English translations of Sieben Lieder für eine Singstimme mit Begleitung des Pianoforte, opus 48

by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897)

1. Der Gang zum Liebchen
 (Sung text)
by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), "Der Gang zum Liebchen", op. 48 (Sieben Lieder für eine Singstimme mit Begleitung des Pianoforte) no. 1 (1868), published 1868 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Simrock
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Es glänzt der Mond nieder,
Ich sollte doch wieder
Zu meinem Liebchen,
Wie mag es ihr geh'n?

Ach weh', sie verzaget
Und klaget, und klaget, 
Daß sie mich nimmer
Im Leben wird seh'n!

Es ging der Mond unter,
Ich eilte doch munter,
Und eilte daß keiner
Mein Liebchen entführt.

Ihr Täubchen, o girret,
Ihr Lüftchen, o schwirret,
Daß keiner mein Liebchen,
Mein Liebchen entführt!

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by Josef Wenzig (1807 - 1876)
1. The way to the beloved one
Language: English 
The moon gleams down,
I should yet again
Go to my darling,
How does she fare?

Alas, she's despondent
And laments and laments,
That I will never see her
Again in her life!

The moon sinks,
I hurry off briskly -
Hurrying so that nobody
Shall steal my love away.

O coo, you doves!
O whir, you breezes!
- So that nobody
Shall steal my love away!

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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Translation of title "Der Gang zum Liebchen" = "The way to the beloved one"


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 16
Word count: 65

Translation © by Emily Ezust
2. Der Überläufer
 (Sung text)
by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), "Der Überläufer", op. 48 (Sieben Lieder für eine Singstimme mit Begleitung des Pianoforte) no. 2 (1853), published 1868, first performed 1890, stanzas 1-3 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Simrock
Language: German (Deutsch) 
In den Garten wollen wir gehen,
Wo die schönen Rosen stehen,
Da stehn der Rosen gar zu viel,
Brech' ich mir eine, wo ich will.

Wir haben gar öfters beisammen gesessen,
Wie ist mir mein Schatz so treu gewesen?
Das hätt' ich mir nicht gebildet ein,
Daß mein Schatz so falsch könnt' sein.

Hört ihr nicht den Jäger blasen
In dem Wald auf grünem Rasen,
Den Jäger mit dem grünen Hut,
Der meinen Schatz verführen tut.

 ...

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from Volkslieder (Folksongs)
2. The betrayer
Language: English 
Into the garden let us go,
Where the beautiful roses stand,
There grow there far too many roses;
I will pluck one where I will.

We have often sat together here,
How faithful was my darling to me!
I would never have imagined
That my darling could be so false.

Do you not hear the hunter blowing his horn
In the green grass of the woods?
The hunter with his green hat,
It was he that seduced my darling.

[ ... ]

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

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Line count: 16
Word count: 102

Translation © by Emily Ezust
3. Liebesklage des Mädchens
 (Sung text)
by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), "Liebesklage des Mädchens", op. 48 (Sieben Lieder für eine Singstimme mit Begleitung des Pianoforte) no. 3, published 1868 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Simrock
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wer sehen will zween lebendige Brunnen,
Der soll mein' zwei betrübte Augen seh'n,
Die mir vor Weinen schier sind ausgerunnen.

Wer sehen will viel groß' und tiefe Wunden,
Der soll mein sehr verwund'tes Herz besehen,
So hat mich Liebe verwund't im tiefsten Grunde.

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from Volkslieder (Folksongs)
3. Who wishes to see two living fountains
Language: English 
Who wishes to see two living fountains,
Should look at my two sad eyes,
Which have nearly run dry from weeping.

Who wishes to see many great and deep wounds,
Should peer into my injured heart:
So has Love wounded me to my deepest core.

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

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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 6
Word count: 45

Translation © by Emily Ezust
4. Gold überwiegt die Liebe
 (Sung text)
by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), "Gold überwiegt die Liebe", op. 48 (Sieben Lieder für eine Singstimme mit Begleitung des Pianoforte) no. 4, published 1868, first performed 1869 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Simrock
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Sternchen mit dem trüben Schein,
Könntest du doch weinen!
Hättest du ein Herzelein,
O, du gold'nes Sternlein mein,
Möchtest Funken weinen.

Weintest mit mir, weintest laut
Nächte durch voll Leiden,
Daß sie mich vom Liebsten traut,
Um das Gold der reichen Braut
Mich vom Liebsten scheiden.

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by Josef Wenzig (1807 - 1876)
4. Little star with the gloomy light
Language: English 
Little star with the gloomy light,
could you only weep!
If you had a little heart,
O, my little golden star,
you would weep sparks.

You would weep with me, weep loudly
through the nights full of sorrow,
that they are, 
for the rich bride's gold,
separating me from my darling sweetheart.

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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This text was added to the website: 2003-11-06
Line count: 10
Word count: 52

Translation © by Emily Ezust
5. Trost in Tränen
 (Sung text)
by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), "Trost in Tränen", op. 48 (Sieben Lieder für eine Singstimme mit Begleitung des Pianoforte) no. 5 (1858), published 1868 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Simrock
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wie kommt's, daß du so traurig bist,
Da alles froh erscheint?
Man sieht dir's an den Augen an,
Gewiß du hast geweint.

"Und hab' ich einsam auch geweint,
So ist's mein eigner Schmerz,
Und Thränen fließen gar so süß,
Erleichtern mir das Herz."

Die frohen Freunde laden dich,
O komm an unsre Brust!
Und was du auch verloren hast,
Vertraue den Verlust.

"Ihr lärmt und rauscht und ahnet nicht,
Was mich den Armen quält.
Ach nein, verloren hab' ich's nicht,
So sehr es mir auch fehlt."

So raffe dich denn eilig auf,
Du bist ein junges Blut.
In deinen Jahren hat man Kraft
Und zum Erwerben Muth.

"Ach nein, erwerben kann ich's nicht,
Es steht mir gar zu fern.
Es weilt so hoch, es blinkt so schön,
Wie droben jener Stern."

Die Sterne, die begehrt man nicht,
Man freut sich ihrer Pracht,
Und mit Entzücken blickt man auf
In jeder heitern Nacht.

"Und mit Entzücken blick' ich auf,
So manchen lieben Tag;
Verweinen laßt die Nächte mich,
So lang' ich weinen mag."

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by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832)
5. Comfort in tears
Language: English 
Why is it that you are so sad
When everything seems happy?
One can see from your eyes
That you have surely been weeping.

"And if I have been weeping alone,
It is my own sorrow,
And my tears flow so sweetly
That they make my heart light."

Your happy friends invite you,
O come to our bosom!
And whatever you have lost,
Confide in us your loss.

"You make noise and rush about and cannot understand
What it is that torments me, poor me.
And no, I have not lost anything,
Although I also lack it."

Then pick yourself up - hurry,
You are a young fellow.
At your age, one has the strength
And courage to gain what one wishes.

"Alas, no - I can never obtain it;
It is too far from me.
It dwells as high and flashes as beautifully
As that star up there."

One should not covet the stars,
One should merely rejoice in their splendour,
And with delight gaze up
At every serene night.

"And so I gaze up with delight
At so many a lovely day;
Let my nights then be spent in weeping,
So long as I may weep."

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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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 32
Word count: 196

Translation © by Emily Ezust
6. Vergangen ist mir Glück und Heil
 (Sung text)
by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), "Vergangen ist mir Glück und Heil", op. 48 (Sieben Lieder für eine Singstimme mit Begleitung des Pianoforte) no. 6, published 1868 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Simrock
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Vergangen ist mir Glück und Heil
Und alle Freud' auf Erden;
Elend bin ich verloren gar,
Mir mag nit besser werden.
Bis in den Tod
Leid' ich groß Not,
So ich dich, Lieb, muß meiden,
Geschieht mir, ach,
O weh der Sach'!
Muß ich mich dein verjehen,
Groß Leid wird mir geschehen.

Erbarmen tu ich mich so hart,
Das kommt aus Buhlers Hulde,
Die mich in Angst und Not hat bracht,
Und williglich das dulde.
Um dich allein, 
Herzliebste mein,
Ist mir kein Bürd' zu schwere,
Wär's noch so viel,
Ich dennoch will
In deinem Dienst ersterben,
Nach fremder Lieb' nit werben.

Um Hülf' ich ruf', mein höchster Hort,
Erhör mein sehnlich Klagen!
Schaff mir, Herzlieb, dein' Botschaft schier,
Ich muß sonst vor Leid verzagen!
Mein traurig's Herz,
Leid't großen Schmerz,
Wie soll ich's überwinden?
Ich sorg', daß schier
Der Tod mit mir
Will ringen um das Leben,
Tu mir dein Troste geben.

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from Volkslieder (Folksongs)
6. Gone is my happiness and well-being
Language: English 
Gone is my happiness and well-being
And all my joy on earth;
I am wretched, completely lost,
Things will never become better.
Until death,
I will suffer great distress,
For I must part from you, my love,
Alas, it has come to pass,
That woeful thing!
If I must lose you,
Great sorrow will befall me.

I pity myself so much;
It comes from a lover's sensibility,
Which has brought me fear and hardship,
And willingly I bear it.
For you alone,
My heart's dearest,
No burden is too heavy;
Were it twice as heavy,
I yet would die
In your service,
Never seeking to woo a strange love.

For help I call, my highest treasure,
Hear my yearning lament!
Send me a message quickly, darling,
Or I must despair with sorrow!
My sad heart 
Suffers with great pain,
How can I overcome it?
I fear that suddenly
Death will struggle with me
For my life;
O give me hope!

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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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 33
Word count: 160

Translation © by Emily Ezust
7. Herbstgefühl
 (Sung text)
by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), "Herbstgefühl", op. 48 (Sieben Lieder für eine Singstimme mit Begleitung des Pianoforte) no. 7 (1867), published 1868 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Simrock
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wie wenn vom frost'gen Windhauch tödtlich
Des Sommers letzte Blüthe krankt,
Und hier und da nur, gelb und röthlich,
Ein einzles Blatt im Windhauch schwankt:

So schauert über mein Leben
Ein nächtig trüber, kalter Tag;
Warum noch vor dem Tode beben,
O Herz, mit deinem ew'gen Schlag?

Sieh rings entblättert das Gestäude!
Was spielst du, wie der Wind am Strauch,
Noch mit der letzten, welken Freude?
Gib dich zur Ruh! Bald stirbt sie auch.

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by Adolf Friedrich, Graf von Schack (1815 - 1894)
7. Sensation of Autumn
Language: English 
Just as when, [in]1 a frosty, fatal breeze,
The summer's last blossoms fall sick,
And here and there, yellow and red,
A single leaf shakes in the breeze:

So does my life shiver from
A nightlike, gloomy, cold day;
Why tremble before death,
O heart, with your eternal pulse?

Look around at the leafless bushes!
Why do you still play, like the wind in the shrubs,
With the last, withered pleasures?
Go to your rest! Soon they will die too.

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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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 81

Translation © by Emily Ezust