English translations of Fünf Lieder aus 'Der siebente Ring', opus 3

by Anton von Webern (1883 - 1945)

1. Dies ist ein Lied
 (Sung text)
by Anton von Webern (1883 - 1945), "Dies ist ein Lied", op. 3 (Fünf Lieder aus 'Der siebente Ring') no. 1
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Dies ist ein lied
Für dich allein:
Von kindischem wähnen
Von frommen tränen...
Durch morgengärten klingt es
Ein leichtbeschwingtes.
Nur dir allein
Möcht es ein lied
Das rühre sein.

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by Stefan George (1868 - 1933)
1. This is a song
Language: English 
 This is a song
 for you alone:
 of childish beliefs,
 of pious tears...
 through morning gardens it floats
 on light wings.
 Only for you
 would it like to be a song
 that moves the soul.

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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Line count: 9
Word count: 35

Translation © by Emily Ezust
2. Im Windesweben
 (Sung text)
by Anton von Webern (1883 - 1945), "Im Windesweben", op. 3 (Fünf Lieder aus 'Der siebente Ring') no. 2
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Im windes-weben 
War meine frage
Nur träumerei.
Nur lächeln war
Was du gegeben.
Aus nasser nacht
Ein glanz entfacht --
Nun drängt der mai ·
Nun muss ich gar
Um dein aug und haar
Alle tage
In sehnen leben.

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by Stefan George (1868 - 1933)
2. In the murmuring wind my question was only a dream
Language: English 
In the murmuring wind
my question
was only a dream;
you replied only
with a smile.
Thus, a wet night
kindled a warm glow -
now May presses,
and now, for your eyes and hair,
I must live 
in yearning 
all my days.

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: 12
Word count: 42

Translation © by Emily Ezust
3. An Baches Ranft
 (Sung text)
by Anton von Webern (1883 - 1945), "An Baches Ranft", op. 3 (Fünf Lieder aus 'Der siebente Ring') no. 3
Language: German (Deutsch) 
An baches ranft
Die einzigen frühen
Die hasel blühen.
Ein vogel pfeift
In kühler au.
Ein leuchten streift
Erwärmt uns sanft
Und zuckt und bleicht.
Das feld ist brach ·
Der baum noch grau...
Blumen streut vielleicht
Der lenz uns nach.

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by Stefan George (1868 - 1933)
3. At the edge of the brook
Language: English 
 At the edge of the brook,
 solitary and early,
 the hazel blooms.
 A bird is whistling
 in the cool meadow.
 A beam of light strokes
 and warms us gently
 and quivers and fades.
 The field is fallow,
 the tree yet grey...
 perhaps flowers will be strewn
 after us by Spring.

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:

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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 50

Translation © by Emily Ezust
4. Im Morgentaun
 (Sung text)
by Anton von Webern (1883 - 1945), "Im Morgentaun", op. 3 (Fünf Lieder aus 'Der siebente Ring') no. 4 (1908-9)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Im morgen-taun
Trittst du hervor
Den kirschenflor
Mit mir zu schaun ·
Duft einzuziehn
Des rasenbeetes.
Fern fliegt der staub ..
Durch die natur
Noch nichts gediehn
Von frucht und laub –
Rings blüte nur ...
Von süden weht es.

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by Stefan George (1868 - 1933)
4.
Language: English 
In the morning dew 
you step out
to gaze at the gauzy 
cherry tree with me,
and to breathe in 
the fragrance of the grass.
Far away, dust is flying...
Throughout Nature, 
nothing yet is thriving
in fruit or leaf,
yet around us there are blossoms...
a wind blows from the south.

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:

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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 52

Translation © by Emily Ezust
5. Kahl reckt der Baum
 (Sung text)
by Anton von Webern (1883 - 1945), "Kahl reckt der Baum", op. 3 (Fünf Lieder aus 'Der siebente Ring') no. 5 (1908-9)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Kahl reckt der baum
Im winterdunst
Sein frierend leben ·
Lass deinen traum
Auf stiller reise
Vor ihm sich heben!
Er dehnt die arme –
Bedenk ihn oft
Mit dieser gunst
Dass er im harme
Dass er im eise
Noch frühling hofft!

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by Stefan George (1868 - 1933)
5. The bare tree stretches
Language: English 
The bare tree stretches 
in the winter mist
with frozen life.
Let your dream,
on its quiet journey, 
rise before it!
It reaches out its arms -
dwell on this often
with admiration,
that in the midst of its affliction,
and surrounded by ice,
it yet hopes for Spring!

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: 48

Translation © by Emily Ezust