English translations of Vier Quartette, opus 92
by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897)
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O schöne Nacht! Am Himmel märchenhaft Erglänzt der Mond in seiner ganzen Pracht; Um ihn der kleinen Sterne liebliche Genossenschaft. Es schimmert hell der Tau Am grünen Halm; mit Macht Im Fliederbusche schlägt die Nachtigall; Der Knabe schleicht zu seiner Liebsten sacht - O schöne Nacht!
O lovely night! In the heavens, the moon gleams magically in all its splendour; about it, the sweet comradeship of tiny stars. The dew glimmers brightly on the green blades of grass; with great power, the nightingale sings out in the elder-bush; the young man steals quietly to his sweetheart - O lovely night!
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 Georg Friedrich Daumer (1800 - 1875)
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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 10
Word count: 54
Der graue Nebel tropft so still Herab auf Feld und Wald und Heide, Als ob der Himmel weinen will In übergroßem Leide. Die Blumen wollen nicht mehr blühn, Die Vöglein schweigen in den Hainen, Es starb sogar das letzte Grün, Da mag er auch wohl weinen.
The grey mist drops down so silently upon the field, wood and heath that it is as if Heaven wanted to weep in overwhelming sorrow. The flowers will bloom no more, the birds are mute in the groves, and the last bit of green has died; Heaven should indeed be weeping.
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 Hermann Allmers (1821 - 1902)
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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 8
Word count: 51
Friedlich bekämpfen Nacht sich und Tag. Wie das zu dämpfen, Wie das zu lösen vermag! Der mich bedrückte, Schläfst du schon, Schmerz? Was mich beglückte Sage, was war's doch, mein Herz? Freude wie Kummer, Fühl' ich, zerrann, Aber den Schlummer Führten sie leise heran. Und im Entschweben, Immer empor, Kommt mir das Leben Ganz, wie ein Schlummerlied vor.
Text Authorship:
- by (Christian) Friedrich Hebbel (1813 - 1863), "Abendgefühl", appears in Gedichte, in 3. Vermischte Gedichte
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Peacefully does night struggle with the day: how to muffle it, how to dissolve it. That which depressed me, are you already asleep, o Pain? That which made me happy, say, what was it, my heart? Joy, like anguish, I feel has melted away, but they have gently invoked slumber instead. And as I float away, ever skyward, it occurs to me that life is just like a lullaby.
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 (Christian) Friedrich Hebbel (1813 - 1863), "Abendgefühl", appears in Gedichte, in 3. Vermischte Gedichte
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: 70
Warum doch erschallen himmelwärts die Lieder? Zögen gerne nieder Sterne, die droben Blinken und wallen, Zögen sich Lunas Lieblich Umarmen, Zögen die warmen, Wonnigen Tage Seliger Götter Gern uns herab!
Text Authorship:
- by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832), appears in Was wir bringen
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Why then do songs resound heavenward? They would gladly lure down the stars, which gleam and wander above; they would entice Luna's lovely embraces, and invoke the warm, blissful days of blessed gods - gladly would they do this!
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), appears in Was wir bringen
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 11
Word count: 39