English translations of Drei Gesänge, opus 49

by Clemens von Franckenstein (1875 - 1942)

1. Wir Frauen
 (Sung text)
by Clemens von Franckenstein (1875 - 1942), "Wir Frauen", op. 49 (Drei Gesänge) no. 1, published 1934 [ voice and piano ], Ed. Bote & G. Bock, Berlin, MCMXXXIV
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wir Frauen werden plötzlich arm,
Von heute oft auf morgen,
Und dürfen dann ein Leben lang 
Von dem, was Glück und Liebe war, 
Nur borgen, ja nur -- borgen. 

Uns ist, als ob es gestern war: 
Der Kranz im Haar und der Altar
Mit Weihrauch und mit Kerzen.
Wir sehen noch den Bräutigam,
Und heimlich ist's um uns getan
Im Herzen, ja, im Herzen.

Doch du und ich und ich und du!
Was fiel denn fort, was kam dazu,
Daß ich nicht mehr genüge?
Dann ist ja auch, was einmal war,
So selig, reich und wunderbar,
Nur Lüge, ja, nur Lüge.

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by Anton Wildgans (1881 - 1932)
1. We women
Language: English 
We women suddenly become poor,
Often from one day to the next,
And then, for a whole lifetime,
We may only borrow from that which 
Was happiness and love, yes only -- borrow.

It seems to us as if it were yesterday:
The wreath in our hair and the altar
With incense and with candles.
We still see the bridegroom,
And secretly it's all over with us
In our hearts, yes, in our hearts.

But you and I and I and you!
What fell away, what was added
That I am no longer enough for you?
For then, too, that which once was
So blissful, rich and wonderful,
Is only a lie, yes, only a lie.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2018 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: 2018-11-04
Line count: 17
Word count: 115

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
2. Der Föhn
 (Sung text)
by Clemens von Franckenstein (1875 - 1942), "Der Föhn", op. 49 (Drei Gesänge) no. 2, published 1934 [ alto and piano ], Ed. Bote & G. Bock, Berlin, MCMXXXIV
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Der Föhn schreit jede Nacht,
Sein feuchter Flügel flattert schwer.
Brachvögel taumeln durch die Luft.
Jetzt schläft nichts mehr,
Nun ist das ganze Land erwacht,
Der Frühling ruft.

In diesen Nächten schlaf ich nicht.
Mein Herz wird jung,
Aus blauen Tiefen der Erinnerung
Steigt meiner Jugend heißes Glück,
Schaut mir so lange ins Gesicht,
Erschrickt, und flieht zurück.

Bleib still, bleib still, mein Herz!
Ob auch im Blute eng und schwer
Die Leidenschaft sich rührt
Und dich die alten Wege führt --
Nicht jugendwärts 
Gehn deine Wege mehr.

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by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962)
2.
Language: English 
The Föhn-wind screams every night,
Its damp pinions flutter heavily.
Curlews reel through the air.
Now nothing sleeps any longer,
Now the whole land is wakened,
Spring calls.

In these nights I do not sleep.
My heart grows young,
From the blue depths of memory
Rises the fervent happiness of my youth,
So [close,]1 it looks into my face,
Is startled and flees back.

Be still, be still, my heart!
Though in your veins, closely and heavily,
Passion stirs
And leads you upon the old paths --
Your ways no longer
Go toward youth.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2017 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):
"Der Föhn (aus " = "The Föhn-wind (from "Gertrud")"
"Der Föhn schreit jede Nacht" = "The Föhn-wind screams every night"

1 Franckenstein: "long"


This text was added to the website: 2017-12-19
Line count: 18
Word count: 94

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
3. Bettlerliebe
 (Sung text)
by Clemens von Franckenstein (1875 - 1942), "Bettlerliebe", op. 49 (Drei Gesänge) no. 3, published 1934 [ voice and piano ], Ed. Bote & G. Bock, Berlin, MCMXXXIV
Language: German (Deutsch) 
O laß mich nur von ferne stehn
Und hangen stumm an deinem Blick;
Du bist so jung, du bist so schön,
Aus deinen Augen lacht das Glück.
Doch ich so arm, so müde schon,
Ich habe nichts, was dich gewinnt.
O, wär' ich doch ein Königssohn
Und du ein arm', verlassen Kind!

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Note: Reger SW lists this as "Dichter[in] unbekannt" (unknown poet)
by Theodor Storm (1817 - 1888)
3.
Language: English 
Oh, allow me just to remain here, afar,
And hang wordlessly upon your gaze;
You are so young, you are so beautiful,
Delight laughs from your eyes.
And I am so inadequate, already so spent,
I have nothing that might gain your favor.
Oh, if only I were the son of a king
And you were a poor, lost child!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2022 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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This text was added to the website: 2022-07-12
Line count: 8
Word count: 60

Translation © by Michael P Rosewall