English translations of Drei Lieder für Sopran (oder Tenor) mit Pianofortebegleitung, opus 2

by Hermann Schäffer (1829 - 1900)

1. Wenn Zwei sich lieben  [sung text not yet checked]
by Hermann Schäffer (1829 - 1900), "Wenn Zwei sich lieben", op. 2 (Drei Lieder für Sopran (oder Tenor) mit Pianofortebegleitung) no. 1, published 1880 [ soprano or tenor and piano ], Berlin, Bote & Bock
Language: German (Deutsch) 
[Wann]1 Zwei sich lieben 
[Von]2 ganzem Herzen,
Die müssen ertragen 
Der Trennung Schmerzen.

[Wann]1 Zwei sich lieben 
Aus tiefster Seele,
Die müssen glauben 
An Himmelsbefehle.

[Wann]1 Zwei sich lieben 
Mit Gottesflammen,
Geschieht ein Wunder
Und bringt sie zusammen!

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

View original text (without footnotes)
1 Goldmark: "Wenn"
2 Goldmark: "Vom"

sometimes misattributed to Salomon Hermann, Ritter von Mosenthal (1821 - 1877) and by Wilhelm Jordan (1819 - 1904)
1. When two people love each other
Language: English 
When two people love each other
with all their hearts
they must endure
the pain of separation.

When two people love each other
from the depths of their souls
they must believe
in heaven's commands.

When two people love each other
with divine fire,
a miracle occurs
and brings them together!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2012 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: 2012-11-20
Line count: 12
Word count: 51

Translation © by Emily Ezust
2. Lehn deine Wang' an meine Wang'  [sung text not yet checked]
by Hermann Schäffer (1829 - 1900), "Lehn deine Wang' an meine Wang'", op. 2 (Drei Lieder für Sopran (oder Tenor) mit Pianofortebegleitung) no. 2, published 1880 [ soprano or tenor and piano ], Berlin, Bote & Bock
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Lehn deine Wang' an meine Wang',
Dann fliessen die Tränen zusammen;
Und an mein Herz drück fest dein Herz,
Dann schlagen zusammen die Flammen!

Und wenn in die große Flamme fliesst
Der Strom von [unsern]1 Tränen,
Und wenn [dich mein Arm]2 gewaltig umschließt -
Sterb' ich vor Liebessehnen!

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

View original text (without footnotes)

Confirmed with Heinrich Heine, Buch der Lieder, Hoffmann und Campe, Hamburg, 1827, page 115.

1 Zenger: "unsren"
2 Jensen: "mein Arm dich"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
2. Lay your cheek against my cheek
Language: English 
Lay your cheek against my cheek,
 Then our tears will flow together;
 And against my heart press firmly your heart,
 Then their flames will leap together!

 And when, into the great flame, flows
 The stream of our tears,
 And when my arm embraces you powerfully -
 I shall die of love's yearning!

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: 51

Translation © by Emily Ezust
3. Wenn ich auf dem Lager liege  [sung text not yet checked]
by Hermann Schäffer (1829 - 1900), "Wenn ich auf dem Lager liege", op. 2 (Drei Lieder für Sopran (oder Tenor) mit Pianofortebegleitung) no. 3, published 1880 [ soprano or tenor and piano ], Berlin, Bote & Bock
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wenn ich auf dem Lager liege
In Nacht [und Kissen]1 gehüllt,
So schwebt mir vor ein süßes,
Anmutig liebes Bild!

Wenn mir der stille Schlummer
Geschlossen die Augen kaum,
So schleicht [das Bild sich leise]2
Hinein in meinen Traum

[Doch]3 mit dem Traum des Morgens
Zerrinnt es nimmermehr;
Dann trag' ich es im Herzen
Den ganzen Tag umher.

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

View original text (without footnotes)
Confirmed with Heinrich Heine's Sämmtliche Werke, Erster Band: Reisebilder, Dritte Auflage, Philadelphia: Verlag von John Weik, 1856, pages 29-30.

1 omitted by Mendelssohn
2 Lang: "das liebe Bild"
3 Lang: "Und"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
3. When I lie on the bed
Language: English 
When I lie on the bed, 
shrouded in night and cushions, 
So floats before me a sweet,
lovely dear image.

When silent slumber 
has barely closed my eyes, 
So creeps the image quietly
into my dream.

And in the morning 
it never fades away with the dream:
Then I carry it about with me in my heart 
the whole day.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by David K. Smythe, (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 between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 60

Translation © by David K. Smythe