English translations of Vier Lieder für Singstimme und Klavier, opus 12

by Anton von Webern (1883 - 1945)

1. Der Tag ist vergangen
 (Sung text)
by Anton von Webern (1883 - 1945), "Der Tag ist vergangen", op. 12 (Vier Lieder für Singstimme und Klavier) no. 1
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Der Tag ist vergangen,
Die Nacht ist schon hier;
Gute Nacht, o Maria,
Bleib ewig bei mir.

Der Tag ist vergangen,
Die Nacht kommt herzu;
Gib auch den Verstorbnen
Die ewige Ruh.

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by Peter Rosegger (1843 - 1918)
1. The day has passed
Language: English 
 The day has passed,
 and night is already here;
 Good night, o Maria,
 stay with me forever.
 
 The day has passed,
 and night is coming;
 give also to the dead
 eternal peace.

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: 32

Translation © by Emily Ezust
2. Die geheimnisvolle Flöte
 (Sung text)
by Anton von Webern (1883 - 1945), "Die geheimnisvolle Flöte", op. 12 (Vier Lieder für Singstimme und Klavier) no. 2 (1917)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
An einem Abend, da die Blumen dufteten
Und alle Blätter an den Bäumen, trug der Wind mir
Das Lied einer entfernten Flöte zu. Da schnitt
Ich einen Weidenzweig vom Strauche, und
Mein Lied flog, Antwort gebend, durch die blühende Nacht.

Seit jenem Abend hören, wenn die Erde schläft,
Die Vögel ein Gespräch in ihrer Sprache.

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by Hans Bethge (1876 - 1946)
2. The mysterious flute
Language: English 
One evening, when flowers were wafting their scents
and all the leaves were on the trees, the wind brought to me
the song of a far-off flute. Immediately I cut
a branch from the willow, and
my song flew to give answer through the blossoming night.
Ever since that evening, when the earth is sleeping,
the birds hear conversations in their language.

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: 2003-12-09
Line count: 7
Word count: 62

Translation © by Emily Ezust
3. Schien mir's, als ich sah die Sonne
 (Sung text)
by Anton von Webern (1883 - 1945), "Schien mir's, als ich sah die Sonne", op. 12 (Vier Lieder für Singstimme und Klavier) no. 3 (1915)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Schien mir's, als ich sah die Sonne,
daß ich schaute den Verborgnen:
jeder Mensch genießt die Werke,
selig, der das Gute übet.
Für die Zornestat, die du verübtest,
büße nicht mit Bosheit;
tröste den, den du betrübtest,
gütig, und es wird dir frommen.
Der nur fürchtet, der sich hat vergangen:
gut ist schuldlos leben.

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  • by Anonymous / Unidentified Author

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by Anonymous / Unidentified Author
3. It seems to me that when I saw the sun
Language: English 
 It seems to me that when I saw the sun,
 I also saw the Hidden One:
 every man delights in His works;
 blissful is he who does good.
 If you do something in rage,
 do not heap spite upon your deed;
 comfort the person you have wronged
 and be kind, for it will benefit you.
 Only those who have sinned live in fear:
 it is good to live without guilt.

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: 2003-10-20
Line count: 10
Word count: 70

Translation © by Emily Ezust
4. Gleich und gleich
 (Sung text)
by Anton von Webern (1883 - 1945), "Gleich und gleich", op. 12 (Vier Lieder für Singstimme und Klavier) no. 4 (1917)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ein Blumenglöckchen 
Vom Boden hervor
War früh gesprosset
In lieblichem Flor;
Da kam ein Bienchen
Und naschte fein: --
Die müssen wohl beide 
Für einander sein.

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by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832)
4. Like to like
Language: English 
A little flower-bell 
had sprouted early 
from the ground
with a lovely little flourish;
there came a little bee 
and sipped it delicately:
they must have been made 
for each other.

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 "Gleich und gleich" = "Like to like"


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 8
Word count: 31

Translation © by Emily Ezust