English translations of Drei Lieder, opus 1

by August Becker

1. Der Wassermann
 (Sung text)
by August Becker , "Der Wassermann", op. 1 (Drei Lieder) no. 2
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Es war in des Maien mildem Glanz,
Da hielten die Jungfern von Tübingen Tanz.

Sie tanzten und tanzten wohl allzumal
Um eine Linde im grünen Tal.

Ein fremder Jüngling, im stolzen Kleid,
Sich wandte  ...  zu der schönsten Maid;

Er reicht ihr dar die Hände zum Tanz,
Er setzt ihr auf's Haar einen meergrünen Kranz.

"O Jüngling! warum ist so kalt dein Arm?"
"In Neckars Tiefen da ist's nicht warm."

"O Jüngling! warum ist so bleich deine Hand?"
"Ins Wasser dringt nicht der Sonne Brand!"

Er tanzte mit ihr von der Linde weit:
"Lass', Jüngling! horch, die Mutter mir schreit!"

Er tanzt mit ihr den Neckar entlang:
"Lass', Jüngling! weh! mir wird so bang!"

Er fasst sie fest um den schlanken Leib:
"Schön' Maid, du bist des Wassermann's Weib!"

Er tanzt mit ihr in die Wellen hinein:
"O Vater und du, o Mutter mein!"

Er führt sie in einen krystallenen Saal:
"Ade, ihr Schwestern im grünen Tal!"

Text Authorship:

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by Justinus (Andreas Christian) Kerner (1786 - 1862)
1. The waterman
Language: English 
Once in the mild brightness of May,
The young maidens of Tübingen had a dance.

They danced and danced all together
About a lime tree in the green valley.

A stranger, a lad in a proud garment,
Soon attached himself to the most beautiful maiden;

He stretched out his hands to lead her into the dance,
He placed a sea-green wreath upon her hair.

"Oh young man, why are your arms so cold?"
"In the depths of the Neckar (river) it is not warm."

"Oh young man, why are your hands so pale?"
"The burning rays of the sun do not penetrate into the water."

He dances away with her, far from the lime tree:
"Stop, young man!  Listen, my mother is calling me!"

He dances away with her along the banks of the Neckar (River):
"Stop, young man!  Woe, I am becoming so frightened!"

He seizes her tightly about her slender body:
"Lovely maiden, you are the waterman's bride!"

He dances away with her right into the waves:
"Oh father, and you, oh mother mine!"

He leads her into his crystal hall:
"Adieu, to you, my sisters all!"

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2009 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: 2009-09-21
Line count: 22
Word count: 189

Translation © by Sharon Krebs