English translations of Drei Lieder, opus 21
by Franz Peter Schubert (1797 - 1828)
Return to the original list
Auf der Wellen Spiegel Schwimmt der Kahn. Alte Burgen ragen Himmelan; Tannenwälder rauschen Geistergleich - Und das Herz im Busen Wird uns weich. Denn der Menschen Werke Sinken all'; Wo ist Thurm, wo Pforte, Wo der Wall, Wo sie selbst, die Starken? Erzgeschirmt, Die in Krieg und Jagden Hingestürmt. Trauriges Gestrüppe Wuchert fort, Während frommer Sage Kraft verdorrt. Und im kleinen Kahne Wird uns bang - Wellen droh'n, wie Zeiten, Untergang.
Text Authorship:
- by Johann Baptist Mayrhofer (1787 - 1836), "Auf der Donau", first published 1818
Go to the general single-text view
Upon the waves' mirror floats our boat; Old castles tower up toward heaven, Pine forests rustle ghost-like, And the hearts in our bosoms melt. For man's work fails ever: Where is tower, where gate, where wall, Where are they, these armoured strongholds, That were besieged in war and in hunt? Sad undergrowth proliferates, While the strength of pious words fades: And in the small boat, we become timid: Waves, like Time, threaten impending death.
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 ArchiveFor any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.
licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Johann Baptist Mayrhofer (1787 - 1836), "Auf der Donau", first published 1818
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 24
Word count: 74
Im Winde, im Sturme befahr' ich den Fluß, Die Kleider durchweichet der Regen im Guß; Ich Ich peitsche die Wellen mit mächtigem Schlag Erhoffend, erhoffend mir heiteren Tag. Die Wellen, sie jagen das ächzende Schiff, Es drohet der Strudel, es drohet der Riff, Gesteine entkollern den felsigen Höh'n, Und Tannen erseufzen wie Geistergestöh'n. So mußte es kommen - ich hab es gewollt, Ich hasse ein Leben behaglich entrollt; Und schlängen die Wellen den ächzenden Kahn, Ich priese doch immer die eigene Bahn. Drum tose des Wassers ohnmächtiger Zorn, Dem Herzen entquillet ein seliger Born, Die Nerven erfrischend - o himmliche Lust! Dem Sturme zu trotzen mit männlicher Brust.
Text Authorship:
- by Johann Baptist Mayrhofer (1787 - 1836), "Schiffer", first published 1818
Go to the general single-text view
Note: Schubert received Mayrhofer's texts generally in handwriting; the printed edition of Mayrhofer's poems appeared much later and presents the texts usually in a revised version.
In wind and storm I traverse the river, My clothes soaked through with the downpour; I lash the waves with powerful blows, Hoping, hoping for a fine day. The waves, they drive the creaking ship, The whirlpool threatens, as does the reef. Rocks roll furiously down from the craggy heights, And firtrees sigh like lamenting ghosts. So it must be, and so have I willed it: I hate a life that unrolls comfortably; Even were the waves to swallow this creaking boat, I would still ever praise the path I have chosen! So let the water roar with impotent rage; From my heart springs forth a blissful fountain, Refreshing the nerves - o heavenly joy, I stand against the tempest with a defiant chest.
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 ArchiveFor any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.
licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Johann Baptist Mayrhofer (1787 - 1836), "Schiffer", first published 1818
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 16
Word count: 123
Die Angel zuckt, die Ruthe bebt, Doch leicht fährt sie heraus. Ihr eigensinn'gen Nixen gebt Dem Fischer keinen Schmaus! Was frommet ihm sein kluger Sinn, Die Fische baumeln spottend hin - Er steht am Ufer fest gebannt, Kann nicht in's Wasser, ihn hält das Land. Die glatte Fläche kräuselt sich, Vom Schuppenvolk bewegt, Das seine Glieder wonniglich In sichern Fluthen regt. Forellen zappeln hin und her, Doch bleibt des Fischers Angel leer, Sie fühlen, was die Freyheit ist, Fruchtlos ist Fischers alte List. Die Erde ist gewaltig schön, Doch sicher ist sie nicht! Es senden Stürme Eiseshöh'n; Der Hagel und der Frost zerbricht Mit einem Schlage, einem Druck, Das gold'ne Korn, der Rosen Schmuck - Den Fischlein unterm weichen Dach, Kein Sturm folgt ihnen vom Lande nach.
Text Authorship:
- by Johann Baptist Mayrhofer (1787 - 1836), "Wie Ulfru fischt"
Go to the general single-text view
Note provided by Peter Rastl: In Schubert's (and Mayrhofer's, and Goethe's) time there was a distinction between "die Angel" (= door-hinge) and "der Angel" (= fishing tackle). Only in current German both are feminine.
He shakes the hook, he jerks the lure, But nothing's on the line; The water sprites are making sure The fisherman won't dine. They love to foil his schemes and scoff At him as they scoot smartly off; Bound to the bank, the helpless clown Cannot pursue them or he'll drown. The glassy surface ripples where The scaly tribes below Perform gymnastic feats from sheer High spirits, to and fro. The fisher rues his empty creel While trout are jumping just to feel, As they let loose, what freedom is, Pooh-poohing Ulfru's artifice. The earth is wildly beautiful But not as safe as we suppose; Its evil storms with ice and hail Can bruise the wheat and crush the rose: But careless, playful and aloof, The little fish have a soft, smooth roof To shield them from the upper air - No storm from land can reach them there.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by T. P. (Peter) Perrin, (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: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Johann Baptist Mayrhofer (1787 - 1836), "Wie Ulfru fischt"
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 24
Word count: 149