English translations of Sechs Lieder, opus posth. 172
by Franz Peter Schubert (1797 - 1828)
Mir träumt', ich war ein Vögelein, Und flog auf ihren Schooß, Und zupft' ihr, um nicht laß zu seyn, Die Busenschleifen los. Und flog, mit gaukelhaftem Flug, Dann auf die weiße Hand, Dann wieder auf das Busentuch, Und pickt' am rothen Band. Dann schwebt' ich auf ihr blondes Haar, Und zwitscherte vor Lust, Und ruhte, wann ich müde war, An ihrer weißen Brust. Kein Veilchenbett' im Paradies Geht diesem Lager vor. Wie schlief sichs da so süß, so süß, An ihres Busens Flor! Sie spielte, wie ich tiefer sank, Mit leisem Fingerschlag, Der mir durch Leib und Leben drang, Mich frohen Schlummrer wach; Sah mich so wunderfreundlich an, Und bot den Mund mir dar, Daß ich es nicht beschreiben kann, Wie froh, wie froh ich war. Da trippelt' ich auf einem Bein, Und hatte so mein Spiel, Und spielt' ihr mit dem Flügelein Die rothe Wange kühl. Doch ach! kein Erdenglück besteht, Tag sei es oder Nacht! Schnell war mein süßer Traum verweht, Und ich war aufgewacht.
Text Authorship:
- by Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty (1748 - 1776), title 1: "Ballade", title 2: "Der Traum", written 1775, first published 1776
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First published in the Hamburger Musenalmanach 1776 by Voß with the original title "Ballade". Voß subsequently changed the title into "Der Traum" in his editions of Hölty's collected poems.
I dreamed that I was a little bird and that I flew onto her lap and, so as not to be idle, undid the bow on her bosom; and then I flitted clownlike onto her white hand, then again onto her bosom kerchief, where I pecked at the red ribbon. Then I hovered over her blonde hair, and twittered with joy, and rested when I was weary, against her white breast. No bed of violets in paradise would I prefer to those lodgings! How sweetly I slept, how sweetly, against the gauze on her bosom! As I sank deeper, she played a light rhythm by drumming her fingers, and it penetrated me body and soul until it merrilly awakened my slumber; she gazed at me with such wondrous friendliness and bade me give her my mouth, so that I cannot describe how cheerful, how cheerful I was. I hopped along on one leg and had my game thus; and with my wings played with her cool cheeks; but ah! no earthly pleasure can last day and night! My sweet dream quickly vanished and I woke up.
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 Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty (1748 - 1776), title 1: "Ballade", title 2: "Der Traum", written 1775, first published 1776
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 32
Word count: 186
Nimmer werd' ich, nimmer dein vergessen, Kühle, grüne Dunkelheit, Wo mein liebes Mädchen oft gesessen, Und des Frühlings sich gefreut! Schauer wird durch meine Nerven beben, Werd' ich deine Blüthen sehn, Und ihr Bildniß mir entgegen schweben, Ihre Gottheit mich umwehn! Thränenvoll werd' ich, beym Mondenlichte, In der Geisterstunde Graun, Dir entgegenzittern, und Gesichte Auf Gesichte werd' ich schaun; Mich in manchen Göttertraum verirren, Bis Entzückung mich durchbebt, Und nach meinem süßen Täubchen girren, Dessen Abschied vor mir schwebt! Wenn ich auf der Bahn der Tugend wanke, Weltvergnügen mich bestrickt; Dann durchglühe mich der Feurgedanke, Was in dir ich einst erblickt! Und, als strömt' aus Gottes offnem Himmel Tugendkraft auf mich herab, Werd' ich fliehen, und vom Erdgewimmel Fernen meinen Pilgerstab!
Text Authorship:
- by Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty (1748 - 1776), "Die Laube", written 1773, first published 1775
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I will never forget you, cool, green darkness, where my darling maiden often sat, delighting in the spring. A shudder will go through my trembling nerves when I see your blossoms and her image will float before me, her divineness permeating me. Tearful, by moonlight, in the witching hour, I will tremble before you, gazing on face after face; I will lose myself in divine dreams until delight overwhelms me and I will coo for my sweet dove whose parting hangs over me. If I waver on the path of virtue, entranced by worldly pleasures, then send through me that fiery ardor that I once glimpsed within you. It is to us as if there flowed from God's open heavens the strength of virtue down upon me, as if I were flying from the earthly mob, far from my pilgrim's staff.
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 Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty (1748 - 1776), "Die Laube", written 1773, first published 1775
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: 142
Geuß nicht so laut der liebentflammten Lieder Tonreichen Schall Vom Blütenast des Apfelbaums hernieder, O Nachtigall. Du tönest mir mit deiner süssen Kehle Die Liebe wach; Denn schon durchbebt die Tiefen meiner Seele Dein schmelzend Ach. Dann flieht der Schlaf von neuem dieses Lager, Ich starre dann, Mit nassem Blick, und todtenbleich und hager, Den Himmel an. Fleuch, Nachtigall, in grüne Finsternisse, Ins Haingesträuch, Und spend' im Nest der treuen Gattin Küsse; Entfleuch, entfleuch!
Text Authorship:
- by Johann Heinrich Voss (1751 - 1826), "An die Nachtigall" [an adaptation]
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty (1748 - 1776), "An eine Nachtigall, die vor meinem Kammerfenster sang", written 1772
See other settings of this text.
Confirmed with Gedichte von Ludewig Heinrich Christoph Hölty. Besorgt durch seine Freunde Friederich Leopold Grafen zu Stolberg und Johann Heinrich Voß. Hamburg, bei Carl Ernst Bohn. 1783, page 157.
This poem makes use of some verses of Hölty's unfinished poem "An eine Nachtigall, die vor meinem Kammerfenster sang" and was included by Voß in his editions of Hölty's poems (see below).
Do not pour forth your love-enflamed songs' Tuneful sounds so loudly, Down from the blossoming branch of the apple tree, O Nightingale! With your sweet throat, you call me and Awaken Love within me; For already the depths of my soul are stirred By your melting cry. Sleep flees once more from this place, I stare then With a tearful gaze, deathly pale and haggard, At the sky. Fly, nightingale, off into the green darkness, Into the bushy grove. And shower kisses on your faithful mate in your nest, Fly off, fly off!
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 Heinrich Voss (1751 - 1826), "An die Nachtigall" [an adaptation]
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty (1748 - 1776), "An eine Nachtigall, die vor meinem Kammerfenster sang", written 1772
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website: 2003-11-13
Line count: 16
Word count: 94
Wehmuth, die mich hüllt, Welche Gottheit stillt Mein unendlich Sehnen? Die ihr meine Wimper näßt, Namenlosen Gram entpreßt, Fliesset, fliesset Thränen! Mond, der lieb und traut In mein Fenster schaut, Sage, was mir fehle? Sterne, die ihr droben blinkt, Holden Gruß mir freundlich winkt, Nennt mir, was mich quäle. Leise Schauer wehn, Süsses Liebesflehn Girrt um mich im Düstern. Rosen und Violenduft Würzen rings die Zauberluft, Holde Stimmen flüstern. In die Ferne strebt! Wie auf Flügeln schwebt Mein erhöhtes Wesen. Fremder Zug, geheime Kraft, Namenlose Leidenschaft, Laß, ach laß genesen! Aengstender beklemmt Mich die Wehmuth, hemmt Athem mir und Rede. Einsam schmachten, o der Pein! O des Grams, allein zu seyn In des Lebens Oede. Ist denn ach kein Arm, Der in Freud' und Harm Liebend mich umschlösse? Ist denn ach kein fühlend Herz, Keines, drinn in Lust und Schmerz Meines sich ergösse? Die ihr einsam klagt, Einsam wenn es tagt, Einsam wenn es nachtet. Ungeströstet ach, verächzt Ihr das holde Daseyn, lechzt, Schmachtet und verschmachtet.
Text Authorship:
- by Ludwig Gotthard Theobul Kosegarten (1758 - 1818), "Das Sehnen"
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How sorrow envelops me! What divinity will calm My endless longing? As you dampen my eyelids Oppressed with nameless pain Flow, flow, you tears! Moon, as you lovingly and intimately Look into my window, Tell me what I am lacking! Stars, gleaming up there, Gesturing to me with a beauteous greeting, Name what it is that is disturbing me! Gentle shudders cause pain, Sweet pleadings of love can be heard Cooing around me in darkness. The scents of roses and violets Add spice to the magical air. Beautiful voices whisper. Struggling in the distance, As if hovering on wings, Is my heightened being. Alien pull, secret power, Nameless suffering, Oh let me, let me recover! More anxiously oppressed As I am by sorrow, I have difficulty Breathing and speaking. Languishing alone, oh what pain! Oh the grief of being alone In the barrenness of life. So is there then no arm Which in joy and affliction Will embrace me with love? So is there then no feeling heart, Noone who, in pleasure or pain, Will take delight in me? You who lament alone, Alone when day breaks, Alone when night sets in, Uncomforted, oh, you scorn This beautiful existence, you pant, Languishing and parched.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2016 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: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Ludwig Gotthard Theobul Kosegarten (1758 - 1818), "Das Sehnen"
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website: 2016-08-30
Line count: 42
Word count: 204
Willkommen schöner Jüngling!
Du Wonne der Natur!
Mit deinem Blumenkörbchen
Willkommen auf der Flur!
Ey! ey! Da bist du wieder!
Und bist so schön und lieb!
Und freun wir uns so herzlich,
Entgegen dir zu gehn.
Denkst auch noch an mein Mädchen?
Ey lieber denke doch!
Dort liebte mich das Mädchen,
Und 's Mädchen liebt mich noch!
Fürs Mädchen manches Blümchen
Erbat ich mir von dir -
Ich komm' und bitte wieder,
Und du? - du giebst es mir?
...
Text Authorship:
- by Friedrich von Schiller (1759 - 1805), "An den Frühling", written 1782, first published 1782
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Note: the text above is taken from stanzas 1-4 of the original text.
First published in Anthologie auf das Jahr 1782, anonymously edited by Schiller with the fake publishing information "Gedrukt in der Buchdrukerei zu Tobolsko", actually published by Johann Benedict Metzler in Stuttgart, pages 123-124. This poem has "M." as the author's name.
Welcome, handsome youth!
You delight of nature!
With your basket of flowers,
you are welcome on this meadow!
Hey, hey! you've come again!
And you are so dear and handsome!
We rejoice heartily
as we greet you.
Do you also still think about my maiden?
Hey, my friend, you should!
For there my sweetheart loved me,
and the maiden loves me still!
For my sweetheart
I asked for many flowers from you -
I've come to ask again;
and you? You grant it.
...
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 Friedrich von Schiller (1759 - 1805), "An den Frühling", written 1782, first published 1782
Go to the general single-text view
Note: the text above is taken from stanzas 1-4 of the original text.
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 20
Word count: 100
Wie lieblich und fröhlich, Zu schweben, zu singen, In glänzender Höhe Zur Erde zu blicken! Die Menschen sind thöricht, Sie können nicht fliegen. Sie jammern in Nöthen, Wir flattern gen Himmel. Der Jäger will tödten, Dem Früchte wir pickten; Wir müssen ihn höhnen, Und Beute gewinnen.
Text Authorship:
- by Friedrich von Schlegel (1772 - 1829), "Die Vögel", appears in Abendröte, in Erster Teil, no. 3, first published 1802
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How delightful and exhilarating To soar, to sing, To look down on the earth From the shining heights! Men are foolish: They cannot fly. They lament in their troubles; We fly up to the heavens. The huntsman wants to kill us, Whose fruit we pecked, But we should mock him And snatch our spoils.
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.
Contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Friedrich von Schlegel (1772 - 1829), "Die Vögel", appears in Abendröte, in Erster Teil, no. 3, first published 1802
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 54