English translations of Lieder für 4 Männerstimmen , opus 35

by Robert Fuchs (1847 - 1927)

1. Das macht das dunkelgrüne Laub   [sung text not yet checked]
by Robert Fuchs (1847 - 1927), "Das macht das dunkelgrüne Laub ", op. 35 (Lieder für 4 Männerstimmen ) no. 1, published 1884 [ vocal quartet of male voices a cappella ], Wien, Rebay & Robitschek
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Das macht das dunkelgrüne Laub,
Daß der Wald so schattig ist;
Das macht die schöne Maienzeit
Daß so roth das Röslein ist.

Mein's Schatzes Lieb' war das Röslein roth,
Das blüht am Waldesrain,
Und das grüne Laub, und das grüne Laub,
Als wie die Gedanken mein.

Nun ging die schöne Maienzeit,
Und die schöne Liebe zur Ruh',
Nun fällt auch das Laub, auch das Laub herab,
Und decket das Röslein zu.

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Confirmed with Gedichte von Otto Roquette. Des Liederbuches zweite, durchaus veränderte und vermehrte Auflage, Stuttgart, J. G. Cotta'scher Verlag, 1859, page 54.


by Otto Roquette (1824 - 1896)
1. The dark green foliage is the cause
Language: English 
The dark green foliage is the cause
Of the forest being so shady;
The lovely May-time is the cause
Of the little rose being so red.

My darling’s love was the little red rose
That blooms on the forested slope,
And the green leaves, and the green leaves
Were like my thoughts.

Now the lovely May-time
And the beautiful love have gone to rest,
Now the leaves, too, the leaves, too,
Fall and cover up the little rose.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2017 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: 2017-05-02
Line count: 12
Word count: 78

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
2. Frühlingsnahen  [sung text not yet checked]
by Robert Fuchs (1847 - 1927), "Frühlingsnahen", op. 35 (Lieder für 4 Männerstimmen ) no. 2, published 1884 [ vocal quartet of male voices a cappella ], Wien, Rebay & Robitschek
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Es kommen die Sonnenstrahlen, die feinen,
Die möchten dir gern in die Augen scheinen,
[Lug' -- lug']1,
Elslein, mach' auf!
 
[Dann]2 kommt die Lerche mit [hellen]3 Schwingen,
Möcht' dir ihr Lied [zu]4 Herzen singen,
Horch' -- horch',
Elslein, mach' auf!
 
Es kommen zum Fenster herein die Rosen,
[Möchten]5 mit deinen Händen kosen,
[Lug' -- lug']1,
Elslein, mach' auf!
 
Bald kommt dein Liebster auch gegangen,
Der [möcht' dir]6 küssen Mund und Wangen,
Horch' -- horch',
Elslein, mach' auf!

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Confirmed with Hochland-Lieder von Karl Stieler, Stuttgart, Meyer & Zeller's Verlag (Friedrich Vogel), 1879, page 151.

1 Fellinger: "Lug, lueg"
2 Backer-Grøndahl, Fellinger: "Es"
3 Backer-Grøndahl: "hellem"
4 Fellinger: "zum"
5 Fellinger: "Die möchten"
6 Backer-Grøndahl: "möcht' "

by Karl Stieler (1842 - 1885)
2. The nearing of spring
Language: English 
There come the sunbeams, the delicate ones,
They would gladly shine into your eyes,
Peek -- peek,
Elsie, open up!
 
[Then the lark comes with bright wings]1,
It would like to sing you a song that will penetrate your heart,
Hark -- hark,
Elsie, open up!
 
In through your window the roses come,
They would like to exchange caresses with your hands,
Peek -- peek,
Elsie, open up!
 
Soon along comes your beloved as well,
He would like to kiss your lips and cheeks,
Hark -- hark,
Elsie, open up!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2011 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):
"Elslein" = "Elsie"
"Elslein, mach' auf" = "Elsie, open up"
"Frühlingsahnen" = "Premonition of spring"
"Frühlingsnahen" = "The nearing of spring"
"Frühlingsnahen (Elslein, mach auf!)" = "The nearing of spring (Elsie, open up!)"
"Morgenständchen" = "Morning serenade"

1 Backer-Grøndahl: "The lark comes with a bright flourish"


This text was added to the website: 2011-06-01
Line count: 16
Word count: 88

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
3. Scheiden ohne Leiden  [sung text not yet checked]
by Robert Fuchs (1847 - 1927), "Scheiden ohne Leiden", op. 35 (Lieder für 4 Männerstimmen ) no. 3, published 1884 [ vocal quartet of male voices a cappella ], Wien, Rebay & Robitschek
Language: German (Deutsch) 
[Liebster]1 Schatz, nun sei getrost,
Traure nicht um's Scheiden,
Hab das Wandern nun erlost,
Und du mußt es leiden.
Schau, es ist die ganze Welt,
Sonne, Mond und Sterne,
Auf das Wandern ja gestellt,
Auf die weite Ferne.

Und das Meer hat Ebb' und Fluth,
Wind und Wolken ziehen,
Winterschnee und Sommergluth
Kommen und entfliehen.
Wird die Welt nun alt und neu,
Sei [du auch]2 nicht strenger,
Lange Zeit blieb ich dir treu,
Aber nun nicht länger.

Weil mein Herz nicht mehr verlangt,
Daß ich bei dir bliebe,
[Liebster]1 Schatz, so sei bedankt
Für die schöne Liebe.
Schau, der Mai ist vor der Thür,
Laß die Augen wandern!
Komm ich einst zurück zu dir,
Hast du längst 'nen Andern.

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Confirmed with Otto Roquette, Liederbuch, Stuttgart und Tübingen: J.G. Cotta’scher Verlag, 1852, pages 112-113

1 Gumbert: "Lieber"
2 Gumbert: "auch du"

by Otto Roquette (1824 - 1896)
3. Parting without sorrow
Language: English 
[Dearest]1 sweetheart, now be of good cheer,
Do not grieve at our parting,
I have chosen to wander,
And you must suffer it.
For you see, the whole world --
Sun, moon and stars --
Is set to wander
[Is set to explore] the great distance.

And the sea has ebb and flow,
Wind and clouds travel,
Winter snows and summer heat
Come and flee again.
When the world now becomes old and new,
Do you not be more stern,
I was true to you for a long time,
But not any longer now.

Because my heart desires nothing more
Than that I stay with you,
[Dearest]1 sweetheart, accept my thanks
For the beautiful love.
Look, May is almost here,
Let your eyes wander!
When I someday return to you,
You shall long have another fellow.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2017 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 Gumbert: "Dear"


This text was added to the website: 2017-10-17
Line count: 24
Word count: 136

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
4. Minnelied  [sung text not yet checked]
by Robert Fuchs (1847 - 1927), "Minnelied", op. 35 (Lieder für 4 Männerstimmen ) no. 4, published 1884 [ vocal quartet of male voices a cappella ], Wien, Rebay & Robitschek
Language: German (Deutsch) 
[Im dunkeln]1 Laube flüstert
Ein Vöglein wie im Traum, 
Der Abend [dämmert und düstert]2,
Nur Düfte geh'n im Raum. 

   O komm, mein Lieb, zum Garten,
   Erschein' und säume nicht,
   Du Stern mit deinem zarten
   Viellieben Angesicht! 

Der Himmel sel'ger Minne 
Senkt sich herab und naht,
Die Nacht mit mildem Sinne,
Verhüllt den Erdenpfad.

   O hab' ein süß Erbarmen
   Und lös' mein Herz von Pein  -- 
   Du Lieb, aus deinen Armen
   Geh' ich zum Himmel ein!

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Confirmed with Deutsche Kunst in Bild und Lied. Original-Beiträge Deutscher Maler, Dichter und Tonkünstler, herausgegeben con Albert Traeger, elfter Jahrgang, Leipzig: Druck und Verlag des lithographischen Institutes von J. G. Bach, 1869, page 7.

1 Feininger, Fuchs, Randhartinger, and Schön (Engelsberg): "Im dunklen"; further changes may exist not shown above; Titl: "In dunkler"
2 Randhartinger: "dämmert, düstert"

by August Silberstein (1827 - 1900)
4. Song of love
Language: English 
[In the dark foliage]1 a bird
Whispers as if in a dream,
The evening is becoming twilit and gloomy,
Only scents waft about the region.

   Oh come, my love, to the garden,
   Appear and do not delay,
   You star with your delicate,
   Much-loved face!

The heaven of blissful love
Descends and approaches;
In its gentle spirit, the night 
Veils the earthly pathway.

   Oh take sweet pity upon me
   And release my heart from suffering --
   You darling, from your arms
   I enter Heaven!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2020 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 Titl: "In the dark arbour"


This text was added to the website: 2020-06-26
Line count: 16
Word count: 83

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
5. Der verzweifelte Liebhaber  [sung text not yet checked]
by Robert Fuchs (1847 - 1927), "Der verzweifelte Liebhaber", op. 35 (Lieder für 4 Männerstimmen ) no. 5, published 1884 [ vocal quartet of male voices a cappella ], Wien, Rebay & Robitschek
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Studieren will nichts bringen,
mein Rock hält keinen Stich,
meine Zither will nicht klingen,
mein Schatz, der mag mich nicht.

Ich wollt', im Grün spazierte
die allerschönste Frau,
ich wär' ein Drach' und führte
sie mit mir fort durchs Blau.

Ich wollt', ich jagt' gerüstet
und legt' die Lanze aus,
und jagte alle Philister
zur schönen Welt hinaus.

Ich wollt', ich läg' jetztunder
im Himmel still und weit
und fragt' nach all' dem Plunder
nichts vor Zufriedenheit.

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by Joseph Karl Benedikt, Freiherr von Eichendorff (1788 - 1857)
5. The despairing lover
Language: English 
 Studying will not help,
 my coat has no stitching left,
 my zither won't resonate:
 my beloved does not want me.
 
 I wish that on the green,
 the most beautiful woman were strolling,
 and that I were a dragon, and could carry her
 off with me through the blue skies.
 
 I wish I were decked out for the hunt
 and had my lance displayed;
 I would flush all the philistines
 out from this lovely world.
 
 I wish I were lying now
 in the calm, broad sky
 and did not need to think about anything
 but my contentment.

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: 16
Word count: 97

Translation © by Emily Ezust
6. Trinklied  [sung text not yet checked]
by Robert Fuchs (1847 - 1927), "Trinklied", op. 35 (Lieder für 4 Männerstimmen ) no. 6, published 1884 [ vocal quartet of male voices a cappella ], Wien, Rebay & Robitschek
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Was ist das für ein durstig Jahr!
Die Kehle lechzt mir immerdar,
Die Leber dorrt mir ein.
Ich bin ein Fisch auf trocknem Sand,
Ich bin ein dürres Ackerland,
[O]1 schafft mir, schafft mir Wein!

Was weht doch jetzt für trockne Luft!
Kein Regen [hilft]2, kein Tau, kein Duft,
Kein Trunk will mir gedeihn.
Ich trink' [im allertiefsten]3 Zug,
Und [dennoch wird's mir nie]4 genug,
Fällt wie auf heißen Stein.

Was herrscht doch für ein hitz'ger Stern !
Er [zehrt mir recht]5 am innern Kern
Und macht mir Herzenspein.
Man dächte [wohl]6, ich sei verliebt ;
[Ja, ja]7 ! Die mir zu trinken gibt,
Soll meine Liebste sein.

Und wenn es euch wie mir ergeht,
So betet, daß der Wein gerät,
Ihr Trinker insgemein!
O heil'ger Urban, schaff uns Trost,
Gib heuer uns viel edlen Most,
Daß wir dich benedein !

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Confirmed with Gedichte von Ludwig Uhland, erster Band, Verlag der Cotta'schen Buchhandlung, Stuttgart, 1898, page 54.

1 Hölzel: "D'rum"
2 Zelter: "ist"
3 Reissiger: "im allerhöchsten"; Zelter: "und trinke Zug auf"
4 Reissiger: "dennoch trink' ich nicht"; Zelter: "immer ist es nicht"; Zenger: "dennoch wird es nie"
5 Zelter: "sengt und zehrt"
6 Reissiger: "schier"
7 Reissiger: "Doch ja"

by Johann Ludwig Uhland (1787 - 1862)
6. Drinking song
Language: English 
What a thirsty year it is!
My throat is always parched,
My liver withers on me.
I am a fish upon dry sand,
I am an arid field,
[Oh,]1 bring me wine!

What a dry breeze is blowing now!
[No rain helps]2, no dew, no scent,
No drink flourishes for me.
I drink [in the deepest of all draughts]3,
And [yet it is never enough for me]4,
Falls [like a drop] upon a hot stone.

What a hot star is reigning!
It [fairly]5 saps my inner being
And causes me heartache.
One could quite think that I'm in love;
[Yes, yes]6 ! She who gives me something to drink
Shall be my beloved.

And if things are going for you as for me,
Then pray that the wine turns out well,
All ye drinkers together!
Oh holy Urban, bring us comfort,
Give us this year much noble must,
So that we may bless you!

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 titles:
"Nimmersatt" = "Never sated"
"O schafft mir Wein" = "Oh, bring me wine"
"Trinklied" = "Drinking song"
"Was ist das für ein durstig Jahr" = "What a thirsty year it is"

1 Hölzel: "Therefore"
2 Zelter: "There is no rain"
3 Reissiger: "the greatest of draughts"; Zelter: "draught upon draught"
4 Reissiger: "I never drink enough"; Zelter: "always it is not enough"
5 Zelter: "singes and"
6 Reissiger: "And yes"


This text was added to the website: 2024-11-02
Line count: 24
Word count: 162

Translation © by Sharon Krebs