English translations of Sechs Lieder, opus 37

by Moritz Hauptmann (1792 - 1868)

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1. Mignon  [sung text not yet checked]
by Moritz Hauptmann (1792 - 1868), "Mignon", op. 37 (Sechs Lieder) no. 1, published 1852 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Siegel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Kennst du das Land? wo die Citronen blühn,
Im dunkeln Laub die [Gold-Orangen]1 glühn,
Ein sanfter Wind vom blauen Himmel weht, 
Die Myrte still und hoch der Lorbeer steht,
Kennst du es wohl?
                   Dahin! Dahin
Möcht' ich mit dir, o mein Geliebter, ziehn.

Kennst du das Haus? Auf Säulen ruht sein Dach,
Es glänzt der Saal, es schimmert das Gemach,
Und Marmorbilder stehn und sehn mich an:
Was hat man Dir, du armes Kind, gethan?
Kennst du es wohl? 
                   Dahin! Dahin
Möcht' ich mit dir, o mein Beschützer, ziehn.

Kennst du den Berg und seinen Wolkensteg?
Das Maulthier sucht im Nebel seinen Weg;
In [Höhlen]2 wohnt der Drachen alte Brut;
Es stürzt der Fels und über ihn die Flut.
Kennst du [ihn]3 wohl?
                    Dahin! Dahin
Geht unser Weg! o Vater, laß uns ziehn!4

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Confirmed with Goethe's Werke, Vollständige Ausgabe letzter Hand, Erster Band, Stuttgart und Tübingen, in der J.G.Cottaschen Buchhandlung, 1827, page 177. First published in Wilhelm Meisters Lehrjahre. Ein Roman. Herausgegeben von Goethe. Zweyter Band. Frankfurt und Leipzig. 1795, pages 7-8. The poem appears in Book 3, Chapter 1 of Goethe's novel.

See also the following poems inspired by this poem: the French poem Mignon and the German poem Kennst du das Land, wo über Grabes Nächte.

Note: modern German would employ the following spellings: "gethan" -> "getan", "Maulthier" -> "Maultier", etc.

1 Lang: "Goldorangen"
2 Schubert (autograph): "Höllen"
3 Schubert: "es"
4 Spontini adds: 
Dahin mit dir, möcht' ich mit dir,
O mein Geliebter, ziehn,
Dahin mit dir, möcht' ich mit dir,
O mein Beschützer, ziehn,
O Vater, dahin geht unser Weg,
O Vater laß uns ziehn,
Mit dir dahin, dahin mit dir!

by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832)
1. Knowest thou where?
Language: English 
Knowest thou where the lemon blossom grows,
In foliage dark the orange golden glows,
A gentle breeze blows from the azure sky,
Still stands the myrtle, and the laurel, high?
Dost know it well?
'Tis there! 'Tis there
Would I with thee, oh my beloved, fare.

Knowest the house, its roof on columns fine?
Its hall glows brightly and its chambers shine,
And marble figures stand and gaze at me:
What have they done, oh wretched child, to thee?
Dost know it well?
'Tis there! 'Tis there
Would I with thee, oh my protector, fare.

Knowest the mountain with the misty shrouds?
The mule is seeking passage through the clouds;
In caverns dwells the dragons' ancient brood;
The cliff rocks plunge under the rushing flood!
Dost know it well?
'Tis there! 'Tis there
Leads our path! Oh father, let us fare.

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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Other titles: "Sehnsucht nach Italien" -> "Longing for Italy"


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 21
Word count: 141

Translation © by Walter Meyer
2. Minnelied  [sung text not yet checked]
by Moritz Hauptmann (1792 - 1868), "Minnelied", op. 37 (Sechs Lieder) no. 2, published 1852 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Siegel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Holder klingt der Vogelsang,
Wann die Engelreine, 
Die mein [Jünglingsherz]1 bezwang,
Wandelt durch die Haine.

Röther [blühen]2 Thal und Au,
Grüner wird der Wasen,
[Wo die Finger meiner Frau
Maienblumen]3 lasen.

Ohne sie ist alles todt,
Welk sind Blüt' und Kräuter;
Und kein Frühlingsabendroth
Dünkt mir schön und heiter.

Traute, minnigliche Frau,
Wollest nimmer fliehen;
Daß mein Herz, gleich dieser Au,
Mög' in Wonne blühen!

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Confirmed with Gedichte von Ludewig Heinrich Christoph Hölty. Neu besorgt und vermehrt von Johann Heinrich Voss. Hamburg, bei Carl Ernst Bohn. 1804, pages 175-176.

Note: This is the version as published by Voß. The initial version of this poem, according to Hölty's manuscript, has one more stanza and is quite different (see below).

1 Mendelssohn: "junges Herz"
2 Schubert: "blühet"
3 Schubert: "Wo mir Blumen, rot und blau, / Ihre Hände"

Note: According to Neue Gesamtausgabe Schubert set only stanzas 1 and 2, in his autograph he crossed out the repeat mark at the end.


by Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty (1748 - 1776)
2. Delightfully sound the birdsongs
Language: English 
Delightfully sound the birdsongs
when the pure angel
who conquered my young heart
wanders through the wood.

Redder bloom the valleys and meadows,
Greener becomes the grass
where the fingers of my lady
Are picking little mayflowers.

Without her, everything is dead.
Blossoms and herbs are wilted;
and no spring sunset
would seem to me as fair and fine.

Darling, lovely woman,
Never wish to flee;
that my heart, as well as this meadow,
might bloom in joy!

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: 16
Word count: 78

Translation © by Emily Ezust
3. Erster Verlust  [sung text not yet checked]
by Moritz Hauptmann (1792 - 1868), "Erster Verlust", op. 37 (Sechs Lieder) no. 3, published 1852 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Siegel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ach wer bringt die schönen Tage,
Jene Tage der ersten Liebe,
Ach wer bringt nur eine Stunde
Jener holden Zeit zurück!

Einsam nähr' ich meine Wunde
Und mit stets erneuter Klage
Traur' ich [um's verlorne]1 Glück.

Ach, wer bringt die schönen Tage,
[Jene holde Zeit zurück!]2

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Confirmed with Goethe's Werke, Vollständige Ausgabe letzter Hand, Erster Band, Stuttgart und Tübingen, in der J.G.Cottaschen Buchhandlung, 1827, page 63; and with Goethe's Schriften. Achter Band. Leipzig, bey Georg Joachim Göschen, 1789, page 113.

First written 1785 by Goethe for his fragmentary Singspiel "Die ungleichen Hausgenossen" (Arie der Baronesse, Act II), with different stanzas 2 and 3.

1 Nägeli: "um verlornes"
2 Schubert: "Wer jene holde Zeit zurück!"; Medtner, Zelter: "Wer bringt die holde, süße, liebe Zeit zurück?"

by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832)
3. First loss
Language: English 
Ah, who will bring back those beautiful days -
those days of first love?
Ah, who will bring back even just one hour
of that lovely time?

Lonely, I nourish my wound
and with constantly renewed laments,
I mourn my lost happiness.

Ah, who will bring back those beautiful days -
that lovely time?

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: 9
Word count: 52

Translation © by Emily Ezust
4. Die Kindheit   [sung text not yet checked]
by Moritz Hauptmann (1792 - 1868), "Die Kindheit ", op. 37 (Sechs Lieder) no. 4, published 1852 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Siegel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
[Wenn]1 die Abendröthe
Dorf und Hain umwallt,
Und die Weidenflöte
Hell zum [Reigen schallt]2;
Deine Lenzgefühle
Wähn' ich dann erneut,
Du, der Knabenspiele
Süße Blumenzeit!

Wie der Mond aus grauer
Nebeldämmrung Flor,
Hebt aus öder Trauer
Sich mein Geist empor,
[Wenn]1 mit Spiel und Tanze
Mir dein [Morgenbild]3
Sich im Rosenglanze
Zauberisch [enthüllt]4,

Ach! mit welchem Reize
Dämmert das Revier
Stiller Todtenkreuze,
Kindheit, neben dir!
Deine Nacht voll Sorgen
Dunkelt schon von fern,
Der Vollendung Morgen
Folgt kein Abendstern.

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1 Nägeli: "Wann"
2 Nägeli, Zelter: "Tanz erschallt"
3 Nägeli, Zelter: "Maigefild'"
4 Zelter: "umhüllt"

by Friedrich von Matthisson (1761 - 1831)
4.
[Translation not yet available]
5. Die Schiffende   [sung text not yet checked]
by Moritz Hauptmann (1792 - 1868), "Die Schiffende ", op. 37 (Sechs Lieder) no. 5, published 1852 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Siegel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Sie wankt dahin; die Abendwinde spielen,
  Ihr Apfelblüten zu;
Die Vögelein, so ihre [Gottheit]1 fühlen,
  Erwachen aus der Ruh.

Wie ihr Gewand im Mondenglanze flittert,
  Und ihres Busens Flor!
Sie wankt dahin; der helle Vollmond zittert
  Aus jeder Well' hervor.

Da rauscht der Kahn durch hangende Gesträuche,
  Birgt mir das Engelbild, 
Schwankt izt hervor, tanzt wieder auf dem Teiche, 
  Den ihre Gottheit füllt.

Verdeckt mir nicht, ihr hangenden Gesträuche,
  Ihr lächelndes Gesicht;
Sie tanzt so schön auf ihrem Silberteiche:
  Ihr Erlen, bergt sie nicht.

Weht, Winde, weht, o flügelt sie, ihr Winde,
  An diese Laub' heran,
Daß ich mich ihr im Schauer dieser Linde
  [Zu Füssen werfen]3 kann.

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Confirmed with Gedichte von Ludewig Heinrich Christoph Hölty. Besorgt durch seine Freunde Friederich Leopold Grafen zu Stolberg und Johann Heinrich Voß. Carlsruhe, bey Christian Gottlieb Schmieder, 1784, pages 170-171; and with Poetische Blumenlese Auf das Jahr 1775. Göttingen und Gotha bey Johann Christian Dieterich, pages 85-86.

1 Hensel: "Nähe"
2 Hensel: "lächelnd Angesicht"
3 Hensel: "Beseligt nahen"

by Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty (1748 - 1776)
5. The floating vision
Language: English 
She slips by, the evening winds playfully blow
apple blossoms at her;
the little birds, sensing she is near,
awaken from their rest.

How her robe gleams in the moonlight,
and the gauze of her bosom!
She slips by, the bright full moon trembles 
from every wave.

The boat sweeps through hanging bushes,
hiding the angelic image from me;
swinging forward now, dancing back again toward the water,
replete with her divinity.

Hanging bushes, do not hide from me
her smiling face;
she dances so beautifully on her silver pond;
You alders, conceal her not!

Blow, winds, blow; o give her wings, you winds,
bring her to this grove,
so that, beneath this sheltering linden tree,
I can blissfully be near her.

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: 20
Word count: 122

Translation © by Emily Ezust
6. Seufzer   [sung text not yet checked]
by Moritz Hauptmann (1792 - 1868), "Seufzer ", op. 37 (Sechs Lieder) no. 6, published 1852 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Siegel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Die Nachtigall
Singt überall
Auf grünen Reisen
Die besten Weisen,
Daß ringsum Wald
Und Ufer schallt.

Manch junges Paar
Geht dort, wo klar
Das Bächlein rauschet,
Und steht, und lauschet
Mit frohem Sinn
Der Sängerin.

Ich höre bang'
Im düstern Gang
Der Nachtigallen
Gesänge schallen;
Denn ach! allein
Irr' ich im Hain.

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Confirmed with Gedichte von Ludewig Heinrich Christoph Hölty. Besorgt durch seine Freunde Friederich Leopold Grafen zu Stolberg und Johann Heinrich Voß. Hamburg, bei Carl Ernst Bohn. 1783, page 184.

This is the version of Hölty's poem heavily reworked by Voß. For the original version, see below.


by Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty (1748 - 1776) and by Johann Heinrich Voss (1751 - 1826)
6. Sighs
Language: English 
The nightingale
Sings everywhere
On green twigs
In the best manner,
That resounds all around woods
And river banks.

Many young couples
Go there, where the clear
Brooklet murmurs
And stand and listen
happily
To the songstress.

I anxiously hear
on a gloomy path
The Nightingales'
Song resounding,
Because Oh! alone
I wander in the grove.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Richard Morris, (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: 

Based on:

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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 18
Word count: 56

Translation © by Richard Morris