English translations of 3 Lieder, opus 19

by Robert Owens (1925 - 2017)

1. Die Nacht  [sung text not yet checked]
by Robert Owens (1925 - 2017), "Die Nacht", op. 19 (3 Lieder) no. 1 [ mezzo-soprano and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wie schön hier zu verträumen
Die Nacht im stillen Wald,
Wenn in den dunklen Bäumen
Das alte Märchen hallt.

Die Berg' im Mondesschimmer
Wie in Gedanken stehn,
Und durch verworrne Trümmer
Die Quellen klagend gehn.

Denn müd' ging auf den Matten
Die Schönheit nun zur Ruh',
Es deckt mit kühlen Schatten
Die Nacht das Liebchen zu.

Das ist das irre Klagen
In stiller Waldespracht,
Die Nachtigallen schlagen
Von ihr die ganze Nacht.

Die Stern' gehen auf und nieder –
Wann kommst du, Morgenwind,
Und hebst die [Schatten]1 wieder
Von dem verträumten Kind?

Schon rührt sich's in den Bäumen,
Die Lerche weckt sie bald –
So will ich treu verträumen
Die Nacht im stillen Wald.

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First published in Dichter und ihre Gesellen in 1834.

Confirmed with Joseph Freiherrn von Eichendorff's sämtliche poetische Werke, dritte Auflage, Erster Band, Gedichte, C. F. Amelang's Verlag, Leipzig, 1883, page 30.

1 Herzogenberg: "Schleier"

by Joseph Karl Benedikt, Freiherr von Eichendorff (1788 - 1857)
1. The night
Language: English 
How lovely it is here to dream away 
the night in the quiet woods,
when in the dark trees
the old fairy-tales echo.

The mountains stand shimmering in the moonlight
as if deep in thought,
and through the tangled undergrowth
the stream rambles, lamenting.

For wearily upon the meadow,
Beauty walks now to her rest, 
and with cool shadows
Night covers up the dear one.

There is an eerie lament
in the quiet splendour of the wood:
the nightingales sing
about her the entire night.

The stars rise and set --
When will you come, morning wind,
and lift the [shadows]1 again
from the dreaming child?

There is already a rustling in the trees,
The lark will awaken soon --
Thus would I like faithfully to dream away
The night in the quiet woods.

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 titles "Die Nacht" = "The night"
"Nacht" = "Night"

1 Herzogenberg: "mists"


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 24
Word count: 132

Translation © by Emily Ezust
2. Morgendämmerung  [sung text not yet checked]
by Robert Owens (1925 - 2017), "Morgendämmerung", op. 19 (3 Lieder) no. 2 [ mezzo-soprano and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Gedenk ich noch der Frühlingsnächte
Vor manchem, manchem Jahr,
Wie wir zusammen im Garten standen
Und unten über den Landen
Alles so still noch war.

Wie wir standen in Gedanken,
Bis eine Morgenglocke erwacht' -
Das alles ist lange vergangen;
Aber die Glocken, die da klangen,
Hör ich noch oft bei Nacht.

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by Joseph Karl Benedikt, Freiherr von Eichendorff (1788 - 1857)
2. Dawn
Language: English 
I think still of those spring nights
So many, many years ago,
How we stood together in the garden
And across the landscape below
Everything was yet so silent.

How we stood there in contemplation,
Until a morning bell rang [awakened] – 
All of that was so long ago;
But the bells, those that rang then, 
I still often hear at night.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2023 by Michael P Rosewall, (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: 2023-05-19
Line count: 10
Word count: 62

Translation © by Michael P Rosewall
3. Der verliebte Reisende  [sung text not yet checked]
by Robert Owens (1925 - 2017), "Der verliebte Reisende", op. 19 (3 Lieder) no. 3 [ mezzo-soprano and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Da fahr' ich still im Wagen,
Du bist so weit von mir, 
Wohin er mich mag tragen,
Ich bleibe doch bei dir.

Da fliegen Wälder, Klüfte
Und schöne Täler tief
Und Lerchen hoch in Lüften,
Als ob dein' Stimme rief.

Die Sonne lustig scheinet
Weit über das Revier,
Ich bin so froh verweinet,
Und singe still in mir.

Vom Berge geht's hinunter,
Das Posthorn schallt im Grund,
Mein' Seel' wird mir so munter,
Grüß' dich aus Herzensgrund.

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by Joseph Karl Benedikt, Freiherr von Eichendorff (1788 - 1857)
3. I travel silently in the coach
Language: English 
I travel silently in the coach -
you are so far from me -
but wherever it might take me,
I remain still with you.

There fly by forests, gorges
and lovely deep valleys,
and larks high in the sky,
as if your voice were calling.

The sun shines merrily
far beyond the area;
I am so happy and so tearful,
and I sing silently inside.

From the mountains, the path goes downward,
the posthorn rings out below;
my soul grows so cheerful
and I greet you from the bottom of 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.


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: 91

Translation © by Emily Ezust