English translations of Sechs Gesänge für 1 mittlere Singstimme mit Pianofortebegleitung, opus 6

by Alexander von Fielitz (1860 - 1930)

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1. Am ersten Tag des Maien
 (Sung text)
by Alexander von Fielitz (1860 - 1930), "Am ersten Tag des Maien", op. 6 (Sechs Gesänge für 1 mittlere Singstimme mit Pianofortebegleitung) no. 1, published 1890 [ medium voice and piano ], Leipzig, Breitkopf & Härtel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Am ersten Tage des Maien 
Der Blumen ging ich mich freuen; 
Ein Vöglein kam den Busch entlang, 
Von Liebe das Vöglein sang.

O Vöglein, du kommst von Firenze, 
So sag' mir von Lieb' in dem Lenze: 
"Die Liebe beginnt mit Schallen und Tönen, 
"Die Liebe, sie endet in Jammer und Tränen."

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by Ferdinand Gregorovius (1821 - 1891)
1. On the first day of May
Language: English 
On the first day of May
I went to delight in the flowers;
A birdlet hopped along the bush,
The birdlet sang of love.

Oh birdlet, you come from Florence,
So tell me of love in the springtime:
"Love begins with resounding and chiming,
"Love ends in misery and tears."

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2024 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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Translations of title(s):
"Am ersten Tag des Maien" = "On the first day of May"
"Am ersten Tage des Maien" = "On the first day of May"



This text was added to the website: 2024-05-01
Line count: 8
Word count: 50

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
2. Junger Knabe, der du gehest
 (Sung text)
by Alexander von Fielitz (1860 - 1930), "Junger Knabe, der du gehest", op. 6 (Sechs Gesänge für 1 mittlere Singstimme mit Pianofortebegleitung) no. 2, published 1890 [ medium voice and piano ], Leipzig, Breitkopf & Härtel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Junger Knabe, der du gehest
Auf und ab am Fenster hier,
Laß dein Wandern nur, o Knabe, 
Denn ich singe nicht zu dir.

Meine Weise gilt dem Liebsten,
Der ist gangen aus dem Tal,
Seine Schönheit blühet schöner 
Als die deine tausend Mal.

Heller blühet seine Farbe 
Als die Au, die er verließ,
Auf die Erde ist er kommen, 
Und er kam vom Paradies.

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by Ferdinand Gregorovius (1821 - 1891)
2. Young lad, you who paces
Language: English 
Young lad, you who paces
Back and forth at the window here,
Only leave off your wandering, oh lad,
For I do not sing to you.

My lay is for my beloved,
Who has left this valley,
His beauty blooms a thousand times
More beautifully than yours.

His colouring blooms more brightly 
Than the meadow that he left,
He came upon the earth
And he came from Paradise.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2024 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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Translations of title(s):
"Junger Knabe, der du gehest" = "Young lad, you who paces"
"Sehnsucht" = "Yearning"



This text was added to the website: 2024-05-01
Line count: 12
Word count: 68

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
3. Ich will ein Haus mir bauen
 (Sung text)
by Alexander von Fielitz (1860 - 1930), "Ich will ein Haus mir bauen", op. 6 (Sechs Gesänge für 1 mittlere Singstimme mit Pianofortebegleitung) no. 3, published 1890 [ medium voice and piano ], Leipzig, Breitkopf & Härtel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich will ein Haus mir bauen,
Das soll von Seufzern sein;
Den Kalk mit Tränen lösch' ich,
Mit Tränenflut allein.

In's Haus will ich mich schließen,
So lange wohn' ich da,
Bis meine erste Liebe
Ich wiederkommen sah.

Und will in's Haus mich schließen,
Und klagen ungestört,
Will alle Sterne zählen,
Bis Er mir wiederkehrt.

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by Ferdinand Gregorovius (1821 - 1891)
3. I shall build myself a house
Language: English 
I shall build myself a house,
It shall be made of sighs;
I shall slake the lime with tears,
Solely with the flood of tears.

I shall lock myself into the house;
Shall live in it until
I see my first love
Returning.

And shall lock myself into the house
And lament undisturbed,
Shall count all the stars
Until he returns to me.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2024 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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Translations of title(s):
"Das Seufzerhaus" = "The house of sighs"
"Ich will ein Haus mir bauen" = "I shall build myself a house"



This text was added to the website: 2024-04-04
Line count: 12
Word count: 63

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
4. Will dich lehren was von Liebe
 (Sung text)
by Alexander von Fielitz (1860 - 1930), "Will dich lehren was von Liebe", op. 6 (Sechs Gesänge für 1 mittlere Singstimme mit Pianofortebegleitung) no. 4, published 1890 [ medium voice and piano ], Leipzig, Breitkopf & Härtel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Will dich lehren was von Liebe,
Stehe auf am Morgen früh,
Eine Lilie aus dem Garten
Von dem Stengel breche sie.

Setz' an's Feuer sie ein Stündchen,
Laß sie länger kochen nicht:
Und dann wasche mit den Händchen
Dir dein liebes Angesicht.

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by Ferdinand Gregorovius (1821 - 1891)
4. I wish to teach you something about love
Language: English 
I wish to teach you something about love;
Get up early in the morning,
A lily from the garden
Break from its stalk.

Place it near the fire for a short hour,
Do not let it cook any longer than that:
And then with your little hands
Wash your dear face.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2024 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: 2024-05-01
Line count: 8
Word count: 51

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
5. Ich gehe des Nachts wie der Mond thut geh'n
 (Sung text)
by Alexander von Fielitz (1860 - 1930), "Ich gehe des Nachts wie der Mond thut geh'n", op. 6 (Sechs Gesänge für 1 mittlere Singstimme mit Pianofortebegleitung) no. 5, published 1890 [ medium voice and piano ], Leipzig, Breitkopf & Härtel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich gehe des Nachts, wie der Mond thut geh'n,
Ich suche, wo den Geliebten sie haben;
Da hab' ich den Tod, den finstern, geseh'n.
Er sprach: such' nicht, ich hab' ihn begraben.

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by Ferdinand Gregorovius (1821 - 1891)
5. I walk at night
Language: English 
 I walk at night, following the moon;
 I search for where they have taken my sweetheart.
 But then I saw death, the Dark One.
 He said: "Search no longer - I have buried him."

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: 4
Word count: 34

Translation © by Emily Ezust
6. Und ob du mich liessest
 (Sung text)
by Alexander von Fielitz (1860 - 1930), "Und ob du mich liessest", op. 6 (Sechs Gesänge für 1 mittlere Singstimme mit Pianofortebegleitung) no. 6, published 1890 [ medium voice and piano ], Leipzig, Breitkopf & Härtel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Und ob du mich ließest 
So Nächte wie Tag, 
Und ob du mich fliehest,
Ich folge dir nach.

Und ob du auch eilest, 
Und wanderst so sehr,
Weit über dem Meere,
Ich folg' dir aufs Meer.

Mit Nöten und Kummer
Durch Meere und Welt,
Durch Welten und Meere,
Wohin dir's gefällt.

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by Ferdinand Gregorovius (1821 - 1891)
6. And if you left me
Language: English 
And if you left me 
By night as by day,
And if you fled from me,
I would follow you.

And even if you hurried,
And wandered so much,
Far over the sea,
I would follow you upon the sea.

With difficulties and tribulation
Through seas and the world,
Through worlds and seas,
Wherever it pleases you to go.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2024 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.
    Contact: 

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Translations of title(s):
"Auf's Meer" = "Upon the sea"
"Toskanisches Liebeslied" = "Tuscan love-song"
"Toskanisches Volkslied" = "Tuscan folk song"
"Und ob du mich ließest" = "And if you left me"
"Und ob du mich liessest" = "And if you left me"
"Und ob du mich liessest so Nächte wie Tag" = "And if you left me by night as by day"
"Verfolgung" = "Pursuit"



This text was added to the website: 2024-04-24
Line count: 12
Word count: 59

Translation © by Sharon Krebs