English translations of Sechs kleine Lieder, opus 10

by Wilhelm Baumgartner (1820 - 1867)

1. Du bist wie eine Blume  [sung text not yet checked]
by Wilhelm Baumgartner (1820 - 1867), "Du bist wie eine Blume", op. 10 (Sechs kleine Lieder) no. 1 (1844), published 1852 [ voice and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
  Du bist wie eine Blume
[So hold und schön und rein;]1
Ich [schau']2 dich an, und Wehmut
Schleicht mir ins Herz hinein.

  Mir ist, als [ob ich]3 die Hände
Aufs Haupt [dir]4 legen sollt',
[Betend]5, daß [Gott dich]6 erhalte
[So rein und schön und hold]7.

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Confirmed with: Heinrich Heine’s sämtliche Werke in vier Bänden, herausgegeben von Otto F. Lachmann, Erster Band, Leipzig: Druck und Verlag von Philipp Reclam jun, [1887], page 136.

1 Ander: "So schön, so rein und hold"; Chadwick: "So schön, so hold, so rein"; Mayer: "So hold, so schön und rein"; Becker, Thuille: "So hold, so schön, so rein"; Unger: "So rein so schön und hold"
2 Becker: "seh'"
3 Hinrichs: "ob"
4 Hinrichs: "ich dir"
5 Dreyschock: "und beten"
6 Liszt: "dich Gott"
7 Ander: "So hold und schön und rein"; Chadwick, Thuille: "So schön, so hold, so rein"; Mayer: "So rein, so schön und hold"; Becker: "So rein, so schön, so hold"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
1. Thou art, as is a flower
Language: English 
Thou art, as is a flower,
so meek and pure and fine,
I look at thee and sadness
steals o'er the heart of mine.

I feel that both my hands softly
thy hair, thy head should seek,
praying that God may preserve thee
so pure and fine and meek.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2009 by Bertram Kottmann, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you must ask the copyright-holder(s) directly for permission. If you receive no response, you must consider it a refusal.

    Bertram Kottmann.  Contact: BKottmann (AT) t-online.de

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This text was added to the website: 2009-08-10
Line count: 8
Word count: 49

Translation © by Bertram Kottmann
2. Im wunderschönen Monat Mai  [sung text not yet checked]
by Wilhelm Baumgartner (1820 - 1867), "Im wunderschönen Monat Mai", op. 10 (Sechs kleine Lieder) no. 2, published 1848 [ voice and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Im wunderschönen Monat Mai,
Als alle Knospen sprangen, 1 
Da [ist]2 in meinem Herzen
Die Liebe aufgegangen.

Im wunderschönen Monat Mai,
Als alle Vögel sangen, 3
Da hab' ich ihr gestanden
Mein Sehnen und Verlangen.

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Confirmed with Heinrich Heine, Buch der Lieder, Hoffmann und Campe, Hamburg, 1827, page 112.

1 Lachner adds: "Geweckt von süssen Schmerzen, / Von Sehnsucht sanft umfangen,"
2 Ender: "ist auch"
3 Lachner adds: "Die Blüten sich umwanden, / Die Zweige sich umschlangen,"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
2. In the wonderfully beautiful month of May
Language: English 
In the wonderfully beautiful month of May
When all the buds are bursting open,
There, from my own heart,
Bursts forth my own love.

In the wonderfully beautiful month of May
When all the birds are singing,
So have I confessed to her
My yearning and my longing.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Paul Hindemith, (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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Line count: 8
Word count: 48

Translation © by Paul Hindemith
3. Stille Heiterkeit  [sung text not yet checked]
by Wilhelm Baumgartner (1820 - 1867), "Stille Heiterkeit", op. 10 (Sechs kleine Lieder) no. 3 (1844) [ voice and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Horch, wie still es wird im [dunkeln]1 Hain,
Mädchen, wir sind sicher und allein.

Still versäuselt hier am Wiesenhang
Schon der Abendglocke müder Klang.

Auf den Blumen, die sich dir verneigt,
Schlief das letzte Lüftchen ein und schweigt.

Sagen darf ich dir, wir sind allein,
Daß mein Herz ist ewig, ewig dein.

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1 Schoeck, Wolf: "dunklen"

by Nikolaus Lenau (1802 - 1850)
3.
Language: English 
Listen, how quiet the dark wood has become,
Darling girl, we are safe and alone.

Here on the sloping meadow
The tired pealing of the evening bell murmurs quietly.

Upon the flowers, that bow to you,
The last breeze falls asleep and is silent.

Now I may tell you, since we are alone,
That my heart is yours forever.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2009 by Melissa Malde, (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: 2009-09-22
Line count: 8
Word count: 59

Translation © by Melissa Malde
4. Ich will meine Seele tauchen  [sung text not yet checked]
by Wilhelm Baumgartner (1820 - 1867), "Ich will meine Seele tauchen", op. 10 (Sechs kleine Lieder) no. 4 (1848) [ voice and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich will meine Seele tauchen
In den Kelch der Lilie hinein;
Die Lilie soll [klingend]1 hauchen
Ein Lied von der Liebsten mein.

Das Lied soll [schauern]2 und beben
Wie der Kuß von ihrem Mund,
Den sie mir einst gegeben
In wunderbar süßer Stund'.

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Confirmed with Heinrich Heine, Buch der Lieder, Hoffmann und Campe, Hamburg, 1827, page 115.

1 Raif: "klingen und"
2 Raif: "schau'rn"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
4. I want to delve my soul
Language: English 
I want to delve my soul
Into the cup of the lily;
The lily should give resoundingly
A song belonging to my beloved.

The song should shudder and tremble
Like the kiss from her lips
That she once gave me
In a wonderfully sweet hour.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Paul Hindemith, (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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Line count: 8
Word count: 45

Translation © by Paul Hindemith
5. Ein Stündlein vor Tag  [sung text not yet checked]
by Wilhelm Baumgartner (1820 - 1867), "Ein Stündlein vor Tag", op. 10 (Sechs kleine Lieder) no. 5 (1850) [ voice and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
[Derweil]1 ich [schlafend]2 [lag]3,
Ein Stündlein wohl vor Tag,
Sang vor dem Fenster auf dem Baum
Ein Schwälblein mir, [ich]4 hört' es kaum
Ein Stündlein wohl vor Tag:

"Hör an, was ich dir sag'!
Dein Schätzlein ich verklag':
Derweil ich [dieses]2 singen tu',
Herzt [er]5 ein Lieb in guter Ruh,
Ein Stündlein wohl vor Tag."

O weh! nicht weiter sag'!
O still! nichts hören mag!
[Flieg ab, flieg ab]6 von meinem Baum!
-- Ach, Lieb' und Treu' ist wie [ein]7 Traum
Ein Stündlein wohl vor Tag.

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Confirmed with Eduard Mörike, Gedichte, Dramatisches, Erzählendes, Zweite, erweiterte Auflage, Stuttgart: J.G. Cotta'sche Buchhandlung Nachf., 1961, page 31.

1 Deprosse, Distler: "Dieweil"
2 Leberl: "eben"
3 Bellerman: "fand"; further changes may exist not shown above
4 Distler: "man"
5 Rheinberger: "es"
6 Leberl: "Flieg ab"
7 Leberl: "im"

by Eduard Mörike (1804 - 1875)
5. An hour before daybreak
Language: English 
 As I lay sleeping,
 well an hour before daybreak,
 by my window on the tree there sang
 for me a little swallow; I could hardly hear it
 an hour before daybreak.
 
 "Listen well to what I say to you -
 your sweetheart I denounce:
 as I am singing this,
 he is clasping his love in good repose,
 an hour before daybreak."
 
 O woe! say no more!
 O silence! I want to hear no more!
 Fly away, fly away from my tree!
 Alas, love and fidelity are like a dream
 an hour before daybreak!

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: 15
Word count: 93

Translation © by Emily Ezust
6. Schilflied  [sung text not yet checked]
by Wilhelm Baumgartner (1820 - 1867), "Schilflied", op. 10 (Sechs kleine Lieder) no. 6 (1848) [ voice and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Auf dem Teich, dem Regungslosen,
Weilt des Mondes holder Glanz,
Flechtend seine bleichen Rosen
In des Schilfes grünen Kranz.

Hirsche wandeln dort am Hügel,
Blicken [in]1 die Nacht empor;
Manchmal regt sich das Geflügel
Träumerisch im tiefen Rohr.

Weinend muß mein Blick sich senken;
Durch die tiefste Seele geht
Mir ein süßes Deingedenken,
Wie ein stilles Nachtgebet.

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1 Mendelssohn: "durch"

by Nikolaus Lenau (1802 - 1850)
6. On the pond, the motionless one
Language: English 
 On the pond, the motionless one,
 rests the moon's lovely gleam,
 weaving its pale roses
 into a green garland of reeds.
 
 Deer wander there on the hill,
 gazing up through the night;
 often, winged things stir
 dreamily in the tall reeds.
 
 Weeping, I must lower my gaze;
 through the depths of my soul pass
 sweet thoughts of you,
 like a quiet night prayer.

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: 64

Translation © by Emily Ezust