English translations of Sechs Gesänge, opus 1

by Otto Dresel (1826 - 1890)

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1. Ich will meine Seele tauchen
 (Sung text)
by Otto Dresel (1826 - 1890), "Ich will meine Seele tauchen", op. 1 (Sechs Gesänge) no. 1, published 1846
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich will meine Seele tauchen
In den Kelch der Lilie hinein;
Die Lilie soll klingend hauchen
Ein Lied von der Liebsten mein.

Das Lied soll schauern und beben
Wie der Kuß von ihrem Mund,
Den sie mir einst gegeben
In wunderbar süßer Stund'.

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by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
1. I want to delve my soul
Language: English 
I want to delve my soul
Into the cup of the lily;
The lily should give resoundingly
A song belonging to my beloved.

The song should shudder and tremble
Like the kiss from her lips
That she once gave me
In a wonderfully sweet hour.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Paul Hindemith, (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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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 8
Word count: 45

Translation © by Paul Hindemith
2. Schilflied  [sung text not yet checked]
by Otto Dresel (1826 - 1890), "Schilflied", op. 1 (Sechs Gesänge) no. 2 (1846), published 1846
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Auf geheimem Waldespfade
Schleich' ich gern im Abendschein
An das öde Schilfgestade,
Mädchen, und gedenke dein!

Wenn sich dann der Busch verdüstert,
Rauscht das Rohr geheimnisvoll,
Und es klaget und es flüstert,
Daß ich weinen, weinen soll.

Und ich mein', ich höre wehen
Leise deiner Stimme Klang,
Und im Weiher untergehen
Deinen lieblichen Gesang.

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by Nikolaus Lenau (1802 - 1850)
2. Reed song
Language: English 
Along a secret forest path
I like to creep in the evening light;
I go to the desolate, reedy banks,
and think, my maiden, of you!

As the bushes grow dark,
the reeds hiss mysteriously,
and lament and whisper,
and thus I have to weep and weep.

And I think that I hear wafting
the gentle sound of your voice,
and down into the pond sinks
your lovely song.

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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Translation of title "Schilflied" = "Reed song"


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 69

Translation © by Emily Ezust
3. Des Veilchens Grab
 (Sung text)
by Otto Dresel (1826 - 1890), "Des Veilchens Grab", op. 1 (Sechs Gesänge) no. 3 (1846), published 1846
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Lag ein geknicktes Veilchen
Auf einem harten Stein.
"Ach, Veilchen, armes Veilchen,
Sollst weicher begraben sein."

Sie nimmt das tote Veilchen,
Steckt's in den Busen tief,
Wo tiefer als das Veilchen
Geknickte Liebe schlief.

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by (Joseph) Albert Knoll (1796 - 1863)
3.
[Translation not yet available]
4. Mein Herz ist in Hochland
 (Sung text)
by Otto Dresel (1826 - 1890), "Mein Herz ist in Hochland", op. 1 (Sechs Gesänge) no. 4 (1846), published 1846
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Mein Herz ist im Hochland,
Mein Herz ist nicht hier,
Mein Herz ist im Hochland,
Mein Hochland bei dir.

Auf der Jagd nach dem Hirsch,
Auf der Jagd nach dem Reh,
Mein Herz ist im Hochland,
Wohin ich auch geh'.

Fahr wohl du mein Hochland,
Fahr wohl du mein Nord,
Die Heimat des Mutes,
Der Tapferkeit Hort.

Wohin ich auch wandre,
Wohin, allerwärts,
In den Bergen des Hochlands
Bleibt ewig mein Herz.

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by (Johann) Philipp Kaufmann (1802 - 1846)
4.
[Translation not yet available]
5. Dein Angesicht so lieb und schön  [sung text not yet checked]
by Otto Dresel (1826 - 1890), "Dein Angesicht so lieb und schön", op. 1 (Sechs Gesänge) no. 5 (1846), published 1846
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Dein Angesicht so lieb und schön,
Das hab' ich jüngst im Traum gesehn,
Es ist so mild und engelgleich,
Und doch so bleich, so [schmerzenbleich]1.

Und nur die Lippen, die sind rot;
Bald aber küßt sie bleich der Tod.
Erlöschen wird das Himmelslicht,
Das aus den frommen Augen bricht.

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Confirmed with Heinrich Heine, Buch der Lieder, Hoffmann und Campe, Hamburg, 1827, page 114.

1 Schumann: "schmerzenreich"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
5.
Language: English 
Your face so lovable and fair:
I saw it recently in a dream.
It is so mild and angelic,
and yet so pale, so [pale with]1 pain!

And only your lips are red;
but soon Death will kiss them pale.
Out will go the heavenly light
that reflects out from your innocent eyes.

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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View original text (without footnotes)
1 Schumann: "full of"

Translations of titles
"Dein Angesicht" = "Your face"
"Dein Angesicht so lieb und schön" = "Your face so lovable and fair"
"Im Traumbild" = "In a dream image"
"Liebchens Angesicht" = "Darling's face"


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 8
Word count: 54

Translation © by Emily Ezust
6. Anfangs wollt' ich fast verzagen  [sung text not yet checked]
by Otto Dresel (1826 - 1890), "Anfangs wollt' ich fast verzagen", op. 1 (Sechs Gesänge) no. 6, published 1846
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Anfangs wollt' ich fast verzagen,
und ich glaubt', ich trüg' es nie;
und ich hab' es doch getragen -
aber fragt mich nur nicht, wie?

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Poem headed with An Carl v. U Ins Stammbuch

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
6. At first I almost despaired
Language: English 
 At first I almost despaired,
 and I thought I would never be able to bear it;
 yet even so, I have borne it -
 but do not ask me how.

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:

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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 4
Word count: 30

Translation © by Emily Ezust