English translations of Drei Gesänge, opus 42

by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897)

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1. Abendständchen
 (Sung text)
by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), "Abendständchen", op. 42 (Drei Gesänge) no. 1 (1859), published 1872 [ saatbb chorus ], Bremen, Cranz
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Hör es klagt die Flöte wieder
Und die kühlen Brunnen rauschen,
Golden wehn die Töne nieder,
Stille, stille, laß uns lauschen!

Holdes Bitten, mild Verlangen,
Wie es süß zum Herzen spricht!
Durch die Nacht die mich umfangen,
Blickt zu mir der Töne Licht.

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by Clemens Maria Wenzeslaus von Brentano (1778 - 1842)
1. Evening serenade
Language: English 
Hark, the flute laments again
and the cool springs murmur;
golden, the sounds waft down -
be still, be still, let us listen.

Lovely supplication, gentle longing,
how sweetly it speaks to the heart!
Through the night that enfolds me
shines the light of the music.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2005 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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This text was added to the website: 2005-12-30
Line count: 8
Word count: 45

Translation © by Emily Ezust
2. Vineta
 (Sung text)
by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), "Vineta", op. 42 (Drei Gesänge) no. 2 (1860), published 1872 [ saatbb chorus ], Bremen, Cranz
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Aus des Meeres tiefem, tiefem Grunde
Klingen Abendglocken, dumpf und matt,
Uns zu geben wunderbare Kunde
Von der schönen alten Wunderstadt.

In der Fluten Schoß hinabgesunken,
Blieben unten ihre Trümmer stehn.
Ihre Zinnen lassen goldne Funken
Widerscheinend auf dem Spiegel sehn.

Und der Schiffer, der den Zauberschimmer
Einmal sah im hellen Abendroth,
Nach derselben Stelle schifft er immer,
Ob auch rings umher die Klippe droht.

Aus des Herzens tiefem, tiefem Grunde
Klingt es mir wie Glocken, dumpf und matt;
Ach, sie geben wunderbare Kunde
Von der Liebe, die geliebt es hat.

Eine schöne Welt ist da versunken,
Ihre Trümmer blieben unten stehn,
Lassen sich als goldne Himmelsfunken
Oft im Spiegel meiner Träume sehn.

Und dann möcht' ich tauchen in die Tiefen,
Mich versenken in den Wunderschein,
Und mir ist, als ob mich Engel riefen
In die alte Wunderstadt herein.

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Note: Vineta is the name of a legendary sunken city located somewhere between Pommerania and Rügen.

by Wilhelm Müller (1794 - 1827)
2. Vineta
Language: English 
From the ocean's deep, deep depths
toll evening bells, muffled and faint,
to give us wonderful tidings
of the beautiful, ancient miracle-city.

Sunk deep down beneath the surging tide,
its ruins have stood fast.
Its battlements send up golden sparks
that reflect visibly on the surface.

And the sailor who once saw this magical shimmer
in the bright sunset
always sails back to the same place,
despite the circle of menacing cliffs above.

From the heart's deep, deep depths
rings a sound like bells, muffled and faint.
Ah, it sends such wonderful tidings
of the love that it has loved.

A beautiful world is sunk there,
its ruins have stood fast,
often sending up golden, heavenly sparks
visible in the mirror of my dreams.

And then I would like to plunge into the depths,
to immerse myself in the [reflection]1,
for it seems to me as if angels called me
into the ancient miracle-city.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2005 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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1 or in the Brahms version, "wondrous shining"


This text was added to the website: 2005-12-31
Line count: 24
Word count: 156

Translation © by Emily Ezust
3. Darthulas Grabesgesang
 (Sung text)
by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), "Darthulas Grabesgesang", op. 42 (Drei Gesänge) no. 3 (1861), published 1872 [ saatbb chorus ], Bremen, Cranz
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Mädchen von Kola, du schläfst!
Um dich schweigen die blauen Ströme Selma's!
Sie trauren um dich, den letzten Zweig
von Thruthils Stamm!

Wann erstehst du wieder in deiner Schöne?
Schönste der Schönen in Erin!
Du schläfst im Grabe langen Schlaf,
Dein Morgenroth ist ferne!

Nimmer, o nimmer kommt dir die Sonne
Weckend an deine Ruhestätte: „Wach' auf!
Wach' auf, Darthula!
Frühling ist draußen,
Die Lüfte säuseln, 
Auf grünen Hügeln, holdseliges Mädchen, 
Weben die Blumen! im Hain wallt sprießenden Laub!”

Auf immer, auf immer, so weiche denn, Sonne,
Dem Mädchen von Kola, sie schläft.
Nie ersteht sie wieder in ihrer Schöne!
Nie siehst du sie lieblich wandeln mehr.

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by Johann Gottfried Herder (1744 - 1803)
3. Darthula's Grave Song
Language: English 
Maiden of Colla, you sleep!
Around you the blue streams of Selma are silent!
They mourn for you, the last branch
of Thruthil's line!

When will you rise again in your beauty?
Fairest of the fair in Erin!
You sleep the long sleep of the grave;
the glow of morning is distant.

Never, o never will the sun come
to your resting-place and awaken you: "Wake up!
Wake up, Darthula!
Spring has come!

"The breezes whisper; 
upon the green hills, sweet maiden,
flowers wave!
In the grove, sprouting leaves flutter!"

Forever, forever then, Sun, surrender
to the maiden of Colla; she sleeps!
Never will she rise again in her beauty!
Never again will you see her lovely wandering.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2005 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:

Based on:

Go to the general single-text view


This text was added to the website: 2005-12-31
Line count: 20
Word count: 118

Translation © by Emily Ezust