English translations of Drei Gesänge für Alt (oder Bariton) mit Pianoforte, opus 4

by Albert Felix, Graf Amadei (1851 - 1894)

1. Ein Fichtenbaum steht einsam  [sung text not yet checked]
by Albert Felix, Graf Amadei (1851 - 1894), "Ein Fichtenbaum steht einsam", op. 4 (Drei Gesänge für Alt (oder Bariton) mit Pianoforte) no. 1, published 1875 [ alto or baritone and piano ], Wien, Gotthard
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ein [Fichtenbaum]1 steht einsam
Im Norden auf kahler Höh';
Ihn schläfert; mit weißer Decke
Umhüllen ihn Eis und Schnee.

Er träumt von einer Palme,
Die fern im Morgenland,
Einsam und [schweigend]2 trauert
Auf brennender Felsenwand.

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Confirmed with Heinrich Heine, Buch der Lieder, Hoffmann und Campe, Hamburg, 1827, page 137.

1 Biegeleben: "Tannenbaum"; further changes may exist not shown above.
2 Marx: "schweigsam"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
1. A spruce-tree stands alone
Language: English 
 A spruce-tree stands alone
 in the north, on the bare heights;
 it slumbers; in a white blanket
 it is surrounded by ice and snow.
 
 It dreams of a palm tree
 which, far-off in the land of the morning,
 grieves, alone and mute,
 on a burning, rocky wall.

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: 47

Translation © by Emily Ezust
2. Warum?  [sung text not yet checked]
by Albert Felix, Graf Amadei (1851 - 1894), "Warum?", op. 4 (Drei Gesänge für Alt (oder Bariton) mit Pianoforte) no. 2, published 1875 [ alto or baritone and piano ], Wien, Gotthard
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Warum folgt er mir nur,
Dieser schreckliche Mann,
Warum lächelt er so,
Warum sieht er mich an,
Warum zuckt es so oft
In dem bleichen Gesicht,
Warum liebt er mich so,
Warum sagt er es nicht?

Warum findet mich stets
Sein dämonischer Blick.
Warum kann ich nicht fliehn!
Warum schau ich zurück?
Weil ein Zauber mich bannt,
Weil die Kraft mir gebricht.
Warum liebt er mich so,
Warum sagt er es nicht?

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by Emma von Schultz (1844 - 1882)
2. Why?
Language: English 
Why ever does he follow me,
This horrible man,
Why does he smile thus,
Why does he look at me,
Why is there so often a twitching
In his pale visage,
Why does he love me so,
Why does he not say it?
 
Why does his demonic gaze
Always settle on me?
Why can I not flee!
Why do I look back?
Because I am caught in an enchantment,
Because I lack the strength.
Why does he love me so,
Why does he not say it?

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2015 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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Translated titles:
"Warum sagt er es nicht?" = "Why does he not say it?"
"Warum?" = "Why?"
"Frage" = "Question"


This text was added to the website: 2015-09-09
Line count: 16
Word count: 86

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
3. Nun liegt die Welt umfangen  [sung text not yet checked]
by Albert Felix, Graf Amadei (1851 - 1894), "Nun liegt die Welt umfangen", op. 4 (Drei Gesänge für Alt (oder Bariton) mit Pianoforte) no. 3, published 1875 [ alto or baritone and piano ], Wien, Gotthard
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Nun [liegt]1 die Welt umfangen
[Von]2 starrer Winternacht,
Was frommt's, daß am Kamin ich
Entschwund'ner Lieb gedacht?

Das Feuer will erlöschen,
Das letzte Scheit verglüht,
Die Flammen werden Asche,
Das ist das End vom Lied,

Das End vom alten Liede,
Mir fällt kein neues ein,
Als Schweigen und Vergessen --
Und wann vergäß' ich dein?

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1 Brückler: "ist"; further changes may exist not shown above.
2 Henschel: "In"

by Joseph Viktor von Scheffel (1826 - 1886)
3. Now the world lies enfolded
Language: English 
Now the world [lies]1 enfolded
By numbing winter night,
Of what use is it that at the fireside
I thought of vanished love?

The fire wants to die down,
The last log is burning out,
The flames are becoming ashes,
That is the end of the song,

The end of the old song,
I can think of no new one
Except [a song of] falling silent and forgetting --
And when would I ever forget you?

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2014 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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Translated titles:
"Winternacht" = "Winter's night"
"Nun ist die Welt umfangen" = "Now the world is enfolded"
"Nun liegt die Welt umfangen" = "Now the world lies enfolded"
"Wann vergess' ich Dein?" = "When shall I forget you?"

1 Brückler: "is"


This text was added to the website: 2014-03-25
Line count: 12
Word count: 75

Translation © by Sharon Krebs