English translations of Vier Lieder für Mezzo-Sopran mit Pianoforte, opus 37

by Richard Hofmann

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1. Wehmuth  [sung text not yet checked]
by Richard Hofmann , "Wehmuth", op. 37 (Vier Lieder für Mezzo-Sopran mit Pianoforte) no. 1, published 1881 [ mezzo-soprano and piano ], Leipzig, Siegel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich kann wohl manchmal singen,
Als ob ich fröhlich sei,
Doch heimlich Tränen dringen,
Da wird das Herz mir frei.

[Es]1 lassen Nachtigallen,
Spielt draußen Frühlingsluft,
Der Sehnsucht Lied erschallen
Aus ihres [Kerkers]2 Gruft.

[Da]3 lauschen alle Herzen,
Und alles ist erfreut,
Doch keiner [fühlt]3 die Schmerzen,
Im Lied das tiefe Leid.

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1 Blodek, Hensel, Jensen, Schoeck, Széchényi: "So"
2 Blodek, Jensen, Schoeck, Széchényi: "Käfigs"
3 Barth, Hensel: "Es"
4 Hensel: "ahnt"

by Joseph Karl Benedikt, Freiherr von Eichendorff (1788 - 1857)
1.
Language: English 
Sometimes I can sing
as if I were happy,
but secretly tears well up
and free my heart.

The nightingales, 
when spring breezes play, let
their songs of yearning resound
from the depths of their dungeons.

Then all hearts listen
and everyone rejoices;
yet no one truly feels the anguish
of the song's deep sorrow.

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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Translation of title "Wehmut" = "Melancholy"


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 55

Translation © by Emily Ezust
2. Das Blatt im Buche  [sung text not yet checked]
by Richard Hofmann , "Das Blatt im Buche", op. 37 (Vier Lieder für Mezzo-Sopran mit Pianoforte) no. 2, published 1881 [ mezzo-soprano and piano ], Leipzig, Siegel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich [hab']1 eine alte Muhme,
[Die'n]2 altes Büchlein hat,
Es liegt in dem alten Buche
Ein altes, dürres Blatt.

So dürr [ist wohl auch die Hand schon]3,
[Die ihr's im Lenz einst]4 gepflückt. --
Was mag doch die Alte haben?
Sie weint, [so oft]5 sie's erblickt? --

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Confirmed with Anastasius Grün Blätter der Liebe, Stuttgart: Druck und Verlag von Gebrüder Franckh, 1830, page 64 (also consulted Gedichte von Anastasius Grün, Vierte, vermehrte Auflage, Leipzig: Weidmann'sche Buchhandlung, 1843, page 34; where the poem has the title "Das Blatt im Buche.")

1 Schultz: "hatte"; further changes may exist not shown above.
2 Decker, Reger, 1843 edition: "Die ein"
3 Decker, Reger, 1843 edition: "sind wohl auch die Hände"
4 Decker, Reger, 1843 edition: "Die's einst im Lenz ihr"
5 Decker, Reger, 1843 edition: "wenn"

by Anton Alexander, Graf von Auersperg (1806 - 1876), as Anastasius Grün
2.
Language: English 
I have an elderly aunt,
Who has a small, old book;
Lying in the old book - 
An old, dry leaf.

So very dry, as well, are the hands
Which once plucked it while in bloom.
What then does the elderly one do?
She weeps when she sees it.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2022 by Michael P Rosewall, (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: 2022-06-27
Line count: 8
Word count: 48

Translation © by Michael P Rosewall
3. Ich weiss, dass mich der Himmel liebt
by Richard Hofmann , "Ich weiss, dass mich der Himmel liebt", op. 37 (Vier Lieder für Mezzo-Sopran mit Pianoforte) no. 3, published 1881 [ mezzo-soprano and piano ], Leipzig, Siegel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich weiss dass mich der Himmel liebt
 . . . . . . . . . .

— The rest of this text is not
currently in the database but will be
added as soon as we obtain it. —

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  • by Anonymous / Unidentified Author

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by Anonymous / Unidentified Author
3.
[Translation not yet available]
4. Intermezzo  [sung text not yet checked]
by Richard Hofmann , "Intermezzo", op. 37 (Vier Lieder für Mezzo-Sopran mit Pianoforte) no. 4, published 1881 [ mezzo-soprano and piano ], Leipzig, Siegel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Dein Bildnis wunderselig
Hab ich im Herzensgrund,
Das sieht so [frisch]1 und fröhlich
Mich an zu jeder Stund'.

Mein Herz still in sich singet
Ein altes schönes Lied,
Das [in die Luft sich schwinget]2
Und [zu dir eilig]3 zieht.

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1 Jensen: "froh"
2 Jensen: "durch die Seele klinget"
3 Jensen: "eilig zu dir"

by Joseph Karl Benedikt, Freiherr von Eichendorff (1788 - 1857)
4. Intermezzo
Language: English 
Your blissful, wonderful image 
I have in my heart's depths;
it looks so freshly and joyously
at me in every moment.

My heart sings mutely to itself
an old, beautiful song
that soars into the air
and hastens to your side.

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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Translations of titles
"Dein Bildniss wunderselig" = "Your blissful, wonderful image"
"Dein Bildnis wunderselig" = "Your blissful, wonderful image"
"Intermezzo" = "Intermezzo"
"Andenken" = "Thoughts"
"Dein Bildniss" = "Your image"
"Dein Bildnis" = "Your image"



This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 8
Word count: 41

Translation © by Emily Ezust