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English translations of Sieben ernste Gesänge nach Gedichten von Hermann Hesse, opus 93

by Hans-Georg Burghardt (1909 - 1993)

1. Über die Felder
 (Sung text)
by Hans-Georg Burghardt (1909 - 1993), "Über die Felder", op. 93 (Sieben ernste Gesänge nach Gedichten von Hermann Hesse) no. 1, published 1962 [ bass and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Über den Himmel Wolken ziehn,
Über die Felder geht der Wind,
Über die Felder wandert
Meiner Mutter verlorenes Kind.

Über die Straße Blätter wehn,
Über den Bäumen Vögel schrein --
Irgendwo über den Bergen
Muß meine ferne Heimat sein.

Text Authorship:

  • by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Über die Felder ...", written 1900

See other settings of this text.

Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada and the U.S., but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.

by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962)
1. Over the fields
Language: English 
Across the [heavens]1 clouds [scud]2,
Across the fields the wind [passes]3,
Over the fields wanders
The lost child of my mother.

Across the street leaves blow,
Over the trees birds shriek --
Somewhere over the mountains
My distant homeland must lie.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2013 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: licenses@email.lieder.example.net

Based on:

  • a text in German (Deutsch) by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Über die Felder ...", written 1900
    • Go to the text page.

Go to the general single-text view

View original text (without footnotes)
1 Thide: "earth"
2 Kurig: "pass"
3 Kurig: "blows"


This text was added to the website: 2013-09-01
Line count: 8
Word count: 45

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
2. Spät auf der Straße
 (Sung text)
by Hans-Georg Burghardt (1909 - 1993), "Spät auf der Straße", op. 93 (Sieben ernste Gesänge nach Gedichten von Hermann Hesse) no. 2, published 1962 [ bass and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Laternen spiegeln durch die Nacht
Im nassen Straßenpflaster --
In dieser späten Stunde wacht
Nur noch die Not und das Laster.

Ich grüße euch, die ihr wachet,
Euch, die ihr liegt in Not und Leid,
Euch, die ihr lärmet und lachet
Und die ihr alle meine Brüder seid.

Text Authorship:

  • by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Spät auf der Straße", written 1901

See other settings of this text.

Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada, but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.

Confirmed with Hermann Hesse, Sämtliche Werke, herausgegeben von Volker Michels, Band 10 Die Gedichte, bearbeitet von Peter Huber, Frankfurt am Main: Suhrkamp Verlag, 2002, page 104.


by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962)
2. Upon the street late at night
Language: English 
At night lanterns are reflected
In the wet pavement --
At this late hour only misery
And vice are still awake.

I greet you, you who keep watch,
You who lie in misery and suffering,
You who make noise and laugh
And who are all my brethren.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2019 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: licenses@email.lieder.example.net

Based on:

  • a text in German (Deutsch) by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Spät auf der Straße", written 1901
    • Go to the text page.

Go to the general single-text view


This text was added to the website: 2019-01-20
Line count: 8
Word count: 46

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
3. Im Nebel
 (Sung text)
by Hans-Georg Burghardt (1909 - 1993), "Im Nebel", op. 93 (Sieben ernste Gesänge nach Gedichten von Hermann Hesse) no. 3, published 1962 [ bass and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Seltsam, im Nebel zu wandern!
Einsam ist jeder Busch und Stein,
Kein Baum sieht den andern,
Jeder ist allein.

Voll Freunden war mir die Welt,
Als noch mein Leben licht war;
Nun, da der Nebel fällt,
Ist keiner mehr sichtbar.

Wahrlich, keiner ist weise,
Der nicht das Dunkel kennt,
Das unentrinnbar und leise
Von allen ihn trennt.

Seltsam, im Nebel zu wandern!
Leben ist Einsamsein.
Kein Mensch kennt den andern,
Jeder ist allein.

Text Authorship:

  • by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Im Nebel", written 1905

See other settings of this text.

Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada and the U.S., but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.

by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962)
3. In the mists
Language: English 
Wondrous to wander through mists!
Parted are bush and stone:
None to the other exists,
Each stands alone.

Many my friends came calling
then, when I lived in the light;
Now that the fogs are falling,
None is in sight.

Truly, only the sages
Fathom the darkness to fall,
Which, as silent as cages,
Separates all.

Strange to walk in the mists!
Life has to solitude grown.
None for the other exists:
Each is alone.

Text Authorship:

  • Singable translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2010 by Walter A. Aue, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you must ask the copyright-holder(s) directly for permission. If you receive no response, you must consider it a refusal.

    Walter A. Aue.  Contact: waue (AT) dal (DOT) ca

    If you wish to commission a new translation, please contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net

Based on:

  • a text in German (Deutsch) by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Im Nebel", written 1905
    • Go to the text page.

Go to the general single-text view


This text was added to the website: 2010-03-26
Line count: 16
Word count: 75

Translation © by Walter A. Aue
4. Auf Wanderung
 (Sung text)
by Hans-Georg Burghardt (1909 - 1993), "Auf Wanderung", op. 93 (Sieben ernste Gesänge nach Gedichten von Hermann Hesse) no. 4, published 1962 [ bass and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Sei nicht traurig, bald ist es Nacht,
Da sehn wir über dem bleichen Land
Den kühlen Mond, wie er heimlich lacht
Und ruhen Hand in Hand.
 
Sei nicht traurig, bald kommt die Zeit,
Da haben wir Ruh. Unsre Kreuzlein stehen
Am hellen Straßenrande zu zweit,
Und es regnet und schneit,
Und die Winde kommen und gehen.

Text Authorship:

  • by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Auf Wanderung", subtitle: "Dem Andenken Knulps", written 1907

See other settings of this text.

Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada, but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.

by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962)
4. Upon a ramble
Language: English 
[Do]1 not be sorrowful, soon it shall be night,
Then, over the pale land, we shall see
The cool moon secretly laughing
And we shall rest hand in hand.
 
Do not be sorrowful, soon the time shall come,
Then we shall have rest.  Our little crosses shall stand
Together at the bright roadside.
And it shall rain and snow
And the winds shall come and go.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2016 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: licenses@email.lieder.example.net

Based on:

  • a text in German (Deutsch) by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Auf Wanderung", subtitle: "Dem Andenken Knulps", written 1907
    • Go to the text page.

Go to the general single-text view

Subtitle: "To the memory of Knulp"

View original text (without footnotes)
1 Ommeren: "Oh do"


This text was added to the website: 2016-11-30
Line count: 9
Word count: 67

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
5. Die ersten Blumen
 (Sung text)
by Hans-Georg Burghardt (1909 - 1993), "Die ersten Blumen", op. 93 (Sieben ernste Gesänge nach Gedichten von Hermann Hesse) no. 5, published 1962 [ bass and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Neben dem Bach
Den roten Weiden nach
Haben in diesen Tagen
Gelbe Blumen viel
Ihre Goldaugen aufgeschlagen.
Und mir, der längst aus der Unschuld fiel,
Rührt sich Erinnerung im Grunde
An meines Lebens goldene Morgenstunde
Und sieht mich hell aus Blumenaugen an.
Ich wollte Blumen brechen gehn;
Nun lass ich sie alle stehn
Und gehe heim, ein alter Mann.

Text Authorship:

  • by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Die ersten Blumen", written 1912

See other settings of this text.

Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada, but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.

Confirmed with Hermann Hesse, Sämtliche Werke, herausgegeben von Volker Michels, Band 10 Die Gedichte, bearbeitet von Peter Huber, Frankfurt am Main: Suhrkamp Verlag, 2002, pages 204.


by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962)
5. The first flowers
Language: English 
Beside the brook,
Following the red willows,
In these days
Many yellow flowers
Have opened their golden eyes.
And for me, who has long since fallen from innocence,
Memory stirs in the depths --
Remembrance of my life’s golden morning --
And gazes upon me brightly from the eyes of the flowers.
I had wanted to go pick flowers;
Now I leave them all standing
And go home, an old man.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2016 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: licenses@email.lieder.example.net

Based on:

  • a text in German (Deutsch) by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Die ersten Blumen", written 1912
    • Go to the text page.

Go to the general single-text view


This text was added to the website: 2016-10-01
Line count: 12
Word count: 69

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
6. Der Wanderer an den Tod
 (Sung text)
by Hans-Georg Burghardt (1909 - 1993), "Der Wanderer an den Tod", op. 93 (Sieben ernste Gesänge nach Gedichten von Hermann Hesse) no. 6, published 1962 [ bass and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Auch zu mir kommst du einmal,
Du vergißt mich nicht,
Und zu Ende ist die Qual
Und die Kette bricht.

Noch erscheinst du fremd und fern,
Lieber Bruder Tod.
Stehest als ein kühler Stern
Über meiner Not.

Aber einmal wirst du nah
Und voll Flammen sein --
Komm, Geliebter, ich bin da,
Nimm mich, ich bin dein.

Text Authorship:

  • by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Bruder Tod", written 1918, first published 1920

See other settings of this text.

Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada and the U.S., but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.

by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962)
6. The wanderer addressing death
Language: English 
To me as well you shall someday come,
You shall not forget me,
And the agony shall be at an end
And the chain shall break.

Now you still seem strange and distant,
Dear Brother Death.
You stand like a cold star
Above my misery.

But someday you shall be near me
And full of flames --
Come, beloved, I am here,
Take me, I am yours.

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: licenses@email.lieder.example.net

Based on:

  • a text in German (Deutsch) by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Bruder Tod", written 1918, first published 1920
    • Go to the text page.

Go to the general single-text view

Translations of title(s):
"Auch zu mir" = "To me as well"
"Der Wanderer an den Tod aus " = "The wanderer addressing death from “Wandering”"
"Der Wanderer auf den Tod" = "The wanderer speaking about death"
"Der Wanderer an den Tod" = "The wanderer addressing death"
"Der Wanderer an den Mond" = "The wanderer addressing the moon"
"Bruder Tod" = "Brother Death"
"An den Tod" = "To death"
"Auch zu mir kommst Du einmal" = "To me as well you shall someday come"
"Wanderer an den Tod" = "Wanderer addressing death"



This text was added to the website: 2017-04-19
Line count: 12
Word count: 66

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
7. Herbst
 (Sung text)
by Hans-Georg Burghardt (1909 - 1993), "Herbst", op. 93 (Sieben ernste Gesänge nach Gedichten von Hermann Hesse) no. 7, published 1962 [ bass and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ihr Vögel im Gesträuch,
Wie flattert euer Gesang
Den bräunenden Wald entlang --
Ihr Vögel, sputet euch!

Bald kommt der Wind, der weht,
Bald kommt der Tod, der mäht,
Bald kommt das graue Gespenst und lacht,
Daß uns das Herz erfriert
Und der Garten all seine Pracht
Und das Leben all seinen Glanz verliert.

Liebe Vögel im Laub,
Liebe Brüderlein,
Lasset uns singen und fröhlich sein,
Bald sind wir Staub.

Text Authorship:

  • by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Herbst", subtitle: "(1919)", written 1919

See other settings of this text.

Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada, but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.

by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962)
7. Autumn
Language: English 
[Ye birds]1 in the shrubbery,
How your singing flutters
Along the forest that is growing brown --
Ye birds, make haste!

Soon shall come the wind that blows,
Soon shall come death that mows,
Soon shall come the grey ghost and laugh
That our heart freezes within us
And the garden loses all its splendour
And life loses all its radiance.

Dear birds in the foliage,
Dear little brethren,
Let us sing and be happy,
Soon we shall be [dust]2.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2019 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: licenses@email.lieder.example.net

Based on:

  • a text in German (Deutsch) by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Herbst", subtitle: "(1919)", written 1919
    • Go to the text page.

Go to the general single-text view

Subtitle: "(1919)"

View original text (without footnotes)
1 Kilpinen: "The birds"; Petzold: "Ye little birds"
2 Bohner: "in the dust"


This text was added to the website: 2019-10-25
Line count: 14
Word count: 82

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
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