English translations of Drei Lieder für 1 Singstimme mit Pianoforte, opus 3

by Josef Hofmann

1. Bitte  [sung text not yet checked]
by Josef Hofmann , "Bitte", op. 3 (Drei Lieder für 1 Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 1, published 1886 [ voice and piano ], Wien, Chmel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Weil' auf mir, du dunkles Auge,
Übe deine ganze Macht,
Ernste, milde, [träumerische]1,
Unergründlich süße Nacht!

Nimm mit deinem Zauberdunkel
Diese Welt von hinnen mir,
Daß du über meinem Leben
Einsam schwebest für und für.

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Confirmed with Nicolaus Lenau's sämtliche Werke, herausgegeben von G. Emil Barthel, Leipzig: Druck und Verlag von Philipp Reclam jun., [1883], page 11.

1 Bolko von Hochberg: "zauberische"; Sjögren: "träumereiche"

by Nikolaus Lenau (1802 - 1850)
1. Linger on me, dark eyes
Language: English 
Linger on me, dark eyes -
exert your entire power,
somber, mild, dream-like,
unfathomably sweet night.

With your magic darkness
take from me this world,
so that above my life
you alone will float forever and ever.

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: 8
Word count: 36

Translation © by Emily Ezust
2. Blick in den Strom  [sung text not yet checked]
by Josef Hofmann , "Blick in den Strom", op. 3 (Drei Lieder für 1 Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 2, published 1886 [ voice and piano ], Wien, Chmel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
[Sahst]1 du ein Glück [vorübergehn]2,
Das nie sich wiederfindet,
Ist's gut in einen Strom zu sehn,
Wo Alles wogt und schwindet.

O, starre nur hinein, hinein,
Du wirst es leichter missen,
Was dir, und soll's dein Liebstes seyn,
Vom Herzen ward gerissen.

Blick' unverwandt hinab zum Fluß,
Bis deine Tränen fallen,
Und sieh durch ihren warmen Guß
Die Flut hinunterwallen.

Hinträumend wird Vergessenheit
Des Herzens Wunde schließen;
Die Seele sieht mit ihrem Leid
Sich selbst vorüberfließen.

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Confirmed with Nicolaus Lenau, Sämmliche Gedichte, herausgegeben von Anastasius Grün, vierter Band, Stuttgart und Augsburg, J. G. Cotta Verlag, 1855, page 355.

1 Mettenheimer: "Sieh'st"; further changes may exist not shown above.
2 Flügel: "vorüberziehn"; further changes may exist not shown above.

by Nikolaus Lenau (1802 - 1850)
2. Gaze into the river
Language: English 
If you [saw]1 a happiness pass by
That shall never be found again,
It is good to look into a river
Where everything surges and disappears.

Oh, only gaze into it, [gaze] into it,
You shall less sorely miss
That -- and though it were your dearest [treasure] --
Which was torn from your heart.

Gaze steadfastly down to the river
Until your tears fall,
And through their warm outpouring see
The river surging onward.

As if in a dream, oblivion
Shall close the wound of your heart;
With its sorrow the soul sees
Itself flowing past.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2024 by Sharon Krebs, (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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Translations of title(s):
"An den Strom" = "To the river"
"Blick in den Strom" = "Gaze into the river"
"Der Strom" = "The river"
"Letzter Lebensblick" = "Last gaze of life"
"Sahst du ein Glück vorübergehn" = "If you saw a happiness pass by"

1 Mettenheimer: "see"; further changes may exist not shown above.


This text was added to the website: 2024-02-07
Line count: 16
Word count: 96

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
3. Liebesfrühling  [sung text not yet checked]
by Josef Hofmann , "Liebesfrühling", op. 3 (Drei Lieder für 1 Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 3, published 1886 [ voice and piano ], Wien, Chmel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich sah den Lenz einmal
[Erblühn]1 im schönsten Tal;
Ich sah der Liebe Licht
Im schönsten Angesicht.

Und wandl' ich nun allein
Im Frühling durch den Hain,
Erscheint aus jedem Strauch
Ihr Angesicht mir auch.

Und seh ich sie am Ort
Wo längst der Frühling fort,
So sprießt ein Lenz und schallt
Um ihre süße Gestalt.

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1 Gänsbacher, Krinninger: "Erwacht"; further changes may exist not shown above for Krinninger.

by Nikolaus Lenau (1802 - 1850)
3. Love's Spring
Language: English 
I saw the Spring once
blossoming in the loveliest valley;
I saw the light of live
in the most beautiful face.

And when I walk alone now
through the grove in Spring,
in every bush
her face appears to me too.

And when I see her in a place
that Spring has long since abandoned,
then a new Spring sprouts and praises resoundingly
her sweet form.

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: 12
Word count: 66

Translation © by Emily Ezust