English translations of Drei Quartette, opus 64

by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897)

1. An die Heimat
 (Sung text)
by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), "An die Heimat", op. 64 (Drei Quartette) no. 1 (1864), published 1875 [ satb quartet and piano ], Leipzig, Peters
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Heimat!
Wunderbar tönendes Wort!
Wie auf befiederten Schwingen
Ziehst du mein Herz zu dir fort,
Jubelnd, als müßt' ich den Gruß
Jeglicher Seele dir bringen,
Trag' ich zu dir meinen Fuß,
Freundliche Heimat!

Heimat!
Bei dem sanftklingenden Ton
Wecken mich alte Gesänge,
Die in der Ferne mich flohn;
Rufen mir freudenvoll zu
Heimatlich lockende Klänge:
Du nur allein bist die Ruh',
Schützende Heimat!

Heimat!
Gib mir den Frieden zurück,
Den ich im Weiten verloren,
Gib mir dein blühendes Glück!
Unter den Bäumen am Bach,
Wo ich vor Zeiten geboren,
Gib mir ein schützendes Dach,
Liebende Heimat!

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by Otto Inkermann (1823 - 1862), as C. O. Sternau
1. To the homeland
Language: English 
 Homeland!
 Wonderful-sounding word!
 How on feathery wings
 you draw my heart toward you,
 rejoicing, as if I must bring you the greeting
 of every soul.
 I turn my steps to you,
 welcoming homeland!
 
 Homeland!
 With that gentle-sounding note
 old songs awaken in me
 which have flown far away from me;
 they call me, full of joy,
 to alluring sounds of home.
 Only you are peace,
 sheltering homeland!
 
 Homeland!
 Give me back the peace
 that I have lost in the distance,
 give me your thriving happiness!
 Beneath the trees by the brook,
 where I was born long ago,
 Give me a sheltering roof,
 dear homeland!

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: 24
Word count: 105

Translation © by Emily Ezust
2. Der Abend
 (Sung text)
by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), "Der Abend", op. 64 (Drei Quartette) no. 2 (1874), published 1875 [ satb quartet and piano ], Leipzig, Peters
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Senke, strahlender Gott, die Fluren dürsten
Nach erquickendem Tau, der Mensch verschmachtet,
  Matter ziehen die Rosse,
    Senke den Wagen hinab!

Siehe, wer aus des Meers krystallner Woge
Lieblich lächelnd dir winkt! Erkennt dein Herz sie?
  Rascher fliegen die Rosse.
    Thetys, die göttliche, winkt.

Schnell vom Wagen herab in ihre Arme
Springt der Führer, den Zaum ergreift Kupido,
  Stille halten die Rosse,
    Trinken die kühlende Flut.

Auf dem Himmel herauf mit leisen Schritten
Kommt die duftende Nacht; ihr folgt die süße
  Liebe. Ruhet und liebet!
    Phöbus, der Liebende, ruht.

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by Friedrich von Schiller (1759 - 1805)
2. Evening
Language: English 
Sink, beaming God; the meadows thirst
for refreshing dew, Man is listless,
  the horses are pulling more slowly:
    the chariot descends.1

Look who beckons from the sea's crystal waves,
smiling warmly! Does your heart know her?
  The horses fly more quickly.
    Thetis, the divine, is beckoning.

Quickly from the chariot and into her arms
springs the driver. Cupid grasps the reins.
  The horses come silently to a halt
    and drink from the cool waters.

In the sky above, with a soft step,
comes the fragrant night; she is followed by sweet
  Love. Rest and love!
    Phoebus, the amorous, rests.

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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1 Krufft adds a line that can be translated "Beaming God, descend!"


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 16
Word count: 100

Translation © by Emily Ezust
3. Fragen
 (Sung text)
by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), "Fragen", op. 64 (Drei Quartette) no. 3 (1874), published 1875 [ satb quartet and piano ], Leipzig, Peters
Language: German (Deutsch) 
"Mein liebes Herz, was ist dir?"
"Ich bin verliebt, das ist mir."
"Wie ist dir denn zumut'?"
"Ich brenn' in Höllenglut."
"Erquicket dich kein Schlummer?"
"Den litte Qual und Kummer?"
"Gelingt kein Widerstand?"
"Wie doch bei solchem Brand?"
"Ich hoffe, Zeit wird's wenden."
"Es wird's der Tod nur enden."
"Was gäbst du, sie zu sehn?"
"Mich, dich, Welt, Himmelshöh'n."
"Du redest ohne Sinn."
"Weil ich in Liebe bin."
"Du mußt vernünftig sein."
"Das heißt, so kalt wie Stein."
"Du wirst zugrunde gehen!"
"Ach, möcht' es bald geschehen!"

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by Georg Friedrich Daumer (1800 - 1875)
3. Questions
Language: English 
 "My dear heart, what is wrong with you?"
 "I am in love, that's what is wrong with me."
 "How then do you feel?"
 "I burn in hellish fire."
 "Does sleep not refresh you?"
 "Tormented by pain and anguish?"
 "Resistance does not work?"
 "How can it with such fire?"
 "I hope that time will turn it away."
 "It will only end with death."
 "What would you give to see her?"
 "Me, you, the world, the heights of heaven."
 "You speak without sense."
 "Because I am in love."
 "You must be sensible."
 "That means: as cold as stone."
 "But you will be destroyed!"
 "Ah, may it come to pass soon!"

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:

Based on:

Go to the general single-text view


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 18
Word count: 109

Translation © by Emily Ezust