English translations of Zwei Lieder, opus 43

by Franz Peter Schubert (1797 - 1828)

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1. Die junge Nonne
 (Sung text)
by Franz Peter Schubert (1797 - 1828), "Die junge Nonne", op. 43 (Zwei Lieder) no. 1, D 828 (1825), published 1825, first performed 1826 [ voice, piano ], A. Pennauer, VN 136, Wien
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wie braust durch die Wipfel der heulende Sturm!
Es klirren die Balken - es zittert das Haus!
Es rollet der Donner - es leuchtet der Blitz! -
Und finster die Nacht, wie das Grab! - - -
     Immerhin, immerhin!
So tobt' es auch jüngst noch in mir!
Es brauste das Leben, wie jetzo der Sturm!
Es bebten die Glieder, wie jetzo das Haus!
Es flammte die Liebe, wie jetzo der Blitz! -
Und finster die Brust, wie das Grab! -

Nun tobe du wilder, gewalt'ger Sturm!
Im Herzen ist Friede, im Herzen ist Ruh! -
Des Bräutigams harret die liebende Braut,
  Gereinigt in prüfender Glut -
  Der ewigen Liebe getraut. -

Ich harre, mein Heiland, mit sehnendem Blick;
Komm, himmlischer Bräutigam! hole die Braut!
Erlöse die Seele von irdischer Haft! -
Horch! friedlich ertönet das Glöcklein vom Thurm;
  Es lockt mich das süße Getön
  Allmächtig zu ewigen Höhn -
     »Alleluja!«

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Note: Schubert received Craigher's poem in handwritten form. Craigher issued it later in the book mentioned above.

by Jakob Nikolaus Craigher de Jachelutta (1797 - 1855)
1. The young nun
Language: English 
How loudly the howling wind roars through the tree-tops!
The rafters rattle, the house shudders!
Thunder rolls, lighting flashes,
And the night is as dark as the grave!
   All the same, ever all the same,
so it raged in me not long ago as well:
My life roared like the storm now,
My limbs trembled like the house now,
Love burst into flame, like the lightning now,
And my heart was as dark as the grave.

Now rage, you wild, powerful storm,
In my heart there is peace; in my heart there is calm.
The groom is awaited by the loving bride,
Cleansed by the purifying flames,
To eternal Love betrothed.

I await you, my Saviour, with a yearning gaze!
Come, my heavenly bridegroom, take your bride,
Rescue her soul from earthly imprisonment.
Listen: the bell rings peacefully from the tower!
That sweet tone invites me 
overpoweringly to eternal heights.
Halleluja!

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: 22
Word count: 151

Translation © by Emily Ezust
2. Nacht und Träume
 (Sung text)
by Franz Peter Schubert (1797 - 1828), "Nacht und Träume", op. 43 (Zwei Lieder) no. 2, D 827 (1822?), published 1825
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Heil'ge Nacht, du sinkest nieder;
Nieder wallen auch die Träume,
Wie dein Mondlicht durch die Räume,
Durch der Menschen stille Brust;
Die belauschen sie mit Lust,
Rufen, wenn der Tag erwacht:
Kehre wieder holde Nacht,
Holde Träume kehret wieder.

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Note: Schubert received Collin's poem in handwritten form. It was later published (posthumously) in a slightly different version, with the title Nachtfeyer, together with another version of the same poem, titled Nacht und Träume, which has also been incorporated in Collin's dramatic fragment Fortunats Abfahrt von Cypern; see below.

by Matthäus Kasimir von Collin (1779 - 1824)
2.
Language: English 
Holy night, you sink down; 
Dreams, too, drift down
Like your moonlight through space, 
Through the quiet hearts of men;
They listen with delight 
Calling out when day awakens:
Return, holy night! 
Fair dreams, return!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by David Gordon, (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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Based on:

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Note: this is a translation of Schubert's version (see footnotes on the left).

Translation of title "Nacht und Träume" = "Night and dreams"



This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 8
Word count: 35

Translation © by David Gordon