English translations of 6 Deutsche Liebeslieder, opus 60

by Agathe Ursula Backer-Grøndahl (1847 - 1907)

1. In dunkler Nacht
 (Sung text)
by Agathe Ursula Backer-Grøndahl (1847 - 1907), "In dunkler Nacht", op. 60 (6 Deutsche Liebeslieder) no. 1 (1869), published 1903 [ voice and piano ], from Sechs deutsche Liebeslieder aus der Jugend, no. 1
Language: German (Deutsch) 
In dunkler Nacht, wenn's Aug' noch wacht,
  Wenn noch der Schlaf dein Lager flieht
  Und grüßend leis' vorüberzieht:
  Dann möcht' ich wohl so ganz allein
  Dein einziger Gedanke sein!
 
In dunkler Nacht, wenn's Herz noch wacht,
  Wenn schon der Schlaf dein Auge schloß
  Und Ruh' und Frieden wieder goß;
  Dann möcht' ich wohl so ganz allein
  Dein einzig liebes Traumbild sein!
 
In dunkler Nacht, wenn's Licht erwacht,
  Wenn sich das Herz zu Gott erhebt
  Und über Licht und Himmel schwebt:
  Dann möcht' ich wohl mit Gott allein
  Dein brünstiges Gebet wohl sein!

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by Hans Grabow
1. In the dark night
 (Sung text translation) See original
Language: English 
In the dark night, when the eye still watches,
  When sleep still flees my resting place
  And quietly passes by with a greeting:
  Then I would like to be so utterly
  Your only thought!
 
In the dark night, when the heart still watches,
  When sleep has already closed your eyes
  And again poured rest and peace upon you;
  Then I would like to be so utterly
  Your only dear dream-image!
 
In the dark night, when the light still watches,sup>2
  When the heart lifts itself to God
  And floats over light and heaven:
  Then, with God alone, I would
  Like to be your fervent prayer!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2016 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: 2016-03-04
Line count: 15
Word count: 105

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
2. Volkslied
 (Sung text)
by Agathe Ursula Backer-Grøndahl (1847 - 1907), "Volkslied", op. 60 (6 Deutsche Liebeslieder) no. 2, published 1903, stanzas 1-3 [ voice and piano ], from Sechs deutsche Liebeslieder aus der Jugend, no. 2
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Es ist bestimmt in Gottes Rath,
Daß man, was man am liebsten hat,
Muß meiden;
Wiewohl nichts in dem Lauf der Welt
Dem Herzen ach! so sauer fällt,
Als Scheiden! ja Scheiden!

So dir geschenkt ein Knösplein was,
So thu' es in ein Wasserglas, --
Doch wisse:
Blüht morgen dir ein Röslein auf,
Es welkt wohl noch die Nacht darauf;
Das wisse! ja wisse!

Und hat dir Gott ein Lieb bescheert,
Und hältst du sie recht innig werth,
Die Deine --
Es wird nur wenig Zeit wohl sein 
Da lässt sie dich so ganz allein;
Dann weine! ja weine!

 ...

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Note: the text above is taken from stanzas 1-3 of the original text.

by Ernst Freiherr von Feuchtersleben (1806 - 1849)
2. It is certain in God's wisdom
Language: English 
It is certain in God's wisdom
that from our dearest loved one
we must part,
even if there is nothing in the world
that falls, oh! so bitterly on the heart
as such parting, yes parting.

As to you is given a small bud,
thus put it into a tumbler,
but know this, yes know it!,
a little rose that blooms tomorrow,
the following night will see it wither,
know that, yes know it.

And as God has given you a devotion
and you hold that love quite dearly,
as your own!
It will be about eight boards, then,
you soon will put her in!,
weep then, yes weep!

 ...

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by John H. Campbell, (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 between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 23
Word count: 133

Translation © by John H. Campbell
3. Namenloses Weh
 (Sung text)
by Agathe Ursula Backer-Grøndahl (1847 - 1907), "Namenloses Weh", op. 60 (6 Deutsche Liebeslieder) no. 3, published 1903 [ voice and piano ], from Sechs deutsche Liebeslieder aus der Jugend, no. 3
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wohl dem, der noch vertrauen kann
Sein Weh an andre Herzen,
Der da noch Mut und Kraft gewann,
Zu klagen seine Schmerzen.
 
Es gibt ein Leid, es gibt ein Weh,
Das tief im Innern glutet.
Was auch im Lauf der Zeit gescheh,
Es schweigt und zuckt und blutet.
 
Es gibt ein Weh, das niemand kennt,
Was findet keinen Namen --
O wohl dem, der dies Weh nicht kennt!
Gott schütz ihn weiter.  Amen.

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  • by Anonymous / Unidentified Author ( Agnes R. )

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by Anonymous / Unidentified Author
3. Nameless pain
Language: English 
It is well for him who can still entrust
His sorrow to other hearts,
Who there still garnered courage and strength
To lament his pain.
 
There is a suffering, there is a pain,
That glows deep within one.
Whatever else may happen in the passage of time,
This pain is silent and twitches and bleeds.
 
There is a pain that no one knows,
For which no name can be found --
Oh it is well for him who does not know this pain!
May God continue to protect him from it. Amen.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2016 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: 2016-03-08
Line count: 12
Word count: 91

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
4. Rastlose Liebe
 (Sung text)
by Agathe Ursula Backer-Grøndahl (1847 - 1907), "Rastlose Liebe", op. 60 (6 Deutsche Liebeslieder) no. 4, published 1903 [ voice and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Dem Schnee, dem Regen,
Dem Wind entgegen,
Im Dampf der Klüfte,
Durch Nebeldüfte,
Immer zu! Immer zu!
Ohne Rast und Ruh!

Lieber durch Leiden
Möcht' ich mich schlagen,
Als so viel Freuden
Des Lebens ertragen.
Alle das Neigen
Von Herzen zu Herzen,
Ach wie so eigen
Schaffet das Schmerzen!

Wie soll ich fliehen?
Wälderwärts ziehen?
Alles vergebens!
Krone des Lebens,
Glück ohne Ruh,
Liebe, bist du!

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Notes
Stanza 2, line 2, word 1: in Schubert's Alte Gesamtausgabe, this is "Wollt'"
Stanza 2, line 8, word 2: in Schubert (2nd version, and 1st version in Alte Gesamtausgabe), "das" is replaced with "es"

by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832)
4. Restless love
Language: English 
To the snow, to the rain
To the wind opposed,
In the mist of the ravines
Through the scent of fog,
Always on!  Always on!
Without rest and peace!

I would rather through suffering
Fight myself,
Than so many joys
Of life endure.

All the inclining
Of heart to heart,
Ah, how curiously
that creates pain!

Where shall I flee?
To the forest move?
All in vain!
Crown of life,
Happiness without peace,
Love, are you!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 1997 by Lynn Thompson, (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 between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 20
Word count: 76

Translation © by Lynn Thompson
5. Es muss' was Wunderbares sein
 (Sung text)
by Agathe Ursula Backer-Grøndahl (1847 - 1907), "Es muss' was Wunderbares sein", op. 60 (6 Deutsche Liebeslieder) no. 5 (1900), published 1903 [ voice and piano ], from Sechs deutsche Liebeslieder aus der Jugend, no. 5
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Es muß was Wunderbares sein
Um's Lieben zweier Seelen!
Sich schließen ganz einander ein,
Sich nie ein Wort verhehlen!

Und Freud' und Leid, und Glück und Noth
So mit einander tragen!
Vom ersten Kuß bis in den Tod
Sich nur von Liebe sagen!

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by Oscar von Redwitz-Schmölz (1823 - 1891)
5. It must be a wonderful thing
Language: English 
It must be a wonderful thing
for two souls to be in love,
locking each other in so completely,
never concealing a word;
and joy and grief, and happiness and hardship -
enduring these with each other
from the first kiss until death,
speaking together only with love.

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
6. Geächtet
 (Sung text)
by Agathe Ursula Backer-Grøndahl (1847 - 1907), "Geächtet", op. 60 (6 Deutsche Liebeslieder) no. 6 (1888), published 1903 [ voice and piano ], from Sechs deutsche Liebeslieder aus der Jugend, no. 6
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Es flüstert im Bache,
Es lauscht die Nacht, --
Was dort, an der Weide,
Die Maid wohl macht?

Die Rinde umklammert
Die bleiche Hand,
Es strömen die Thränen
Ihr unverwandt.

Da klinget ein Grüßen
Vom Wasser her:
"O komm nur, Du fühlest
Dein Weh nicht mehr!

"Bei mir ist Vergessen,
Hier unten Ruh,
Ich sag es ja Keinem,
Ich deck Dich zu!"

Es flüstert im Bache,
Es weint die Nacht --
Was habt mit dem Mägdlein
Ihr beide gemacht?

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by Elisabeth Pauline Ottilie Luise zu Wied, Prinzessin (1843 - 1916), as Carmen Sylva
6. Ostracized
Language: English 
There is a whispering in the brook,
The night listens, --
By the willow there,
What might the maiden be doing?

Clutching the bark
Is her pale hand,
Her tears stream
Unceasingly.

A greeting rings out
From over the water:
“Only come, and you shall
No longer feel your pain!”

“In me there is forgetting,
Down here is rest,
I shall not tell anyone,
I shall cover you!”

There is a whispering in the brook,
The night weeps, --
What have the two of you
Done with the maiden?

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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This text was added to the website: 2015-02-06
Line count: 20
Word count: 87

Translation © by Sharon Krebs