English translations of Zwei Lieder für gemischten Chor, opus 10

by Charles Braun (1868 - ?)

1. Die Soldatenbraut  [sung text not yet checked]
by Charles Braun (1868 - ?), "Die Soldatenbraut", op. 10 no. 1, published 1881 [ satb chorus ], Stuttgart: Zumsteeg
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ach, wenn's [nur der König auch]1 wüßt',
Wie wacker mein Schätzelein ist!
Für den König, da ließ' er sein Blut,
Für mich aber [ebensogut]2.

Mein Schatz hat kein Band und kein' Stern,
Kein Kreuz wie die vornehmen Herrn,
Mein Schatz wird auch kein General;
Hätt' er nur seinen Abschied einmal!

Es scheinen drei Sterne so hell
Dort über Marien-Kapell;
Da knüpft uns ein rosenrot' Band,
Und ein Hauskreuz ist auch bei der Hand.

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1 Riehl: "auch der König nur"; further changes may exist not shown above.
2 Berg: "auch eben so gut"; Schumann: "eben so gut"

by Eduard Mörike (1804 - 1875)
1. The soldier's bride
Language: English 
Ah, if only the king knew as well
How valiant my darling is!
He would offer his lifeblood for the king,
But just the same for me.
 
My darling has no ribbons and medals,
No crosses like the lordly gentlemen,
My darling will also not become a general;
If only he could get his discharge!
 
Three stars shine so brightly
There over the Chapel of St. Mary;
There a rosy-red ribbon shall unite us,
And a cross to bear at home is also already on hand.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Sharon Krebs, (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.
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Note for stanza 3, line 4: "Hauskreuz" is a German idiom for a cranky wife.


This text was added to the website: 2015-03-19
Line count: 12
Word count: 87

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
2. Muss einer von dem Andern  [sung text not yet checked]
by Charles Braun (1868 - ?), "Muss einer von dem Andern", op. 10 no. 2, published 1881 [ satb chorus ], Stuttgart: Zumsteeg
Language: German (Deutsch) 
  Muß Einer von dem Andern, 
Ach Gott, ach Gott, wie bald! 
Wie dir zu Fuß beim Wandern 
Fällt Blatt um Blatt im Wald. 
  Dran denk' ich wohl ohn' Unterlaß, 
Und drob wird mir mein Auge naß: 
  Muß Einer von dem Andern, 
Ach Gott, ach Gott, wie bald! 

  Bald ist ein Herz gebrochen, 
Das erst noch fröhlich schlug; 
Ob's noch so frisch mag pochen, 
Ist's eitel Schein und Trug! 
  Dran denk' ich wohl ohn' Unterlaß, 
Und drob wird mir mein Auge naß: 
  Bald ist ein Herz gebrochen, 
Das erst noch fröhlich schlug! 

  Doch Einer zu dem Andern 
Kommt auch, wer weiß, wie bald, 
Und bald nach kurzem Wandern 
Dein Trauerlied verhallt. 
  Drauf hoff' ich wohl ohn' Unterlaß, 
Und nicht mehr bleibt mein Auge naß: 
  Kommt Einer zu dem Andern, 
Wer weiß, wer weiß, wie bald!

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Confirmed with Liederbuch von Friedrich Oser, 1842-1874. Mit einem biographischen Verzeichnis der Componisten, Basel: Benno Schwabe, Verlagsbuchhandlung, 1875, pages 305-306.

Also confirmed with Friedrich Oser, Kreuz- und Trostlieder, Wiesbaden: Julius Niedner, Verlagsbuchhandlung, 1865, pages 127-128.

Note: The poem's title is from the Liederbuch publication. In Kreuz- und Trostlieder the poem is untitled.


by Friedrich Heinrich Oser (1820 - 1891)
2.
Language: English 
One must part from another,
Oh God, oh God, how soon!
Like one wanders on a journey
As leaf after leaf falls in the wood.
I think of this constantly,
And my eyes become wet because of it:
One must part from another,
Oh God, oh God, how soon!

Soon a heart will been broken
That even recently throbbed with joy;
But, even that it beat so vigorously
Is vain illusion and falsehood!
I think of this constantly,
And my eyes become wet because of it:
Soon a heart will been broken
That even recently throbbed with joy!

Yet, one will also come to another,
Coming also, who knows how soon,
And soon, after a short journey
Your song of woe will fade away.
I hope for this constantly,
And my eyes no longer remain wet:
One will come to another,
Who knows, who knows how soon!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2026 by Michael P Rosewall, (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: 

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This text was added to the website: 2026-07-14
Line count: 24
Word count: 147

Translation © by Michael P Rosewall