English translations of Acht Lieder und Gesänge, opus 59
by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897)
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Dämmrung senkte sich von oben, Schon ist alle Nähe fern; Doch zuerst emporgehoben Holden Lichts der Abendstern! Alles schwankt in's Ungewisse, Nebel schleichen in die Höh'; Schwarzvertiefte Finsternisse Widerspiegelnd ruht der See. Nun am östlichen Bereiche Ahn' ich Mondenglanz und Gluth, Schlanker Weiden Haargezweige Scherzen auf der nächsten Fluth. Durch bewegter Schatten Spiele Zittert Luna's Zauberschein, Und durch's Auge schleicht die Kühle Sänftigend in's Herz hinein.
Text Authorship:
- by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832), no title, appears in Chinesisch-deutsche Jahres- und Tageszeiten, no. 8
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Twilight sank from high above; All that was near already is far, Yet first is raised high The fair light of the evening star! Everything shakes with uncertainty, A mist creeps slowly upward; Darkness steeped in black is reflected calmly in the sea. Now in eastern areas I feel the moon's brightness and glow, Hair-like branches of slender willows Play on the nearest tide. Through the play of moving shadows trembles Luna's magical shine, And through my eyes creeps the cool air, gently in toward 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 ArchiveFor any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.
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Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832), no title, appears in Chinesisch-deutsche Jahres- und Tageszeiten, no. 8
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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 16
Word count: 87
Blauer Himmel, blaue Wogen, Rebenhügel um den See, Drüber blauer Berge Bogen Schimmernd weiß im reinen Schnee. Wie der Kahn uns hebt und wieget, Leichter Nebel steigt und fällt, Süßer Himmelsfriede lieget Über der beglänzten Welt. Stürmend Herz, tu auf die Augen, Sieh umher und werde mild: Glück und Friede magst du saugen Aus des Doppelhimmels Bild. Spiegelnd sieh die Flut erwidern Turm und Hügel, Busch und Stadt, Also spiegle du in Liedern, Was die Erde Schönstes hat.
Text Authorship:
- by Karl Joseph Simrock (1802 - 1876), "Vevey", in the section "Travels in Switzerland, 1833", from Gedichte, Leipzig, first published 1844
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Blue sky, blue waves; Hills of vines around the lake; Over there, the blue mountain's arches Shimmer white in the pure snow. As the boat lifts and rocks us, A light mist rises and falls; The sweet peace of Heaven lies Over the radiant world. Stormy heart, open your eyes, Look around and become mild: Draw happiness and peace From the doubled image of Heaven. Look how the reflecting water answers Every tower and hill, bush and town; Thus you reflect in song, That which the earth holds most beautiful.
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 Karl Joseph Simrock (1802 - 1876), "Vevey", in the section "Travels in Switzerland, 1833", from Gedichte, Leipzig, first published 1844
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: 90
Walle, Regen, walle nieder, Wecke mir die Träume wieder, Die ich in der Kindheit träumte, Wenn das Naß im Sande schäumte! Wenn die matte Sommerschwüle Lässig stritt mit frischer Kühle, Und die blanken Blätter thauten, Und die Saaten dunkler blauten. Welche Wonne, in dem Fließen Dann zu stehn mit nackten Füßen, An dem Grase hinzustreifen Und den Schaum mit Händen greifen, Oder mit den heißen Wangen Kalte Tropfen aufzufangen, Und den neu erwachten Düften Seine Kinderbrust zu lüften! Wie die Kelche, die da troffen, Stand die Seele athmend offen, Wie die Blumen, düftetrunken, In dem Himmelsthau versunken. Schauernd kühlte jeder Tropfen Tief bis an des Herzens Klopfen, Und der Schöpfung heilig Weben Drang bis ins verborgne Leben. -- Walle, Regen, walle nieder, Wecke meine alten Lieder, Die wir in der Thüre sangen, Wenn die Tropfen draußen klangen! Möchte ihnen wieder lauschen, Ihrem süßen, feuchten Rauschen, Meine Seele sanft bethauen Mit dem frommen Kindergrauen.
Text Authorship:
- by Klaus Groth (1819 - 1899), "Regenlied", first published 1854
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Pour, rain, pour down, Awaken again in me those dreams That I dreamt in childhood, When the wetness foamed in the sand! When the dull summer sultriness Struggled languidly against the fresh coolness, And the shiny leaves dripped with dew, And the crops were dyed a deeper blue. What bliss to stand in the downpour With naked feet, To roam in the grass And seize the foam in one's hands! Or with one's hot cheeks To catch the cold drops; And to the newly-awakened fragrances To open one's childlike bosom! Like the flower's chalices that dripped there, The soul stood breathing openly, Like the flowers, drunk with fragrance, Submerged in the dew of the Heavens. Every drop cooled with a tremor Deep down to the heart's very beating, And Creation's holy weaving Pierced into one's hidden life. Pour, rain, pour down, Awaken the old songs That we used to sing in the doorway When the raindrops pattered outside! I would like to listen to them again -- To their sweet, damp rushing -- To gently bedew my soul With the devout terror I felt as a child.
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 Klaus Groth (1819 - 1899), "Regenlied", first published 1854
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 32
Word count: 185
Regentropfen aus den Bäumen Fallen in das grüne Gras, Tränen meiner trüben Augen Machen mir die Wange naß. Wenn die Sonne wieder scheinet, Wird der Rasen doppelt grün: Doppelt wird auf meinen Wangen Mir die heiße Träne glühn.
Text Authorship:
- by Klaus Groth (1819 - 1899), appears in Hundert Blätter, Paralipomena zum Quickborn, first published 1854
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Raindrops from the trees Fall in the green grass, Tears from my gloomy eyes Make my cheeks wet. When the sun again shines, The grass will be twice as green: And on my cheeks, twice as much will my hot tears glow.
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 Klaus Groth (1819 - 1899), appears in Hundert Blätter, Paralipomena zum Quickborn, first published 1854
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: 42
Rosenzeit! wie schnell vorbei,
Schnell vorbei
Bist du doch gegangen!
Wär' mein Lieb' nur blieben treu,
Blieben treu,
Sollte mir nicht bangen.
Um die Ernte wohlgemut,
Wohlgemut
Schnitterrinnen singen.
Aber, ach! mir kranken Blut,
Mir kranken Blut
Will nichts mehr gelingen.
Schleiche so durch's Wiesental,
So durch's Tal,
Als im Traum verloren,
Nach dem Berg, da tausendmal,
Tausendmal,
Er mir Treu' geschworen.
Oben auf des Hügels Rand,
Abgewandt,
Wein' ich bei der Linde;
An dem Hut mein Rosenband,
Von seiner Hand,
Spielet in dem Winde.
Text Authorship:
- by Eduard Mörike (1804 - 1875), "Agnes", written 1831, first published 1838
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Note: written for the novel Maler Nolten, in which it had the title "Refrain-Liedchen"Time of roses! How quickly past, Quickly past have you gone! Had my sweetheart only remained true, remained true, Then I should fear nothing. At the harvest, cheerfully, Cheerfully the reaping women sing. But ah! poor me, poor me, I can no longer do anything right. I creep so through the meadow valley, Through the meadow valley, as if lost in a dream, To the mountain, where a thousand times, a thousand times, he swore he would be true. Above on the edge of the hill, turning away, I weep by the linden tree; On my hat, the wreath of roses that he made for me Blows in the wind.
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 Eduard Mörike (1804 - 1875), "Agnes", written 1831, first published 1838
Go to the general single-text view
Note: updated 2014-03-25 after a kind suggestion by Lau Kanen.
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 24
Word count: 110
Eine gute, gute Nacht Pflegst du mir zu sagen - Über dieses eitle Wort, O wie muß ich klagen! Daß du meiner Seele Glut Nicht so grausam nährtest; »Eine gute, gute Nacht«, Daß du sie gewährtest!
Text Authorship:
- by Georg Friedrich Daumer (1800 - 1875)
Based on:
- a text in Russian (Русский) by Anonymous/Unidentified Artist [text unavailable]
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A good good-night you usually say to me - Over these empty words O how I must lament! The passion of my soul - would you did not sport so cruelly with it; "A good good-night" - if only you would grant 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 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 Georg Friedrich Daumer (1800 - 1875)
Based on:
- a text in Russian (Русский) by Anonymous/Unidentified Artist [text unavailable]
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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 8
Word count: 40
Mein wundes Herz verlangt nach milder Ruh', O hauche sie ihm ein! Es fliegt dir weinend, bange schlagend zu -- O hülle du es ein! Wie wenn ein Strahl durch schwere Wolken bricht, So winkest du ihm zu: O lächle fort mit deinem milden Licht! Mein Pol, mein Stern bist du!
Text Authorship:
- by Klaus Groth (1819 - 1899), appears in Hundert Blätter, Paralipomena zum Quickborn, in Erstes Fünfzig, in Klänge, no. 10, Hamburg, first published 1854
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My wounded heart longs for milder rest, O breath it in! It flies toward you weeping, throbbing with fear - O enfold it! As when a sunbeam breaks through heavy clouds, So do you beckon to it: O smile forth with your gentle light! You are my pole, my star!
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 Klaus Groth (1819 - 1899), appears in Hundert Blätter, Paralipomena zum Quickborn, in Erstes Fünfzig, in Klänge, no. 10, Hamburg, first published 1854
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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 8
Word count: 49
Dein blaues Auge hält so still, Ich blicke bis zum Grund. Du fragst mich, was ich sehen will? Ich sehe mich gesund. Es brannte mich ein glühend Paar, Noch schmerzt das Nachgefühl; Das deine ist wie See so klar Und wie ein See so kühl.
Text Authorship:
- by Klaus Groth (1819 - 1899), no title, appears in Hundert Blätter, Paralipomena zum Quickborn, in Erstes Fünfzig, in Klänge, no. 11, first published 1854
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Your blue eyes keep so still That I can gaze upon their very depths. You ask me what I want to see? -- I see my own well-being. A glowing pair burned me once; The after-effect still hurts. Yet your eyes are like the sea so clear, And like a lake, so cool [and detached].
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 Klaus Groth (1819 - 1899), no title, appears in Hundert Blätter, Paralipomena zum Quickborn, in Erstes Fünfzig, in Klänge, no. 11, first published 1854
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: 54