English translations of Drei Lieder, opus 6

by Franz Peter Schubert (1797 - 1828)

1. Memnon
 (Sung text)
by Franz Peter Schubert (1797 - 1828), "Memnon", op. 6 (Drei Lieder) no. 1, D 541 (1817), published 1821 [ voice, piano ], Cappi und Diabelli, VN 790, Wien
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Den Tag hindurch nur einmahl mag ich sprechen,
Gewohnt zu schweigen immer, und zu trauern:
Wenn durch die nachtgebornen Nebelmauern
Aurorens Purpurstrahlen liebend brechen.

Für Menschenohren sind es Harmonien.
Weil ich die Klage selbst melodisch künde,
Und durch der Dichtung Gluth das Rauhe ründe,
Vermuthen sie in mir ein selig Blühen.

In mir - nach dem des Todes Arme langen,
In dessen tiefstem Herzen Schlangen wühlen;
Genährt von meinen schmerzlichen Gefühlen -
Fast wüthend durch ein ungestillt Verlangen:

Mit dir, des Morgens Göttin, mich zu einen,
Und weit von diesem nichtigen Getriebe,
Aus Sphären edler Freyheit, aus Sphären reiner Liebe,
Ein stiller bleicher Stern herab zu scheinen.

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by Johann Baptist Mayrhofer (1787 - 1836)
1. Memnon
Language: English 
The whole day long I may only speak once,
accustomed to being constantly silent and mourning:
when, through the night-begotten walls of mist
Aurora's purple beams lovingly break.

To human ears this is harmony.
Because I proclaim my lament so melodically
and through the glow of poetry remold its roughness,
they suppose in me a joyous bloom.

But in me, for whom Death's arms reach,
and in the depths of whose heart burrow serpents,
nourished by my painful thoughts,
I am almost frenzied with unappeased desire

to unite myself with you, O Goddess of the Morning,
and, far from this futile bustle,
from the spheres of noble freedom and pure love,
to shine down as a silent, pale star.

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: 16
Word count: 119

Translation © by Emily Ezust
2. Antigone und Oedip
 (Sung text)
by Franz Peter Schubert (1797 - 1828), "Antigone und Oedip", op. 6 (Drei Lieder) no. 2, D 542 (1817), published 1821
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Antigone:
 Ihr hohen Himmlischen erhöret
 Der Tochter herzentströmtes Flehen:
 Laßt einen kühlen Hauch des Trostes
 In des Vaters große Seele wehn.

 Genüget, euren Zorn zu sühnen,
 Dieß junge Leben - nehmt es hin;
 Und euer Rachestrahl vernichte
 Die tief betrübte Dulderin.

 Demüthig falte ich die Hände -
 Das Firmament bleibt glatt und rein,
 Und stille ist's, nur laue Lüfte
 Durchschauern noch den alten Hain.

 Was seufzt und stöhnt der bleiche Vater?
 Ich ahn's - ein furchtbares Gesicht
 Verscheucht von ihm den leichten Schlummer;
 Er springt vom Rasen auf - er spricht:

Oedip:
 Ich träume einen schweren Traum.
 Schwang nicht den Zepter diese Rechte?
 Doch Hoheit lös'ten starke Mächte
 Dir auf, o Greis, in nicht'gen Schaum.

 Trank ich in schönen Tagen nicht
 In meiner großen Väter Halle,
 Beym Heldensang und Hörnerschalle,
 O Helios, dein golden Licht,

 Das ich nun nimmer schauen kann?
 Zerstörung ruft von allen Seiten:
 "Zum Tode sollst du dich bereiten;
 Dein irdisch Werk ist abgethan."

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by Johann Baptist Mayrhofer (1787 - 1836)
2. Antigone and Oedipus
Language: English 
Antigone:
 O lofty gods, hear
 the heartfelt plea of your daughter;
 let a cool breath of solace
 blow into my father's great soul.

 To assuage your anger, be satisfied with
 this young life - take it!
 and let your vengeance destroy
 this deeply troubled sufferer.

 I fold my hands humbly -
 the firmament remains smooth and pure,
 and it is still; only a tepid breeze
 still rustles through the ancient grove.

 Why does my pale father sigh and groan?
 I have an uneasy feeling that a frightful vision
 is chasing away his slumber;
 he springs up from the grass and speaks:
 
Oedipus:
 I am dreaming a heavy dream.
 Did not my right hand wield this scepter?
 Yet powerful forces have dissolved you,
 old man, into worthless foam.

 Did I not drink in fairer days
 in the halls of my ancestors,
 amid songs of heroes and the flourish of horns?
 O Helios, your golden light -

 will I now never be able to see it again?
 Devastation calls from every side:
 "For death must you prepare yourself;
 your earthly work is done."

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:

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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 30
Word count: 176

Translation © by Emily Ezust
3. Am Grabe Anselmos
 (Sung text)
by Franz Peter Schubert (1797 - 1828), "Am Grabe Anselmos", op. 6 (Drei Lieder) no. 3, D 504 (1816), published 1821
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Daß ich dich verlohren habe,
Daß du nicht mehr bist,
Ach! daß hier in diesem Grabe
Mein Anselmo ist,
Das ist mein Schmerz! das ist mein Schmerz!!!
Seht, wie liebten wir uns beyde,
Und, so lang' ich bin, kommt Freude
Niemahls wieder in mein Herz.

Text Authorship:

  • by Matthias Claudius (1740 - 1815), "Bey dem Grabe Anselmo's", written 1773, first published 1773

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First published in Der Deutsche, sonst Wandsbecker Bothe. Ao. 1773. No. 140. Mittwochs, den 1sten September.

by Matthias Claudius (1740 - 1815)
3. By the grave of Anselmo
Language: English 
 That I have lost you,
 that you no longer exist -
 alas! that here in this grave
 my Anselmo lies -
 - this is my agony!
 You see, we loved each other,
 and, as long as I live, joy will never come 
 again to my heart.

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: 8
Word count: 43

Translation © by Emily Ezust