English translations of Drei Lieder, opus 2

by Akos von Buttykay (1871 - 1935)

1. Mädchen mit dem roten Mündchen  [sung text not yet checked]
by Akos von Buttykay (1871 - 1935), "Mädchen mit dem roten Mündchen", op. 2 (Drei Lieder) no. 1
Language: German (Deutsch) 
  Mädchen mit dem roten Mündchen,
Mit den Äuglein süß und klar,
Du mein liebes, kleines Mädchen,
Deiner denk' ich immerdar.

 Lang ist heut der Winterabend,
Und ich möchte bei dir sein,
[Bei dir sitzen, mit dir schwatzen]1,
Im vertrauten Kämmerlein.

  An die Lippen [wollt']2 ich pressen
Deine [kleine]3 weiße Hand,
Und mit Thränen sie benetzen,
Deine [kleine, weiße]4 Hand.

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Confirmed with: Heinrich Heine’s sämtliche Werke in vier Bänden, herausgegeben von Otto F. Lachmann, Erster Band, Leipzig: Druck und Verlag von Philipp Reclam jun, [1887], page 137.

1 Dresel: "mit dir schwatzen, mit dir kosen"
2 Dresel: "möcht"
3 Dresel: "liebe"
4 Dresel: "weiße, liebe"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
1. Maiden with the red little mouth
Language: English 
 Maiden with the red little mouth,
 with eyes sweet and clear:
 You are my dear little maiden -
 I think of you all the time.
 
 The winter evening drags tonight,
 and I would be with you,
 to sit by you and chat
 in a cosy little room.
 
 I would like to press to my lips
 your small white hand,
 and moisten it with my tears,
 your small white hand.

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: 69

Translation © by Emily Ezust
2. Was will die einsame Träne  [sung text not yet checked]
by Akos von Buttykay (1871 - 1935), "Was will die einsame Träne", op. 2 (Drei Lieder) no. 2
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Was will die einsame Thräne?
Sie trübt mir ja den Blick.
Sie blieb aus alten Zeiten
In meinem Auge zurück.

Sie [hatte]1 viel' leuchtende Schwestern,
Die alle zerflossen sind,
Mit meinen Qualen und Freuden,
Zerflossen in Nacht und Wind.

Wie Nebel sind auch zerflossen
Die blauen Sternelein,
Die mir [jene]2 Freuden und Qualen
Gelächelt ins Herz hinein.

Ach, meine Liebe selber
Zerfloß wie eitel Hauch!
Du alte, einsame Thräne,
Zerfließe jetzunder auch!

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Confirmed with Buch der Lieder von Heinrich Heine, Sechsundfünfzigste Auflage (56th edition), Hamburg, Hoffmann und Campe, 1887, page 147. Note: in this edition, the poem is number 29.

Modern German would change "Thräne" to "Träne".

1 Franz: "hat"
2 Cornelius: "die"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
2. What does this solitary tear mean?
Language: English 
 What does this solitary tear mean?
 - it so blurs my gaze.
 It has lingered since long ago
 behind my eye.
 
 It had several shining sisters,
 which have all flown away
 with my agonies and joys,
 flown away in night and wind.
 
 Like mist have also faded away
 the blue little stars
 through which my joys and agonies
 were smiled into my heart.
 
 Alas, my love itself
 has vanished, like a vain breath!
 You old, lonely tear,
 flow down then and be gone!

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: 16
Word count: 83

Translation © by Emily Ezust