English translations of Vier Lieder für Sopran (oder Tenor), opus 11

The earth rests in heaven,
Moon and stars keep watch,
Upon the earth, a little garden
Slumbers in the flowers' splendour.
Good night, good night!

In the garden there stands a little house,
[Quietly]1 covered by a canopy of lime trees;
Outside before of the little bay window
A singing [bird]2 keeps watch.
Good night, good night!

In the bay-windowed room a maiden sleeps,
Dreaming of the splendour of the flowers;
Within her heart rests heaven,
Wherein the [angels]3 keep watch.
Good night, good night!

Little bird, fly forth,
Little bird, return again! 
Fly away to my beloved
And sit yourself down.
See what she is doing – 
If she is true to me from afar,
If she is thinking about me,
Little bird, pay attention!

Little bird, fly forth,
Little bird, return again! 
Carry to my beloved’s ear
All of my songs;
Say: “He is yours,
He can’t exist without you,
And lives only for you!”
Little bird, tell her!

Little bird, fly forth,
Little bird, return again! 
Take her love’s greeting
Upon your feathers!
If she questions you
And tells you many lovely things
Fly back quickly and bring them to me,
Little bird, be clever!

Little bird, fly forth,
Little bird, return again! 
Bring me just a tiny rose
From her bodice!
Even if only a small one,
It will be truly welcome!
Whatever my treasure gives,
Little bird, is gold to me!

Little bird, fly forth,
Little bird, return again! 
Then, rest from your flying
And sit yourself down.
Rest next to me
Feast yourself at the feeder
Refresh yourself with cool drink,
Little bird – many thanks!

It has [become so]1 quiet.
The evening breeze has rustled itself out.
Now one hears everywhere
The footsteps of the angels.
All around darkness sinks
Powerfully into the [valleys]2;
Cast off, heart, what grieves you
And what makes you anxious!
 
The world rests in silence,
Its turbulence is past,
Its roundelay of joy is mute,
And mute its cry of pain;
Whether it provided roses,
Whether it brought thorns,
Cast off, heart, what grieves you
And what makes you anxious!
 
And if today you erred,
Oh do not look back;
Feel yourself animated
By the good fortune of free grace.
The shepherd upon his watch on high
Thinks also of the lost one--
Cast off, heart, what grieves you
And what makes you anxious!
 
Now all about the heavens
The stars stand in majesty.
Along the old, firm pathway
The golden carriage [the moon] is travelling.
And like the stars, it directs
Your way through the night.
Cast off, heart, what grieves you
And what makes you anxious!

A springtime greeting passes
Through the wide world,
The scented violets are sprouting,
Forest and field are turning green.

The nightingales are singing,
The blossom nods from the tree;
That is a rejoicing, a resounding
In the blue canopy of heaven!

All startled the heart gazes
Into all the air,
The flowers flatter and entice:
"You too must be happy!"

The heart does not find that easy,
The winter was so dreary --
But on and on they wave
The flowers, quite too sweetly.

Then the heart casts off the yoke
Of pain and rejoices freely, --
Spring outdoors and spring in the heart,
Winter is over! --