English translations of 8 Lieder, opus 6

by Arnold Franz Walter Schoenberg (1874 - 1951)

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1. Traumleben
 (Sung text)
by Arnold Franz Walter Schoenberg (1874 - 1951), "Traumleben", op. 6 (8 Lieder) no. 1 (1903-5), stanzas 6-8 [ voice and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
 ... 

Um meinen Nacken schlingt sich 
Ein blütenweißer Arm, 
Es ruht auf meinem Munde 
Ein Frühling jung und warm.  

Ich wandle wie im Traume, 
Als wär' mein Aug' verhüllt,  --  
Du hast mit deiner Liebe 
All' meine Welt erfüllt.  

Die Welt scheint ganz gestorben, 
Wir beide nur allein, 
Von  Nachtigall'n umklungen 
Im blühenden Rosenhain . . .

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by Julius Hart (1859 - 1930)
1.
Language: English 
[ ... ]

About my neck is wound
A bloom-white arm.
It rests on my mouth
A Spring young and warm.

I wander as in a dream,
As tho' my eyes were veiled.
With your love you have 
Filled all my world.

The world about us seems dead,
Only we two alone,
Serenaded by nightingales,
In the blooming rose-grove.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by John H. Campbell, (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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Note: this is a translation of Schoenberg's version.

Translation of title "Traumleben" - "Dream lives"


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 32
Word count: 57

Translation © by John H. Campbell
2. Alles
 (Sung text)
by Arnold Franz Walter Schoenberg (1874 - 1951), "Alles", op. 6 (8 Lieder) no. 2 (1903-1905)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Laß uns noch die Nacht erwarten,
Bis wir alle Sterne sehn;
Falt die Hände; in den harten
Steigen durch den stillen Garten
Geht das Heimweh auf den Zehn.

Geht und holt die Anemone,
Die du einst ans Herzchen drücktest,
Geht umklungen von dem Tone
Einst des Baums, aus dessen Krone
Du dein erstes Fernweh pflücktest.

Und du schüttelst aus den Haaren,
Was dir an der Seele frißt,
Selig Kind mit dreißig Jahren,
Alles sollst du noch erfahren,
Alles, was dir heilsam ist.

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by Richard Fedor Leopold Dehmel (1863 - 1920)
2. Everything
Language: English 
Let’s still wait for night,
Until we can see all the stars;
Fold your hands; on the hard
Ascent through the silent garden
Homesickness moves onward. 

Go and fetch the anemone,
That you once pressed to your little heart,
Go as you once did, surrounded by the soil
Of the tree, from the crown of which
You plucked your first wanderlust. 

And shake out of your hair,
That which has gnawed at your soul,
Blessed child of thirty years,
You should still experience it all,
Everything that is beneficial for you.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2022 by Michael P Rosewall, (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: 2022-06-16
Line count: 15
Word count: 91

Translation © by Michael P Rosewall
3. Mädchenlied
 (Sung text)
by Arnold Franz Walter Schoenberg (1874 - 1951), "Mädchenlied", op. 6 (8 Lieder) no. 3 (1903-1905)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ach, wenn es nun die Mutter wüßt,
Wie du so wild mich hast geküßt,
Sie würde beten ohne Ende,
Daß Gott der Herr das Unglück wende.

Und wenn das mein Herr Bruder wüßt,
Wie du so wild mich hast geküßt,
Er eilte wohl mit Windesschnelle
Und schlüge dich tot auf der Stelle.

Doch wenn es meine Schwester wüßt,
Wie du so wild mich hast geküßt,
Auch ihr Herz würde in Sehnsucht schlagen
Und Glück und Sünde gerne tragen.

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by Paul Remer (1867 - 1943)
3. Girl's Song
Language: English 
Ah, if only Mother knew now,
How you had kissed me so wildly,
She would pray without stopping,
That the Lord God would undo the tragedy.

And if my big brother knew,
How you had kissed me so wildly,
He would race here as fast as the wind
And strike you dead on the spot.

Certainly, if my sister knew,
How you had kissed me so wildly,
Her heart would also swoon with longing
And gladly bear the happiness and the sin.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2022 by Michael P Rosewall, (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: 2022-06-16
Line count: 12
Word count: 82

Translation © by Michael P Rosewall
4. Verlassen
 (Sung text)
by Arnold Franz Walter Schoenberg (1874 - 1951), "Verlassen", op. 6 (8 Lieder) no. 4 (1903-1905)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Im Morgengrauen schritt ich fort -
Nebel lag in den Gassen...
In Qualen war mir das Herz verdorrt -
Die Lippe sprach kein Abschiedswort -
Sie stöhnte nur leise: Verlassen!

Kennst du das Marterwort?
Das frißt wie verruchte Schande!
In Qualen war mir das Herz verdorrt -
Im Morgengrauen ging ich fort -
Hinaus in die dämmernden Lande!

Entgegen dem jungen Maientag:
Das war ein seltsam Passen!
Mählich wurde die Welt nun wach -
Was war mir der prangende Frühlingstag!
Ich stöhnte nur leise: Verlassen!

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by Hermann Conradi (1862 - 1890)
4. Abandoned
Language: English 
In the gray of morning I ventured forth – 
Fog lay in the streets....
My heart was constricted with hurt – 
My lips spoke no word of parting – 
They only softly groaned: Abandoned!

Do you know this word of misery?
It consumes one with wicked humiliation!
My heart was constricted with hurt – 
In the gray of morning I ventured forth – 
Out into the gloomy countryside! 

How at odds with the early May day:
What a peculiar experience that was!
Gradually, the world began to waken – 
What did that glorious spring day mean to me?
I only softly groaned: Abandoned!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2022 by Michael P Rosewall, (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: 2022-06-16
Line count: 15
Word count: 103

Translation © by Michael P Rosewall
5. Ghasel
 (Sung text)
by Arnold Franz Walter Schoenberg (1874 - 1951), "Ghasel", op. 6 (8 Lieder) no. 5 (1903-5)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich halte dich in meinem Arm, du hältst die Rose zart,
Und eine junge Biene tief in sich die Rose hält.
So reihen wir uns perlenhaft an einer Lebensschnur,
So freun wir uns, wie Blatt an Blatt sich an der Rose schart.
Und glüht mein Kuß auf deinem Mund, so zuckt die Flammenspur
Bis in der Biene Herz, das sich dem Kelch der Rose paart.

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by Gottfried Keller (1819 - 1890)
5. Ghazel
Language: English 
I hold you in my arms, you hold the tender rose,
And within, the rose holds a young bee.
Thus, we are aligned like pearls along the cord of life,
Thus we are happy, bound together like a rose, petal on petal.
And my kiss glows upon your mouth, just as the tongue of flame
From the heart of a bee coupled with the chalice of the rose.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2022 by Michael P Rosewall, (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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Translation of titles
"Ich halte dich in meinem Arm" = "I hold you in my arms"
"Ghasel" = "Ghazel"



This text was added to the website: 2022-06-16
Line count: 6
Word count: 68

Translation © by Michael P Rosewall
6. Am Wegrand
 (Sung text)
by Arnold Franz Walter Schoenberg (1874 - 1951), "Am Wegrand", op. 6 (8 Lieder) no. 6 (1903-1905)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Tausend Menschen ziehen vorüber,
Den ich ersehne, er ist nicht dabei!
Ruhlos fliegen die Blicke hinüber,
Fragen den Eilenden, ob er es sei...

Aber sie fragen und fragen vergebens.
Keiner gibt Antwort: "Hier bin ich. Sei still."
Sehnsucht erfüllt die Bezirke des Lebens,
Welche Erfüllung nicht füllen will.

Und so steh ich am Wegrand-Strande,
Während die Menge vorüberfließt,
Bis erblindet vom Sonnenbrande
Mein ermüdetes Aug' sich schließt.

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by John Henry Mackay (1864 - 1933)
6. By the roadside
Language: English 
 A thousand people go past,
 but the man I'm searching for - he is not there!
 Restlessly my eyes fly around,
 asking if that hurrying man over there is the one...

 But they ask and ask in vain.
 No one gives the answer, "Here I am. Be at ease."
 Longing fills the circle of my life:
 a fulfillment that will not be filled.

 And so I stand by the roadside strand,
 while the crowd flows by,
 until, blinded by the burning sun,
 my weary eyes close.

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: 12
Word count: 86

Translation © by Emily Ezust
7. Lockung
 (Sung text)
by Arnold Franz Walter Schoenberg (1874 - 1951), "Lockung", op. 6 (8 Lieder) no. 7 (1903-5)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Komm, komm mit nur einen Schritt!
Hab schon gegessen,
Will dich nicht fressen,
Komm, komm mit nur einen Schritt!

Kaum zwei Zehen weit noch zu gehen
Bis zu dem Häuschen,
Komm, mein Mäuschen,
Ei sieh da, da sind wir ja!

Hier in dem Eckchen
(Pst) nur kein Schreckchen,
Wie glüh'n deine Bäckchen,
Jetzt hilft kein Schrein,
Mein bist du, mein!

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by Hans Fischer (1869 - 1934), as Kurt Aram
7. Enticement
Language: English 
Come, come with just one more step!
I’ve already eaten,
I don’t wish to devour you,
Come, come with just one more step!

Hardly even two toes left to go
Up to the little house,
Come, my little mouse,
Ah, see there, there we are!

Here in the little corner
(Pst) Just don’t be frightened,
How your cheeks are aglow,
Crying won’t help you now,
You are mine, mine!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2022 by Michael P Rosewall, (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: 2022-06-16
Line count: 13
Word count: 69

Translation © by Michael P Rosewall
8. Der Wanderer
 (Sung text)
by Arnold Franz Walter Schoenberg (1874 - 1951), "Der Wanderer", op. 6 (8 Lieder) no. 8 (1903-5)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Es geht ein Wand'rer durch die Nacht
Mit gutem Schritt;
Und krummes Tal und lange Höhn -
Er nimmt sie mit.
Die Nacht ist schön -
Er schreitet zu und steht nicht still,
Weiß nicht, wohin sein Weg noch will.

Da singt ein Vogel durch die Nacht.
"Ach Vogel, was hast du gemacht!
Was hemmst du meinen Sinn und Fuß
Und gießest süßen Herz-Verdruß
In's Ohr mir, daß ich stehen muß
Und lauschen muß -
Was lockst du mich mit Ton und Gruß?"

Der gute Vogel schweigt und spricht:
"Nein, Wandrer, nein! Dich lock' ich nicht
Mit dem Getön.
Ein Weibchen lock' ich von den Höhn -
Was geht's dich an?
Allein ist mir die Nacht nicht schön -
Was geht's dich an? Denn du sollst gehn
Und nimmer, nimmer stille stehn!
Was stehst du noch?
Was tat mein Flötenlied dir an,
Du Wandersmann?"

Der gute Vogel schwieg und sann:
"Was tat mein Flötenlied ihm an?
Was steht er noch?
Der arme, arme Wandersmann!"

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by Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche (1844 - 1900)
8.
Language: English 
A wanderer travels through the night
With steady stride;
And curving valley and towering highlands – 
He takes them along.
The night is beautiful – 
He walks on, never remaining still, 
Knowing not where his path leads.

There is a bird singing through the night.
“Ah bird, what have you done!
Why do you bind my spirit and my step
And pour your heart’s sweet sorrow
Into my ear, so that I must stand
And I must listen – 
Why do you beguile me with calls and greetings?

The good bird became quiet and spoke:
“No, wanderer, no! I don’t wish to beguile you
With my singing. 
I’m wooing a wife down from the heights – 
What has it to do with you?
Alone, the night is not pleasant for me – 
What has it to do with you? For you should go
And never, ever remain still!
Why are you still standing there?
What has my piping song to do with you,
You vagabond?”

The good bird became silent and considered:
What had my piping song to do with him?
Why did he remain standing there?
That poor, poor vagabond!”

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2022 by Michael P Rosewall, (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: 2022-06-16
Line count: 29
Word count: 191

Translation © by Michael P Rosewall