English translations of Sechs Lieder, opus 85

by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897)

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1. Sommerabend
 (Sung text)
by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), "Sommerabend", op. 85 (Sechs Lieder) no. 1 (1878), published 1882
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Dämmernd liegt der Sommerabend
Über Wald und grünen Wiesen;
Goldner Mond, im blauen Himmel,
Strahlt herunter, duftig labend.

An dem Bache zirpt die Grille,
Und es regt sich in dem Wasser,
Und der Wandrer hört ein Plätschern,
Und ein Athmen in der Stille.

Dorten, an dem Bach alleine,
Badet sich die schöne Elfe;
Arm und Nacken, weiß und lieblich,
Schimmern in dem Mondenscheine.

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by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
1. Summer evening
Language: English 
At twilight the summer evening lies
Over woods and green fields;
In the blue sky the golden moon
Gleams down in a refreshing haze.

By the brook, the cricket chirps
And something stirs in the water,
And the traveler hears a splashing sound,
And a breathing in the silence.

Over there, alone by the brook,
The fair water-sprite is bathing;
Her arm and neck, white and lovely,
Shimmer in the light of the moon.

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 Archive

    For any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.


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Translations of titles:
"Dämmernd liegt der Sommerabend" = "At twilight the summer evening lies"
"Sommerabend" = "Summer evening"



This text was added to the website: 2019-12-03
Line count: 12
Word count: 74

Translation © by Emily Ezust
2. Mondenschein
 (Sung text)
by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), "Mondenschein", op. 85 (Sechs Lieder) no. 2 (1878), published 1882 [ high voice and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
     Nacht liegt auf den fremden Wegen, –
Krankes Herz und müde Glieder; –
Ach, da fließt, wie stiller Segen,
Süßer Mond, dein Licht hernieder.

     Süßer Mond, mit deinen Strahlen
Scheuchest du das nächt’ge Grauen;
Es zerrinnen meine Qualen,
Und die Augen überthauen.

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by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
2. Night lies on the unfamiliar roads
Language: English 
 Night lies on the unfamiliar roads;
 a sick heart and tired limbs...
 ah, like a quiet blessing, there flows down,
 sweet moon, your light;

 Sweet moon, with your rays
 You drive away the night horror;
 Away runs my pain,
 And my eyes brim over with tears.

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: 8
Word count: 47

Translation © by Emily Ezust
3. Mädchenlied
 (Sung text)
by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), "Mädchenlied", op. 85 (Sechs Lieder) no. 3 (1878)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ach, und du mein kühles Wasser!
Ach, und du mein rotes Röslein!
Was erblühst du mir so frühe?
Hab' ja nicht, für wen dich pflücken!

Pflück' ich dich für meine Mutter?
Keine Mutter hab' ich Waise!
Pflück' ich dich für meine Schwester?
Ei doch, längst vermählet ist sie!

Pflück' ich dich für meinen Bruder?
Ist gezogen in die Feldschlacht!
Pflück' ich dich für den Geliebten?
Fern, ach, weilet der Geliebte!
Jenseit dreier grünen Berge,
Jenseit dreier kühlen Wasser!

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by Siegfried Kapper (1821 - 1879)
3. Maiden's song
Language: English 
Ah, and you, my cool river!
Ah, and you, my red little rose!
How can you bloom to me so early?
I have no one to pick you for!

Shall I pick you for my mother?
No mother have I, an orphan! 
Shall I pick you for my sister?
Ah, no, long ago was she married off.

Shall I pick you for my brother?
But he has gone to the field of battle.
Shall I pick you for my sweetheart?
Far away, alas, does my sweetheart languish!
On the other side of those three green mountains,
On the other side of those three cool rivers!

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: 14
Word count: 105

Translation © by Emily Ezust
4. Ade!
 (Sung text)
by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), "Ade!", op. 85 (Sechs Lieder) no. 4 (1877-82), published 1882
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wie schienen die Sternlein so hell, so hell
Herab von der Himmelshöh'!
Zwei Liebende standen auf der Schwell',
Ach, Hand in Hand: »Ade!«

Die Blümlein weinten auf Flur und Steg,
Sie fühlten der Liebenden Weh' --
Die standen traurig am Scheideweg,
Ach, Herz an Herz: »Ade!«

Die Lüfte durchrauschen die Waldesruh', --
Aus dem Tal und von der Höh'
Wehn zwei weiße Tücher einander zu:
»Ade! -- Ade -- Ade! --«

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by Siegfried Kapper (1821 - 1879)
4. How brightly, brightly the little stars shone
Language: English 
 How brightly, brightly the little stars shone,
 Down from Heaven's heights.
 Two lovers stood at the threshhold,
 Hand in hand: "Adieu!"

 The little flowers wept in the meadow and on the path,
 They felt the sorrow of the lovers,
 Who stood so sadly at the crossroads,
 Heart against heart: "Adieu!"

 The breezes rustled through the calm of the forest,
 From the valley and from the heights
 Two white handkerchiefs waved to each other:
 "Adieu, adieu!"

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: 12
Word count: 76

Translation © by Emily Ezust
5. Frühlingslied
 (Sung text)
by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), "Frühlingslied", op. 85 (Sechs Lieder) no. 5 (1878), published 1882
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Mit geheimnisvollen Düften
Grüßt vom Hang der Wald mich schon, 
Über mir in hohen Lüften
Schwebt der erste Lerchenton.

In den süßen Laut versunken
Wall' ich hin durchs Saatgefild,
Das noch halb vom Schlummer trunken
Sanft dem Licht entgegenschwillt.

Welch ein Sehnen! welch ein Träumen!
Ach, du möchtest vorm Verglühn
Mit den Blumen, mit den Bäumen,
Altes Herz, noch einmal blühn.

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by Emanuel von Geibel (1815 - 1884)
5.
Language: English 
 With mysterious scents
 the forest already greets me from the slope.
 Above me, high in the air
 Floats the first note of the lark.

 Entranced by the sweet sound
 I wander on through the field of grain,
 Which, still half drunk in slumber,
 Gently lean toward the light.

 What a longing! what dreaming!
 Ah, you yearn, in this twilight,
 With these flowers, with these trees...
 My old heart, you yearn once more to bloom.

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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Title "Frühlingslied" = "Spring song"


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 75

Translation © by Emily Ezust
6. In Waldeseinsamkeit
 (Sung text)
by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), "In Waldeseinsamkeit", op. 85 (Sechs Lieder) no. 6 (1878)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich saß zu deinen Füßen
In Waldeseinsamkeit;
Windesatmen, Sehnen
Ging durch die Wipfel breit.

In stummen Ringen senkt' ich
Das Haupt in deinen Schoß,
Und meine bebenden Hände
Um deine Knie ich schloß.

Die Sonne ging hinunter,
Der Tag verglühte all,
Ferne, ferne, ferne
Sang eine Nachtigall.

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by Karl von Lemcke (1831 - 1913)
6. In the loneliness of the forest
Language: English 
I sat at your feet
In the loneliness of the forest;
The breath of the wind, like longing,
Went through the broad treetops.

In mute struggle I sank
my head into your lap,
And my shaking hands
I clasped about your knees.

The sun set,
The day lost its glow,
Far, far, far away
Sang a single nightingale.

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:

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: 58

Translation © by Emily Ezust