English translations of Fünf Lieder nach Gedichten von Stefan George, opus 4

by Anton von Webern (1883 - 1945)

1. Eingang
 (Sung text)
by Anton von Webern (1883 - 1945), "Eingang", op. 4 (Fünf Lieder nach Gedichten von Stefan George) no. 1 (1908-9)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Welt der gestalten lang lebewohl ! . .
Öffne dich wald voll schlohweisser stämme!
Oben im blau nur tragen die kämme
Laubwerk und früchte: gold karneol.

Mitten beginnt beim marmornen male
Langsame quelle blumige spiele ·
Rinnt aus der wölbung sachte als fiele
Korn um korn auf silberne schale.

Schauernde kühle schließt einen ring ·
Dämmer der frühe wölkt in den kronen ·
Ahnendes schweigen bannt die hier wohnen . . .
Traumfittich rausche! Traumharfe kling!

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by Stefan George (1868 - 1933)
1. Entrance
Language: English 
World of forms, [I bid you] a long farewell! . .
Open yourself, forest full of snow-white tree-trunks!
Only above in the blue the ridges bear
Foliage and fruits: of golden carnelian hue.

In the middle by the marble monument
The slow founts begin their flowery play ·
[Water] runs gently from the arch as if
Wheat grain upon wheat grain were falling onto a silver basin.

Shuddering coolness forms a circle ·
Twilight of morning beclouds the tree-tops ·
Portending silence enchants those who live here . . . 
Roar, dream-pinions! Resound, dream-harp!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2017 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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1 Webern: "schließt"


This text was added to the website: 2017-08-25
Line count: 12
Word count: 94

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
2. Noch zwingt mich treue
 (Sung text)
by Anton von Webern (1883 - 1945), "Noch zwingt mich treue", op. 4 (Fünf Lieder nach Gedichten von Stefan George) no. 2 (1908-9)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Noch zwingt mich treue über dich zu wachen
Und deines duldens schönheit dass ich weile ·
Mein heilig streben ist mich traurig machen
Damit ich wahrer deine trauer teile.

Nie wird ein warmer anruf mich empfangen ·
Bis in die späten stunden unsres bundes
Muss ich erkennen mit ergebnem bangen
Das herbe schicksal winterlichen fundes.

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by Stefan George (1868 - 1933)
2. Faithfulness still forces me
Language: English 
Faithfulness still forces me to watch over you
And the beauty of your tolerance [insists] that I linger ·
My holy endeavour is to make myself sad
So that I might more truly share your mourning.

Never shall a fervent appeal receive me·
Until in the late hours of our bond
I must, with resigned trepidation, recognize
The bitter fate of a wintry trove.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2017 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):
"Aus dem Jahr der Seele" = "From the Year of the Soul"
"Noch zwingt mich treue" = "Faithfulness still forces me"



This text was added to the website: 2017-08-25
Line count: 8
Word count: 64

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
3. Ja Heil und Dank dir die den Segen brachte!
 (Sung text)
by Anton von Webern (1883 - 1945), "Ja Heil und Dank dir die den Segen brachte!", op. 4 (Fünf Lieder nach Gedichten von Stefan George) no. 3 (1908-9)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ja heil und dank dir die den segen brachte!
Du schläfertest das immer laute pochen
Mit der erwartung deiner -- Teure -- sachte
In diesen glanzerfüllten sterbewochen.

Du kamest und wir halten uns umschlungen ·
Ich werde sanfte worte für dich lernen
Und ganz als glichest du der Einen Fernen
Dich loben auf den Sonnenwanderungen.

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by Stefan George (1868 - 1933)
3. Yea, good health and thanks to you who brought blessings!
Language: English 
Yea, good health and thanks to you who brought [me] blessings!
You lulled to sleep the ever-loud throbbing
With the expectation of you -- precious one -- gently
In these radiance-filled weeks of dying.

You came and, entwined, we hold each other ·
For you I shall learn soft words
And, just as if you resembled the One Distant One,
[I] shall praise you as the sun runs along its course.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2017 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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This text was added to the website: 2017-08-29
Line count: 8
Word count: 69

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
4. So ich traurig bin
 (Sung text)
by Anton von Webern (1883 - 1945), "So ich traurig bin", op. 4 (Fünf Lieder nach Gedichten von Stefan George) no. 4 (1908-9)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
So ich traurig bin
Weiß ich nur ein ding:
Ich denke mich bei dir
Und singe dir ein lied.

Fast vernehme ich dann
Deiner stimme klang ·
Ferne singt sie nach
Und minder wird mein gram.

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by Stefan George (1868 - 1933)
4. When I am sad
Language: English 
When I am sad
I know only one thing [to do]:
I imagine that I am with you
And sing you a song.

I almost perceive then
The sound of your voice ·
Far away it echoes me
And my misery is lessened.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2017 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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This text was added to the website: 2017-08-29
Line count: 8
Word count: 43

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
5. Ihr tratet zu dem herde
 (Sung text)
by Anton von Webern (1883 - 1945), "Ihr tratet zu dem herde", op. 4 (Fünf Lieder nach Gedichten von Stefan George) no. 5 (1908-9)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ihr tratet zu dem herde
Wo alle glut verstarb ·
Licht war nur an der erde
Vom monde leichenfarb.

Ihr tauchet in die aschen
Die bleichen finger ein
Mit suchen tasten haschen --
Wird es noch einmal schein!

Seht was mit trostgeberde
Der mond euch rät:
Tretet weg vom herde ·
Es ist worden spät.

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by Stefan George (1868 - 1933)
5. You approached the hearth
Language: English 
You approached the hearth
Where all the glow was dying ·
The only light on the ground
Came from the corpse-coloured moon.

Into the ashes you plunged
Your pale fingers
With seeking scrabbling snatching --
Shall it come alight once more!

See what, with a comforting mien,
The moon advises you to do:
Step away from the hearth ·
It has grown late.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2017 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.
    Contact: 

Based on:

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This text was added to the website: 2017-08-29
Line count: 12
Word count: 62

Translation © by Sharon Krebs