English translations of Lieder, opus 35

by Johann Benjamin Gross (1809 - 1848)

1. O weint um sie  [sung text not yet checked]
by Johann Benjamin Gross (1809 - 1848), "O weint um sie", op. 35 (Lieder) no. ? (<<1848) [ duet for tenor and baritone or bass with piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
   O weint um sie, die einst an Babels Strand 
Geweint, -- ihr Tempel wüst, ein Traum ihr Land! 
Weint um die Harfe Juda's, die zersprang, --
Abgötter sind, wo einst ihr Gott sich schwang.

   Wo badet Israel den wunden Fuß?
Wann hallt von Zion süßer Liedergruß?
Wann wieder wird von Juda's Sang berauscht
Das Herz, das sonst dem Himmelston gelauscht?

   Du Stamm mit irrem Fuß und müder Brust,
Wann wirst du eingehn in der Ruhe Lust?
Die Taube hat ihr Nest, der Fuchs die [Schluft]1,
Der Mensch die Heimat -- Juda nur die Gruft!

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Confirmed with Adolf Böttger, Byron's sämmtliche Werke, Erster Band Hebräische Melodien. Stunden der Muße, Leipzig: Verlag von Otto Wigand, 1841, page 9.

1 Hiller: "Kluft"

by Adolf Böttger (1815 - 1870)
1. Oh weep for them
Language: English 
   Oh weep for them, who once by Babel's shores
Wept, -- their temple laid to waste, their country a dream!
Weep for the harp of Judah that shattered, --
Idols now abide where once their God held sway.

   Where does Israel bathe its wounded feet?
When shall the sweet greeting of songs resound from Zion?
When shall the heart, that formerly listened to the heavenly sound,
Again be enraptured by Judah's singing?

   You tribe with wayward foot and weary breast,
When shall you enter into the bliss of peace?
The dove has its nest, the fox its ravine,
Humankind its homeland -- Judah only the grave!

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  • 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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Translations of title(s):
"O weint um sie" = "Oh weep for them"
"O, weint um sie die einst" = "Oh weep for them, who once"



This text was added to the website: 2021-01-13
Line count: 12
Word count: 104

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
2. Und wüßten's die Blumen, die kleinen  [sung text not yet checked]
by Johann Benjamin Gross (1809 - 1848), "Und wüßten's die Blumen, die kleinen", op. 35 (Lieder) no. 4
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Und wüßten's die Blumen, die kleinen,
Wie tief verwundet mein Herz,
Sie würden mit mir weinen,
Zu heilen meinen Schmerz.

Und wüßten's die Nachtigallen,
Wie ich so traurig und krank,
Sie ließen fröhlich erschallen
Erquickenden Gesang.

Und wüßten sie mein Wehe,
Die [goldnen]1 Sternelein,
Sie kämen aus ihrer Höhe,
Und sprächen Trost mir ein.

[Die]2 alle können's nicht wissen,
Nur [eine]3 kennt meinen Schmerz;
[Sie]4 hat ja selbst zerrissen,
Zerrissen mir das Herz.

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Confirmed with Heinrich Heine, Buch der Lieder, Hoffmann und Campe, Hamburg, 1827, page 128.

Note: Christian Jost's setting begins "Zerrissen mir das Herz" (the last line) and then follows the rest of the text.

1 Jost, Schumann: "goldenen"
2 André, Jost, Schumann: "Sie"
3 Hensel: "einer"
4 Hensel: "Er"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
2. And if the blooms - the small ones - knew
Language: English 
And if the blooms - the small ones - knew
How deeply wounded is my heart,
They would weep with me
To heal my pain.

And if the nightingales knew
How sad and ill I am,
They would let forth merrily
A refreshing song.

And if they knew my woe -
The little golden stars -
They would come down from their heights
And speak their consolation to me.

But all of them could not know this,
Only one knows my pain;
She herself has indeed torn,
Torn my heart in two.

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: 16
Word count: 88

Translation © by Paul Hindemith