English translations of Lieder-Album. 12 Dichtungen für 1 mittlere Singstimme mit Pianoforte, opus 17

by Marie Charlotte Henriette von Kehler (1822 - 1882)

1. Volkslied
 (Sung text)
by Marie Charlotte Henriette von Kehler (1822 - 1882), "Volkslied", op. 17 (Lieder-Album. 12 Dichtungen für 1 mittlere Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 1, published 1899, stanzas 1,2 [ medium voice and piano ], Kassel, Kuprions Nachf.
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ein Vöglein singt im Walde,
Singt Lieb' und Leiden,
Ich weine für mich hin -
Du willst ja scheiden.

Viel Rosen blühen roth,
Ich pflücke keine -
Brauch weder Schmuck noch Zier,
So ganz alleine.

 ...

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by Anna (Nuhn) Ritter (1865 - 1921)
1. Folk song
Language: English 
A birdlet sings in the forest,
Sings of love and sorrow,
I weep to myself -
For you wish to part.

Many roses bloom red,
I pick none of them -
I require neither jewelry nor adornment,
Thus all alone.

[ ... ]

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):
"Ein Vöglein singt im Wald" = "A birdlet sings in the forest"
"Volkslied" = "Folk song"



This text was added to the website: 2021-06-28
Line count: 12
Word count: 60

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
2. Mein Lieb ist wandern gangen  [sung text not yet checked]
by Marie Charlotte Henriette von Kehler (1822 - 1882), "Mein Lieb ist wandern gangen", op. 17 (Lieder-Album. 12 Dichtungen für 1 mittlere Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 2, published 1899 [ medium voice and piano ], Kassel, Kuprions Nachf.
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Mein Lieb ist wandern gangen,
Hat mir kein Wort gesagt,
Hat mich allein gelassen,
So jung, Gott sei's geklagt.

Nun blendet mich die Sonne,
Die Augen thun mir weh,
Wenn ich den blauen Himmel 
Und all' die Blumen seh'.

Was sollen mir die Blumen,
Führt keiner mich zum Tanz.
Wenn ich ein Kränzlein winde,
So wird's ein Todtenkranz.

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by Anna (Nuhn) Ritter (1865 - 1921)
2. My love has gone a-wandering
Language: English 
My love has gone a-wandering,
Never said a word to me,
Left me all alone,
So young, I lament it to God.

Now the sun blinds me,
My eyes hurt
When I see the blue sky
And all the flowers.

Of what use are the flowers to me
If no one leads me to the dance.
When[ever] I twine a wreath,
It becomes a funeral wreath.

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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This text was added to the website: 2024-02-05
Line count: 12
Word count: 66

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
3. Was soll mich denn freuen
 (Sung text)
by Marie Charlotte Henriette von Kehler (1822 - 1882), "Was soll mich denn freuen", op. 17 (Lieder-Album. 12 Dichtungen für 1 mittlere Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 3, published 1899 [ medium voice and piano ], Kassel, Kuprions Nachf.
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Was soll mich denn freuen,
Ich hab' ja kein' Schatz!
Es steh'n zwei Cypressen
Auf dämmerndem Platz.

Darunter, da liegt er,
Von Blumen bedeckt,
Da schläft er so tief
Daß kein Rufen ihn weckt.

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by Anna (Nuhn) Ritter (1865 - 1921)
3. What reason have I to be happy
Language: English 
What reason have I to be happy,
For I have no beloved!
Two cypresses stand
Upon a twilit spot.

He lies under them,
Covered with flowers,
There he sleeps so deeply
That no calling can wake him.

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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This text was added to the website: 2024-01-19
Line count: 8
Word count: 37

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
4. Ist ein Hüttlein gebauet
 (Sung text)
by Marie Charlotte Henriette von Kehler (1822 - 1882), "Ist ein Hüttlein gebauet", op. 17 (Lieder-Album. 12 Dichtungen für 1 mittlere Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 4, published 1899 [ medium voice and piano ], Kassel, Kuprions Nachf.
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ist ein Hüttlein gebauet
Über'm Thal auf der Höh',
Schaut herab auf die Felder
Und den flimmernden See.

Viel verwitterte Namen 
Sind geritzt in die Wand
Und darunter auch Einer,
Den mein Herz gut gekannt.

Ach, wo ist er geblieben,
Dessen Hand ihn einst schrieb?
War ein fröhlicher Bursche
Und ich hatte ihn lieb.

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by Anna (Nuhn) Ritter (1865 - 1921)
4. A little hut is built
Language: English 
A little hut is built
Over the valley upon the heights,
It looks down on the fields
And the sparkling lake.

Many weathered names
Are carved into the wall
And among them is also one
That my heart knew well.

Ah, what happened to him
Whose hand once wrote it?
He was a merry lad
And I loved him.

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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This text was added to the website: 2024-01-22
Line count: 12
Word count: 59

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
5. Unbegehrt
 (Sung text)
by Marie Charlotte Henriette von Kehler (1822 - 1882), "Unbegehrt", op. 17 (Lieder-Album. 12 Dichtungen für 1 mittlere Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 5, published 1899 [ medium voice and piano ], Kassel, Kuprions Nachf.
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Es stand eine Rose im tief tiefen Grund,
Von Liebe und Sehnsucht durchglühet,
Kam Keiner, der ihre Schönheit begehrt,
Ist einsam und traurig verblühet.

Ich weiß eine Seele, die glühte so heiß,
Die Liebe, das Glück zu umfangen;
Kam Keiner, der ihre Blüthe begehrt,
Ist einsam zu Grunde gegangen.

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by Anna (Nuhn) Ritter (1865 - 1921)
5. Unwanted
Language: English 
A rose stood in the deep, deep vale,
Suffused with the glow of love and yearning,
No one came who desired her beauty,
Solitary and sad she faded away.

I know a soul that glowed so fervently
To [embrace]1 love, happiness;
No one came who desired its blooming,
It perished in solitude.

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 title(s):
"Märchen" = "Fairy-tale"
"Unbegehrt" = "Unwanted"

1 Reger: "receive"


This text was added to the website: 2019-11-21
Line count: 8
Word count: 53

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
6. Das Ringlein
 (Sung text)
by Marie Charlotte Henriette von Kehler (1822 - 1882), "Das Ringlein", op. 17 (Lieder-Album. 12 Dichtungen für 1 mittlere Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 6, published 1899 [ medium voice and piano ], Kassel, Kuprions Nachf.
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Es geht ein Liedchen im Volke,
Die Mädchen singen's zur Nacht,
Wenn unter den wogenden Ähren
Im Felde die Sehnsucht erwacht.

Das Lied vom zerbrochenen Ringlein
Und von der Mühle im Grund,
Die Wasser wogten und rauschten,
Dem Burschen war gar so wund.

Ich sang's so oft mit den Andern,
Nun schleich' ich mich leise vorbei
Und berge das Haupt in den Händen:
"Das Ringlein sprang entzwei."

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by Anna (Nuhn) Ritter (1865 - 1921)
6. The little ring
Language: English 
There is a song circulating among the people,
The girls sing it at night,
When, under the [whispering stalks]1
In the [field]2, yearning awakens.

The song of the broken ring
And of the mill in the vale,
The waters surged and swooshed,
The lad was oh, so heartsore.

I sang it so often with the others,
Now I creep quietly past them
And bury my head in my hands:
"My ring broke in two."

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):
"Das Ringlein" = "The little ring"
"Das Ringlein brach entzwei" = "My little ringbroke in two"
"Das Ringlein sprang entzwei" = "My little ring broke in two"

1 von Kehler: "billowing wheat"
2 Hermann: "garden"


This text was added to the website: 2021-08-20
Line count: 12
Word count: 77

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
7. Klage
 (Sung text)
by Marie Charlotte Henriette von Kehler (1822 - 1882), "Klage", op. 17 (Lieder-Album. 12 Dichtungen für 1 mittlere Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 7, published 1899 [ medium voice and piano ], Kassel, Kuprions Nachf.
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich hab' kein' Mutter, die mich hegt,
Die Mutter schläft im Grund.
Ich hab' kein' Buhlen, der mich küßt,
Auf meinen rothen Mund.

Und hab' so große Sehnsucht doch,
Und hab' so jungen Sinn --
Was hab' ich dir, o Gott, gethan,
Daß ich so einsam bin?

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by Anna (Nuhn) Ritter (1865 - 1921)
7. Lament
Language: English 
I have no mother who looks after me,
My mother sleeps in the valley.
I have no lover who kisses me
Upon my red lips.

And yet I have such great yearning,
And have such a young spirit --
What, oh God, have I done to You
That I am so lonely?

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):
"Ich hab' kein' Mutter" = "I have no mother"
"Klage" = "Lament"
"Und hab' so große Sehnsucht doch" = "And yet I have such great yearning"
"Und hab' so grosse Sehnsucht doch" = "And yet I have such great yearning"



This text was added to the website: 2021-06-27
Line count: 8
Word count: 51

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
8. Wenn die Sterne scheinen
 (Sung text)
by Marie Charlotte Henriette von Kehler (1822 - 1882), "Wenn die Sterne scheinen", op. 17 (Lieder-Album. 12 Dichtungen für 1 mittlere Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 8, published 1899 [ medium voice and piano ], Kassel, Kuprions Nachf.
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Sieh, nun ist es dunkel 'worden,
Alles schläft in weiter Welt,
Nur die Sterne wallen leise
Ihren Weg am Himmelszelt.

Und der leuchtendste von allen,
Jener dort im weißen Kleid,
Schaut mit seinen heil'gen Augen
Still in uns're Einsamkeit.

Sanfter nun die Herzen schlagen,
Auf der Lippe schläft das Wort,
Und die Seelen wandern heimlich,
Hand in Hand zum Himmel fort.

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by Anna (Nuhn) Ritter (1865 - 1921)
8. When the stars are shining
Language: English 
See, now it has grown dark,
Everything in the wide world is sleeping,
Only the stars quietly pursue
Their course upon the canopy of heaven.

And the most radiant one of all,
That one there in the white garb,
Silently gazes with its holy eyes
Into our solitude.

More gently now our hearts beat,
The words are asleep upon our lips,
And, hand in hand, our souls wander
[Secretly]1 onward to Heaven.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2018 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 Rosenthal: "Quietly"


This text was added to the website: 2018-03-16
Line count: 12
Word count: 73

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
9. Geh' vorüber
 (Sung text)
by Marie Charlotte Henriette von Kehler (1822 - 1882), "Geh' vorüber", op. 17 (Lieder-Album. 12 Dichtungen für 1 mittlere Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 9, published 1899 [ medium voice and piano ], Kassel, Kuprions Nachf.
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Das Sonnenlicht kommt durch's Fenster geflogen,
Küßt mich und lacht:
"Guten Morgen."
  "Ach, liebes Licht,
  Rufe doch nicht,
  Siehe, die Sorgen
  Schlafen ja noch!
  Willst du sie wecken,
  Daß sie mich schrecken?
  Spät erst hat sie die gütige Nacht
  Singend und schmeichelnd zur Ruh'  gebracht.
  Da hab ich geschlafen und träumte so schön:
  Von lachenden Kindern, von Sonne und Veilchen ...
  Willst du nicht noch ein zögerndes Weilchen
  An meiner Kammer vorübergehn?

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by Anna (Nuhn) Ritter (1865 - 1921)
9. Go past!
Language: English 
The sunlight comes winging through the window,
It kisses me and laughs:
"Good morning."
  "Ah, dear light,
  Do not call out,
  For you see, my worries
  Are still sleeping!
  Do you wish to waken them
  That they might startle me?
  The gracious night only managed quite late
  To lay them to rest, with singing and cajoling.
  Then I slept and dreamt so beautifully:
  Of laughing children, of sun and violets . . .
  Could you not for a tarrying moment
  Go past my chamber?

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2023 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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This text was added to the website: 2023-11-14
Line count: 15
Word count: 84

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
10. Schlafe, ach Schlafe
 (Sung text)
by Marie Charlotte Henriette von Kehler (1822 - 1882), "Schlafe, ach Schlafe", op. 17 (Lieder-Album. 12 Dichtungen für 1 mittlere Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 10, published 1899 [ medium voice and piano ], Kassel, Kuprions Nachf.
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Und dürft' ich dich wecken zum Sonnenlicht
Aus Schatten des Todes, ich thät es nicht,
Ich sänke nieder an deinem Grab
Und leise säng'  ich ein Lied hinab:
  Schlafe, ach, schlafe!

O laß in dein traumtiefes Kämmerlein
Kein Fünkchen des schimmernden Licht's hinein,
Denn was die Sonne dir auch verspricht,
So hell, so strahlend -- sie hält es nicht.
  Schlafe, ach, schlafe.

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by Anna (Nuhn) Ritter (1865 - 1921)
10. Sleep, ah, sleep
Language: English 
And if I could have woken you with the sunlight
From the shadow of death, I would not have.
I would have sunk down to your grave
And gently whispered a song down [to you]:
  Sleep, ah, sleep!

Oh in your dream-deep chamber
Let no spark of the shimmering light inside,
Because what the sun promises you,
So bright, so shining -- it will not keep.
  Sleep, ah, sleep.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2020 by Garrett Medlock, (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: 2020-01-20
Line count: 10
Word count: 68

Translation © by Garrett Medlock
11. Und um die Holzbank duftete der Flieder
 (Sung text)
by Marie Charlotte Henriette von Kehler (1822 - 1882), "Und um die Holzbank duftete der Flieder", op. 17 (Lieder-Album. 12 Dichtungen für 1 mittlere Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 11, published 1899 [ medium voice and piano ], Kassel, Kuprions Nachf.
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Weißt du den Abend noch? Die Ulme bog
Die dichten Zweige schützend auf uns nieder,
Der Bach schoß glucksend unterm Zaun vorbei
Und um die Holzbank duftete der Flieder.

So süß, so süß! Die laue Nachtluft floß
In weichen Wogen schmeichelnd um die Glieder.
Die Heimchen zirpten leis im hohen Gras,
Und um die Holzbank duftete der Flieder.

Vom Himmel sank ein Stern in jähem Zug,
Lichtscheue Falter huschten hin und wieder,
Dein Arm umfaßte mich, wir waren jung...
Und um die Holzbank duftete der Flieder.

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by Anna (Nuhn) Ritter (1865 - 1921)
11. And the scent of the lilac wafted about the wooden bench
Language: English 
Do you still recall that evening? The elm lowered
Its dense branches protectingly around us;
With a gurgle, the brook rushed by below the fence
And the scent of the lilac wafted about the wooden bench.

So sweetly, so sweetly! The warm night air flowed
In soft waves caressingly about our limbs.
The cricket chirped softly in the high grass,
And the scent of the lilac wafted about the wooden bench.

From the heavens a star descended in precipitous flight,
Moths, shy of the light, darted by now and then,
Your arm embraced me, we were young . . .
And the scent of the lilac wafted about the wooden bench.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2018 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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This text was added to the website: 2018-03-16
Line count: 12
Word count: 111

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
12. Im Frühling
 (Sung text)
by Marie Charlotte Henriette von Kehler (1822 - 1882), "Im Frühling", op. 17 (Lieder-Album. 12 Dichtungen für 1 mittlere Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 12, published 1899 [ medium voice and piano ], Kassel, Kuprions Nachf.
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich weiß einen Weg 
Waldein, waldein,
Was war's mit dem Weg? 
Ich ging ihn allein,
Und im Walde rundum,
Beredt und doch stumm,
Da webte und wirkte der Frühling.

Und wie ich komme
Zum Wald, zum Wald,
Da lausch' ich erschrocken
Ein andrer Schritt schallt.
Und im Walde rundum,
Beredt und doch stumm,
Da kicherte heimlich der Frühling.

Ich weiß eine Bank
Von Stein, von Stein.
Was war's mit der Bank?
Wir saßen zu zwei'n,
Und im Walde rundum,
Beredt und doch stumm,
Hob segnend die Hände der Frühling.

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by Anna (Nuhn) Ritter (1865 - 1921)
12. In springtime
Language: English 
I know a path
Into the woods, into the woods,
What was it with the path?
I walked it alone,
And round about in the woods,
Loquacious and yet mute,
Springtime wove and worked.

And as I come 
To the woods, to the woods,
I listen, startled,
[For] another step resounds.
And round about in the woods,
Loquacious and yet mute,
Springtime giggled secretively.

I know a bench
Of stone, of stone.
What was it with the bench?
We sat upon it as a twosome,
And round about in the woods,
Loquacious and yet mute,
Springtime raised its hands in benediction.

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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This text was added to the website: 2024-02-05
Line count: 21
Word count: 101

Translation © by Sharon Krebs