English translations of Fünf Gesänge, opus 72
by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897)
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Es kehrt die dunkle Schwalbe Aus fernem Land zurück, Die frommen Störche kehren Und bringen neues Glück. An diesem Frühlingsmorgen, So trüb' verhängt und warm, Ist mir, als fänd' ich wieder Den alten Liebesharm. Es ist als ob mich leise Wer auf die Schulter schlug, Als ob ich säuseln hörte, Wie einer Taube Flug. Es klopft an meine Türe, Und ist doch niemand draus; Ich atme Jasmindüfte, Und habe keinen Strauß. Es ruft mir aus der Ferne, Ein Auge sieht mich an, Ein alter Traum erfaßt mich Und führt mich seine Bahn.
Text Authorship:
- by Karl August Candidus (1817 - 1872), "Alte Liebe", appears in Vermischte Gedichte, first published 1869
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Dark swallows are returning From a distant land; The docile storks are returning And delivering new happiness. On this spring morning, So darkly dull and warm, It seems to me I've found again The grief of old love. It is as if somebody Tapped me gently on the shoulder, As if I heard a rustling sound, Like the flight of a dove. At my door comes a knocking sound, And yet no one is out there; I'm breathing in the scent of jasmine And have no bouquet. Someone calls to me from far away, An eye watches me, An old dream catches me And drives me down its path.
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 Karl August Candidus (1817 - 1872), "Alte Liebe", appears in Vermischte Gedichte, first published 1869
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This text was added to the website: 2015-09-16
Line count: 20
Word count: 109
Sommerfäden hin und wieder Fliegen von den Himmeln nieder; Sind der Menschen Hirngespinste, Fetzen goldner Liebesträume, An die Stauden, an die Bäume Haben sie sich dort verfangen; Hochselbsteigene Gewinste Sehen wir darunter hangen.
Text Authorship:
- by Karl August Candidus (1817 - 1872), "Sommerfäden", appears in Vermischte Gedichte, first published 1869
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Back and forth, gossamer threads fly down from heaven; They are the fantasies of people, Scraps of golden love-dreams. On the bushes, on the trees They have caught themselves there; Ambitious winnings We see hanging below.
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 August Candidus (1817 - 1872), "Sommerfäden", appears in Vermischte Gedichte, first published 1869
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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 8
Word count: 36
O kühler Wald,
Wo rauschest du,
In dem mein Liebchen geht?
O Widerhall,
Wo lauschest du,
Der gern mein Lied versteht?
...
Im Herzen tief,
Da rauscht der Wald,
In dem mein Liebchen geht,
In Schmerzen schlief
Der Widerhall,
Die Lieder sind verweht.
Text Authorship:
- by Clemens Maria Wenzeslaus von Brentano (1778 - 1842), no title, written 1802, first published 1844
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O cool forest,
Where do you rustle,
O forest in which my darling walks?
O echo,
Where do you listen,
O echo that understands my song so well?
[ ... ]
Deep in my heart,
There rustles the forest
In which my darling walks;
In pain sleeps
the echo;
The songs have dispersed.
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 Clemens Maria Wenzeslaus von Brentano (1778 - 1842), no title, written 1802, 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: 24
Word count: 103
Ich sitz' am Strande der rauschenden See Und suche dort nach Ruh', Ich schaue dem Treiben der Wogen Mit dumpfer Ergebung zu. Die Wogen rauschen zum Strande hin, Sie schäumen und vergehn, Die Wolken, die Winde darüber, Die kommen und verwehn. Du ungestümes Herz sei still Und gib dich doch zur Ruh', Du sollst mit Winden und Wogen Dich trösten, - was weinest du?
Text Authorship:
- by Karl von Lemcke (1831 - 1913), "Verzagen", appears in Lieder und Gedichte, in 6. Vermischte Gedichte, first published 1861
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I sit by the shore of the roaring sea And there I seek calm; I watch the swelling waves With dull resignation. The waves rush in to the shore, They foam and dwindle, The clouds, the winds above me, They come and drift away. You, my storming heart, be quiet And give yourself over now to tranquility; With the wind and waves you should Take solace! Why do you weep?
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2019 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 von Lemcke (1831 - 1913), "Verzagen", appears in Lieder und Gedichte, in 6. Vermischte Gedichte, first published 1861
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website: 2019-12-03
Line count: 12
Word count: 70
Hab' ich tausendmal geschworen Dieser Flasche nicht zu trauen, Bin ich doch wie neugeboren, Läßt mein Schenke fern sie schauen. Alles ist an ihr zu loben, Glaskristall und Purpurwein; Wird der Propf herausgehoben, Sie ist leer und ich nicht mein. Hab' ich tausendmal geschworen, Dieser Falschen nicht zu trauen, Und doch bin ich neugeboren, Läßt sie sich ins Auge schauen. Mag sie doch mit mir verfahren, Wie's dem stärksten Mann geschah. Deine Scher' in meinen Haaren, Allerliebste Delila!
Text Authorship:
- by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832), "Unüberwindlich", first published 1860
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Although I've sworn a thousand times Not to trust this bottle, I feel born again when from afar my innkeeper presents it. Everything about it may be praised: crystal glass and purple wine; but when the cork is drawn, it is soon empty and I am not my own master. Although I've sworn a thousand times not to trust this false one, I feel born again when she gazes into my eyes. She may treat me as the strongest of men was treated. Your scissors are in my hair, most beloved Delilah!
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 Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832), "Unüberwindlich", first published 1860
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: 93