English translations of Neun Lieder, opus 25

by Mary Wurm (1860 - 1938)

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1. Mein Engel hüte dein
 (Sung text)
by Mary Wurm (1860 - 1938), "Mein Engel hüte dein", op. 25 (Neun Lieder) no. 1, published 1892 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Georg Plothow
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Und willst du von mir scheiden,
  Mein herzgeliebter Knab',
Soll Alles Dich begleiten,
  Was ich von Freuden hab'.
Mir bleibt, wenn du geschieden,
  Mein traurig Herz allein;
Fahr' hin, mein Lieb, in Frieden!
  Mein Engel hüte dein!

Ihm ward zur Hand gegeben
  Mein Glück und meine Ruh';
Ach, Glück und Ruh' im Leben,
  Herzlieb, das bist ja du!
Und bist du mir geschieden,
  Flieht auch der Engel mein;
Fahr' hin, mein Lieb, in Frieden!
  Mein Engel hüte dein!

O daß er dir verschwiege,
  Was dich betrüben mag,
Wie ich verlassen liege
  In Sehnsucht Nacht und Tag!
Mein Bild soll mit dir gehen
  Im alten Freudenschein;
Fahr' hin, auf Wiedersehen!
  Mein Engel hüte dein!

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Note: the poem is preceded by the following:
Daz iuwer min engel walte!
Alter Gruß.
by Wilhelm Ritter von Hertz, Dr. (1835 - 1902)
1.
Language: English 
[And if you wish]1 to part from me,
  [My dearly beloved lad,]2
Everything is to accompany you,
  [Everything that I have of joys]3.
To me remains, when you have gone,
  My sad heart alone;
Farewell, [my love]4, in peace!
  May my angel watch over you!

[Into my angel's protection]5 was given
  My happiness and my peace;
Ah, happiness and peace [and]6 life,
  Beloved, that is you!
And if you have parted from me,
  My angel also departs;
Farewell, [my love]4, in peace!
  May my angel watch over you!

Oh [may my angel keep]7 from you
  Whatever may make you sad,
How, forsaken, I lie
  In yearning night and day!
My image shall accompany you
  In the old happy radiance;
Farewell, good-bye!
  May my angel watch over you!

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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Translations of title(s):
"Altdeutsches Lied" = "Old German song"
"Daz iuwer min engel walte!" = "May my angel watch over you!"
"Mein Engel hüte dein" = "May my angel watch over you!"
"Und willst du von mir scheiden" = "And if you wish to part from me"

1 Breu: "When you wish"; Leavitt: "And if you must"; Rheinberger: "So you wish"; further changes may exist not shown above.
2 Abt: "I must be forsaken"
3 Abt: "Whatever joys were mine"
4 Abt: "farewell"
5 Wurm: "Into my angel's hand was given"
6 Reger, Wurm: "in"
7 Jensen: "since my angel keeps"
Note: the poem is preceded by the following:
May my angel watch over you!
Old greeting.


This text was added to the website: 2021-07-03
Line count: 24
Word count: 138

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
2. Schliesse mir die Augen beide
 (Sung text)
by Mary Wurm (1860 - 1938), "Schliesse mir die Augen beide", op. 25 (Neun Lieder) no. 2, published 1892 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Georg Plothow
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Schließe mir die Augen beide
mit den lieben Händen zu;
geht doch alles, was ich leide,
unter deiner Hand zur Ruh.
Und wie leise sich der Schmerz
Well' um Welle schlafen leget,
wie der letzte Schlag sich reget,
füllest du mein ganzes Herz.

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by Theodor Storm (1817 - 1888)
2. Close both my eyes
Language: English 
Close both my eyes
with your dear hands;
So everything that I suffer
goes to rest under your hand.
And as silently the pain,
wave by wave, goes to sleep;
as the last blow falls,
you fill my whole heart.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Jakob Kellner, (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: 40

Translation © by Jakob Kellner
3. Gedenken
 (Sung text)
by Mary Wurm (1860 - 1938), "Gedenken", op. 25 (Neun Lieder) no. 3, published 1892 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Georg Plothow
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Und wieder schlägt die Drossel im Gezweig
Des Blütenbaumes über mir;
Es öffnet sich des Lenzes Wunderreich,
Doch all mein Denken ist allein bei dir!
 
Von zartem Grün ist Baum und Busch belaubt.
Die Wonne all umher erdrückt mich schier;
Hier ruhte selig einst dein reines Haupt;
Ach, all mein Denken ist allein bei dir.
 
Geweiht von deinem Hauche Jahr um Jahr,
Für alle Zeit bleibt diese Stätte mir.
Vorbei der Traum, so rein, so wunderbar,
Doch all mein Denken ist allein bei dir!

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by Gustav Eberlein (1847 - 1926)
3. Remembering
Language: English 
And once again the thrush is singing in the branches
Of the blossoming tree above [me with rejoicing]1;
The wondrous realm of spring is opening,
But all my thoughts are only with you!

Trees and bushes are leafed with delicate green.
The bliss all around is almost crushing me;
Once your innocent head rested happily here,
Ah, all my thoughts are only with you.

Sanctified by your breath year after year
This place [is] 2 to me for all time.
The dream, so pure, so wondrous, is over,
But all my thoughts are only with you!

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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1 Wurm: "me"
2 Wurm: "shall remain"


This text was added to the website: 2021-09-18
Line count: 12
Word count: 97

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
4. Im Volkston
 (Sung text)
by Mary Wurm (1860 - 1938), "Im Volkston", op. 25 (Neun Lieder) no. 4, published 1892 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Georg Plothow
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Als ich dich kaum geseh'n,
Mußt es mein Herz gestehn,
Ich könnt dir nimmermehr
Vorübergehn.

Fällt nun der Sternenschein
Nachts in mein Kämmerlein,
Lieg ich und schlafe nicht
Und denke dein.

Ist doch die Seele mein
So ganz geworden dein,
Zittert in deiner Hand,
Tu ihr kein Leid!

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by Theodor Storm (1817 - 1888)
4.
Language: English 
Hardly did I look at you,
Than my heart had to avow,
that I could never again
Stop thinking of you.

Now when the light of the stars falls
into my little room at night,
I lie sleepless
and think of you.

For my soul
so completely belongs to you
that it trembles in your hand;
do not hurt it!

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.


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This text was added to the website: 2012-12-03
Line count: 12
Word count: 60

Translation © by Emily Ezust
5. Altes Lied
 (Sung text)
by Mary Wurm (1860 - 1938), "Altes Lied", op. 25 (Neun Lieder) no. 5, published 1892 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Georg Plothow
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Jede Jahreszeit
Hat ihr Freud' und Leid;
Mai ist schön, doch hat er falschen Sinn.
Darum Juni mein
Sollst willkommen sein,
Nun die weißen Blüten sind dahin.

Wenn die Stralen glühn,
Ruht sich's gut im Grün,
Wo der Vogel pfeift im Walde frei;
Unter'm Schattendach
Denkt die Seele nach,
Wird auch fröhlich und gesund dabei.

Text Authorship:

  • by Anonymous / Unidentified Author, no title

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Note: the text is quoted at the beginning of Geibel's Juniuslieder, untitled but followed by the words "Altes Lied". In some editions, stanza 2, line 3, word 1 is "Wenn".

by Anonymous / Unidentified Author
5. Old Air
Language: English 
Every time of year
Has its joy and sorrow;
May is beautiful, but it has a false demeanor.
Therefore my June,
You shall be welcomed,
Now that the white blossoms are gone.

When the sunbeams burn down,
It is good to rest in the greenery,
[Where]1 the bird whistles freely in the forest;
Under the shading canopy
The soul ponders many things,
And thereby becomes joyful and healthy.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2015 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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1 in some publications of Juniuslieder, "When" (Bruch uses this version)


This text was added to the website: 2015-01-27
Line count: 12
Word count: 69

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
6. Kinderlied
 (Sung text)
by Mary Wurm (1860 - 1938), "Kinderlied", op. 25 (Neun Lieder) no. 6, published 1892 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Georg Plothow
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Leise all ihr Lieben,
Weckt mein Söhnchen nicht!
Schlafen soll er bis zum
Frühen Morgenlicht.
War am Tag so munter,
Sonne schien so hell;
Ich leg't ihn am Abend
Drum zu Bette schnell.
 
Still du großer Hector,
Weckt' mir nicht mein Kind;
Stör' ihn nicht im Schlummer
Wie der böse Wind.
Komm am nächsten Morgen
Und begrüß ihn dann,
Wohl wird er sich freuen
Und dich lächeln an.
 
Ruhig all ihr Thierchen,
Legt euch nun zur Ruh',
Denn mein kleiner Heini
Macht die Äuglein zu.
"Mütterlein und Englein
Halten bei dir Wacht,
Drum mein süßes Kindchen
Gute, gute Nacht!"

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by Mary Wurm (1860 - 1938)
6.
[Translation not yet available]
7. Liederfrühling
 (Sung text)
by Mary Wurm (1860 - 1938), "Liederfrühling", op. 25 (Neun Lieder) no. 7, published 1892 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Georg Plothow
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Der Lenz ist da 
Und fern und nah 
Gibt's neue Weisen und Lieder;
Wie einst Merlin, 
So lausch ich hin
Und Alles schreib' ich nieder.

Hoch in der Luft,
Was die Lerche ruft,
Was die Drossel klagt im Holunder,
Was den Rosen all'
Flötet die Nachtigall 
Die lieblichsten Sagen und Wunder,

Was die Schlange klug 
Ihre Kinder frug, 
Die im Sonnenlichte schillern;
Was Hänfling und Fink 
Im Fluge flink 
Einander zwitschern und trillern,
Tiö, Tiö, Tiö, Tiö, Tiö, Tiö, Tiö, Tiö

Was die Vögel gewusst, 
Die voll Wanderlust 
Aus dem Süden erst gekommen,
Was im Walde tief 
An Märchen schlief, 
Hab' Alles, Alles vernommen.

Hab' es abgelauscht, 
Was lenzberauscht 
Die Glockenblumen läuten; --
Lieder und Melodie'n, 
Wie Merlin
Kann ich sie deuten.

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by Heinrich Leuthold (1827 - 1879)
7.
Language: English 
Spring is here
And far and near
There are new melodies and songs;
Like Merlin once upon a time
I listen well
And write down everything [I hear].

High up in the air
That which the lark calls,
That which the thrush laments in the elderberry bush,
That which to all the roses
[The nightingale
Flutes: legends and wonders]1,

That which the serpent cleverly
Asked her children,
Who were glittering in the sunlight;
That which linnets and finches
In rapid flight
Twitter and trill to each other,

That which the birds knew,
[The birds] who with the joy of wandering
Have only just returned from the south,
[All that of fairy-tales which lay
Sleeping deep in the forest]3,
Everything I noticed, everything.

I eavesdropped on that
Which intoxicated by spring
The bell-flowers were tolling; --
Songs and melodies,
Like Merlin
I can interpret them.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2019 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 titles:
"Schwarzdorn" = "Blackthorn"
"Liederfrühling" = "Springtime of song"

1 Wurm: "Flutes the nightingale / The loveliest legends and wonders"
2 Wurm adds "Tiö, Tiö, Tiö, Tiö, Tiö, Tiö, Tiö, Tiö" (i.e., eight of them)
3 Huber: "That which deep in the forest / Lay sleeping in fairy tales"


This text was added to the website: 2019-05-28
Line count: 30
Word count: 147

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
8. Rote Äuglein
 (Sung text)
by Mary Wurm (1860 - 1938), "Rote Äuglein", op. 25 (Neun Lieder) no. 8, published 1892 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Georg Plothow
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Könnt'st du meine Äuglein sehen,
Wie sie sind vom Weinen roth,
Ich soll in das Kloster gehen,
Und allein seyn bis in Tod.

Es sitzen auch zwey Turteltäubelein
Drüben auf einem grünen Ast,
Wenn die von einander scheiden,
So vergehen Laub und Gras.

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from Volkslieder (Folksongs)
8. Red eyes
Language: English 
If you could see my little eyes,
How they are red from weeping!
I am to go into a convent
And remain alone until death.
 
Two turtledoves as well are sitting
On [the]1 green branch yonder;
If they part ways,
Then the foliage and grass shall wither.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2015 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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1 Franz, Wurm: "a"


This text was added to the website: 2015-12-29
Line count: 8
Word count: 48

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
9. Mein Schatz ist über'm Rheinesstrand
 (Sung text)
by Mary Wurm (1860 - 1938), "Mein Schatz ist über'm Rheinesstrand", op. 25 (Neun Lieder) no. 9, published 1892 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Georg Plothow
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Mein Schatz ist über'm Rheinesstrand
  Im Kriege
Und hilft dem deutschen Vaterland
  Zum Siege:
Sie sagen Alle ja, es wär'
Held jeder Mann im deutschen Heer,
Da ist doch sicher meiner
  Auch einer.
 
Ich trau's ihm zu, er wird sein' Pflicht
  Beweisen
Bis er das Kreuz der Ehre bringt
  Von Eisen --
Ach Gott! ich wär' ihm ja nicht bös,
Käm' er zurück ohn' den Erlös
Aus seinem eignen Blute,
  Der Gute.

Die Prinzen schmückt die blanke Schaar
  Der Orden,
Der König ist ein Kaiser gar
  Geworden --
Frau Kais'rin, Frau Feldmarschallin,
Mir ist so froh wie euch zu Sinn,
Wird mir mein Schatz im Frieden,
  Beschieden!

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by (Karl) Wilhelm Osterwald (1820 - 1887)
9.
[Translation not yet available]