English translations of Drei Lieder, opus 12

by Josef Matthias Hauer (1883 - 1959)

1. Ehmals und jetzt
 (Sung text)
by Josef Matthias Hauer (1883 - 1959), "Ehmals und jetzt", op. 12 (Drei Lieder) no. 1 (1914) [ voice and piano ], confirmed with a CD booklet
Language: German (Deutsch) 
In jüng'ren Tagen war ich des Morgens froh,
  Des Abends weint' ich; jetzt, da ich älter bin,
    Beginn ich zweifelnd meinen Tag, doch
      Heilig und heiter ist mir sein Ende.

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by Friedrich Hölderlin (1770 - 1843)
1.
[Translation not yet available]
2. Abbitte
 (Sung text)
by Josef Matthias Hauer (1883 - 1959), "Abbitte", op. 12 (Drei Lieder) no. 2 (1914)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Heilig Wesen! gestört hab' ich die goldene 
  Götterruhe dir oft, und der geheimeren,
    Tiefern Schmerzen des Lebens
      Hast du manche gelernt von mir.

O vergiß es, vergib! gleich dem Gewölke dort
  Vor dem friedlichen Mond, geh' ich dahin, und du
    Ruhst und glänzest in deiner
      Schöne wieder, du süßes Licht!

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by Friedrich Hölderlin (1770 - 1843)
2. Apology
Language: English 
Holy Nature! I have often disturbed your golden,
godly rest; and of the more secret,
deeper pains of life,
many have you learned from me.

O forget it and forgive! Like those clouds there
before the peaceful moon, I will pass, and you
will rest and shine in your 
beauty again, you sweet light!

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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Translation of title "Abbitte" = "Apology"


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 8
Word count: 54

Translation © by Emily Ezust
3. Die Heimat
 (Sung text)
by Josef Matthias Hauer (1883 - 1959), "Die Heimat", op. 12 (Drei Lieder) no. 3 (1915)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Froh kehrt der Schiffer heim an den stillen Strom
   Von fernen Inseln, wo er geerntet hat;
      Wohl möcht' auch ich zur Heimat wieder;
         Aber was hab' ich, wie Leid, geerntet? -
 
Ihr holden Ufer, die ihr mich auferzogt,
   Stillt ihr der Liebe Leiden? ach! gebt ihr mir,
      Ihr Wälder meiner Kindheit, wann ich
         Komme, die Ruhe noch Einmal wieder?

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Note (provided by Sharon Krebs): Hölderlin published two versions of this poem - this one with two stanzas and a longer one with six stanzas. Only the first two lines are the same.

by Friedrich Hölderlin (1770 - 1843)
3. Home
Language: English 
 The boatman turns homeward on the mute river
 from distant islands, where he has been gathering his harvest;
 gladly would I also turn toward home now;
 but what have I gathered except sorrow?
 
 You lovely banks that brought me up,
 can you still love's grief? ah, can you give me,
 when I come to you woods of my childhood,
 can you give me that peace once again?

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:

Go to the general single-text view


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 8
Word count: 68

Translation © by Emily Ezust