English translations of Acht Lieder und Romanzen, opus 14
by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897)
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"Soll sich der Mond nicht heller scheinen, Soll sich die Sonn' nicht früh aufgehn, So will ich diese Nacht gehn freien, Wie ich zuvor auch hab' getan." Als er wohl auf die Gasse trat, Da fing er an ein Lied und sang, Er sang aus schöner, aus heller Stimme, Daß sein fein's Lieb zum Bett aussprang. "Steh still, steh still, mein feines Lieb, Steh still, steh still und rühr dich nicht, Sonst weckst du Vater, sonst weckst du Mutter, Das ist uns beiden nicht wohlgetan." "Was frag' ich nach Vater, was frag' ich nach Mutter, Vor deinem Schlaffenster muß ich stehn, Ich will mein schönes Lieb anschauen, Um das ich muß so ferne gehn." Da standen die zwei wohl beieinander Mit ihren zarten Mündelein, Der Wächter blies wohl in sein Hörnelein, Ade, es muß geschieden sein. Ach, Scheiden, Scheiden über Scheiden, Scheiden tut meinem jungen Herzen weh, Daß ich mein schön Herzlieb muß meiden, Das vergeß' ich nimmermehr.
Text Authorship:
- from Volkslieder (Folksongs) , from Karl Simrock's collection Die deutschen Volkslieder, Frankfurt am Main, first published 1851
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"If the moon doesn't shine more brightly, If the sun doesn't rise early, Then I will this night go courting, As I have done before." When he had stepped out into the street, There he began a song, and sang; He sang with a beautiful, bright voice, So that his sweetheart sprang out of her bed. "Be still, be still, my sweetheart! Be still, be still, and do not stir, Or you'll wake up Father or Mother, And that is not good for either of us!" "What do I care for your father or mother? In front of your bedroom window I must stand. I want to gaze upon my pretty love, For whose sake I must go so far away." The two stood side by side, With their gentle little mouths; Then the watchman blew his horn. Adieu - we must part! Parting, parting time again, Parting hurts my young heart so! That I am forced to flee from my pretty darling, I will never forget.
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 ArchiveFor any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.
licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) from Volkslieder (Folksongs) , from Karl Simrock's collection Die deutschen Volkslieder, Frankfurt am Main, first published 1851
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Translation of title "Vor dem Fenster" = "At the window"This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 24
Word count: 166
Es wollt' ein Mädchen früh aufstehn Und in den grünen Wald spazieren gehn. Und als sie nun in den grünen Wald kam, Da fand sie einen verwund'ten Knab'n. Der Knab', der war von Blut so rot, Und als sie sich verwandt, war er schon tot. "Wo krieg' ich nun zwei Leidfräulein, Die mein fein's Lieb zu Grabe wein'n? Wo krieg' ich nun sechs Reuterknab'n, Die mein fein's Lieb zu Grabe trag'n? Wie lang' soll ich denn trauern geh'n? Bis alle Wasser zusammengeh'n? Ja, alle Wasser gehn nicht zusamm'n, So wird mein Trauern kein Ende ha'n.
A maiden decided to wake up early And take a stroll in the green forest. And when she came to the green forest, She found a wounded boy. The boy, he was so red from blood, And when she drew near, he was already dead. Where can I find two female mourners, To mourn at my sweetheart's grave? Where can I find six young squires, To carry my sweetheart to his grave? How long shall I then mourn? Until all the waters come together? Aye, the waters shall never all come together, So my mourning will have no end.
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 ArchiveFor any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.
licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) from Volkslieder (Folksongs)
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Translation of title "Vom verwundeten Knaben" = "Of a wounded boy"This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 14
Word count: 99
O Hochland und o Südland! Was ist auf euch geschehn! Erschlagen der edle Murray, Werd' nie ihn wiedersehn. O weh dir! weh dir, Huntley! So untreu, falsch und kühn, Sollst ihn zurück uns bringen, Ermordet hast du ihn. Ein schöner Ritter war er, In Wett- und Ringelauf; Allzeit war unsres Murray Die Krone obendrauf. Ein schöner Ritter war er Bei Waffenspiel und Ball. Es war der edle Murray Die Blume überall. Ein schöner Ritter war er, In Tanz und Saitenspiel; Ach, daß der edle Murray Der Königin gefiel. O, Königin, wirst lange Sehn über Schlosses Wall; Eh du den schönen Murray Siehst reiten in dem Tal.
Text Authorship:
- by Johann Gottfried Herder (1744 - 1803), "Murray's Ermordung", subtitle: "Schottisch", first published 1778-79
Based on:
- a text in English from Volkslieder (Folksongs) , "The Bonny Earl of Murray"
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Confirmed with Johann Gottfried von Herder's Sämmtliche Werke. Zur schönen Literatur und Kunst, Achter Theil, Tübingen, in der J. G. Cotta'schen Buchhandlung, 1807, pages 272-273.
Note for stanza 5, line 4: the queen referred to here ("Königin") is Maria Stuart.
O Highland and o Southland! What has transpired upon your expanses! Struck dead is the noble Murray, And I shall never see him again. Woe unto you! Woe unto you, Huntley, So disloyal, false and audacious, You should bring him back to us, For you have killed him. A handsome knight he was, In races and in jousts; At all times was our Murray The crown above us all. A handsome knight was he, In wargames and at the ball; It was the noble Murray Who was the flower of us all. A handsome knight was he In dance and at the lute; Ah, the noble Murray Was well-beloved of the Queen. O, Queen, you will long Gaze over the castle wall Before you see the gallant Murray Come riding down the valley.
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 ArchiveFor any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.
licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Johann Gottfried Herder (1744 - 1803), "Murray's Ermordung", subtitle: "Schottisch", first published 1778-79
Based on:
- a text in English from Volkslieder (Folksongs) , "The Bonny Earl of Murray"
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website: 2003-11-04
Line count: 24
Word count: 133
Ach, könnt' ich, könnte vergessen Sie!
Ihr schönes, liebes, liebliches Wesen,
Den Blick, die freundliche Lippe, die!
Vielleicht ich möchte genesen!
Doch ach! mein Herz, mein Herz kann es nie!
Und doch ist's Wahnsinn, zu hoffen Sie!
Und um sie schweben,
Gibt Muth und Leben,
Zu weichen nie! --
Und denn, wie kann ich vergessen Sie,
Ihr schönes, liebes, liebliches Wesen,
Den Blick, die freundliche Lippe, die!
Viel lieber nimmer genesen!
Text Authorship:
- by Johann Gottfried Herder (1744 - 1803), "Ein Sonnet", subtitle: "Aus dem 13ten Jahrhundert"
Based on:
- a text in French (Français) by Thibaut Ier de Navarre (1201 - 1253), "Chanson"
See other settings of this text.
Oh, could I only forget her, Her fair, lovely, charming nature, Her glance, her friendly lips! Perhaps then I might be well! But oh, my heart, my heart can never do so! And yet it is madness to hope for her! Yet to hover near her, Gives me Life and Courage Never to weaken. And how then can I forget her, her fair, lovely, charming nature, Her glance, her friendly lips! Much rather would I never be well again!
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 ArchiveFor any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.
licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Johann Gottfried Herder (1744 - 1803), "Ein Sonnet", subtitle: "Aus dem 13ten Jahrhundert"
Based on:
- a text in French (Français) by Thibaut Ier de Navarre (1201 - 1253), "Chanson"
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website: 2003-11-09
Line count: 13
Word count: 79
Wach auf, wach auf, du junger Gesell, Du hast so lang geschlafen. Da draußen singen die Vögel hell, Der Fuhrmann lärmt auf der Gassen! Wach auf, wach auf, mit heller Stimm' Hub an der Wächter zu rufen, Wo zwei Herzlieben beisammen sind, Da müssen sie sein gar kluge. Der Knabe war verschlafen gar, Er schlief so lang, so süße, Die Jungfrau aber weise war, Weckt' ihn durch ihre Küsse! Das Scheiden, Scheiden tuet not, Wie Tod ist es so harte, Der scheid't auch manches Mündlein rot Und manche Buhlen zarte. Der Knabe auf sein Rößlein sprang Und trabte schnell von dannen, Die Jungfrau sah ihm lange nach, Groß Leid tat sie umfangen!
Text Authorship:
- from Volkslieder (Folksongs) , in a section titled "Westphalia", from Deutsche Volkslieder, Kretzschmer, Zuccalmaglio: Berlin, first published 1838-40
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Wake up, wake up, you young fellow, You have slept long. Outside, the little birds are singing brightly, The carter is making noise in the street! Wake up, wake up! With a clear voice, the watchman is beginning to call more loudly; When two sweethearts are together, They have to be prudent. The boy was fast asleep, He slept long, so sweetly, But the maiden was wise And awakened him with her kisses! Parting, parting is necessary; It's as harsh as death, Which also parts many red lips And many tender lovers. The boy sprang onto his pony Which trotted quickly away; Long the maiden gazed after him, While great sorrow imprisoned 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 ArchiveFor any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.
licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) from Volkslieder (Folksongs) , in a section titled "Westphalia", from Deutsche Volkslieder, Kretzschmer, Zuccalmaglio: Berlin, first published 1838-40
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 20
Word count: 113
Des Abends kann ich nicht schlafen gehn, Zu meiner Herzliebsten muß ich gehn, Zu meiner Herzliebsten muß ich gehn, Und sollt' ich an der Tür bleiben stehn, Ganz heimelig! »Wer ist denn da? Wer klopfet an, Der mich so leis aufwecken kann?« Das ist der Herzallerliebste dein, Steh auf, mein Schatz, und laß mich ein, Ganz heimelig! Wenn alle Sterne Schreiber gut, Und alle Wolken Papier dazu, So sollten sie schreiben der Lieben mein, Sie brächten die Lieb' in den Brief nicht ein, Ganz heimelig! Ach, hätt' ich Federn wie ein Hahn Und könnt' ich schwimmen wie ein Schwan, So wollt' ich schwimmen wohl über den Rhein, Hin zu der Herzallerliebsten mein, Ganz heimelig!
Text Authorship:
- from Volkslieder (Folksongs) , from Deutsche Volkslieder, Kretzschmer, Zuccalmaglio: Berlin, first published 1838-40
See other settings of this text.
At evening, I cannot sleep, To my sweetheart must I go, To my sweetheart I must go, And I must stand at her door, Quite secretly! "Who's there, then? Who is knocking, Who can awaken me so gently?" It is your sweetheart, Get up, my treasure, and let me in, Quite secretly! If all the stars were good scribes, And all the clouds were made of paper, And they were to write to my love, They could not summarize my love in one letter, Quite secretly! Ah, had I feathers like a rooster, And could swim as does a swan, Then I would swimm across the Rhine To see my heart's beloved, Quite secretly!
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 ArchiveFor any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.
licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) from Volkslieder (Folksongs) , from Deutsche Volkslieder, Kretzschmer, Zuccalmaglio: Berlin, first published 1838-40
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 20
Word count: 114
Gut Nacht, gut Nacht, mein liebster Schatz, Gut Nacht, schlaf wohl, mein Kind! Daß dich die Engel hüten all, Die in dem Himmel sind! Gut Nacht, gut Nacht, mein lieber Schatz, Schlaf du, von nachten lind. Schlaf wohl, schlaf wohl und träume von mir, Träum von mir heute nacht! Daß, wenn ich auch da schlafen tu, Mein Herz um dich doch wacht; Daß es in lauter Liebesglut An dich derzeit gedacht. Es singt im Busch die Nachtigall Im klaren Mondenschein, Der Mond scheint in das Fenster dir, Guckt in dein Kämmerlein; Der Mond schaut dich im Schlummer da, Doch ich muß ziehn allein!
Text Authorship:
- from Volkslieder (Folksongs) , from Deutsche Volkslieder, Kretzschmer, Zuccalmaglio: Berlin, first published 1838-40
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Good night, good night, my lovely treasure, Good night, sleep well, my child! May you be guarded by all the angels That are in Heaven! Good night, good night, my dearest treasure, Sleep softly through the night. Sleep well, sleep well and dream of me, Dream of me tonight! Then, when I also go to sleep, My heart will watch over you, And because of the passion of your love, It will think of you. A nightingale sings in a bush, In the clear light of the moon, The moon shines on you from the window, Peeps into your bedroom; The moon observes you in slumber there, Yet I must make my way alone!
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 ArchiveFor any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.
licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) from Volkslieder (Folksongs) , from Deutsche Volkslieder, Kretzschmer, Zuccalmaglio: Berlin, first published 1838-40
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 18
Word count: 114
Mein Schatz ist nicht da, Ist weit überm See, Und so oft ich dran denk', Tut mir's Herze so weh! Schön blau ist der See, Und mein Herz tut mir weh, Und mein Herz wird nicht g'sund, Bis mein Schatz wiederkommt.
Text Authorship:
- from Volkslieder (Folksongs) , found in a slightly different form in Deutsche Volkslieder (Kretzschmer, Zuccalmaglio: Berlin, 1838-40), under the heading
See other settings of this text.
My darling is not here, But is far across the sea; And when I think of that, It pains my heart so much! A beautiful blue is the sea, And my heart aches; And my heart will not be healthy Until my darling returns.
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 ArchiveFor any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.
licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) from Volkslieder (Folksongs) , found in a slightly different form in Deutsche Volkslieder (Kretzschmer, Zuccalmaglio: Berlin, 1838-40), under the heading
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 8
Word count: 44