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English translations of Sechs Gesänge für Tenor oder Sopran mit Pianoforte, opus 3

by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897)

1. Liebestreu
 (Sung text)
by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), "Liebestreu", op. 3 (Sechs Gesänge für Tenor oder Sopran mit Pianoforte) no. 1 (1853), published 1854 [ soprano or tenor and piano ], Leipzig, Breitkopf und Härtel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
»O versenk', o versenk' dein Leid,
mein Kind, in die See, in die tiefe See!«
Ein Stein wohl bleibt auf des Meeres Grund,
mein Leid kommt stets in die Höh'.

»Und die Lieb', die du im Herzen trägst,
brich sie ab, brich sie ab, mein Kind!«
Ob die Blum' auch stirbt, wenn man sie bricht,
treue Lieb' nicht so geschwind.

»Und die Treu', und die Treu',
's war nur ein Wort, in den Wind damit hinaus.«
O Mutter und splittert der Fels auch im Wind,
Meine Treue, die hält ihn aus.

Text Authorship:

  • by Robert Reinick (1805 - 1852), appears in Lieder, in Romanzen und Balladen [formerly Bilder], first published 1844

See other settings of this text.

by Robert Reinick (1805 - 1852)
1. Constancy
Language: English 
"Oh sink, sink your sorrow,
My child, in the sea, in the deep sea!"
A stone rests well at the bottom of the ocean;
My sorrow, though, always comes up to the surface.

"And the love that you carry in your heart,
Destroy it, destroy it, my child!"
If the flower also dies when one breaks it off,
True Love is not so swift.

"And your constancy, your constancy,
It is only a word; into the wind with it!"
Oh, Mother - even if the rock splinters in the wind, 
My constancy withstands it.

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.
    licenses@email.lieder.example.net

Based on:

  • a text in German (Deutsch) by Robert Reinick (1805 - 1852), appears in Lieder, in Romanzen und Balladen [formerly Bilder], first published 1844
    • Go to the text page.

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Translation of the title "Liebestreu" = "Constancy"
Note: this is a dialogue between a mother and her son or daughter (it is unspecified which).


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 93

Translation © by Emily Ezust
2. Liebe und Frühling I
 (Sung text)
by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), "Liebe und Frühling I", op. 3 (Sechs Gesänge für Tenor oder Sopran mit Pianoforte) no. 2 (1853), published 1854, rev. 1882 [ soprano or tenor and piano ], Leipzig, Breitkopf und Härtel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wie sich Rebenranken schwingen
In der linden Lüfte Hauch,
Wie sich weiße Winden schlingen
Luftig um den Rosenstrauch:

Also schmiegen sich und ranken
Frühlingsselig, still und mild,
Meine Tag- und Nachtgedanken
Um ein trautes, liebes Bild.

Text Authorship:

  • by August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben (1798 - 1874), no title, appears in Lyrische Gedichte, in Liebesleben, in Liebe und Frühling, no. 5

See other settings of this text.

by August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben (1798 - 1874)
2. As vine tendrils vibrate
Language: English 
As vine tendrils vibrate
In the breath of mild breezes,
As white bindweed winds itself
lightly around the rosebush:

So my thoughts nestle and twine about,
blissful with the springtime, quietly and gently,
By day and by night,
About the dear, beloved image.

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.
    licenses@email.lieder.example.net

Based on:

  • a text in German (Deutsch) by August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben (1798 - 1874), no title, appears in Lyrische Gedichte, in Liebesleben, in Liebe und Frühling, no. 5
    • Go to the text page.

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: 43

Translation © by Emily Ezust
3. Liebe und Frühling II
 (Sung text)
by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), "Liebe und Frühling II", op. 3 (Sechs Gesänge für Tenor oder Sopran mit Pianoforte) no. 3 (1853), published 1854 [ soprano or tenor and piano ], Leipzig, Breitkopf und Härtel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich muß hinaus, ich muß zu Dir,
Ich muß es selbst Dir sagen:
Du bist mein Frühling, Du nur mir
In diesen lichten Tagen.

Ich will die Rosen nicht mehr sehn,
Nicht mehr die grünen Matten;
Ich will nicht mehr zu Walde gehn
Nach Duft und Klang und Schatten.

Ich will nicht mehr der Lüfte Zug,
Nicht mehr der Wellen Rauschen,
Ich will nicht mehr der Vögel Flug
Und ihrem Liede lauschen. --

Ich will hinaus, ich will zu Dir,
Ich will es selbst Dir sagen:
Du bist mein Frühling, Du nur mir
In diesen lichten Tagen!

Text Authorship:

  • by August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben (1798 - 1874), no title, appears in Lyrische Gedichte, in Liebesleben, in Liebe und Frühling, no. 7

See other settings of this text.

by August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben (1798 - 1874)
3. Love and Spring
Language: English 
I must get out, I must get to you,
I must tell it to you myself:
You are my Spring, only you
 In these bright days.
 I no longer wish to see the roses
nor the green meadow;
I no longer to want to go to the forest
for its scents and sounds and shadows.
I no longer want the blowing air,
nor the rushing waves,
I no longer want to listen to
the birds and their songs.
I want to get out, I want to get to you,
I want to tell it to you myself:
You are my Spring, only you
in these bright days.

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.
    licenses@email.lieder.example.net

Based on:

  • a text in German (Deutsch) by August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben (1798 - 1874), no title, appears in Lyrische Gedichte, in Liebesleben, in Liebe und Frühling, no. 7
    • Go to the text page.

Go to the general single-text view


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 16
Word count: 107

Translation © by Emily Ezust
4. Lied
 (Sung text)
by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), "Lied", op. 3 (Sechs Gesänge für Tenor oder Sopran mit Pianoforte) no. 4 (1853), published 1854 [ soprano or tenor and piano ], Leipzig, Breitkopf und Härtel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Weit über das Feld durch die Lüfte hoch
Nach Beute ein mächtiger Geier flog.

Am Stromesrande im frischen Gras
Eine junge weißflüglige Taube saß;

O verstecke dich, Täubchen, im grünen Wald!
Sonst verschlingt dich der lüsterne Geier bald!

Eine Möwe hoch über der Wolga fliegt,
Und Beute spähend im Kreis sich wiegt.

O halte dich, Fischlein, im Wasser versteckt,
Daß dich nicht die spähende Möwe entdeckt!

Und steigst du hinauf, so steigt sie herab
Und macht dich zur Beute und führt dich zum Grab.

Ach, du grünende feuchte Erde du!
Tu dich auf, leg mein stürmisches Herz zur Ruh'!

Blaues Himmelstuch mit der Sternlein Zier,
O trockne vom Auge die Träne mir!

Hilf, Himmel, der armen, der duldenden Maid!
Es bricht mir das Herz vor Weh und Leid!

Text Authorship:

  • by Friedrich Martin von Bodenstedt (1819 - 1892), first published 1842

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Note: First appeared in Ivan, der Sohn des Starost, Poetische Farbenskizze aus Rußland in 1842; later published in 1853 in Gedichte, titled "Ivan".


by Friedrich Martin von Bodenstedt (1819 - 1892)
4. Song
Language: English 
Far above the field, high through the air,
In search of prey a powerful vulture flew.

By the edge of the river in the fresh grass
A young white-winged dove sat;

O hide yourself, little dove, in the green forest!
Or the greedy bird will soon devour you!

A seagull high over the Volga flies,
And spying prey, circles and shakes itself.

O keep yourself hidden in the water, little fish,
That you not be discovered by the spying seagull! 

If you climb to the surface, then it will descend
And make you its prey and lead you to the grave.

Ah, you green, damp earth!
Open and let my turbulent heart rest!

Blue skycloth, studded with stars,
O dry the tears from my eyes!

Help, o heaven, this poor tolerant maiden!
It breaks my heart from pain and sorrow!

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.
    licenses@email.lieder.example.net

Based on:

  • a text in German (Deutsch) by Friedrich Martin von Bodenstedt (1819 - 1892), first published 1842
    • Go to the text page.

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: 140

Translation © by Emily Ezust
5. In der Fremde
 (Sung text)
by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), "In der Fremde", op. 3 (Sechs Gesänge für Tenor oder Sopran mit Pianoforte) no. 5 (1852), published 1854 [ soprano or tenor and piano ], Leipzig, Breitkopf und Härtel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Aus der Heimat hinter den Blitzen rot
Da kommen die Wolken her,
Aber Vater und Mutter sind lange tot,
Es kennt mich dort keiner mehr.

Wie bald, wie bald kommt die stille Zeit,
Da ruhe ich auch, und über mir
rauscht die schöne Waldeinsamkeit,
Und keiner kennt mich mehr hier.

Text Authorship:

  • by Joseph Karl Benedikt, Freiherr von Eichendorff (1788 - 1857), "In der Fremde", appears in Gedichte, in 5. Totenopfer, first appeared in the novella "Viel Lärmen um nichts" (1833)

See other settings of this text.

Note: the first stanza was quoted as part of a text set by Einem.

by Joseph Karl Benedikt, Freiherr von Eichendorff (1788 - 1857)
5. In a foreign place
Language: English 
From the direction of home, behind the red flashes of lightning
There come clouds,
But Father and Mother are long dead;
No one there knows me anymore.

How soon, ah, how soon will that quiet time come,
When I too shall rest, and over me
the beautiful forest's loneliness shall rustle,
And no one here shall know me anymore.

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.
    licenses@email.lieder.example.net

Based on:

  • a text in German (Deutsch) by Joseph Karl Benedikt, Freiherr von Eichendorff (1788 - 1857), "In der Fremde", appears in Gedichte, in 5. Totenopfer, first appeared in the novella "Viel Lärmen um nichts" (1833)
    • Go to the text page.

Go to the general single-text view

Translation of title "In der Fremde" = "In a foreign place"


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 8
Word count: 59

Translation © by Emily Ezust
6. Lied
 (Sung text)
by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), "Lied", op. 3 (Sechs Gesänge für Tenor oder Sopran mit Pianoforte) no. 6 (1852), published 1854 [ soprano or tenor and piano ], Leipzig, Breitkopf und Härtel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Lindes Rauschen in den Wipfeln,
Vöglein, die ihr fernab fliegt,
Bronnen von den stillen Gipfeln,
Sagt, wo meine Heimat liegt?

Heut im Traum sah ich sie wieder,
Und von allen Bergen ging
Solches Grüßen zu mir nieder,
Daß ich an zu weinen fing.

Ach! hier auf den fremden Gipfeln:
Menschen, Quellen, Fels und Baum -
 ... 
Alles ist mir wie ein Traum!

Muntre Vögel in den Wipfeln,
Ihr Gesellen dort im Tal,
Grüßt mir von den fremden Gipfeln
Meine Heimat tausendmal!

Text Authorship:

  • by Joseph Karl Benedikt, Freiherr von Eichendorff (1788 - 1857), no title, appears in Gedichte, in 1. Wanderlieder, in Erinnerung, no. 1, first appeared in the novella Viel Lärmen um nichts, 1833; fourth stanza omitted in later collection

See other settings of this text.

by Joseph Karl Benedikt, Freiherr von Eichendorff (1788 - 1857)
6. O gentle rustling in the tree-tops
Language: English 
O gentle rustling in the tree-tops,
O little birds who fly far away,
O springs who come from the still peaks,
Tell me where my homeland lies!

Today in a dream I saw [it]1 again,
And from every mountain 
Such greetings came down to me,
That I began to weep.

Ah! here on the foreign peaks,
People, streams, rocks and trees -
Confused rustling in the tree-tops -
Everything is like a dream to me!

O cheerful little birds in the tree-tops,
O young men there in the vale,
Bring my greetings from these foreign peaks,
To my home a thousand times!

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.
    licenses@email.lieder.example.net

Based on:

  • a text in German (Deutsch) by Joseph Karl Benedikt, Freiherr von Eichendorff (1788 - 1857), no title, appears in Gedichte, in 1. Wanderlieder, in Erinnerung, no. 1, first appeared in the novella Viel Lärmen um nichts, 1833; fourth stanza omitted in later collection
    • Go to the text page.

Go to the general single-text view

View original text (without footnotes)
1 Hensel: "you"


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 16
Word count: 101

Translation © by Emily Ezust
Gentle Reminder

This website began in 1995 as a personal project by Emily Ezust, who has been working on it full-time without a salary since 2008. Our research has never had any government or institutional funding, so if you found the information here useful, please consider making a donation. Your help is greatly appreciated!
–Emily Ezust, Founder

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