English translations of Sechs Lieder für 1 hohe Singstimme mit Pianoforte, opus 1

by Gustav E. Schreck (1849 - 1918)

1. Das macht das dunkelgrüne Laub  [sung text not yet checked]
by Gustav E. Schreck (1849 - 1918), "Das macht das dunkelgrüne Laub", op. 1 no. 1, published 1876 [ high voice and piano ], Leipzig, Kistner
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. O würden Sterne meine Lieder  [sung text not yet checked]
by Gustav E. Schreck (1849 - 1918), "O würden Sterne meine Lieder", op. 1 no. 2, published 1876 [ high voice and piano ], Leipzig, Kistner
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Der Himmel blickt zur Erde nieder, 
Sie ruht in stiller Schönheit dort.  
Die Sterne sind des Himmels Lieder, 
Sie künden seiner Liebe Wort.  

Die Erde möcht' dem Himmel sagen,  
Wie seine Liebe sie beglückt; 
Und rings in diesen Lenzestagen 
Empor der Blumen Auge blickt.  

Du aber schlägst dein Auge nieder.  
O sänk' der Himmel in mein Herz, 
O würden Sterne meine Lieder!  
Die Blumen schauen himmelwärts.

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Confirmed with Lieder von Robert Reinick, sechste Auflage, Berlin: Ernst & Korn, 1873, page 94.


by Robert Reinick (1805 - 1852)
2. Oh would my songs become stars!
Language: English 
Heaven gazes down upon the earth,
Which rests in quiet beauty there.
The stars are the songs of Heaven,
They proclaim its words of love.

Earth would like to tell to Heaven
How much [Heaven's] love brings it joy;
And all around in these springtime days
The eyes of the flowers look upward.

But you cast your eyes down.
Oh, would Heaven descend into my heart,
Oh, would my songs become stars!
The flowers gaze heavenward.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2022 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: 2022-07-04
Line count: 12
Word count: 76

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
3. Heraus  [sung text not yet checked]
by Gustav E. Schreck (1849 - 1918), "Heraus", op. 1 no. 3, published 1876 [ high voice and piano ], Leipzig, Kistner
Language: German (Deutsch) 
  Ging unter [dichten]1 [Zweigen]2
Am Morgen im grünen Wald,
Der [Vögel lust'ger]3 Reigen
[Von]4 allen Wipfeln schallt'.

  Und riefen [all']5 einander:
"Heraus wo Vöglein sind,
Zu singen mit einander
In [den]6 kühlen Morgenwind!"

  Da hat's auch mir geklungen
Tief [in die Brust]7 hinein,
Da hat sich's drin geschwungen,
Als wär's ein Vögelein.

  Und ist ein [Vogel]8 drinnen,
So flieg' es frei heraus,
Und ist ein Lied darinnen,
So zieh' es fröhlich aus!

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Confirmed with Lieder von Robert Reinick, Maler, Sechste Auflage, Berlin: Verlag von Ernst & Korn, 1873, pages 65-66.

1 Abt, Leonhard, Radecke: "duft'gen"; Schreck: "den dichten"; further changes may exist not noted above.
2 Hamma: "Bäumen"; further changes may exist not noted above.
3 Reinecke: "Vöglein lustiger"
4 Reinecke: "aus"
5 Reinecke and some other editions: "viel"
6 Reinecke: "dem"
7 Reinecke: "ins Herz"
8 Reinecke: "Vöglein"

by Robert Reinick (1805 - 1852)
3. Go forth
Language: English 
I walked under [dense]1 [branches]2
In the morning in the green forest,
The merry roundelay of the [birds]3
Sounded from [all]4 the tree-tops.

  And [they all]5 called to one another:
"Go forth, birdlets, wherever you are,
To sing with each other
[Into]6 the cool morning wind!"

  Then it sounded for me as well,
Deep into my [breast]7,
There was a vibration therein,
As if it were a birdlet.

  And if there be a [bird]8 therein,
Then may it fly forth freely,
And if there be a song there,
Then may it go forth joyfully!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2026 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:
"Frühlingslied" = "Spring song"
"Ging unter duft'gen Zweigen" = "I walked under scented branches"
"Heraus" = "Go forth"

1 Abt, Leonhard, Radecke: "scented"; Schreck: "the dense"; further changes may exist not noted above.
2 Hamma: "trees"; further changes may exist not noted above.
3 Reinecke: "birdlets"
4 Reinecke: "out of all"
5 Reinecke and some other editions: "many"
6 Reinecke: "In"
7 Reinecke: "heart"
8 Reinecke: "birdlet"


This text was added to the website: 2026-04-08
Line count: 16
Word count: 103

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
4. In meinem Garten die Nelken  [sung text not yet checked]
by Gustav E. Schreck (1849 - 1918), "In meinem Garten die Nelken", op. 1 no. 4, published 1876 [ high voice and piano ], Leipzig, Kistner
Language: German (Deutsch) 
In meinem Garten die Nelken
mit ihrem Purpurstern
[müssen]1 nun alle verwelken,
   denn [du]2 bist fern.

Auf meinem [Herde]3 die Flammen
die ich bewacht so gern,
[sanken in]4 Asche zusammen,
   denn [du]2 bist fern.

Die Welt ist mir verdorben,
mich grüßt nicht [Blume nicht]5 Stern,
mein Herz ist [lange]6 gestorben,
   denn du bist fern.

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Note for stanza 1, line 4: in Stuckenschmidt's setting, "du, ach du" returns to the original "du" in the repetition.

1 Blodek: "sie müssen"; Stuckenschmidt: "die müssen"
2 Stuckenschmidt: "du, ach du"
3 Wolfrum: "Herd"
4 Blodek: "sie sanken in"; Stuckenschmidt: "sie sanken zu"
5 Blodek: "Blume noch"; Blumenthal, Wolfrum: "Blum' nicht"
6 Amadei: "lang'"

by Emanuel Geibel (1815 - 1884)
4. The carnations in my garden
Language: English 
The carnations in my garden
with their crimson center-star
they all must wilt away now,
because you are afar.

The flames in my hearth
I so loved to watch,
they crumbled to ashes,
because you are afar.

The world went sour,
with neither flower greeting me nor star -
my heart died away long ago,
because you are afar.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2005 by Linda Godry, (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: 2005-03-31
Line count: 12
Word count: 58

Translation © by Linda Godry
5. Wohl waren es Tage der Sonne   [sung text not yet checked]
by Gustav E. Schreck (1849 - 1918), "Wohl waren es Tage der Sonne ", op. 1 no. 5, published 1876 [ high voice and piano ], Leipzig, Kistner
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wohl waren es Tage der Sonne,
Die Bäume blühten im Mai,
Dein Blick sprach Liebeswonne -
Das ist vorbei.

Verblüht sind lange die Bäume,
Der Herbst ist kommen geschwind;
Die Träume, die [schönen]1 Träume
Verweht der Wind.

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Confirmed with Emanuel Geibels Gesammelte Werke in acht Bänden, Erster Band, Jugendgedichte. Zeitstimmen. Sonette, Dritte Auflage, Stuttgart: Verlag der J.G. Cotta'schen Buchhandlung Nachfolger, 1893, page 69.

1 Esser: "seligen"

by Emanuel Geibel (1815 - 1884)
5.
Language: English 
They were truly days of sunshine,
The trees blossomed in May,
Your gaze spoke of the bliss of love --
That is past.

The trees have long ceased blooming,
Autumn has come quickly;
The dreams, the lovely dreams,
The wind blows them away.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2022 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):
"Lied des Mädchens" = "Song of the maiden"
"Mädchenlied" = "Maiden's song"
"Mädchenlieder. II" = "Songs of maidens. II"
"Vorbei" = "Past"
"Wohl waren es Tage der Sonne" = "They were truly days of sunshine"
"Wohl waren es Tage der Sonne, die Bäume blühten im Mai" = "They were truly days of sunshine, the trees blossomed in May"
"Wohl waren es Tage der Wonne" = "They were truly days of bliss"



This text was added to the website: 2022-04-10
Line count: 8
Word count: 42

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
6. Gute Nacht, mein Herz  [sung text not yet checked]
by Gustav E. Schreck (1849 - 1918), "Gute Nacht, mein Herz", op. 1 no. 6, published 1876 [ high voice and piano ], Leipzig, Kistner
Language: German (Deutsch) 
[Gute Nacht mein Herz]1 und schlummre ein!
In diesen Herbstestagen
Ohne [Blumen und Sonnenschein]2
Was willst du schlagen?

Dein Schmerz ist aus, deine Lust ist tot,
Verweht [sind Lenz und]3 Lieder;
Der Liebe Röslein purpurroth
Blüht nimmer wieder.

Singend zog er [ins]4 Land hinein,
Der falsche, liebe Knabe --
Und du? - [Im stillen Grabe]5
Schlafe mein Herz, schlaf' ein!

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Confirmed with Emanuel Geibels Gesammelte Werke in acht Bänden, Erster Band, Jugendgedichte. Zeitstimmen. Sonette, Dritte Auflage, Stuttgart: Verlag der J.G. Cotta'schen Buchhandlung Nachfolger, 1893, page 69.

1 Goldschmidt: "Gut Nacht, gut Nacht, mein Herz"; Courvoisier: "Gute Nacht, mein Herz, gute Nacht"; Hecht, Pohlig, Sturm: "Gut' Nacht, mein Herz"
2 Esser: "Blumen, ohne Sonnenschein"; Schnorr von Carolsfeld: "Blumen und ohne Sonnenschein"
3 Andersson: "ist Lenz, verweht sind"
4 Andersson: "in das"
5 Bolko von Hochberg: "In deinem Grabe"

by Emanuel Geibel (1815 - 1884)
6. Good night, my heart
Language: English 
[Good night, my heart,]1 and go to sleep!
In these autumn days;
Without flowers and sunshine,
Why should you wish to beat?

Your pain is over, your joy is dead,
Springtime and songs have dissipated;
The little crimson rose of love
Shall never bloom again.

Singing, he travelled off into the countryside,
The false, dear lad --
And you? - In [the quiet]2 grave
Go to sleep, my heart, go to sleep!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2022 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):
"Gute Nacht" = "Good night"
"Gute Nacht, mein Herz" = "Good night, my heart"
"Gute Nacht mein Herz und schlummre ein" = "Good night, my heart, and go to sleep"
"Gut' Nacht mein Herz" = "Good night, my heart"
"Gut' Nacht, mein Herz und schlummre ein" = "Good night, my heart, and go to sleep"
"Herbstgefühl" = "Autumnal feeling"
"Mädchenlied" = "Maiden's song"
"Mädchenlieder. III" = "Maidens' songs III"
"Schlafe mein Herz, schlaf ein" = "Go to sleep, my heart, go to sleep"
"Zur Nacht" = "At night"

1 Goldschmidt's setting begins "Good night, good night, my heart"; further changes may exist not shown above. Courvoisier: " Good night, my heart, good night"; further changes may exist not shown above.
2 Bolko von Hochberg: "your"


This text was added to the website: 2022-04-13
Line count: 12
Word count: 72

Translation © by Sharon Krebs