English translations of 3 Lieder, opus 20

by Robert Owens (1925 - 2017)

1. Fremde Stadt
 (Sung text)
by Robert Owens (1925 - 2017), "Fremde Stadt", op. 20 (3 Lieder) no. 1 [ baritone and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wie das so seltsam traurig macht:
Ein Gang durch eine fremde Stadt,
Die liegt und schläft in stiller Nacht
Und mondbeglänzte Dächer hat. 

Und über Turm und Giebel reist
Der Wolken wunderliche Flucht 
Still und gewaltig wie ein Geist, 
Der heimatlos nach Heimat sucht.

Du aber, plötzlich übermannt, 
Ergibst dem wehen Zauber dich 
Und legst dein Bündel aus der Hand 
Und weinest lang und bitterlich.

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Confirmed with Hermann Hesse, Sämtliche Werke, herausgegeben von Volker Michels, Band 10 Die Gedichte, bearbeitet von Peter Huber, Frankfurt am Main: Suhrkamp Verlag, 2002, page 97.


by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962)
1. Unfamiliar city
Language: English 
How it makes one so strangely sad:
A walk through an unfamiliar city
That lies there sleeping in the quiet night
And has rooftops glinting with moonlight.

And above the turrets and gables
Travels the wondrous flight of clouds,
As still and vast as a spirit
That, homeless, seeks a home.

You, however, suddenly overcome,
Give yourself over to the painful enchantment 
And lay down the bundle from your hand, 
And weep long and bitterly.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2021 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: 2021-01-30
Line count: 12
Word count: 75

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
2. Eine Geige in den Gärten
 (Sung text)
by Robert Owens (1925 - 2017), "Eine Geige in den Gärten", op. 20 (3 Lieder) no. 2 [ baritone and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Weit aus allen dunkeln Talen
Kommt der süße Amselschlag,
Und mein Herz in stummen Qualen
Lauscht und zittert bis zum Tag.

Lange, mondbeglänzte Stunden
Liegt mein Sehnen auf der Wacht,
Leidet an geheimen Wunden
Und verblutet in die Nacht.

Eine Geige in den Gärten
Klagt herauf mit weichem Strich,
Und ein tiefes Müdewerden
Kommt erlösend über mich.

Fremder Saitenspieler drunten,
Der so weich und dunkel klagt,
Wo hast du das Lied gefunden,
Das mein ganzes Sehnen sagt?

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1 Knayer: "dunklen"1
by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962)
2. A violin in the gardens
Language: English 
Far from out of all dark valleys
Comes the sweet call of the blackbird,
And, in mute agonies, my heart
Listens and trembles until daybreak.

For long, moonlit hours
My yearning keeps watch,
Suffers from secret wounds,
And bleeds to death into the night.

A violin in the gardens
Rises lamentingly with a softly drawn bow,
And a deep becoming-weary
Comes over me like a redemption.

Unknown string player down there,
Who laments so softly and darkly,
Where did you find the song
That speaks my whole yearning?

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2018 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: 2018-04-20
Line count: 16
Word count: 88

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
3. Im Nebel
 (Sung text)
by Robert Owens (1925 - 2017), "Im Nebel", op. 20 (3 Lieder) no. 3 [ baritone and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Seltsam, im Nebel zu wandern!
Einsam ist jeder Busch und Stein,
Kein Baum sieht den andern,
Jeder ist allein.

Voll Freunden war mir die Welt,
Als noch mein Leben licht war;
Nun, da der Nebel fällt,
Ist keiner mehr sichtbar.

Wahrlich, keiner ist weise,
Der nicht das Dunkel kennt,
Das unentrinnbar und leise
Von allen ihn trennt.

Seltsam, im Nebel zu wandern!
Leben ist Einsamsein.
Kein Mensch kennt den andern,
Jeder ist allein.

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Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada and the U.S., but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.

by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962)
3. In the mists
Language: English 
Wondrous to wander through mists!
Parted are bush and stone:
None to the other exists,
Each stands alone.

Many my friends came calling
then, when I lived in the light;
Now that the fogs are falling,
None is in sight.

Truly, only the sages
Fathom the darkness to fall,
Which, as silent as cages,
Separates all.

Strange to walk in the mists!
Life has to solitude grown.
None for the other exists:
Each is alone.

Text Authorship:

  • Singable translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2010 by Walter A. Aue, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you must ask the copyright-holder(s) directly for permission. If you receive no response, you must consider it a refusal.

    Walter A. Aue.  Contact: waue (AT) dal (DOT) ca

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This text was added to the website: 2010-03-26
Line count: 16
Word count: 75

Translation © by Walter A. Aue