English translations of Sechs Lieder von Heinrich Heine, opus 12

by Christian Friedrich Ehrlich (1807 - 1887)

1. Schöne Wiege meiner Leiden  [sung text not yet checked]
by Christian Friedrich Ehrlich (1807 - 1887), "Schöne Wiege meiner Leiden", op. 12 (Sechs Lieder von Heinrich Heine) no. 1
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Schöne Wiege meiner Leiden,
schönes Grabmal meiner Ruh',
schöne Stadt, wir müssen scheiden, -
Lebe wohl! ruf' ich dir zu.

Lebe wohl, du heil'ge Schwelle,
wo da wandelt Liebchen traut;
lebe wohl! du heil'ge Stelle, 
wo ich sie zuerst geschaut.

Hätt' ich dich doch nie [gesehen]1,
schöne Herzenskönigin!
Nimmer wär' es dann geschehen,
daß ich jetzt so elend bin.

Nie wollt' ich dein Herze rühren,
Liebe hab' ich nie erfleht;
nur ein stilles Leben führen
wollt' ich, wo dein Odem weht.

Doch du drängst mich selbst von hinnen,
bittre Worte spricht dein Mund;
Wahnsinn wühlt in meinen Sinnen,
und mein Herz ist krank und wund.

Und die Glieder matt und träge
schlepp' ich fort am Wanderstab,
bis mein müdes Haupt ich lege
ferne in ein kühles Grab.

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1 Schumann: "gesehn"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
1. Pretty cradle of my sorrows
Language: English 
 Pretty cradle of my sorrows,
 pretty tombstone of my rest,
 pretty town - we must part, -
 farewell! I call to you.
 
 Farewell, you holy threshhold,
 across which my darling would tread;
 farewell! you sacred spot
 where I first saw her.
 
 Would that I had never seen you,
 lovely queen of my heart!
 Never would it then have happened,
 that I would now be so wretched.
 
 I never wished to touch your heart,
 I never begged for love;
 all I wished was to lead a quiet life
 where your breath could stir me.
 
 Yet you yourself pushed me away from you,
 with bitter words at your lips;
 Madness filled my senses,
 and my heart is sick and wounded.
 
 And my limbs are heavy and sluggish;
 I'll drag myself forward, leaning on my staff, 
 until I can lay my weary head 
 in a cool and distant grave.

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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Line count: 24
Word count: 145

Translation © by Emily Ezust
2. Nacht liegt auf den fremden Wegen  [sung text not yet checked]
by Christian Friedrich Ehrlich (1807 - 1887), "Nacht liegt auf den fremden Wegen", op. 12 (Sechs Lieder von Heinrich Heine) no. 2
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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Confirmed with Heinrich Heine, Buch der Lieder, Die Heimkehr, Hamburg, Hoffmann und Campe, 1827, page 256. Modern German would change the spelling of "überthauen" to "übertauen". First included in Rheinische Flora, no. 12


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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Word count: 47

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3. Hör' ich das Liedchen klingen  [sung text not yet checked]
by Christian Friedrich Ehrlich (1807 - 1887), "Hör' ich das Liedchen klingen", op. 12 (Sechs Lieder von Heinrich Heine) no. 3
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Hör' ich das Liedchen klingen,
Das einst die Liebste sang,
[So will mir die Brust]1 zerspringen
[Vor]2 wildem [Schmerzendrang.]3

[Es treibt mich]4 ein dunkles Sehnen
Hinauf [zur]5 Waldeshöh',
Dort löst sich auf in Tränen
Mein übergroßes Weh'.

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Confirmed with Heinrich Heine, Buch der Lieder, Hoffmann und Campe, Hamburg, 1827, page 145.

1 Meyerbeer: "Will mir das Herz"
2 Schumann: "Von"
3 Franz, Hinrichs: "Schmerzensdrang"
4 Meyerbeer: "Mich treibt"
5 Hinrichs: "zu der"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
3. I hear the dear song sounding
Language: English 
I hear the dear song sounding
That once my beloved sang.
And my heart wants to burst so strongly
From the savage pressure of pain.

A dark longing is driving me
Up into the heights of the woods
Where in my tears can be dissolved
My own colossal woe.

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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Word count: 49

Translation © by Paul Hindemith
4. Das ist ein Brausen und Heulen  [sung text not yet checked]
by Christian Friedrich Ehrlich (1807 - 1887), "Das ist ein Brausen und Heulen", op. 12 (Sechs Lieder von Heinrich Heine) no. 4
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Das ist ein Brausen und Heulen,
Herbstnacht und Regen und Wind;
Wo mag wohl jetzo weilen
Mein armes, banges Kind?

Ich seh' sie am Fenster lehnen
Im einsamen Kämmerlein;
Das Auge gefüllt mit Tränen,
Starrt sie in die Nacht hinein.

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Confirmed with Heinrich Heine, Buch der Lieder, Hoffmann und Campe, Hamburg, 1827, page 161.


by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
4. It is roaring and howling
Language: English 
It is roaring and howling,
this rainy, windy Fall night.
Where can she now be,
my woeful, fearful child?
 
I see her lean at the casement
in her lonely little room;
her eyes filled with tears,
she stares out into the night.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2012 by T. P. (Peter) Perrin, (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: 2012-02-28
Line count: 8
Word count: 42

Translation © by T. P. (Peter) Perrin
5. Du schönes Fischermädchen  [sung text not yet checked]
by Christian Friedrich Ehrlich (1807 - 1887), "Du schönes Fischermädchen", op. 12 (Sechs Lieder von Heinrich Heine) no. 5
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Du schönes Fischermädchen,
Treibe den Kahn an's Land;
Komm zu [mir und setze]1 dich nieder,
Wir kosen Hand in Hand.

Leg' an mein Herz dein Köpfchen,
Und [fürchte]2 dich nicht [zu]3 sehr,
[Vertrau'st du dich]4 doch [sorglos]5
Täglich dem wilden Meer.

Mein Herz gleicht ganz dem Meere,
Hat Sturm [und]6 Ebb' und Fluth,
Und manche schöne Perle
In seiner Tiefe ruht.7

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Confirmed with Buch der Lieder von H. Heine. Hamburg bei Hoffmann und Campe. 1827, page 186; and with Reisebilder von H. Heine. Erster Theil. Hamburg, bey Hoffmann und Campe. 1826, page 12.

First published as number XII of Drei und dreißig Gedichte von H. Heine in Der Gesellschafter oder Blätter für Geist und Herz. Herausgegeben von F. W. Gubitz. Achter Jahrgang. Berlin, 1824. In der Maurerschen Buchhandlung. Sonnabend den 27. März. 50stes Blatt, page 246.

1 Meyerbeer: "mir, setz"; Oechsner: "mir und setz'"
2 Oechsner: "fürcht'"
3 André, Dresel: "so"
4 Dresel: "Trauest du"
5 Mendel: "täglich"
6 Oechsner: "hat"
7 Meyerbeer adds: 
Komm! Komm!
Du schönes Fischermädchen, komm, komm,
Wir kosen Hand in Hand.
Komm! Komm! Komm!

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
5. You beautiful fishermaiden
Language: English 
You beautiful fishermaiden,
Pull your boat toward shore;
Come to me and sit down,
We will speak of love, hand in hand.

Lay your little head on my heart,
And do not be too frightened;
Indeed, you trust yourself fearlessly
Daily to the wild sea!

My heart is just like the sea,
Having storms and ebb and flow,
And many beautiful pearls
Rest in its depths.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 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.
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Line count: 12
Word count: 66

Translation © by Michael P Rosewall
6. Mädchen mit dem roten Mündchen  [sung text not yet checked]
by Christian Friedrich Ehrlich (1807 - 1887), "Mädchen mit dem roten Mündchen", op. 12 (Sechs Lieder von Heinrich Heine) no. 6
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)
6. 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.


Based on:

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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