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English translations of Hölty-Lieder für 1 Singstimme mit Pianoforte, opus 20

by Gustav Blasser

1. Klage an den Mond  [sung text not yet checked]
by Gustav Blasser , "Klage an den Mond", op. 20 (Hölty-Lieder für 1 Singstimme mit Pianoforte), Heft 1 no. 1, published 1880 [ voice and piano ], Wien, Kratochwill
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Dein Silber schien
Durch Eichengrün,
Das Kühlung gab,
Auf mich herab,
O Mond, und lachte Ruh
Mir frohen Knaben zu.

Wenn [itzt]1 dein Licht
Durchs Fenster bricht,
Lachts keine Ruh
Mir [Jüngling]2 zu,
Siehts meine Wange blaß,
Mein [Auge thränennaß]3.

[Bald]4, lieber Freund,
Ach, [bald]5 bescheint
Dein Silberschein
Den Leichenstein,
Der meine Asche birgt,
[Des Jünglings Asche birgt!]6

Text Authorship:

  • by Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty (1748 - 1776), title 1: "An den Mond", title 2: "Klage", written 1773

See other settings of this text.

View original text (without footnotes)

Confirmed with Gedichte von Ludewig Heinrich Christoph Hölty. Besorgt durch seine Freunde Friederich Leopold Grafen zu Stolberg und Johann Heinrich Voß. Carlsruhe, bey Christian Gottlieb Schmieder, 1784, page 100; and with Ludwig Christoph Heinrich Hölty's Sämtliche Werke kritisch und chronologisch herausgegeben von Wilhelm Michael, Erster Band, Weimar, Gesellschaft der Bibliophilen, 1914, page 128.

Note: Hölty's poem, initially with the title "An den Mond", was published by Johann Heinrich Voß in a revised version, with the title "Klage".

1 Mendelssohn-Hensel: "jetzt"
2 Schubert (second version only): "Knaben"
3 Hölty (original version): "Aug von Thränen naß"
4 Hölty (original version): "Wann"
5 Hölty (original version): "wann"
6 Hölty (original version): "Wenn Minneharm mich würgt?"

by Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty (1748 - 1776)
1. Your silver shone through green oaks
Language: English 
Your silver shone
through green oaks,
bestowing a coolness
down on me,
O moon, and you smiled peace
on a happy boy.

When now your light
breaks through the window,
you smile no peace
down on this young man;
see my pale cheeks,
my eyes moist with tears.

Soon, dear friend,
ah, soon will shine
your silver light
on the tomb
that holds my ashes,
that holds this young man's ashes!

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.
    licenses@email.lieder.example.net

Based on:

  • a text in German (Deutsch) by Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty (1748 - 1776), title 1: "An den Mond", title 2: "Klage", written 1773
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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 18
Word count: 71

Translation © by Emily Ezust
2. Seufzer  [sung text not yet checked]
by Gustav Blasser , "Seufzer", op. 20 (Hölty-Lieder für 1 Singstimme mit Pianoforte), Heft 1 no. 2, published 1880 [ voice and piano ], Wien, Kratochwill
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Die Nachtigall
Singt überall
Auf grünen Reisen
Die besten Weisen,
Daß ringsum Wald
Und Ufer schallt.

Manch junges Paar
Geht dort, wo klar
Das Bächlein rauschet,
Und steht, und lauschet
Mit frohem Sinn
Der Sängerin.

Ich höre bang'
Im düstern Gang
Der Nachtigallen
Gesänge schallen;
Denn ach! allein
Irr' ich im Hain.

Text Authorship:

  • by Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty (1748 - 1776), "Seufzer", written 1773
  • by Johann Heinrich Voss (1751 - 1826), "Seufzer", written 1773

See other settings of this text.

Confirmed with Gedichte von Ludewig Heinrich Christoph Hölty. Besorgt durch seine Freunde Friederich Leopold Grafen zu Stolberg und Johann Heinrich Voß. Hamburg, bei Carl Ernst Bohn. 1783, page 184.

This is the version of Hölty's poem heavily reworked by Voß. For the original version, see below.


by Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty (1748 - 1776) and by Johann Heinrich Voss (1751 - 1826)
2. Sighs
Language: English 
The nightingale
Sings everywhere
On green twigs
In the best manner,
That resounds all around woods
And river banks.

Many young couples
Go there, where the clear
Brooklet murmurs
And stand and listen
happily
To the songstress.

I anxiously hear
on a gloomy path
The Nightingales'
Song resounding,
Because Oh! alone
I wander in the grove.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Richard Morris, (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: licenses@email.lieder.example.net

Based on:

  • a text in German (Deutsch) by Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty (1748 - 1776), "Seufzer", written 1773 and by Johann Heinrich Voss (1751 - 1826), "Seufzer", written 1773
    • Go to the text page.

Go to the general single-text view


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 18
Word count: 56

Translation © by Richard Morris
3. Todtengräberlied  [sung text not yet checked]
by Gustav Blasser , "Todtengräberlied", op. 20 (Hölty-Lieder für 1 Singstimme mit Pianoforte), Heft 1 no. 3, published 1880 [ voice and piano ], Wien, Kratochwill
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Grabe, Spaden, grabe!
Alles, was ich habe,
Dank' ich, Spaden, dir!
Reich' und arme Leute
Werden meine Beute,
Kommen einst zu mir!

Weiland groß und edel,
Nickte dieser Schädel
Keinem Grusse Dank!
Dieses Beingerippe
Ohne Wang' und Lippe
Hatte Gold und Rang.

Jener Kopf mit Haaren
War vor wenig Jahren
Schön, wie Engel sind!
Tausend junge Fentchen
Leckten ihm das Händchen,
Gafften sich halb blind!

Grabe, Spaden, grabe!
Alles, was ich habe,
Dank' ich, Spaden, dir!
Reich' und arme Leute
Werden meine Beute,
Kommen einst zu mir!

Text Authorship:

  • by Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty (1748 - 1776), "Todtengräberlied", written 1775, first published 1777

See other settings of this text.

Confirmed with Gedichte von Ludewig Heinrich Christoph Hölty. Besorgt durch seine Freunde Friederich Leopold Grafen zu Stolberg und Johann Heinrich Voß. Hamburg, bei Carl Ernst Bohn. 1783, pages 44-45, with Poetische Blumenlese für das Jahr 1777. Herausgegeben von Joh. Heinr. Voß. Hamburg, bey Carl Ernst Bohn, pages 60-61, and with Ludwig Christoph Heinrich Hölty's Sämtliche Werke kritisch und chronologisch herausgegeben von Wilhelm Michael, Erster Band, Weimar, Gesellschaft der Bibliophilen, 1914, page 195.

Note: Modern spelling would change "Spaden" to "Spaten" (line 1-1) and "Fentchen" to "Fäntchen" (line 3-4)


by Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty (1748 - 1776)
3. Grave-digger's song
Language: English 
Dig, spade, dig!
Everything that I have
I thank you for, spade!
Both rich and poor people
Will be my prey,
Will come one day to me.

Formerly great and noble,
this skull nodded
no return of greetings.
This skeleton
without cheeks and lips
had once gold and rank.

That head with hair
Was just a few years ago
beautiful, as angels are.
A thousand young fops
licked his hands,
and gaped themselves half blind.

Dig, spade, dig!
Everything that I have
I thank you for, spade!
Both rich and poor people
Will be my prey,
Will come one day to me.

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.
    licenses@email.lieder.example.net

Based on:

  • a text in German (Deutsch) by Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty (1748 - 1776), "Todtengräberlied", written 1775, first published 1777
    • Go to the text page.

Go to the general single-text view


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 24
Word count: 102

Translation © by Emily Ezust
4. Erntelied  [sung text not yet checked]
by Gustav Blasser , "Erntelied", op. 20 (Hölty-Lieder für 1 Singstimme mit Pianoforte), Heft 1 no. 4, published 1880 [ voice and piano ], Wien, Kratochwill
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Sicheln schallen;
Ähren fallen
Unter Sichelschall;
Auf den Mädchenhüten
[Zittern blaue]1 Blüten;
[Freud']2 ist überall!

Sicheln klingen;
Mädchen singen,
Unter Sichelklang;
[Bis, vom Mond beschimmert,
Rings die Stoppel flimmert,
Tönt der Erntesang.]3 

[Alles springet,
Alles singet]4,
Was nur lallen kann.
Bei dem Erntemahle
Ißt aus einer Schale
Knecht und Bauersmann. 

Hans und Michel
Schärft die Sichel,
Pfeift ein Lied dazu,
Mähet; dann beginnen
Schnell die Binderinnen,
Binden sonder Ruh.

Jeder scherzet,
Jeder herzet
Dann sein [Liebelein]5.
Nach geleerten Kannen
[Gehen]6 sie von dannen,
Singen und juchein!

Text Authorship:

  • by Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty (1748 - 1776), "Erntelied", written 1775, first published 1776

See other settings of this text.

View original text (without footnotes)

Confirmed with Gedichte von Ludewig Heinrich Christoph Hölty. Besorgt durch seine Freunde Friederich Leopold Grafen zu Stolberg und Johann Heinrich Voß. Carlsruhe, bey Christian Gottlieb Schmieder, 1784, pages 28-29; and with Ludwig Christoph Heinrich Hölty's Sämtliche Werke kritisch und chronologisch herausgegeben von Wilhelm Michael, Erster Band, Weimar, Gesellschaft der Bibliophilen, 1914, pages 145-146.

1 Nägeli: "Spielen weisse"
2 Hölty (original version): "Wonn'"
3 Hölty (original version):
Bis das Mondlicht schimmert,
Auf den Stoppeln flimmert,
Frohen Erndtesang.
4 Schubert (Neue Gesamtausgabe): "Alles singet, / Alles springet"
5 Schubert (Neue Gesamtausgabe): "Liebchen fein"
6 Schubert (Neue Gesamtausgabe): "Ziehen"

by Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty (1748 - 1776)
4. Sickles clang
Language: English 
Sickles clang,
Ears of corn fall
under the sound of sickles;
On the maidens' bonnets
tremble blue flowers.
Joy is everywhere.

Sickles clink,
Maidens sing
beneath the clang of the sickles;
Until, gleaming from the moon,
Shimmering around the stubble,
the harvest song rings out.

Everyone leaps about,
Everyone sings
if they can even speak.
At the harvest feast,
one can see, eating from one bowl,
the master and his bondsman.

Hans and Michael
Sharpen the sickle,
Whistling a song besides,
[they] reap; then  
quickly the binding-maidens begin
the binding without rest.

Everyone jests,
Everyone hugs
his sweetheart.
Afterward when the tankards are empty,
They go away,
singing and shouting!

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.
    licenses@email.lieder.example.net

Based on:

  • a text in German (Deutsch) by Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty (1748 - 1776), "Erntelied", written 1775, first published 1776
    • Go to the text page.

Go to the general single-text view


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 30
Word count: 110

Translation © by Emily Ezust
5. Mailied  [sung text not yet checked]
by Gustav Blasser , "Mailied", op. 20 (Hölty-Lieder für 1 Singstimme mit Pianoforte), Heft 2 no. 5, published 1880 [ voice and piano ], Wien, Kratochwill
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Der Schnee zerrinnt,
Der Mai beginnt,
[Die]1 Blüten keimen 
[Auf]2 Gartenbäumen,
Und Vogelschall
Tönt überall.

Pflückt einen Kranz,
Und haltet Tanz
Auf grünen Auen, 
Ihr schönen Frauen, 
Wo [junge]3 Main 
Uns Kühlung streun.

Wer weiß, wie bald
Die Klocke schallt,
Da wir des Maien 
Uns nicht mehr freuen:
Wer weiß, wie bald
Die Klocke schallt!

Drum werdet froh! 
Gott will es so,
Der uns dies Leben
Zur Lust gegeben! 
Genießt der Zeit, 
Die Gott verleiht!

Text Authorship:

  • by Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty (1748 - 1776), "Mailied", written 1773, Göttinger Musenalmanach 1776, page 24, first published 1776

See other settings of this text.

View original text (without footnotes)

Confirmed with Gedichte von Ludewig Heinrich Christoph Hölty. Besorgt durch seine Freunde Friederich Leopold Grafen zu Stolberg und Johann Heinrich Voß. Hamburg, bei Carl Ernst Bohn. 1783, pages 65-66; and with Gedichte von Ludewig Heinrich Christoph Hölty. Neu besorgt und vermehrt von Johann Heinrich Voss. Hamburg, bei Carl Ernst Bohn. 1804, pages 166-167.

This is Hölty's poem in its version posthumously printed in the editions edited by Voß. Hölty's original version differs in several verses (see below).

Note: Modern spelling would change "Klocke" to "Glocke".

1 Mendelssohn: "Und"
2 Hölty (1804 edition), and Schubert: "Den"
3 Mendelssohn: "grüne"

by Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty (1748 - 1776)
5. May song
Language: English 
The snow is melting,
May is beginning,
The blossoms are sprouting
On the trees in the garden
And the sound of birds
Can be heard everywhere.

Pluck a garland
And hold a dance
On the green meadow
You beautiful women,
Where young May blossoms
Strew coolness over us.

Who knows how soon
The bell will toll!
Then in May we 
Shall no longer be able to have fun.
Who knows how soon
The bell will toll!

So, be happy!
God wills it thus,
He who gave us this life,
A life given to us for enjoyment!
Enjoy the time
That God has made available!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2016 by Malcolm Wren, (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: licenses@email.lieder.example.net

Based on:

  • a text in German (Deutsch) by Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty (1748 - 1776), "Mailied", written 1773, Göttinger Musenalmanach 1776, page 24, first published 1776
    • Go to the text page.

Go to the general single-text view

Translation of title "Mailied" = "May song"


This text was added to the website: 2016-09-11
Line count: 24
Word count: 104

Translation © by Malcolm Wren
6. An den Mond   [sung text not yet checked]
by Gustav Blasser , "An den Mond ", op. 20 (Hölty-Lieder für 1 Singstimme mit Pianoforte), Heft 2 no. 6, published 1880 [ voice and piano ], Wien, Kratochwill
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Was schauest du so hell und klar
Durch diese Apfelbäume,
Wo [einst dein Freund]1 so selig war,
Und träumte süße Träume?
Verhülle deinen Silberglanz,
Und schimmre, wie du schimmerst,
Wenn du den frühen Todtenkranz
Der jungen Braut beflimmerst!

Du blickst umsonst so hell und klar
In diese Laube nieder;
Nie findest du das frohe Paar
In [ihrem]2 Schatten wieder!
Ein schwarzes, feindliches Geschick
[Entriß mir meine Schöne!]3
Kein Seufzer [zaubert]4 sie zurück,
Und keine Sehnsuchtsthräne!

[O]5 wandelt sie hinfort einmal
An meiner Ruhestelle,
Dann [mache flugs mit trübem]6 Stral
Des Grabes Blumen helle!
Sie setze weinend sich aufs Grab,
Wo Rosen niederhangen,
Und pflücke sich ein Blümchen ab,
Und [drück' es an die]7 Wangen.

Text Authorship:

  • by Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty (1748 - 1776), "An den Mond", written 1775, first published 1776

See other settings of this text.

View original text (without footnotes)

Confirmed with Gedichte von Ludewig Heinrich Christoph Hölty. Besorgt durch seine Freunde Friederich Leopold Grafen zu Stolberg und Johann Heinrich Voß. Carlsruhe, bey Christian Gottlieb Schmieder, 1784, pages 87-88; with Poetische Blumenlese für das Jahr 1776. Von den Verfassern der bisherigen Göttinger Blumenlese, nebst einem Anhange die Freymaurerey betreffend; Herausgegeben von J. H. Voß. Lauenburg, gedruckt bey Johann Georg Berenberg, pages 172-173; and with Ludwig Christoph Heinrich Hölty's Sämtliche Werke kritisch und chronologisch herausgegeben von Wilhelm Michael, Erster Band, Weimar, Gesellschaft der Bibliophilen, 1914, page 172.

1 Hölty (original version): "weiland ich"
2 Hölty (original version): "diesen"
3 Hölty (original version): "Entrief sie dieser Scene;"
4 Hölty (original version): "flügelt"
5 Hölty (original version): "Und"
6 Hölty (original version and Musenalmanach 1776): "mach, durch einen trüben"
7 Hölty (original version and Musenalmanach 1776): "drück's an ihre"

by Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty (1748 - 1776)
6. To the moon
Language: English 
 Why do you look down so bright and clear
 through this apple tree,
 where your friend was once so happy
 and dreamed sweet dreams?
 Veil your silver gleam,
 and glint as you glinted
 when you gleamed down on the funeral wreath
 of the young bride!
 
 You gaze in vain so bright and clear
 down through this foliage;
 you will never find that happy pair
 again in their shade!
 A dark, hostile destiny
 ripped my fair one from me!
 No sigh will magically bring her back;
 no yearning tears.
 
 O if she were to wander here
 to my resting place,
 then quickly make your dim rays
 brighten the flowers on the grave!
 She will sit weeping over my grave
 where roses are drooping
 and pick a little flower
 and press it to her cheek.

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.
    licenses@email.lieder.example.net

Based on:

  • a text in German (Deutsch) by Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty (1748 - 1776), "An den Mond", written 1775, first published 1776
    • Go to the text page.

Go to the general single-text view


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 24
Word count: 133

Translation © by Emily Ezust
7. Blumenlied  [sung text not yet checked]
by Gustav Blasser , "Blumenlied", op. 20 (Hölty-Lieder für 1 Singstimme mit Pianoforte), Heft 2 no. 7, published 1880 [ voice and piano ], Wien, Kratochwill
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Es ist ein halbes Himmelreich,
Wenn, Paradiesesblumen gleich,
Aus Klee die Blumen dringen;
Und wenn die Vögel silberhell
Im Garten hier, und dort am Quell,
Auf Blütenbäumen singen.

Doch holder blüht ein edles Weib,
Von Seele gut, und schön von Leib,
In frischer Jugendblüte.
Wir lassen alle Blumen stehn,
Das liebe Weibchen anzusehn,
Und freun uns ihrer Güte.

Text Authorship:

  • by Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty (1748 - 1776), "Blumenlied", written 1773

See other settings of this text.

Confirmed with Gedichte von Ludewig Heinrich Christoph Hölty. Besorgt durch seine Freunde Friederich Leopold Grafen zu Stolberg und Johann Heinrich Voß. Carlsruhe, bey Christian Gottlieb Schmieder, 1784, page 152.

First published in this version edited by Voß. Hölty's original version, with the title Minnelied, is slightly different; see below.


by Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty (1748 - 1776)
7. Flower song
Language: English 
 It is almost half of heaven's kingdom
 When, like blossoms of paradise,
 the flowers emerge from the clover;
 And when the birds sing with silvery voices,
 in the garden here and there, by the stream,
 in the blossoming trees.

 Yet even lovelier blossoms the noble lady,
 Goodhearted and fair,
 In the fresh bloom of youth.
 We let the flowers be
 To gaze at this lovely little woman,
 And delight in her goodness.

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.
    licenses@email.lieder.example.net

Based on:

  • a text in German (Deutsch) by Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty (1748 - 1776), "Blumenlied", written 1773
    • Go to the text page.

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: 72

Translation © by Emily Ezust
8. Hexenlied  [sung text not yet checked]
by Gustav Blasser , "Hexenlied", op. 20 (Hölty-Lieder für 1 Singstimme mit Pianoforte), Heft 2 no. 8, published 1880 [ voice and piano ], Wien, Kratochwill
Language: German (Deutsch) 
  Die Schwalbe fliegt,
Der Frühling siegt,
Und spendet uns Blumen zum Kranze!
Bald huschen wir 
Leis' aus der Thür,
Und fliegen zum prächtigen Tanze!

  Ein schwarzer Bock,
Ein Besenstock,
Die Ofengabel, der Wocken,
Reißt uns geschwind,
Wie Blitz und Wind,
Durch sausende Lüfte zum Brocken!

  Um Beelzebub
Tanzt unser Trupp
Und küßt ihm die kralligen Hände!
Ein Geisterschwarm
Faßt uns beim Arm,
Und schwinget im Tanzen die Brände!

  Und Beelzebub
Verheißt dem Trupp
Der Tanzenden Gaben auf Gaben:
Sie sollen schön
In Seide gehn
Und Töpfe voll Goldes sich graben!

  Ein Feuerdrach'
Umflieget das Dach,
Und bringet uns Butter und Eier!
Die Nachbarn [sehn]1
Die Funken wehn,
Und schlagen ein Kreuz vor dem Feuer!

  Die Schwalbe fliegt,
Der Frühling siegt,
[Und Blumen entblühn um die Wette]2!
Bald huschen wir 
Leis' aus der Thür,
[Und lassen die Männer im Bette]3!

Text Authorship:

  • by Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty (1748 - 1776), "Hexenlied"

See other settings of this text.

View original text (without footnotes)

Confirmed with Gedichte von Ludewig Heinrich Christoph Hölty, Besorgt durch seine Freunde Friederich Leopold Grafen zu Stolberg und Johann Heinrich Voß, Carlsruhe: bey Christian Gottlieb Schmieder, 1784, pages 140-141.

1 Lang, Mendelssohn, Weigl: "dann seh'n"
2 Lang: "Die Blumen erblühn um die Wette"; Mendelssohn, Weigl: "Die Blumen erblühen zum Kranze"
3 Mendelssohn, Weigl: "Juchheissa zum prächtigen Tanze"

by Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty (1748 - 1776)
8. Witches' song
Language: English 
The swallows are flying,
Spring has prevailed,
And is giving us flowers for our wreaths.
Soon we will flit 
Softly out of the door
And fly to the glorious dance!
 
A black goat, 
A broomstick,
The oven fork, the distaff,
Snap us along swiftly 
Like lightning and wind,
Through roaring winds to Brocken.
 
Around Beelzebub 
Our coven dances
And kisses him on his clawed hands.
A bevy of ghosts 
Seizes us by the arm
Swinging torches in the dance.
 
And Beelzebub 
Promises the coven
of dancers gifts upon gifts:
They will be beautiful 
Walking in silk,
And they will dig up pots full of gold.
 
A fire-breathing dragon flies 
Around the roof
And brings us butter and eggs.
The neighbours [see]1 
Sparks blowing
And they cross themselves against the fire.
 
The swallows are flying,
Spring has prevailed,
[And flowers rival each other in blooming]2.
Soon we will flit 
Softly out of the door;
[And leave the men in bed]3!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2018 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.
    licenses@email.lieder.example.net

Based on:

  • a text in German (Deutsch) by Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty (1748 - 1776), "Hexenlied"
    • Go to the text page.

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Translation of titles:
"Hexenlied" = "Witches' song"
"And'res Maienlied" = "Another May song"

1 Lang, Mendelssohn, Weigl: "then see"
2 Lang: "The flowers rival each other in blooming"; Mendelssohn, Weigl: "The flowers bloom on the wreath"
3 Mendelssohn, Weigl: "Hurray for the glorious dance!"


This text was added to the website: 2018-10-04
Line count: 36
Word count: 159

Translation © by Emily Ezust
9. Seligkeit  [sung text not yet checked]
by Gustav Blasser , "Seligkeit", op. 20 (Hölty-Lieder für 1 Singstimme mit Pianoforte), Heft 3 no. 9, published 1880 [ voice and piano ], Wien, Kratochwill
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Freuden sonder Zahl
Blühn im Himmelssaal
[Engeln]1 und Verklärten,
Wie die Väter lehrten.
O da möcht ich sein,
Und mich [freun, mich freun]2!

Jedem lächelt traut
Eine Himmelsbraut;
Harf' und Psalter klinget,
Und man tanzt und singet.
O da möcht' ich sein,
Und mich ewig freun!

Lieber bleib' ich hier,
Lächelt Laura mir
Einen Blick, der saget,
Daß ich ausgeklaget.
Selig dann mit Ihr,
Bleib' ich ewig hier!

Text Authorship:

  • by Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty (1748 - 1776), "Seligkeit", written 1773
  • by Johann Heinrich Voss (1751 - 1826), "Seligkeit", written 1773

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View original text (without footnotes)

Confirmed with Gedichte von Ludewig Heinrich Christoph Hölty. Neu besorgt und vermehrt von Johann Heinrich Voss. Hamburg, bei Carl Ernst Bohn. 1804, pages 191-192.

This is the version of Hölty's poem heavily reworked by Voß. For the original version, with the title Minnelied, see below.

1 Lang: "Engel"
2 Lang, Schubert: "ewig freun"

by Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty (1748 - 1776) and by Johann Heinrich Voss (1751 - 1826)
9. Bliss
Language: English 
 Joys without number
 bloom in heaven's hall
 of angels and transfigured beings,
 just as our fathers taught us.
 O, there I would like to be
 and rejoice forever!
 
 Upon everyone dearly smiles
 a heavenly bride;
 harp and psalter resound,
 and everyone dances and sings.
 O, there I would like to be
 and rejoice forever!
 
 But I'd rather remain here
 if Laura would smile at me
 with one glance that said
 I should end my lamenting.
 Blissfully then with her,
 I would stay here forever!

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.
    licenses@email.lieder.example.net

Based on:

  • a text in German (Deutsch) by Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty (1748 - 1776), "Seligkeit", written 1773 and by Johann Heinrich Voss (1751 - 1826), "Seligkeit", written 1773
    • Go to the text page.

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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 18
Word count: 84

Translation © by Emily Ezust
10. Frühlingslied   [sung text not yet checked]
by Gustav Blasser , "Frühlingslied ", op. 20 (Hölty-Lieder für 1 Singstimme mit Pianoforte), Heft 3 no. 10, published 1880 [ voice and piano ], Wien, Kratochwill
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Die Luft ist blau, das Thal ist grün,
Die kleinen Maienklocken blühn,
Und Schlüsselblumen drunter;
Der Wiesengrund
Ist schon so bunt,
Und malt sich täglich bunter.

Drum komme, wem der Mai gefällt,
Und [schaue froh die schöne]1 Welt
Und Gottes Vatergüte,
Die solche Pracht
Hervorgebracht,
Den Baum und seine Blüte.

Text Authorship:

  • by Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty (1748 - 1776), "Frühlingslied", written 1773, first published 1776

See other settings of this text.

View original text (without footnotes)

Confirmed with Gedichte von Ludewig Heinrich Christoph Hölty. Besorgt durch seine Freunde Friederich Leopold Grafen zu Stolberg und Johann Heinrich Voß. Hamburg, bei Carl Ernst Bohn. 1783, page 132; and with Gedichte von Ludewig Heinrich Christoph Hölty. Neu besorgt und vermehrt von Johann Heinrich Voss. Hamburg, bei Carl Ernst Bohn. 1804, page 172.

Note: This is the version as published by Voß. The initial version of this poem, according to Hölty's manuscript, is quite different. It has the title "Maylied" and begins with "Der Anger steht so grün ..." (see below).

1 Voß' editions before 1804: "freue sich der schönen"

by Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty (1748 - 1776)
10. Spring song
Language: English 
The sky is blue, the valley is green
The little lilies of the valley bloom,
And primroses underneath;
The meadowland
Is already so colorful
And paints itself more colorful every day.

Come around, you who love May
And look gladly at the beautiful world,
And at the fatherly kindness of God
[So good that] such splendor
Bursts out,
In the tree and its blossoms.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2004 by Barbara Miller, (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: licenses@email.lieder.example.net

Based on:

  • a text in German (Deutsch) by Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty (1748 - 1776), "Frühlingslied", written 1773, first published 1776
    • Go to the text page.

Go to the general single-text view


This text was added to the website: 2004-04-11
Line count: 12
Word count: 64

Translation © by Barbara Miller
11. Mailied  [sung text not yet checked]
by Gustav Blasser , "Mailied", op. 20 (Hölty-Lieder für 1 Singstimme mit Pianoforte), Heft 3 no. 11, published 1880 [ voice and piano ], Wien, Kratochwill
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Willkommen, lieber schöner Mai,
Der unsre Flur verjüngt,
Daß ringsum Laub und Blume neu
Aus vollen Knospen dringt.

Dir tönt der Vögel Lobgesang;
Der ganze Buchenhain
Am Blumenthal ist Silberklang,
Und Bäche murmeln drein.

Roth stehn die Blumen, weiß und blau,
Und Mädchen pflücken sie,
Und tanzen auf der grünen Au:
Ahi, Herr Mai, ahi!

Ihr Busen ist von Blümchen bunt;
Von schöner Melodie
Ertönt, und lacht ihr Rosenmund:
Ahi, Herr Mai, ahi!

Text Authorship:

  • by Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty (1748 - 1776), "Mailied", written 1773, first published 1781

See other settings of this text.

Confirmed with Gedichte von Ludewig Heinrich Christoph Hölty. Besorgt durch seine Freunde Friederich Leopold Grafen zu Stolberg und Johann Heinrich Voß. Hamburg, bei Carl Ernst Bohn. 1783, page 156; and with Musen-Almanach oder poetische Blumenlese für das Jahr 1781. Herausgegeben von Voß und Goekingk. Hamburg, bey Carl Ernst Bohn, page 198.

Note: This is the version published by Voß. The initial version of this poem is different (see below).


by Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty (1748 - 1776)
11. Welcome, dear beautiful May
Language: English 
Welcome, dear beautiful May,
Which rejuvenates our fields,
Causing leaves and new flowers
To burst out of full buds.

The bird's song of praise is raised to you;
The whole beech grove
By the valley of flowers is a silvery sound,
And brooks are joining in with their babbling!

The flowers are standing - red, white and blue -
And girls are picking them,
And dancing on the green meadow:
Ahi, Mr. May, Ahi!

Her breast is colourful, with little flowers,
A beautiful melody
Is resounding and her pink mouth is laughing:
Ahi, Mr. May, Ahi!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2016 by Malcolm Wren, (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: licenses@email.lieder.example.net

Based on:

  • a text in German (Deutsch) by Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty (1748 - 1776), "Mailied", written 1773, first published 1781
    • Go to the text page.

Go to the general single-text view


This text was added to the website: 2016-08-29
Line count: 16
Word count: 94

Translation © by Malcolm Wren
12. Der Anger   [sung text not yet checked]
by Gustav Blasser , "Der Anger ", op. 20 (Hölty-Lieder für 1 Singstimme mit Pianoforte), Heft 3 no. 12, published 1880 [ voice and piano ], Wien, Kratochwill
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Mein Anger, welchen früh und spat
Ein allerliebstes Mädchen trat,
    Mit ihren weißen Füßen,
Mit Zitterklang,
Und mit Gesang,
    Werd' ich dich oft begrüßen.

Ich werd' oft, um das Abendkühl,
Mit meinem kleinen Minnespiel
    In deine Blumen kommen,
Und singen dann,
So gut ich kann,
    Der Reinen, und der Frommen.

Mit deinen Blümchen, roth und weiß,
Will ich, erhebend ihren Preiß,
    Die kleine Zitter krönen,
Und weinen naß
Das grüne Gras,
    Gedenk' ich meiner Schönen.

Gieb doch, o lieber grüner Plan,
Am Ende meiner Lebensbahn,
    Bey dieser Murmelquelle,
Wo Vögellein
Des Buschs sich freun,
    Mir meine Ruhestelle.

Text Authorship:

  • by Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty (1748 - 1776), "Der Anger"

See other settings of this text.

by Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty (1748 - 1776)
12.
[Translation not yet available]
Gentle Reminder

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