English translations of Drei Lieder für Männergesang, opus 56

by Eduard Hermes (1818 - 1905)

Return to the original list

1. Schilflied  [sung text not yet checked]
by Eduard Hermes (1818 - 1905), "Schilflied", op. 56 (Drei Lieder für Männergesang) no. 1, published 1874 [ men's chorus ], Koenigsberg, Jakubowski
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Auf geheimem Waldespfade
Schleich' ich gern im Abendschein
An das öde Schilfgestade,
Mädchen, und gedenke dein!

Wenn sich dann der Busch verdüstert,
Rauscht das Rohr geheimnisvoll,
Und es klaget und es flüstert,
Daß ich weinen, weinen soll.

Und ich mein', ich höre wehen
Leise deiner Stimme Klang,
Und im Weiher untergehen
Deinen lieblichen Gesang.

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

by Nikolaus Lenau (1802 - 1850)
1. Reed song
Language: English 
Along a secret forest path
I like to creep in the evening light;
I go to the desolate, reedy banks,
and think, my maiden, of you!

As the bushes grow dark,
the reeds hiss mysteriously,
and lament and whisper,
and thus I have to weep and weep.

And I think that I hear wafting
the gentle sound of your voice,
and down into the pond sinks
your lovely song.

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.


Based on:

Go to the general single-text view

Translation of title "Schilflied" = "Reed song"


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 69

Translation © by Emily Ezust
2. Schilflied  [sung text not yet checked]
by Eduard Hermes (1818 - 1905), "Schilflied", op. 56 (Drei Lieder für Männergesang) no. 2, published 1874 [ men's chorus ], Koenigsberg, Jakubowski
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Auf dem Teich, dem Regungslosen,
Weilt des Mondes holder Glanz,
Flechtend seine bleichen Rosen
In des Schilfes grünen Kranz.

Hirsche wandeln dort am Hügel,
Blicken [in]1 die Nacht empor;
Manchmal regt sich das Geflügel
Träumerisch im tiefen Rohr.

Weinend muß mein Blick sich senken;
Durch die tiefste Seele geht
Mir ein süßes Deingedenken,
Wie ein stilles Nachtgebet.

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

View original text (without footnotes)
1 Mendelssohn: "durch"

by Nikolaus Lenau (1802 - 1850)
2. On the pond, the motionless one
Language: English 
 On the pond, the motionless one,
 rests the moon's lovely gleam,
 weaving its pale roses
 into a green garland of reeds.
 
 Deer wander there on the hill,
 gazing up through the night;
 often, winged things stir
 dreamily in the tall reeds.
 
 Weeping, I must lower my gaze;
 through the depths of my soul pass
 sweet thoughts of you,
 like a quiet night prayer.

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.


Based on:

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: 64

Translation © by Emily Ezust
3. Der träumende See  [sung text not yet checked]
by Eduard Hermes (1818 - 1905), "Der träumende See", op. 56 (Drei Lieder für Männergesang) no. 3, published 1874 [ men's chorus ], Koenigsberg, Jakubowski
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!

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

View original text (without footnotes)

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)
3.
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 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.
    Contact: 

Based on:

Go to the general single-text view

View original text (without footnotes)
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 Prichard