English translations of Sechs Gesänge, opus 11

by Robert Franz (1815 - 1892)

1. Abschied
 (Sung text)
by Robert Franz (1815 - 1892), "Abschied", op. 11 (Sechs Gesänge) no. 1, published 1847 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Stern & Co.
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wie schienen die Sternlein so hell, so hell
Herab von der Himmelshöh'!
Zwei Liebende standen auf der Schwell',
Ach, Hand in Hand: »Ade!«

Die Blümlein weinten auf Flur und Steg,
Sie fühlten der Liebenden Weh' --
Die standen traurig am Scheideweg,
Ach, Herz an Herz: »Ade!«

Die Lüfte durchrauschen die Waldesruh', --
Aus dem Tal und aus der Höh'
Da wehn weiße Tücher einander zu:
»Ade! -- Ade -- Ade! --«

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by Siegfried Kapper (1821 - 1879)
1. How brightly, brightly the little stars shone
Language: English 
 How brightly, brightly the little stars shone,
 Down from Heaven's heights.
 Two lovers stood at the threshhold,
 Hand in hand: "Adieu!"

 The little flowers wept in the meadow and on the path,
 They felt the sorrow of the lovers,
 Who stood so sadly at the crossroads,
 Heart against heart: "Adieu!"

 The breezes rustled through the calm of the forest,
 From the valley and from the heights
 Two white handkerchiefs waved to each other:
 "Adieu, adieu!"

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: 12
Word count: 76

Translation © by Emily Ezust
2. Am leuchtenden Sommermorgen
 (Sung text)
by Robert Franz (1815 - 1892), "Am leuchtenden Sommermorgen", op. 11 (Sechs Gesänge) no. 2, published 1847 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Stern & Co.
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Am leuchtenden Sommermorgen
Geh' ich im Garten herum.
Es flüstern und sprechen die Blumen,
Ich aber, ich wandle stumm.

Es flüstern und sprechen die Blumen,
Und schauen mitleidig mich an:
Sei unsrer Schwester nicht böse,
Du trauriger blasser Mann.

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Note for stanza 1, line 4: Heine's first version of this poem had "Ich aber wandle stumm."

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
2. On a shining summer morning
Language: English 
On a shining summer morning
I wander around my garden.
The flowers are whispering and speaking;
I, however, wander silently.

The flowers are whispering and speaking
And look at me sympathetically.
"Do not be angry with our sister,
You sad, pale man."

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: 42

Translation © by Paul Hindemith
3. Im Mai
 (Sung text)
by Robert Franz (1815 - 1892), "Im Mai", op. 11 (Sechs Gesänge) no. 3, published 1847 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Stern & Co.
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Nun grünt der Berg, nun blüht das Tal
  In Maienlust und Duft,
Und Vogelsang und Sonnenstrahl
  Wogt durch die linde Luft.

Was Leben hat, das lobt den Mai
  In Blüten und Gesang,
Komm süsses Lieb, dass nicht uns zwei
  Der Frühling schelte krank.

Die liebste Ehr', die ihm geschieht
  Zu dieser schönen Zeit
Ist doch, wenn Aug' in Auge sieht
  Voll stiller Seligkeit.

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Note: titled "Im Mai" in the 1873 edition.

by (Karl) Wilhelm Osterwald (1820 - 1887)
3.
Language: English 
Now the mountain is turning green, now the valley is blooming
In the joy of May and in the scents [of May],
And birdsong and sunbeams
Surge through the mild air.

Everything that has life praises May
In blossoms and in song,
Come, my sweet love, that spring
Does not [reprimand us for being]1 ill.

The dearest honour that can come to [spring]
At this beautiful time
Is, after all, when two lovers gaze
Into each other's eyes with quiet bliss.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2012 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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1 Thuille: "find us"


This text was added to the website: 2012-05-25
Line count: 12
Word count: 82

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
4. Im Sommer
 (Sung text)
by Robert Franz (1815 - 1892), "Im Sommer", op. 11 (Sechs Gesänge) no. 4, published 1847 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Stern & Co.
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Da der Sommer kommen ist
   Blüthen auszustreuen,
Will ich in der kurzen Frist
Deiner, die du schöner bist,
   Mich von Herzen freuen.

Mich erfüllt mit süßer Ruh
   Deine holde Nähe,
Flüsterst du mir heimlich zu
Nur ein leises liebes Du,
   Schwindet jedes Wehe.

Wie ein Augenblick verrinnt,
   Muß der Lenz verschweben,
Doch die Ewigkeit beginnt
Wo das Herz ein Herz gewinnt,
   Sterbend erst zu leben.

Wenn an deinem Angesicht
   Meine Blicke hangen,
Weiß ich, ob ich lebe, nicht,
Träum', ich wäre leicht und licht
   Schon von hinnen gangen.

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by (Karl) Wilhelm Osterwald (1820 - 1887)
4. In Summer
Language: English 
Because summer has come,
Scattering its blossoms,
I will tell, in this brief season
How you, who are more beautiful,
Make my heart so glad.

I am suffused by the sweet peace
Of your delightful nearness,
You entice me softly
Only you, secretly, lovingly,
Diminish my every care.

Like a fleeting moment,
The bloom of youth must fade,
Yet eternity begins
Where one heart wins another;
Dying only to live.

When on your face
My glance lingers,
I know not if I am living;
Dreaming, I may be weightless and bright
Already departed from this life.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2024 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: 2024-10-01
Line count: 20
Word count: 96

Translation © by Michael P Rosewall
5. Auf dem Meere
 (Sung text)
by Robert Franz (1815 - 1892), "Auf dem Meere", op. 11 (Sechs Gesänge) no. 5, published 1847 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Stern & Co.
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Es träumte mir von einer weiten Heide,
Weit überdeckt von stillem, weißem Schnee,
Und unterm weißen Schnee lag ich begraben
Und schlief den einsam kalten Todesschlaf.

Doch droben aus dem dunklen Himmel schauten
Herunter auf mein Grab die Sternenaugen,
Die süßen Augen! sie glänzten sieghaft
Und ruhig heiter, aber voller Liebe.

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by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
5.
[Translation not yet available]
6. Abends
 (Sung text)
by Robert Franz (1815 - 1892), "Abends", op. 11 (Sechs Gesänge) no. 6, published 1847 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Stern & Co.
Language: German (Deutsch) 
O lächle, Freund der Liebe, endlich wieder
Zu mir herab;
Du siehst so trübe auf mein Fenster nieder,
Wie auf eun Grab.
O sieh', wie mir ein sehnend heiß Verlangen
Im Herzen schleicht;
Es malt sich, blaß wie du, auf meinen Wangen
Von Tränen feucht.
In Wehmut stumm, ach! Falt' ich meine Hände
Und blick' umher,
Und finde Niemand, der mein Herz verstände,
Als Du und Er!

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  • by Anonymous / Unidentified Author

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by Anonymous / Unidentified Author
6. At Evening
Language: English 
O smile down again, friend of love,
Upon me at last;
You gaze down so sadly at my window,
As if into a grave. 
O see how a smoldering longing
Pierces my heart;
It is painted, pale like you, upon my cheeks,
Wet with tears.
In mute silence, ah! I clasp my hands
And search about me,
And find none that might understand
My heart, save you and he!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2024 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: 2024-10-01
Line count: 12
Word count: 69

Translation © by Michael P Rosewall