far,
Yet first is raised high
The fair light of the evening star!
Everything shakes with uncertainty,
A mist creeps slowly upward;
Darkness steeped in black
is reflected calmly in the sea.

Now in eastern areas
I feel the moon's brightness and glow,
Hair-like branches of slender willows
Play on the nearest tide.
Through the play of moving shadows
trembles Luna's magical shine,
And through my eyes creeps the cool air,
gently in toward my heart.

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: 87

Translation © by Emily Ezust
4. Jetzt ist er hinaus in die weite Welt 
 (Sung text)
by Julius Otto Grimm (1827 - 1903), "Jetzt ist er hinaus in die weite Welt ", op. 18 (Sechs Lieder und Gesänge) no. 4, published 1873, stanzas 1-2 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Rieter-Biedermann
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Jetzt ist er hinaus in die weite Welt,
Hat keinen Abschied genommen,
    Du frischer Spielmann in Wald und Feld,
    Du Sonne, die meinen Tag erhellt,
    Wann wirst du mir wieder kommen?

Kaum daß ich ihm recht in die Augen geschaut,
So ist der Traum schon beendet,
    O Liebe, was führst du die Menschen zusamm',
    O Liebe, was schürst du die süße Flamm',
    Wenn so bald und traurig sich's wendet?

 ...

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by Joseph Viktor von Scheffel (1826 - 1886)
4.
Language: English 
Now he has gone off into the wide world,
Took no farewell,
    You lively musician in forest and field,
    You sun that brightens my day,
    When shall you return to me?

I had hardly looked properly into his eyes
When the dream was already ended.
    Oh Love, why do you bring people together,
    Oh Love, why do you fan the sweet flame,
    When things change so quickly and sadly?

[ ... ]

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.
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Translations of title(s):
"Jetzt ist er hinaus" = "Now he has gone off"
"Jetzt ist er hinaus in die weite Welt" = "Now he has gone off into the wide world"
"Lied Margaretha's" = "Song of Margaretha"
"Margaretha: Jetzt ist er hinaus in die weite Welt " = "Margaretha: Now he has gone off into the wide world"
"Margaretha's Lied" = "Margaretha's Song"
"Scheiden" = "Parting"



This text was added to the website: 2022-02-13
Line count: 15
Word count: 104

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
5. Frühlingsgedränge
 (Sung text)
by Julius Otto Grimm (1827 - 1903), "Frühlingsgedränge", op. 18 (Sechs Lieder und Gesänge) no. 5, published 1873 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Rieter-Biedermann
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Frühlingskinder im bunten Gedränge,
Flatternde Blüten, duftende Hauche,
Schmachtende, jubelnde Liebesgesänge
Stürzen ans Herz mir aus jedem Strauche.
Frühlingskinder mein Herz umschwärmen,
Flüstern hinein mit schmeichelnden Worten,
Rufen hinein mit trunkenem Lärmen,
Rütteln an längst verschlossenen Pforten.
Frühlingskinder, mein Herz umringend,
Was doch sucht ihr darin so dringend?
Hab' ich's verrathen euch jüngst im Traume,
Schlummernd unter dem Blüthenbaume?
Brachten euch Morgenwinde die Sage,
Daß ich im Herzen eingeschlossen
Euren lieblichen Spielgenossen,
Heimlich und selig -- ihr Bildnis trage?

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Note for line 7, word 4: Lang has "trunkenen", which is likely a typo.

by Nikolaus Lenau (1802 - 1850)
5.
Language: English 
Children of spring in colorful profusion,
fluttering blossoms, fragrant breezes,
yearning, jubilant songs of love -
they burst upon my heart from every bush.
Children of spring swarm around my heart,
whispering cajoling words,
calling with intoxicated shouts,
rattling gates long locked.
Children of spring, besetting my heart,
what do you still seek so urgently within?
Did I betray it to you recently in a dream
as I slumbered beneath a blossoming tree?
Or did the morning wind bring tidings to you
that, locked in my heart,
your lovely playmate's 
image I bear secretly and blissfully?

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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Translation of title "Frühlingsgedränge = "Spring's profusion"


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 16
Word count: 95

Translation © by Emily Ezust
6. Der Traum
 (Sung text)
by Julius Otto Grimm (1827 - 1903), "Der Traum", op. 18 (Sechs Lieder und Gesänge) no. 6, published 1873 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Rieter-Biedermann
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Im schönsten Garten wallten
Zwei Buhlen, Hand in Hand,
Zwo bleiche kranke Gestalten,
Sie saßen in's Blumenland.

Sie küßten sich auf die Wangen,
Sie küßten sich auf den Mund,
Sie hielten sich fest umfangen,
Sie wurden jung und gesund.

Zwei Glöcklein klangen helle,
Der Traum entschwand zur Stund';
Sie lag in der Klosterzelle,
Er fern in Turmes Grund.

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Confirmed with Uhlands Werke, Erster Teil, Gedichte, herausgegeben von Adalbert Silbermann, Berlin, Leipzig, Wien, Stuttgart: Deutsches Verlagshaus Bong & Co., [no year], page 124.


by Johann Ludwig Uhland (1787 - 1862)
6. The dream
Language: English 
In the most beautiful of gardens there wandered
Two lovers hand in hand,
Two pale, sick figures,
They sat in the flowery landscape.

They kissed each other's cheeks,
They kissed each other's lips,
They held each other tightly,
They became young and healthy.

Two little bells rang out brightly,
The dream vanished immediately;
She lay in the cell of a nunnery,
He far away in a deep dungeon.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2013 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: 

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This text was added to the website: 2013-05-28
Line count: 12
Word count: 68

Translation © by Sharon Krebs