English translations of Zwei Gedichte, opus 8

by Gerrit Jan van Eijken (1832 - 1879)

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1. Der schwere Abend
 (Sung text)
by Gerrit Jan van Eijken (1832 - 1879), "Der schwere Abend", op. 8 (Zwei Gedichte) no. 1
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Die dunklen Wolken hingen
Herab so bang und schwer,
Wir beide traurig gingen
Im Garten hin und her.

So heiß und stumm, so trübe
Und sternlos war die Nacht,
So ganz, wie unsre Liebe,
Zu Tränen nur gemacht.

Und als ich mußte scheiden
Und gute Nacht dir bot,
Wünscht' ich bekümmert beiden
Im Herzen uns den Tod.

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by Nikolaus Lenau (1802 - 1850)
1. The oppressive evening
Language: English 
The dark clouds were hanging down
So forebodingly and heavily.
We two walked sadly to and fro
In the garden.

So hot and silent, so dreary
And starless was the night --
Just like our love,
Created only for tears.

And when I had to depart
And wished you good night,
In my sorrowing heart
I sadly wished death for us both.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2008 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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This text was added to the website: 2008-01-09
Line count: 12
Word count: 61

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
2. Abendbild
 (Sung text)
by Gerrit Jan van Eijken (1832 - 1879), "Abendbild", op. 8 (Zwei Gedichte) no. 2
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Friedlicher Abend senkt sich aufs Gefilde;
Sanft entschlummert Natur, um ihre Züge
Schwebt der Dämmerung zarte Verhüllung, und sie
  Lächelt die Holde;

Lächelt, ein schlummernd Kind in Vaters Armen,
Der voll Liebe zu ihr sich neigt, sein göttlich
Auge weilt auf ihr, und es weht sein Odem 
  Über ihr Antlitz.

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by Nikolaus Lenau (1802 - 1850)
2.
Language: English 
Peaceful evening sinks down upon the land;
Gently Nature begins to slumber.
Around her floats the tender cover of dusk,
And the lovely one smiles,

Smiles like a slumbering child in its father's arms,
As he, full of love, bends down to her.
His divine eyes linger upon her, and his breath wafts
Across her face.

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 "Friedlicher Abend" = "Peaceful evening"


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 8
Word count: 56

Translation © by Emily Ezust