English translations of Zwei Lieder, opus 8

by Oskar Raif (1847 - 1899)

1. Altfranzösisches Sonnet
 (Sung text)
by Oskar Raif (1847 - 1899), "Altfranzösisches Sonnet", op. 8 (Zwei Lieder) no. 1, published 1877 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Barth
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ach, könnte, könnt' ich vergessen Sie!
  Ihr schönes, liebliches Wesen,
Den Blick, die freundliche Lippe, die!
  Vielleicht ich möchte genesen!
Doch ach! mein Herz, mein Herz kann es nie!
Und doch ist's Wahnsinn, zu hoffen Sie!
     ... 
Und dann, wie kann ich vergessen Sie,
  Ihr schönes, liebliches Wesen,
Den Blick, die freundliche Lippe, die!
  Viel lieber nimmer genesen!

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by Johann Gottfried Herder (1744 - 1803)
1. Oh, could I only forget her
Language: English 
Oh, could I only forget her,
Her fair, lovely, charming nature,
Her glance, her friendly lips!
Perhaps then I might be well!
But oh, my heart, my heart can never do so!
And yet it is madness to hope for her!
Yet to hover near her,
Gives me Life and Courage
Never to weaken.
And how then can I forget her,
her fair, lovely, charming nature,
Her glance, her friendly lips!
Much rather would I never be well again!

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: 2003-11-09
Line count: 13
Word count: 79

Translation © by Emily Ezust
2. Ich will meine Seele tauchen
 (Sung text)
by Oskar Raif (1847 - 1899), "Ich will meine Seele tauchen", op. 8 (Zwei Lieder) no. 2, published 1877 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Barth
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich will meine Seele tauchen
In den Kelch der Lilie hinein;
Die Lilie soll klingen und hauchen
Ein Lied von der Liebsten mein.

Das Lied soll schau'rn und beben
Wie der Kuß von ihrem Mund,
Den sie mir einst gegeben
In wunderbar süßer Stund'.

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by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
2. I want to delve my soul
Language: English 
I want to delve my soul
Into the cup of the lily;
The lily should give resoundingly
A song belonging to my beloved.

The song should shudder and tremble
Like the kiss from her lips
That she once gave me
In a wonderfully sweet hour.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Paul Hindemith, (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 between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 8
Word count: 45

Translation © by Paul Hindemith