English translations of Acht Lieder und Gesänge, opus 57

by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897)

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1. Von waldbekränzter Höhe
 (Sung text)
by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), "Von waldbekränzter Höhe", op. 57 (Acht Lieder und Gesänge) no. 1 (<<1871), published 1872, first performed 1872 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Rieter-Biedermann
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Von waldbekränzter Höhe
  Werf' ich den heißen Blick
Der liebefeuchten Sehe
  Zur Flur, die dich umgrünt, zurück.

Ich senk' ihn auf die Quelle --
  Vermöcht' ich, ach, mit ihr
Zu fließen eine Welle,
  Zurück, o Freund, zu dir, zu dir!

Ich richt' ihn auf die Züge
  Der Wolken über mir --
Ach, flög' ich ihre Flüge,
  Zurück, o Freund, zu dir, zu dir!

Wie wollt' ich dich umstricken,
  Mein Heil und meine Pein,
Mit Lippen und mit Blicken,
  Mit Busen, Herz und Seele dein!

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by Georg Friedrich Daumer (1800 - 1875)
1. From forest-crowned heights
Language: English 
From forest-crowned heights
I cast the ardent gaze
Of my love-moistened eyes
Back to the meadow that surrounds you with green.

I lower my gaze to the stream;
Ah, if only I could
Flow with it, as a wave,
Back, o friend, back to you!

I direct my gaze to the migration
Of the clouds above me;
Ah, if only I could fly their flight,
Back, o friend, back to you!

How I would embrace you,
My glory and my pain;
With lips and gazes,
With my breast, heart and soul - I am yours.

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: 16
Word count: 94

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2. Wenn du nur zuweilen lächelst
 (Sung text)
by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), "Wenn du nur zuweilen lächelst", op. 57 (Acht Lieder und Gesänge) no. 2 (1871), published 1872 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Rieter-Biedermann
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wenn du nur zuweilen lächelst,
Nur zuweilen Kühle fächelst
Dieser ungemeßnen Glut --
In Geduld will ich mich fassen
Und dich alles treiben lassen,
Was der Liebe wehe thut.

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by Georg Friedrich Daumer (1800 - 1875)
2. If you would only smile now and then
Language: English 
 If you would only smile now and then,
 Now and then fan coolness
 On my boundless passion -
 Then I would wait with patience
 And let you persist in doing all those things
 That injure my love.

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: 2003-11-05
Line count: 6
Word count: 37

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3. Es träumte mir
 (Sung text)
by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), "Es träumte mir", op. 57 (Acht Lieder und Gesänge) no. 3 (<<1871), published 1872, first performed 1872 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Rieter-Biedermann
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Es träumte mir,
Ich sei dir teuer;
Doch zu erwachen
Bedurft' ich kaum.
Denn schon im Traume
Bereits empfand ich,
Es sei ein Traum.

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by Georg Friedrich Daumer (1800 - 1875)
3. I dreamed
Language: English 
I dreamed
I was dear to you;
But to wake up
I hardly dared.
For in the dream
I already understood
That it was only a dream.

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: 7
Word count: 27

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4. Ach, wende diesen Blick
 (Sung text)
by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), "Ach, wende diesen Blick", op. 57 (Acht Lieder und Gesänge) no. 4 (<<1871), published 1872 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Rieter-Biedermann
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ach, wende diesen Blick, wende dies Angesicht!
Das Inn're mir mit ewig neuer Glut,
Mit ewig neuem Harm erfülle nicht!

Wenn einmal die gequälte Seele ruht,
Und mit so fieberischer Wilde nicht
In meinen Adern rollt das heiße Blut -

Ein Strahl, ein flüchtiger, von deinem Licht,
Er wecket auf des Wehs gesamte Wut,
Das schlangengleich mich in das Herze sticht.

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by Georg Friedrich Daumer (1800 - 1875)
4. Ah, turn away this gaze
Language: English 
Ah, turn away this gaze, turn away your face!
Don't fill my heart with ever renewing passion,
With ever renewing grief!

Whenever my tortured soul rests,
And my hot blood ceases to course with so feverish a frenzy
In my veins - 

A ray, a fleeting one, of your light,
Awakens the entire fury of my woe,
That like a serpent, stings my heart.

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: 9
Word count: 63

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5. In meiner Nächte Sehnen
 (Sung text)
by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), "In meiner Nächte Sehnen", op. 57 (Acht Lieder und Gesänge) no. 5 (<<1871), published 1872 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Rieter-Biedermann
Language: German (Deutsch) 
In meiner Nächte Sehnen,
So tief allein,
Mit tausend, tausend Tränen,
Gedenk' ich dein.

Ach, wer dein Antlitz schaute,
Wem dein Gemüt
Die schöne Glut vertraute,
Die es durchglüht,

Wem deine Küsse brannten,
Wem je vor Lust
All seine Sinne schwanden
An deiner Brust -

Wie rasteten in Frieden
Ihm Seel' und Leib,
Wenn er von dir geschieden,
Du göttlich Weib!

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by Georg Friedrich Daumer (1800 - 1875)
5. In my nights of longing
Language: English 
In my nights of longing, 
So deeply alone,
With a thousand, thousand tears, 
I think of you.

Ah, for him who looked upon your image,
To whom your mind
Confided the beautiful warmth 
That glows within it,

On whom your kisses burned, 
Who for joy
Felt all his senses 
Slip away upon your breast -

How peacefully would
His body and soul repose
On parting from you, 
You divine woman!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2016 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: 2016-12-25
Line count: 16
Word count: 69

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6. Strahlt zuweilen auch ein mildes Licht
 (Sung text)
by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), "Strahlt zuweilen auch ein mildes Licht", op. 57 (Acht Lieder und Gesänge) no. 6, published 1872 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Rieter-Biedermann
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Strahlt zuweilen auch ein mildes Licht
Auf mich hin aus diesem Angesicht -
Ach, es können auch wohl Huldgebärden
Machen, daß uns fast das Herze bricht.
Was die Liebe sucht, um froh zu werden,
Das verraten diese Blicke nicht.

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by Georg Friedrich Daumer (1800 - 1875)
6. Although occasionally a gentle light shines
Language: English 
Although occasionally a gentle light shines
At me from that face,
Ah, it could be only the appearance of favour,
Which causes the heart almost to break.
What my love seeks to be happy,
Is not betrayed by her glance.

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: 40

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7. Die Schnur, die Perl' an Perle
 (Sung text)
by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), "Die Schnur, die Perl' an Perle", op. 57 (Acht Lieder und Gesänge) no. 7 (<<1871), published 1872 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Rieter-Biedermann
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Die Schnur, die Perl' an Perle
Um deinen Hals gereihte,
Wie wiegt sie sich so fröhlich
Auf deiner schönen Brust!
Mit Seel' und Sinn begabet,
Mit Seligkeit berauschet
Sie, diese Götterlust.

Was müssen wir erst fühlen,
In welchen Herzen schlagen,
So heiße Menschenherzen,
Wofern es uns gestattet,
Uns traulich anzuschmiegen
An eine solche Brust?

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by Georg Friedrich Daumer (1800 - 1875)
7. The string, on which pearl after pearl
Language: English 
The string, on which pearl after pearl
Encircles your throat,
How happily it rocks
Upon your fair breast!
With soul and sense endowed,
It is intoxicated with joy
For this godly pleasure.

What must we then feel,
We in whom hearts beat -
Warm, human hearts -
Whenever it is permitted us
To nestle comfortably
Against such a breast?

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: 13
Word count: 57

Translation © by Emily Ezust
8. Unbewegte laue Luft
 (Sung text)
by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), "Unbewegte laue Luft", op. 57 (Acht Lieder und Gesänge) no. 8 (<<1871), published 1872 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Rieter-Biedermann
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Unbewegte laue Luft,
Tiefe Ruhe der Natur;
Durch die stille Gartennacht
Plätschert die Fontäne nur.
Aber im Gemüte schwillt
Heißere Begierde mir,
Aber in der Ader quillt
Leben und verlangt nach Leben.
Sollten nicht auch deine Brust
Sehnlichere Wünsche heben?
Sollte meiner Seele Ruf
Nicht die deine tief durchbeben?
Leise mit dem Ätherfuß
Säume nicht, daherzuschweben!
Komm, o komm, damit wir uns
Himmlische Genüge geben!

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by Georg Friedrich Daumer (1800 - 1875)
8. Motionless, tepid air
Language: English 
Motionless, tepid air,
Nature, deeply at rest;
Through the still garden-night
Only the fountain splashes.
But in my heart there surges
Hot desires,
And in my veins swells
Life, and a longing for life.
Should not also your breast
Be lifted by longing wishes?
Should not the cry of my soul
Reverberate deeply in yours?
Softly, with ethereal steps,
Do not tarry to float to me!
Come, oh come, so that we might
Give each other heavenly satisfaction!

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: 16
Word count: 78

Translation © by Emily Ezust