English translations of Zwei Gesänge für gemischten Chor, opus 36

by Ottomar Neubner (1843 - 1912)

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1. Der Schwur  [sung text not yet checked]
by Ottomar Neubner (1843 - 1912), "Der Schwur", op. 36 (Zwei Gesänge für gemischten Chor) no. 1, published <<1893 [ mixed chorus ], Leipzig, Siegel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
[Es sprach zu Hänschen Gretchen]1:
"Mein Lieben mich gereut.
Du [scherzt]2 mit allen Mädchen,
Wir sind geschied'ne Leut.
Geh' deines [Weges]3 wieder!
Mein Kuss bleibt dir versagt,
Bis einst der span'sche Flieder
Im Garten Aepfel tragt!"

Das Fenster ward geschlossen,
Den Vorhang zog sie für,
Und Hänschen ging verdrossen
Von seiner Liebsten Thür.
Als Tags darauf er wieder
Den Weg zur Trauten fand,
Sass Gretchen auf dem Flieder,
[Daran]4 sie Aepfel band.

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Confirmed with Rudolf Baumbach, Spielmannslieder , Leipzig: Verlag von A.G. Liebeskind, 1893, page 49.

1 Bohm, Reger, Zerlett: "Zum Hänschen sprach das Gretchen"; Blumenberg, Claassen, Kirchl, Kretschmer, Isenmann, Meyer-Helmund, Patzcker, Reinecke, Roeder: "Es sprach zum Hänschen Gretchen"
2 Bohm, Reger: "scherzest"
3 Bohm, Reger: "Wegs nur"
4 Reger: "Darauf"

by Rudolph Baumbach (1840 - 1905)
1. The vow
Language: English 
Gretchen said to Hans:
"I regret loving you.
You flirt with all the girls;
We two are parting company.

[Go]1 on your way again!
My kiss shall remain denied you,
Until the Spanish lilac
In the garden bears apples!"

The window was shut,
She drew the curtains,
And, peeved, Hans went
Away from his beloved's door.

When on the following day
He again found his way to his darling,
Gretchen was sitting upon the lilac,
[To which]2 she was tying apples.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2018 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 Bohm, Reger: "Only go"
2 Reger: "Upon which"


This text was added to the website: 2018-08-08
Line count: 16
Word count: 83

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
2. Wenn der Vogel naschen will  [sung text not yet checked]
by Ottomar Neubner (1843 - 1912), "Wenn der Vogel naschen will", op. 36 (Zwei Gesänge für gemischten Chor) no. 2, published <<1893 [ mixed chorus ], Leipzig, Siegel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Amsel in dem schwarzen Kleid
Treff' ich hier dich wieder?
O wie gern zur Maienzeit
Hört' ich deine Lieder!
Und nun [sitzt du stumm und still]1
In den Rebenschlingen. --
"Wenn der Vogel naschen will,
Pflegt er nicht zu singen."

Heda, Geigerlein, wohin?
Ei, was muss ich sehen!
Um das Haus der Winzerin
Schleichst du auf den Zehen.
Nimm hervor [das]2 Saitenspiel,
Lass ein Stücklein klingen!
"Wenn der Vogel naschen will,
Pflegt er nicht zu singen."

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Confirmed with Rudolf Baumbach, Spielmannslieder, Leipzig: Verlag von A. G. Liebeskind, 1883, page 48.

1 Meyer-Helmund: "sitz'st du still und stumm"
1 Meyer-Helmund: "dein"

by Rudolph Baumbach (1840 - 1905)
2. When the bird wishes to nibble
Language: English 
Blackbird in your dark garb,
Do I find you here once more?
Oh, how gladly in May-time
I heard your songs!
And now you are sitting [mute and silent]1
In the loops of the grapevine. --
"When the bird wishes to nibble
It tends not to sing."

Hey there, little violinist, whither?
What must I see!
On tiptoe you are sneaking 
About the house of the lady vintner.
Take out your stringed instrument,
Let a little song ring out!
"When the bird wishes to nibble
It tends not to sing."

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2020 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: 

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Translations of title(s):
"Amsel in dem schwarzen Kleid" = "Blackbird in your dark garb"
"Wenn der Vogel naschen will" = "When the bird wishes to nibble"

1 Meyer-Helmund: "silent and mute"


This text was added to the website: 2020-01-15
Line count: 16
Word count: 90

Translation © by Sharon Krebs