English translations of Sechs Quartette für S., A., T. und B. mit Pianoforte, opus 112

by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897)

1. Sehnsucht
 (Sung text)
by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), "Sehnsucht", op. 112 (Sechs Quartette für S., A., T. und B. mit Pianoforte) no. 1 (1891), published 1892 [ SATB quartet and piano ], Leipzig, Peters
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Es rinnen die Wasser Tag und Nacht,
Deine Sehnsucht wacht.
Du gedenkest der vergangenen Zeit,
Die liegt so weit.
Du siehst hinaus in den Morgenschein
Und bist allein.
Es rinnen die Wasser Tag und Nacht,
Deine Sehnsucht wacht.

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by Franz Theodor Kugler (1808 - 1858)
1. Longing
Language: English 
Like water, running day and night,
your longing lies awake.
You think about a vanished time
that lies so far away.
You look out into the light of morning
and you are alone.
Like water, running day and night,
your longing lies awake.

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: 8
Word count: 43

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2. Nächtens
 (Sung text)
by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), "Nächtens", op. 112 (Sechs Quartette für S., A., T. und B. mit Pianoforte) no. 2 (1891), published 1892 [ SATB quartet and piano ], Leipzig, Peters
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Nächtens wachen auf die irren,
Lügenmächt'gen Spukgestalten,
Welche deinen Sinn verwirren.

Nächtens ist im Blumengarten
Reif gefallen, daß vergebens
Du der Blumen würdest warten.

Nächtens haben Gram und Sorgen
In dein Herz sich eingenistet,
Und auf Tränen blickt der Morgen.

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by Franz Theodor Kugler (1808 - 1858)
2. At night
Language: English 
At night awaken those wandering,
deceptive phantoms
that bewilder the mind.

At night in the flower garden
frost falls so that it is futile
to wait for flowers to bloom.

At night grief and worry
nestle within your heart
and the morning gazes in upon tears.

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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3.
 (Sung text)
by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), no title, alternate title: "Himmel strahlt so helle und klar", op. 112 (Sechs Quartette für S., A., T. und B. mit Pianoforte) no. 3 (1891), published 1892 [ SATB quartet and piano ], from Vier Zigeunerlieder, no. 1, Leipzig, Peters
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Himmel strahlt so helle und klar,
Heller strahlt mir dein Augenpaar.
Du meine Rose, mir ins Auge blick,
Daß ich dich segne in meinem Glück.

Vögleins Lied so lieblich erklingt,
Süß'res Lied mir mein Liebchen singt.
Du meine Rose, mir ins Auge blick,
Daß ich dich segne in meinem Glück.

Sonne küßt das ganze Erdenrund,
Heißer küßt mich dein Rosenmund.
Du meine Rose, mir ins Auge blick,
Daß ich dich segne in meinem Glück.

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by Hugo Conrat (1845 - 1906)
3. The sky is beaming, so bright and clear
Language: English 
 The sky is beaming, so bright and clear;
 even more brightly do your eyes beam at me.
 You, my rose, gaze into my eyes,
 so that I bless you in my happiness.
 
 The little bird's song resounds with such loveliness, 
 yet my darling sings a much sweeter song.
 You, my rose, gaze into my eyes,
 so that I bless you in my happiness.
 
 The sun kisses the entire world,
 yet your rosy lips kiss me even more warmly.
 You, my rose, gaze into my eyes,
 so that I bless you in my happiness.

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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Word count: 94

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4.
 (Sung text)
by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), no title, alternate title: "Rothe Rosenknospen", op. 112 (Sechs Quartette für S., A., T. und B. mit Pianoforte) no. 4 (1891), published 1892 [ SATB quartet and piano ], from Vier Zigeunerlieder, no. 2, Leipzig, Peters
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Rote Rosenknospen
künden schon des Lenzes Triebe.
Rosenrote Wangen
Deuten Mädchens erste Liebe.
Kleiner roter Vogel,
Flieg herab zur roten Rose!
Bursche geht zum ros'gen
Mädchen kosen.

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by Hugo Conrat (1845 - 1906)
4. Red rosebuds herald the arrival of Spring
Language: English 
 Red rosebuds 
 herald the arrival of Spring.
 Rose-red cheeks
 mean a maiden's first love.
 Little red bird,
 fly off to the red rose!
 The lad is going to the rosy
 maiden to woo her!

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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5. Brennessel steht am Wegesrand
 (Sung text)
by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), "Brennessel steht am Wegesrand", op. 112 (Sechs Quartette für S., A., T. und B. mit Pianoforte) no. 5 (1891), published 1892 [ SATB quartet and piano ], from Vier Zigeunerlieder, no. 3, Leipzig, Peters
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Brennessel steht am Wegesrand,
Neider und Feinde hab' ich in Stadt und Land.
Neidet, haßt, verleumdet, 
doch das bringt mir keine Not,
Wenn mir nur mein süßes Liebchen 
treu bleibt bis zum Tod.

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by Hugo Conrat (1845 - 1906)
5. Stinging nettles stand at the side of the road
Language: English 
Stinging nettles stand at the side of the road:
envious and hate-filled people surround me, in town and country.
I am envied, hated, slandered - 
and yet it brings me no sorrow,
so long as my sweet darling 
remains true till death.

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: 6
Word count: 41

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6.
 (Sung text)
by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), no title, alternate title: "Liebe Schwalbe, kleine Schwalbe", op. 112 (Sechs Quartette für S., A., T. und B. mit Pianoforte) no. 6 (1891), published 1892 [ SATB quartet and piano ], from Vier Zigeunerlieder, no. 4, Leipzig, Peters
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Liebe Schwalbe, kleine Schwalbe,
Trage fort mein kleines Briefchen!
Flieg zur Höhe, fliege schnell aus,
Flieg hinein in Liebchens Haus!

Fragt man dich, woher du kommest,
Wessen Bote du geworden,
Sag, du kommst vom treusten Herzen,
Das vergeht in Trennnungsschmerzen.

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by Hugo Conrat (1845 - 1906)
6. Dear swallow, little swallow
Language: English 
Dear swallow, little swallow,
carry forth my little message!
Fly up into the heavens, fly away quickly,
fly off to my darling's house!

If someone asks you from whom you come,
whose messenger you are -
say that you come from a faithful heart
that is almost dying from the pain of separation.

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: 8
Word count: 52

Translation © by Emily Ezust