English translations of Vier Lieder, opus 1

by Adalbert von Goldschmidt (1848 - 1906)

1. Der König und der Page
 (Sung text)
by Adalbert von Goldschmidt (1848 - 1906), "Der König und der Page", op. 1 no. 1, published 1872 [ voice and piano ], Wien, Bösendorfer
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Es war ein alter König,
sein Herz war schwer, sein Haupt war grau;
der arme alte König,
er nahm eine junge Frau.

Es war ein schöner Page,
blond war sein Haupt, leicht war sein Sinn;
er trug die seidene Schleppe
der jungen Königin.

Kennst du das alte Liedchen?
Es klingt so süß, es klingt so trüb!
Sie mußten beide sterben,
sie hatten sich viel zu lieb.

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by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
1. There was an old king
Language: English 
 There was an old king,
 his heart was heavy, his head was gray;
 the poor, old king,
 he took a young wife.
 
 There was a handsome pageboy,
 blond was his hair, light was his manner;
 he carried the silk train
 of the young queen.
 
 Do you know this old song?
 It sounds so sweet, it sounds so troubled!
 They both had to die,
 for they loved each other too much.

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: 71

Translation © by Emily Ezust
2. Ich halte ihr die Augen zu
 (Sung text)
by Adalbert von Goldschmidt (1848 - 1906), "Ich halte ihr die Augen zu", op. 1 no. 2, published 1872 [ voice and piano ], Wien, Bösendorfer
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich halte ihr die Augen zu
Und küss' sie auf den Mund.
Nun läßt sie mich nicht mehr in Ruh'.
Sie fragt mich um den Grund.

Von Abend spät bis Morgens fruh,
Sie fragt zu jeder Stund':
Was hältst du mir die Augen zu,
Wenn du mir küßt den Mund?

Ich sag' ihr nicht, weshalb ich's tu',
Weiß selber nicht den Grund --
Ich halte ihr die Augen zu
Und küss' sie auf den Mund.

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by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
2.
[Translation not yet available]
3. Hast du die Lippen mir wundgeküßt
 (Sung text)
by Adalbert von Goldschmidt (1848 - 1906), "Hast du die Lippen mir wundgeküßt", op. 1 no. 3, published 1872 [ voice and piano ], Wien, Bösendorfer
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Hast du die Lippen mir wund geküßt,
So küsse sie wieder heil,
Und wenn du bis Abend nicht fertig bist,
So hat's damit auch keine Eil.

Bleibt uns ja doch noch die ganze Nacht,
Du Herzallerliebste mein!
Man kann in solch einer langen Nacht
Viel küssen und selig sein.

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by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
3.
Language: English 
If you have kissed my lips until they ache,
Then kiss them until they are well again,
And if you haven’t finished by evening,
There is truly no hurry.

Indeed, you still have the whole night,
My most beloved!
In such a whole night, one can have
Much kissing and delight.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2026 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: 2026-07-14
Line count: 8
Word count: 51

Translation © by Michael P Rosewall
4. Der Schmetterling ist in die Rose verliebt
 (Sung text)
by Adalbert von Goldschmidt (1848 - 1906), "Der Schmetterling ist in die Rose verliebt", op. 1 no. 4, published 1872 [ voice and piano ], Wien, Bösendorfer
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Der Schmetterling ist in die Ros' verliebt,
Umflattert sie tausendmal,
Ihn selber aber goldig zart
Umflattert der liebende Sonnenstrahl.

Jedoch, in wen ist die Rose verliebt?
Das wüßt' ich gar zu gern.
Ist es die singende Nachtigall?
Ist es der schweigende Abendstern?

Ich weiß nicht, in wen die Ros' verliebt;
Ich aber lieb' euch all:
Rose, Schmetterling, Sonnenstrahl,
Abendstern und Nachtigall.

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Confirmed with: Heinrich Heine’s sämtliche Werke in vier Bänden, herausgegeben von Otto F. Lachmann, Erster Band, Leipzig: Druck und Verlag von Philipp Reclam jun, [1887], page 241.

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
4.
Language: English 
The butterfly is in love with the rose,
Flutters about the rose a thousand times,
About the butterfly with golden tenderness
Flutters the loving sunbeam.

However, with whom is the rose in love?
That I would very much like to know.
Is it with the singing nightingale?
Is it with the silent evening star?

I do not know with whom the rose is in love;
But I, I love you all:
Rose, butterfly, sunbeam,
Evening star and nightingale.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2006 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: 

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This text was added to the website: 2006-12-04
Line count: 12
Word count: 84

Translation © by Sharon Krebs