English translations of Two books of song, opus 101

by Jacques (Jacob) Blumenthal (1829 - 1908)

1. Wie kannst du ruhig schlafen  [sung text not yet checked]
by Jacques (Jacob) Blumenthal (1829 - 1908), "Wie kannst du ruhig schlafen", op. 101 (Two books of song), Heft 1 (In the shadow) no. 29, published 1894, also set in English
Language: German (Deutsch) 
  Wie kannst du ruhig schlafen,
Und weißt, ich lebe noch?
Der alte Zorn kommt wieder,
Und dann [zerbrech']1 ich mein Joch.

  Kennst du das alte Liedchen:
Wie einst ein toter Knab'
Um Mitternacht die Geliebte
Zu sich geholt ins Grab?

  Glaub' mir, du wunderschönes,
Du wunderholdes Kind,
Ich [lebe]2 und bin noch stärker
Als alle Toten sind!

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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 126.

1 Heller: "zerbreche"
2 Merxhausen (Decker): "leb' "

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
1. How can you sleep peacefully
Language: English 
  How can you sleep peacefully
And know that I still live?
My old wrath rises again,
And then I break my yoke.

  Do you know the old song:
How once a dead lad
Fetched his beloved at midnight
And took her with him into the grave?

  Believe me, you wondrously beautiful,
You wondrously lovely child,
I live and I am even stronger
Than all the dead!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2024 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):
"Drohung" = "Threat"
"Wie kannst du ruhig schlafen" = "How can you sleep peacefully"



This text was added to the website: 2024-01-13
Line count: 12
Word count: 67

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
2. How can'st thou sleep in comfort
by Jacques (Jacob) Blumenthal (1829 - 1908), "How can'st thou sleep in comfort", op. 101 (Two books of song), Heft 1 (In the shadow) no. 29, published 1894, also set in German (Deutsch)
Language: English 
How can'st thou sleep in comfort
 . . . . . . . . . .

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Text Authorship:

  • Singable translation by Anonymous / Unidentified Author

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Singable translation by Anonymous / Unidentified Author
3. Ein schöner Stern  [sung text not yet checked]
by Jacques (Jacob) Blumenthal (1829 - 1908), "Ein schöner Stern", op. 101 (Two books of song), Heft 2 (In the sunshine) no. 1, published 1894, also set in English
Language: German (Deutsch) 
  Ein schöner Stern geht auf in meiner Nacht,
Ein Stern, der süßen Trost herniederlacht
Und neues Leben mir verspricht --
O, lüge nicht!

  Gleichwie das Meer dem Mond entgegenschwillt,
So flutet meine Seele, froh und wild,
Empor zu deinem holden Licht --
O, lüge nicht!

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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 288.


by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
3. A radiant star
Language: English 
  A radiant star rises in my night,
A star that smiles down sweet comfort
And promises me new life --
Oh, do not deceive!

  Just as the sea swells toward the moon,
My soul surges, joyfully and wildly,
Up toward your lovely light --
Oh, do not deceive!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2025 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 titles:
"Ein schöner Stern" = "A radiant star"
"Ein schöner Stern erscheint in meiner Nacht" = "A radiant star appears in my night"
"Ein schöner Stern geht auf in meiner Nacht" = "A radiant star rises in my night"
"Ein Stern" = "A star"
"Katharina" = "Katharina"
"Katharine" = "Katharine"
"Mein Stern" = "My star"
"O lüge nicht" = "Oh, do not deceive"



This text was added to the website: 2025-01-20
Line count: 8
Word count: 47

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
4. New hope
by Jacques (Jacob) Blumenthal (1829 - 1908), "New hope", op. 101 (Two books of song), Heft 2 (In the sunshine) no. 1, published 1894, also set in German (Deutsch)
Language: English 
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Text Authorship:

  • by Anonymous / Unidentified Author

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by Anonymous / Unidentified Author