English translations of Three Choruses for Women's Voices, opus 9

by Max Fiedler (1859 - 1939)

1. Der träumende See  [sung text not yet checked]
by Max Fiedler (1859 - 1939), "Der träumende See", op. 9 (Three Choruses for Women's Voices) no. 1, published <<1912 [ three-part women's chorus and piano ], New York : G. Schirmer, also set in English
    Score: IMSLP [external link]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Der See [ruht]1 tief im [blauen]2 Traum
Von Wasserblumen zugedeckt;
Ihr Vöglein hoch im [Fichtenbaum]3,
Daß ihr [mir]4 nicht den Schläfer weckt!

Doch leise weht das Schilf und wiegt 
Das Haupt mit leichtem Sinn;
Ein blauer Falter aber fliegt
Darüber einsam hin!

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Confirmed with Sämmtliche Werke von Julius Mosen, Sechster Band, Leipzig, Verlag von Wilhelm Friedrich, 1880, page 164.

1 H. Bach (as Molbe): "liegt"; further changes may exist not noted.
2 Wallnöfer: "blauem"
3 Fibich: "Eichenbaum"
4 Wallnöfer: "nun"

by Julius Mosen (1803 - 1867)
1. The dreaming lake
Language: English 
The lake [is at rest]1 deep in a blue dream
covered by water lilies;
You, little bird high in the [spruce tree]2,
Don't wake the sleeper!

But the reeds quietly blow and balance 
Their tops with easy sense;
But a blue moth flies
Over [them], alone, towards [them].

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2016 by Laura Stanfield Prichard, (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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Translation of title "Der träumende See" = "The dreaming lake"
1 H. Bach (as Molbe): “lies still"
2 Fibich: "oak tree"


This text was added to the website: 2016-02-08
Line count: 8
Word count: 51

Translation © by Laura Stanfield Prichard
2. The Dreamy Lake
by Max Fiedler (1859 - 1939), "The Dreamy Lake", op. 9 (Three Choruses for Women's Voices) no. 1, published <<1912 [ three-part women's chorus with piano ], New York : G. Schirmer, also set in German (Deutsch)
    Score: IMSLP [external link]
Language: English 
An opal dream enchants the lake
 . . . . . . . . . .

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added as soon as we obtain it. —

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Singable translation by Nathan Haskell Dole (1852 - 1935)
3. Mainacht  [sung text not yet checked]
by Max Fiedler (1859 - 1939), "Mainacht", op. 9 (Three Choruses for Women's Voices) no. 2, published <<1912 [ four-part women's chorus and piano ], New York : G. Schirmer, also set in English
    Score: IMSLP [external link]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Es blühen und glühen die Rosen,
Wie rothe Flammen am Strauch,
Die Abendwinde umkosen
Die Rose mit schmeichelndem Hauch.

Violen duften und Flieder
Mit süß berauschender Macht,
Und flötende Nachtigalllieder 
Durchfluten die weiche Nacht.

Das ist die heimliche Stunde,
Wo leise vom Himmel steigt
Der Lenz und mit küssendem Munde
Zur blühenden Erde sich neigt.

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Confirmed with Lieder und Bilder. Neue Dichtungen von Julius Sturm, Leipzig: F.A. Brockhaus, 1870, page 92.


by Julius Karl Reinhold Sturm (1816 - 1896)
3. May night
Language: English 
The roses bloom and glow
Like red flames upon the bush,
The evening winds caress
The rose with flattering breath.

Violets and lilac pour forth scent
With sweetly intoxicating power,
And fluting nightingale songs
Flood the soft night.

This is the secret hour
When spring quietly descends
From heaven, and with kissing lips
Inclines itself toward the blossoming world.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2024 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):
"Maiennacht" = "May night"
"Mainacht" = "May night"



This text was added to the website: 2024-05-18
Line count: 12
Word count: 59

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
4. May Night
by Max Fiedler (1859 - 1939), "May Night", op. 9 (Three Choruses for Women's Voices) no. 2, published <<1912 [ women's chorus ], New York : G. Schirmer, also set in German (Deutsch)
    Score: IMSLP [external link]
Language: English 
The night-wind is wooing the roses
 . . . . . . . . . .

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Singable translation by Maria Louise Baum (1867 - 1941)
5. Elfe  [sung text not yet checked]
by Max Fiedler (1859 - 1939), "Elfe", op. 9 (Three Choruses for Women's Voices) no. 3, published <<1912 [ four-part women's chorus and piano ], New York : G. Schirmer, also set in English
    Score: IMSLP [external link]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Bleib bei uns! Wir haben den [Tanzplan]1 im Tal 
bedeckt mit [Mondesglanze]2, 
Johanneswürmchen erleuchten den Saal, 
die Heimchen spielen zum Tanze. 

Die Freude, das schöne [leichtgläubige]3 Kind, 
[es]4 wiegt sich in Abendwinden: 
Wo Silber [auf Zweigen und Büschen rinnt,
da wirst]5 du die Schönste finden.

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1 Marx: "Tanzplatz"
2 Stöhr: "Mondenglanze"
3 Marx, Wolff: "leichtgläub'ge"
4 Wolff: "sie"
5 Marx: "über die Zweige rinnt,/ sollst"

by Joseph Karl Benedikt, Freiherr von Eichendorff (1788 - 1857)
5. Stay with us! We have covered a clearing in the dell
Language: English 
 Stay with us! We have covered a clearing in the dell
 with moonlight for the dance;
 fireflies illuminate the hall
 and crickets are playing dance-music.
 
 Joy, the fair, overcredulous child,
 is lulled by the evening winds;
 where silver runs on branch and bush
 you will find the fairest girl.

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 between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 8
Word count: 50

Translation © by Emily Ezust
6. Elves
by Max Fiedler (1859 - 1939), "Elves", op. 9 (Three Choruses for Women's Voices) no. 3, published <<1912 [ four-part women's chorus and piano ], New York : G. Schirmer, also set in German (Deutsch)
    Score: IMSLP [external link]
Language: English 
Bide with us, and join in the dance on the lea
 . . . . . . . . . .

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Singable translation possibly by Maria Louise Baum (1867 - 1941) and possibly by Nathan Haskell Dole (1852 - 1935)