English translations of Zwei Lieder, opus 85

by Franz Peter Schubert (1797 - 1828)

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1. Lied der Anne Lyle
 (Sung text)
by Franz Peter Schubert (1797 - 1828), "Lied der Anne Lyle", op. 85 (Zwei Lieder) no. 1, D 830 (1825?), published 1828 [ voice and piano ], A. Diabelli & Co., VN 2877, Wien
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wär'st Du bei mir im Lebensthal',
Gern wollt' ich alles mit Dir theilen;
Mit Dir zu fliehn, wär' leichte Wahl,
Bei mildem Wind, bei Sturmesheulen.
Doch trennt uns harte Schicksalsmacht,
Uns ist nicht gleiches Loos geschrieben;
Mein Glück ist, wenn Dir Freude lacht,
Ich wein' und bete für den Lieben.

Es wird mein töricht Herz vergeh'n,
Wenn's alle Hoffnung sieht verschwinden;
Doch soll's nie seinen Gram gesteh'n,
Nie mürrisch klagend ihn verkünden.
Und drückt des Lebens Last das Herz,
Soll nie den matten Blick sie trüben,
So lange mein geheimer Schmerz
Ein Kummer wäre für den Lieben.

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sometimes misattributed to Sophie Friederike Elise Mayer (1788 - 1827), as Sophie May and by Wilhelm Adolf Lindau (1774 - 1849)
1. Anne Lyle's song
Language: English 
If you were with me in the valley of life
I would happily share everything with you;
Flying off with you would be an easy choice,
Either when the wind is gentle or in a howling storm.
But the power of rigid fate separates us,
The same destiny has not been prescribed for us;
My happiness is when joy laughs on you,
I weep and pray for him I love.

My foolish heart will expire
If it sees all hope disappear;
Yet it will never confess all of its grief,
Nor sullenly declare it with laments.
And if life's burden presses on my heart,
My dull gaze will not be troubled
For as long as my secret sorrow
Might cause anxiety for him I love.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2019 by Malcolm Wren, (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: 2019-12-29
Line count: 16
Word count: 125

Translation © by Malcolm Wren
2. Gesang der Norna
 (Sung text)
by Franz Peter Schubert (1797 - 1828), "Gesang der Norna", op. 85 (Zwei Lieder) no. 2, D 831 (1825), published 1828 [ voice and piano ], A. Diabelli & Co., VN 2877, Wien
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Mich führt mein Weg wohl meilenlang
Durch Golf und Strom und Wassergrab,
Die Welle kennt den Runensang
Und glättet sich zum Spiegel ab.

Die Welle kennt den Runensang,
Der Golf wird glatt, der Strom wird still;
Doch Menschenherz, im wilden Drang,
Es weiß nicht, was es selber will.

Nur eine Stund' ist mir vergönnt,
In Jahresfrist, zum Klageton:
Sie schlägt, wenn diese Lampe brennt -
Ihr Schein verlischt - sie ist entflohn.

Heil, Magnus Töchter, fort und fort!
Die Lampe brennt in tiefer Ruh;
Euch gönn' ich dieser Stunde Wort -
Erwacht, erhebt Euch, hört mir zu!

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by Samuel Heinrich Spiker (1786 - 1858)
2. Norna's song
Language: English 
My course has already led me many miles
Across gulfs and streams and watery graves,
The waves know the runic song
And flatten out to become a mirror.

The waves know the runic song,
The gulf becomes smooth, the stream becomes quiet;
Yet the human heart, with a savage force,
It does not know what it itself desires.

I am permitted only one hour
In the course of a year in which to utter my lament:
The hour strikes when this lamp is burning - 
When its glow goes out - the hour has fled.

Hail, daughters of Magnus, onwards, ever onwards!
The lamp is burning in deep calm;
At this hour I am permitted to speak to you - 
Awake, arise, listen to me!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2020 by Malcolm Wren, (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: 

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Translation of title "Gesang der Norna" = "Norna's song"


This text was added to the website: 2020-01-03
Line count: 16
Word count: 122

Translation © by Malcolm Wren