English translations of Sechs Lieder für eine Singstimme mit Pianoforte, opus 14

by Walter von Goethe (1818 - 1885)

1. Rettung
 (Sung text)
by Walter von Goethe (1818 - 1885), "Rettung", op. 14 (Sechs Lieder für eine Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 1, published 1844, stanzas 1,3,5 [ voice and piano ], Wien: Haslinger
Language: German (Deutsch) 
  O halt, Schiffer, halt! 
Gern wird von Sklavenketten 
Lieb' Schwester mich erretten.
Da kommt sie hergewallt. 
Befreie doch mein junges Leben! 
Ach gute Schwester, wolltest du 
Nicht zum Versatz des Ringes Demant geben? 
Und frei bin ich im Nu! --
"Wer thut auf Edelstein Verzicht? 
"Dein junges Leben rett' ich nicht! 
"Fahr zu, Schiffer, fahr zu!"

 ... 

  O halt Schiffer, halt! 
Gern wird von Sklavenketten 
Herzvater mich erretten, 
Da kommt er hergewallt. 
Befreie doch mein junges Leben! 
Ach theurer Vater, wolltest Du 
Nicht zum Versatz den theuren Mantel geben? 
Und frei bin ich im Nu! --
"Wer thut denn auf sein Kleid Verzicht? 
"Dein junges Leben rett' ich nicht! 
"Fahr zu, Schiffer, fahr zu!"

 ... 

  O halt Schiffer, halt! 
Gern wird von Sklavenketten 
Mein Liebster mich erretten, 
Da kommt er hergewallt. 
Befreie doch mein junges Leben!
Du Einzigliebster, wolltest du 
Dein gutes Schwerdt nicht zum Versatze geben? 
Und frei bin ich im Nu! --
"Dein junges Leben rett' ich bald.
"Nimm Alles, Alles, greife zu! 
"Halt, Schiffer, halt!"

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from Volkslieder (Folksongs)
1. Rescue
Language: English 
  Oh stop, boatman, stop!
Gladly shall my dear sister
Rescue me from these shackles.
There she comes a-walking.
Oh, set my young life free!
Ah, good sister, would you not
Pawn the diamond in your ring?
And I would be free in a trice! --
"Who could relinquish precious stones?
"I shall not rescue your young life!
"Row on, boatman, [on]1!"

[ ... ]

  Oh stop, boatman, stop!
Gladly shall my loving father
Rescue me from these shackles.
There he comes a-walking.
Oh, set my young life free!
Ah, dearest father, would you not
Pawn your [fine robe]2?
And I would be free in a trice! --
"Who would [relinquish his robe]3?
"I shall not rescue your young life!
"Row on, boatman, [on]1!"

[ ... ]

  Oh stop, boatman, stop!
Gladly shall my beloved
Rescue me from these shackles.
There he comes a-walking.
Oh, set my young life free!
[Ah]4, sole beloved, would you not
Pawn your good sword?
And I would be free in a trice! --
"I shall soon rescue your young life.
"Take everything, everything, help yourself!
"Stop, boatman, stop!"

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2025 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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Subtitle: "Ancient folksong"

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1 von Goethe: "row on"
2 von Goethe: "valuable coat"
3 von Goethe: "ever relinquish his garment"
4 von Goethe: "You"


This text was added to the website: 2025-11-23
Line count: 55
Word count: 301

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
2. Erinnerung
 (Sung text)
by Walter von Goethe (1818 - 1885), "Erinnerung", op. 14 (Sechs Lieder für eine Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 2, published 1844, stanzas 1-3 [ voice and piano ], Wien: Haslinger
Language: German (Deutsch) 
  Lindes Rauschen in den Wipfeln,
Vöglein, die ihr fernab fliegt,
Bronnen von den stillen Gipfeln,
Sagt, wo meine Heimat liegt?

  Heut' im Traum sah ich sie wieder,
Und von allen Bergen ging
Solches Grüßen zu mir nieder,
Daß ich an zu weinen fing.

  Ach! hier auf den fremden Gipfeln:
Menschen, Quellen, Fels und Baum --
Wirres Rauschen in den Wipfeln
Alles ist mir wie ein Traum.

 ...

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Also confirmed with Viel Lärmen um Nichts von Joseph Freiherrn von Eichendorff und Die mehreren Wehmüller und ungarischen Nationalgesichter von Clemens Brentano. Zwei Novellen, Berlin: In der Vereins-Buchhandlung, 1833, pages 13 (first three stanzas) and 15 (fourth stanza).

Note: first appeared in the novella Viel Lärmen um Nichts, 1833; fourth stanza omitted in later collection

by Joseph Karl Benedikt, Freiherr von Eichendorff (1788 - 1857)
2. O gentle rustling in the tree-tops
Language: English 
O gentle rustling in the tree-tops,
O little birds who fly far away,
O springs who come from the still peaks,
Tell me where my homeland lies!

Today in a dream I saw [it]1 again,
And from every mountain 
Such greetings came down to me,
That I began to weep.

Ah! here on the foreign peaks,
People, streams, rocks and trees -
Confused rustling in the tree-tops -
Everything is like a dream to me!

[ ... ]

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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1 Hensel: "you"


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 16
Word count: 101

Translation © by Emily Ezust
3. Frühling
 (Sung text)
by Walter von Goethe (1818 - 1885), "Frühling", op. 14 (Sechs Lieder für eine Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 3, published 1844 [ voice and piano ], Wien: Haslinger
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Blätter auf Bäumen,
Blüten am Stengel,
Und in den Blüten
Träumen
Die Engel;
Träumen und Hoffen
Selige Zeit;
Blau ist der Himmel
Offen 
Und weit.

Augen erhebet
Euch durch die Thränen;
Tief in dem Herzen
Bebet
Ein Sehnen.
Aber das Sehnen
Leitet zum Glück.
Frühling im Herzen;
Thränen
Im Blick.

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Confirmed with Deutsche Lieder von Karl von Holtei, Zweite vermehrte Auflage, Schleusingen, Verlag von Conrad Glaser, 1836, page 86.


by Karl Eduard von Holtei (1798 - 1880)
3. Springtime
Language: English 
Leaves upon trees,
Blossoms on the stem,
And in the blossoms
The angels
Dream;
Dream and hope
For blissful times;
The sky is blue
Open
And broad.

Eyes, raise yourselves
Through the tears;
Deep in your heart
Trembles
A yearning.
But the yearning
Leads to happiness.
Springtime in your heart;
Tears
In your gaze.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2025 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: 2025-11-21
Line count: 20
Word count: 54

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
4. Unmuth
 (Sung text)
by Walter von Goethe (1818 - 1885), "Unmuth", op. 14 (Sechs Lieder für eine Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 4, published 1844, stanzas 1,2,5,6 [ voice and piano ], Wien: Haslinger
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Hinwerfen auf den Strassen 
Will ich mein blutend Herz. 
Die Vögel mögen's haben; 
Ich will sie seh'n gelassen,  
Die Krähen und die Raben
Mich zwingend noch zum Scherz. 
Hinwerfen auf die Strassen 
Will ich mein blutend Herz. 

So wird es doch zerrissen 
Mit meinem Willen sein. 
Sei's denn in eitle Flitter 
Zertheilt mit meinem Wissen, 
Wenn es zerschellt in Splitter 
Bewahrt noch ein'gen Schein.
So wird es doch zerrissen 
Mit meinem Willen sein. 

 ... 

Durch's Herz, das bisher ganze, 
Ist schon der Riß gethan. 
Nun ist es schon bethöret, 
Nicht mehr in seinem Glanze, 
So mag's auch ganz zerstöret 
Nun sein, was liegt noch dran<4? 
Durch's Herz, das bisher ganze, 
Ist schon der Riß gethan. 

Ja! werfen auf die Strassen 
Will ich mein blutend Herz. 
Die Vögel mögen's haben. 
Wenn mich die Seel' verlassen, 
Mag man den Leib begraben. 
Was kümmert euch mein Schmerz? 
Hinwerfen auf die Strassen 
Will ich mein blutend Herz.

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Note: This text has some unusual spelling (jezt instead of jetzt) that was common in southwest Germany in the 19th century.

by Karl August Friedrich Fetzer (1809 - 1885), as Berthold Staufer
4. Discontent
Language: English 
Upon the streets I wish to throw
My bleeding heart.
The birds may have it;
I shall view them with equanimity,
The crows and the ravens, 
[And] shall still force myself to jest.
Upon the streets I wish to throw
My bleeding heart.

Thus it shall nevertheless be 
Torn apart by my will.
Be it then be separated into
Vain trumpery with my consent,
When it shatters into splinters
It shall yet retain some semblance of itself.
[But it shall then be]1 
Torn apart by my will. 

[ ... ]

Through my heart, hitherto whole,
Already runs a crack.
[It is now] bewitched already,
No longer in its original radiance,
Therefore, it might as well be utterly destroyed
Now; what does it [matter anymore]3?
Through my heart, hitherto whole,
Already runs a crack.

Yes! Upon the streets I wish to throw
My bleeding heart.
The birds may have it.
When my soul has departed,
You may bury my body.
What do you care about my pain?
Upon the streets I wish to throw
My bleeding heart.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2025 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 von Goethe: "So it is nevertheless"
2 von Goethe: "Now it is"
3 von Goethe: "matter"


This text was added to the website: 2025-11-23
Line count: 48
Word count: 265

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
5. Alles geht vorüber
 (Sung text)
by Walter von Goethe (1818 - 1885), "Alles geht vorüber", op. 14 (Sechs Lieder für eine Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 5, published 1844 [ voice and piano ], Wien, Haslinger
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Auch dieses wird vorüber geh'n, 
Sei's Gram, sei's Lust, 
Wer kam, der nicht vorüber geh'n 
Zuletzt gemußt? 

Drum tröste dich in allen Weh'n, 
Gib' dich zur Ruh' -- 
Wenn jene nicht vorüber geh'n, 
So gehest du.

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by Joseph, Freiherr von Hammer-Purgstall (1774 - 1856)
5. Everything shall pass
Language: English 
This, too, shall pass,
Be it woe, be it joy,
Who ever came, who in the end
Was not forced to pass by?

Therefore, comfort yourself in all pains,
Be at peace --
If those [pains] do not pass,
Then you shall do so.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2025 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: 2025-11-20
Line count: 8
Word count: 43

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
6. Verschwiegene Liebe
 (Sung text)
by Walter von Goethe (1818 - 1885), "Verschwiegene Liebe", op. 14 (Sechs Lieder für eine Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 6, published 1844 [ voice and piano ], Wien, Haslinger
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Habt ihr sie schon geseh'n,
Sie, meinen Schaz,
Über die Gassen geh'n,
Über den Plaz?

Trägt sie den Korb am Arm,
Ist's eine Lust,
Aber ein Herz, wie warm,
Trägt ihre Brust.

Sittsamlich geht sie fort,
Jedermann grüßt,
Schaut sich um, red't ein Wort,
Wer von ihr wüßt'!

Aber der Alles weiß,
Sagt es Euch nicht,
Steigt ihm auch glühend heiß
Blut in's Gesicht

Aber im Herzen drin,
Weiß ich es gut,
Daß ich im Sinn ihr bin,
Was sie nur thut.

Kommt dann die Nacht herein,
Dunkel und still,
Wie ich im Garten dein
Küssen dich will!

Die du nicht um dich blikst,
Kaum daß du grüß'st,
Fest mich dann an dich drükst,
Tausendmal küß'st.

Schlägt drein die Nachtigall,
Reden wir leis',
Seh'n uns die Stern' auch all',
Niemand es weiß.

Küß'st unter'm Sternenzelt
Herzlich du mich,
Wer ist denn auf der Welt
Sel'ger als ich?

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Note: this text has some unusual spelling (Schaz instead of Schatz, blikst instead of blickst, etc.) that was common in southwest Germany in the 19th century.

Notes for stanza 5, line 3: at least one Franz score has "wie ich ihm Garten dein". The word "ihm" is a typo and should be "im".

by Karl August Friedrich Fetzer (1809 - 1885), as Berthold Staufer
6. Concealed love
Language: English 
Have you seen her yet,
[Seen] my darling, seen her
Walking through the streets,
Over the square?

When she carries a basket upon her arm
It is a joy to see,
But a heart, how warm [a heart],
She bears in her breast.

Demurely she walks on,
Everyone greets her,
Looks about, speaks a word,
If you only knew of her!1

But within her heart,
I know it well,
I am in her mind
Whatever she may be doing.

When night falls then,
Dark and silent,
In your garden
How I shall kiss you!

You, who do not look around,
Who hardly speaks a greeting,
Then you press me tightly against you,
Kissing me a thousand times.

When the nightingale sings,
We speak quietly,
Though all the stars see us,
No one knows of it.

When under the canopy of stars
You kiss me warmly,
Who in the whole world
Is then happier than I?

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2025 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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Subtitle: "Folksong"

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Translations of titles:
"Habt ihr sie schon gesehen?" = "Have you seen her yet?"
"Habt ihr sie schon geseh'n?" = "Have you seen her yet?"
"Verschwiegene Liebe" = "Concealed love"

1 Franz, von Goethe add 
But he who knows it all,
Shall not tell you,
Though glowingly hot
A blush rises in his face.


This text was added to the website: 2025-11-23
Line count: 32
Word count: 156

Translation © by Sharon Krebs