English translations of Vier Duette, opus 61
by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897)
1. Die Schwestern
by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), "Die Schwestern", op. 61 (Vier Duette) no. 1 [ duet ]
Language: German (Deutsch)
Wir Schwestern zwei, wir schönen, So gleich von Angesicht, So gleicht kein Ei dem andern, Kein Stern dem andern nicht. Wir Schwestern zwei, wir schönen, Wir haben nußbraun Haar', Und flichtst du sie in einen Zopf, Man kennt sie nicht fürwahr. Wir Schwestern zwei, wir schönen, Wir tragen gleich Gewand, Spazieren auf dem Wiesenplan Und singen Hand in Hand. Wir Schwestern zwei, wir schönen, Wir spinnen in die Wett', Wir sitzen an einer Kunkel, Wir schlafen in einem Bett. O Schwestern zwei, ihr schönen, Wie hat sich das Blättchen gewandt! Ihr liebet einerlei Liebchen -- Jetzt hat das Liedel ein End'.
by Eduard Mörike (1804 - 1875)
1. The sisters
Language: English
We two sisters, we beauties Our faces so similar, Identical as two eggs, Identical as two stars. We two sisters, we beauties, We have nut brown tresses, If you plat them together, You can't tell them apart. We two sisters, we beauties We dress the same, Walking in the meadow, And singing hand in hand. We two sisters, we beauties, We race each other at spinning, We sit together in an alcove, And sleep in the same bed. O sisters two, you beauties How the tables have turned, You love the same sweetheart; And now the song is over!
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Siân Goldthorpe and Christian Stein, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
Contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Eduard Mörike (1804 - 1875), "Die Schwestern"
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 20
Word count: 99
Translation © by Siân Goldthorpe, Christian Stein
2. Klosterfräulein
by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), "Klosterfräulein", op. 61 (Vier Duette) no. 2 (1852) [ duet ]
Language: German (Deutsch)
Ach, ach, ich armes Klosterfräulein! O Mutter! was hast du gemacht! Lenz ging am Gitter vorüber, und hat mir kein Blümlein gebracht. Ach, ach, wie weit, weit hier unten Zwei Schäflein gehen im Tal! Viel Glück, ihr Schäflein, ihr sahet Den Frühling zum erstenmal! Ach, ach, wie weit, weit hier oben Zwei Vöglein fliegen in Ruh'! Viel Glück, ihr Vöglein, ihr flieget Der besseren Heimat zu!
Text Authorship:
- by Justinus (Andreas Christian) Kerner (1786 - 1862), "Klosterfräulein", appears in Gedichte, in Die lyrischen Gedichte, first published 1807
See other settings of this text.
by Justinus (Andreas Christian) Kerner (1786 - 1862)
2. The young nun
Language: English
Ah, what a poor nun am I! O mother what have you done! Spring passed by the bars And brought me no flowers! Ah, how far, how far below Two lambs walk in the valley. Good luck you lambs, You've seen spring for the first time. Ah, how far, how far above Two birds fly in peace! Good luck little birds, You're flying to a better home.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Siân Goldthorpe and Christian Stein, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
Contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Justinus (Andreas Christian) Kerner (1786 - 1862), "Klosterfräulein", appears in Gedichte, in Die lyrischen Gedichte, first published 1807
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website: 2003-10-13
Line count: 12
Word count: 67
Translation © by Siân Goldthorpe, Christian Stein
3. Phänomen
by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), "Phänomen", op. 61 (Vier Duette) no. 3 (1874) [ vocal duet ]
Language: German (Deutsch)
Wenn zu der Regenwand Phöbus sich gattet, Gleich steht ein Bogenrand Farbig beschattet. Im Nebel gleichen Kreis Seh ich gezogen; Zwar ist der Bogen weiß, Doch Himmelsbogen. So sollst du, muntrer Greis, Dich nicht betrüben: Sind gleich die Haare weiß, Doch wirst du lieben.
Text Authorship:
- by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832), "Phänomen", written 1816, appears in West-östlicher Divan, in 1. Buch des Sängers -- Moganni Nameh, first published 1814
See other settings of this text.
by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832)
3. Phenomenon
Language: English
When Phoebus is joined With the wall of rain, Instantly a bow appears Colourfully shaded. In the clouds I see An identical circle drawn, Though the bow is white: Yes, heaven's bow. Do not worry, Cheerful old man; Though your hair is white, You will still love.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Siân Goldthorpe and Christian Stein, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
Contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832), "Phänomen", written 1816, appears in West-östlicher Divan, in 1. Buch des Sängers -- Moganni Nameh, first published 1814
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 47
Translation © by Siân Goldthorpe, Christian Stein
4. Die Boten der Liebe
by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), "Die Boten der Liebe", op. 61 (Vier Duette) no. 4 [ vocal duet ]
Language: German (Deutsch)
Wie viel schon der Boten Flogen die Pfade Vom Walde herunter, Boten der Treu; Trugen mir Briefchen Dort aus der Ferne, Trugen mir Briefchen Vom Liebsten herbei? Wie viel schon der Lüfte Wehten vom Morgen, Wehten bis Abends So schnell ohne Ruh; Trugen mir Küßchen Vom kühligen Wasser, Trugen mir Küßchen Vom Liebsten herzu? Wie wiegten die Halme Auf grünenden Bergen, Wie wiegten die Öhren Auf Feldern sich leis; "Mein goldenes Liebchen," Lispelten alle, "Mein goldenes Liebchen, Ich lieb' dich so heiß!"
Text Authorship:
- by Josef Wenzig (1807 - 1876), "Die Boten der Liebe", appears in Slawische Volkslieder, in 1. Böhmische Volkslieder, first published 1830
Based on:
- a text in Czech (Čeština) from Volkslieder (Folksongs) [text unavailable]
See other settings of this text.
by Josef Wenzig (1807 - 1876)
4. The messengers of love
Language: English
How many messengers Have already flown Down the path, From the forest, Messengers of fidelity That carry me Little letters from afar, From my sweetheart! How many breezes Have already blown From morn till evening So quickly without rest, Carrying little kisses From the cool water Carrying little kisses From my sweetheart! How the grass waved On the green mountain, How the ears of corn Waved gently in the fields My golden sweetheart, They all whispered, My golden sweetheart, I love you so passionately.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Siân Goldthorpe and Christian Stein, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
Contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Josef Wenzig (1807 - 1876), "Die Boten der Liebe", appears in Slawische Volkslieder, in 1. Böhmische Volkslieder, first published 1830
Based on:
- a text in Czech (Čeština) from Volkslieder (Folksongs) [text unavailable]
Go to the general single-text view
Note: this is a translation of the version set by Brahms.This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 24
Word count: 84
Translation © by Siân Goldthorpe, Christian Stein