English translations of Sechs Gesänge, opus 17

by Robert Franz (1815 - 1892)

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1. Ave Maria
 (Sung text)
by Robert Franz (1815 - 1892), "Ave Maria", op. 17 (Sechs Gesänge) no. 1, published 1853 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Whistling
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ave Maria! Meer und Himmel ruh'n,
Von allen Türmen hallt der Glocken Ton, 
Ave Maria! Laßt vom ird'schen Tun,
Zur Jungfrau betet, zu der Jungfrau Sohn,
Des Himmels Scharen selber knieen nun
Mit Lilienstäben vor des Vaters Thron,
Und durch die Rosenwolken wehn die Lieder
Der sel'gen Geister feierlich hernieder.

O heil'ge Andacht, welche jedes Herz
Mit leisen Schauern wunderbar durchdringt!
O heil'ger Glaube, der sich himmelwärts
Auf des Gebetes weißem Fittig schwingt!
In milde Tränen löst sich da der Schmerz,
Indes der Freude Jubel sanfter klingt.
 Ave Maria! Wenn die Glocke tönet,
So lächeln Erd' und Himmel mild versöhnet.

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by Emanuel von Geibel (1815 - 1884)
1. Ave Maria!
Language: English 
Ave Maria! Sea and heaven are resting,
From every tower echoes the sound of bells,
Ave Maria! Leave off your earthly endeavours,
Pray to the Virgin, to the Virgin's son,
The hosts of Heaven themselves are now kneeling
With staves of lilies before the Father's throne,
And through the rosy clouds the songs
Of the blessed spirits waft solemnly down [toward earth].

Oh holy devotion, which marvelously penetrates
Every heart with a quiet shiver!
Oh holy faith that soars toward heaven
On the white wings of prayer!
There pain dissolves into mild tears,
While the rejoicing of happiness rings out more gently.
Ave Maria! When the bell sounds,
Earth and heaven smile, reconciled.

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: 2008-06-15
Line count: 16
Word count: 113

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
2. Ständchen
 (Sung text)
by Robert Franz (1815 - 1892), "Ständchen", op. 17 (Sechs Gesänge) no. 2, published 1853 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Whistling
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Der Mond ist schlafen gangen,
Die Sterne blinzeln blind,
Als ob sie müde sind
Von allem Funkeln und Prangen.

Und vor dem Fenster leise
Säuselt so lieb und lind
Ein frischer Frühlingswind;
Ich wünsch ihm gute Reise.

Und hörst du's sachte pochen:
"Gute Nacht, gute Nacht, mein Kind!"
Dich grüßt der Frühlingswind,
Er hat es mir versprochen.

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by (Karl) Wilhelm Osterwald (1820 - 1887)
2.
Language: English 
The moon is going to sleep,
The stars blink blindly
As if they are tired
Of all the twinkling and shining.

And in front of the window quietly
Murmurs so sweet and gentle
A fresh spring wind;
I wish it a good journey.

And [do] you hear it softly [whisper]1:
“Good night, good night, my child!”
The spring wind greets you,
It has promised me.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2019 by Garrett Medlock, (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):
"Heimlicher Gruß" = "Secret greeting"
"Der Mond ist schlafen gangen" = "The moon is going to sleeo"
"Ständchen" = "Serenade"

1 pochen is literally "to tap," or "to throb"

This text was added to the website: 2019-01-03
Line count: 12
Word count: 66

Translation © by Garrett Medlock
3. Lieb' Liebchen!
 (Sung text)
by Robert Franz (1815 - 1892), "Lieb' Liebchen!", op. 17 (Sechs Gesänge) no. 3, published 1853 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Whistling
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Lieb' Liebchen, leg's Händchen aufs Herze mein; -
Ach, hörst du, wie's pochet im Kämmerlein?
Da hauset ein Zimmermann schlimm und arg,
Der zimmert mir einen Totensarg.

Es hämmert und klopfet bei Tag und bei Nacht;
Es hat mich schon längst um den Schlaf gebracht.
Ach! sputet Euch, Meister Zimmermann,
Damit ich nun balde schlafen kann.

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Note: first titled "Der Zimmermann"; later titled "Holzmeyer"
by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
3. Dear sweetheart, lay your hand on my heart
Language: English 
 Dear sweetheart, lay your hand on my heart; -
 ah, do you hear the hammering inside?
 inside there lives a carpenter, wicked and evil:
 he's building my coffin.
 
 He hammers and pounds by day and by night;
 it has been a long time since I could sleep.
 Ah, hurry, Mister Carpenter,
 finish so that I can sleep.

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: 2003-10-13
Line count: 8
Word count: 57

Translation © by Emily Ezust
4. Die Trauernde
 (Sung text)
by Robert Franz (1815 - 1892), "Die Trauernde", op. 17 (Sechs Gesänge) no. 4, published 1853 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Whistling
Language: Swabian (Schwäbisch) 
Mei Mueter mag mi net,
Und kein Schatz han i net,
Ei warum stirb i net,
Was tu i do?

Gestern isch Kirchweih g'wä,
Mi hat me g'wis net g'seh,
Denn mir ist gar so weh,
I tanz jo net.

Laßt die drei Rös'le stehn,
Die an dem Kreuzle blühn:
Hent ihr das Mädle kennt,
Die drunter liegt?

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from Volkslieder (Folksongs)
4. The sad maiden
Language: English 
My mother doesn't like me,
And no sweetheart do I have,
Oh why don't I die?
What am I doing here?

Yesterday there was a church fair,
But of course no one saw me,
For I am so unhappy
that I do not dance at all.

Let them be, those three roses
that bloom near the little cross:
Were you acquainted with the little maiden
who lies under it?

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from Swabian (Schwäbisch) 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 "Die Trauernde" = "The sad maiden"


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 69

Translation © by Emily Ezust
5. Im Frühling
 (Sung text)
by Robert Franz (1815 - 1892), "Im Frühling", op. 17 (Sechs Gesänge) no. 5, published 1853 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Whistling
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Im Grase lieg' ich manche Stunde
Und sonne mich im Frühlingslicht;
Die Augen schweifen in die Runde,
Warum, wohin? Ich weiß es nicht.

Ein Blümchen pflück' ich hin und wieder
Und steck' es träumend an die Brust;
Horch' auf der Vögel süße Lieder,
Doch fehlt zum Singen mir die Lust.

Und wenn die Wolken blau und blauer
In lichter Wonne sich verweh'n,
So überkommt's mich fast wie Trauer
Und nimmer weiß ich's zu versteh'n.

Ein Immchen summt in stetem Kreise
Wie'n altes Lied in meiner Näh',
Wenn es mich stäche leise, leise,
Vielleicht! ich wüßte dann mein Weh!

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by (Karl) Wilhelm Osterwald (1820 - 1887)
5.
Language: English 
In the grass I lie for some hours
And sun myself in the spring light;
[My] eyes wander in [a] circle,
Why, to where? I know not.

A little flower I pick here and there
And stick dreamily upon [my] breast;
I listen to the bird's sweet song,
But lack the desire to sing [myself].

And when the blue and bluer clouds
In sunny delight blow away,
Then I am nearly overcome [with] grief,
[Yet]1 never [do] I know [how] to understand it.

A little bee hums in [a] constant circle
[Close to me], like an old song,
If it stung me softly, softly,
Perhaps! I would [understand] then my pain!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2019 by Garrett Medlock, (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):
"Im Frühling" = "In spring"
"Frühlingsdämmerung" = "Spring twilight"

1 Franz: "And"

This text was added to the website: 2019-01-02
Line count: 16
Word count: 112

Translation © by Garrett Medlock
6. Im Herbst
 (Sung text)
by Robert Franz (1815 - 1892), "Im Herbst", op. 17 (Sechs Gesänge) no. 6, published 1853, stanzas 1,3-4 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Whistling
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Die Heide ist braun, einst blühte sie roth,
Die Birke ist kahl, grün war einst ihr Kleid; --
Einst ging ich zu zwein, jetzt geh' ich allein, --
Weh über den Herbst und die gramvolle Zeit!
O weh, o weh,
Weh über den Herbst und die gramvolle Zeit!

 ... 

Einst blühten die Rosen, jetzt welkten sie all',
Voll Duft war das Kraut, jetzt zog er heraus; --
Einst pflückt' ich zu zwein, jetzt pflück' ich allein,
Das wird ein dürrer, ein duftloser Strauß.
O weh, o weh,
Das wird ein dürrer, ein duftloser Strauß!

Die Welt ist so öd', sie war einst so schön,
Ich war einst so reich, jetzt bin ich voll Noth; --
Einst ging ich zu zwein, jetzt geh' ich allein; --
Mein Lieb ist falsch, o wäre ich todt!
O weh, o weh,
Mein Lieb ist falsch, o wäre ich todt!

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by (Karl) Wolfgang Müller von Königswinter (1816 - 1873)
6. In autumn
Language: English 
The heath is brown, once it bloomed red,
The birch is bare, its garb was green once; --
Once I walked as a twosome, now I walk alone, --
Woe to autumn and the [loveless]1 times!
Oh woe, oh woe,
Woe to autumn and the [loveless]1 times!

[ ... ]

Once the roses bloomed, now they have all withered,
The herbs were full of scent, now it has been carried off; --
Once I picked [flowers] as a twosome, now I pick alone,
[It]2 shall be a dry, a scentless bouquet.
Oh woe, oh woe,
[It]2 shall be a dry, a scentless bouquet!

The world is so desolate, once it was so beautiful,
I was once so rich, now I am full of misery; --
Once I walked as a twosome, now I walk alone, --
My love is false, oh that I were dead!
Oh woe, oh woe,
My love is false, oh that I were dead!

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.
    Contact: 

Based on:

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Translations of title(s):
"Sonst und Jetzt" = "Then and now"
"Im Herbst" = "In autumn"
"Die Haide ist braun" = "The heath is brown"

1 Franz: "sorrow-filled"
2 Franz: "That"


This text was added to the website: 2017-04-19
Line count: 24
Word count: 200

Translation © by Sharon Krebs