English translations of Lieder, opus 2

by Ludwig Hartmann (1836 - 1910)

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1. Es fällt ein Stern herunter  [sung text not yet checked]
by Ludwig Hartmann (1836 - 1910), "Es fällt ein Stern herunter", op. 2 (Lieder) no. 1
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Es fällt ein Stern herunter
Aus seiner funkelnden Höh;
Das ist der Stern der Liebe,
Den ich dort fallen seh.
 
Es fallen vom Apfelbaume,
Der [weißen Blätter so viel]1,
Es kommen die neckenden [Lüfte]2,
Und treiben damit ihr Spiel.
 
Es singt [der]3 Schwan im [Weiher]4,
Und rudert auf und ab,
Und immer leiser singend,
Taucht er ins Flutengrab.
 
Es ist so still und [dunkel]5!
Verweht ist Blatt und Blüt',
Der Stern ist knisternd zerstoben,
Verklungen das Schwanenlied.

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Confirmed with Heinrich Heine, Buch der Lieder, Hoffmann und Campe, Hamburg, 1827, page 163.

1 Backer-Grøndahl, Haine: "Blüten und Blätter viel"; Cui, Gernsheim, Pfitzner: "Blüten und Blätter so viel"; Mangold: "weißen Blätter viel"; Unger: "Blätter und Blüten viel"
2 Gernsheim: "Winde"
3 Unger: "ein"
4 Gernsheim: "Wasser"
5 Haine, Mangold: "so dunkel"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
1. A star is tumbling downward
Language: English 
A star is tumbling downward
From where it sparkled on high,
It is the star for lovers,
That falling there I spy.

The apple tree has been shedding
White petals abundantly
Along come the breezes so teasing
And toying with the debris.

The swan sings in the water,
And paddles o'er each wave,
And singing ever softer,
Dives to his watery grave.

It is so dark and silent,
Swept off are bloom and leaf,
The star has fizzled and scattered;
And faded, the swan's song, so brief.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 1996 by Walter Meyer, (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: 16
Word count: 87

Translation © by Walter Meyer
2. Aus den Himmelsaugen droben  [sung text not yet checked]
by Ludwig Hartmann (1836 - 1910), "Aus den Himmelsaugen droben", op. 2 (Lieder) no. 3 [ low voice and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Aus den Himmelsaugen droben
Fallen zitternd [goldne]1 Funken
Durch die Nacht, und meine Seele
Dehnt sich liebeweit und weiter.

O ihr Himmelsaugen droben!
Weint euch aus in meine Seele,
Daß von lichten Sternentränen
Überfließet meine Seele.

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1 Franz: "lichte"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
2. From heaven's eyes above
Language: English 
 From heaven's eyes above
 fall trembling sparks of light
 through the night, and my soul
 stretches itself loving-far and further.
 
 O you heavenly eyes above!
 Cry yourselves out into my soul,
 This weeping star-light
 overflows my soul.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by John H. Campbell, (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: 38

Translation © by John H. Campbell
3. Nacht liegt auf den fremden Wegen  [sung text not yet checked]
by Ludwig Hartmann (1836 - 1910), "Nacht liegt auf den fremden Wegen", op. 2 (Lieder) no. 4 [ low voice and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
     Nacht liegt auf den fremden Wegen, –
Krankes Herz und müde Glieder; –
Ach, da fließt, wie stiller Segen,
Süßer Mond, dein Licht hernieder.

     Süßer Mond, mit deinen Strahlen
Scheuchest du das nächt’ge Grauen;
Es zerrinnen meine Qualen,
Und die Augen überthauen.

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Confirmed with Heinrich Heine, Buch der Lieder, Die Heimkehr, Hamburg, Hoffmann und Campe, 1827, page 256. Modern German would change the spelling of "überthauen" to "übertauen". First included in Rheinische Flora, no. 12


by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
3. Night lies on the unfamiliar roads
Language: English 
 Night lies on the unfamiliar roads;
 a sick heart and tired limbs...
 ah, like a quiet blessing, there flows down,
 sweet moon, your light;

 Sweet moon, with your rays
 You drive away the night horror;
 Away runs my pain,
 And my eyes brim over with tears.

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.


Based on:

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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 8
Word count: 47

Translation © by Emily Ezust