English translations of Acht Lieder, opus 80
by Kurt Hessenberg (1908 - 1994)
Return to the original list
Im Walde blüht der Seidelbast, Im Graben liegt noch Schnee; Das du mir heut' geschrieben hast, Das Brieflein tat mir weh. Jetzt schneid' ich einen Stab im Holz; Ich weiß ein ander Land, Da sind die Jungfern nicht so stolz Dem Lieben abgewandt. Im Walde blüht der Seidelbast, Kein Brieflein tut mir weh, Und das du mir geschrieben hast, Schwimmt draußen auf dem See, Schwimmt draußen auf dem Bodensee, Ja draußen auf dem See.
Text Authorship:
- by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Wanderschaft", written 1908, appears in Unterwegs, first published 1911
See other settings of this text.
Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada and the U.S., but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.
The laurel blooms in the forest, Snow still lies in the [ditch]1; The letter that you wrote to me today, [The letter] wounded me. Now I shall cut a staff in the woods; I know another land Where the maidens are not so proudly Averse to loving. The laurel blooms in the forest, No letter wounds me, And the one you wrote to me, Floats out there upon the lake, Floats out there upon Lake Constance, Yes, out there upon the lake.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2018 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: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Wanderschaft", written 1908, appears in Unterwegs, first published 1911
Go to the general single-text view
View original text (without footnotes)Translations of title(s):
"Im Walde blüht der Seidelbast" = "The laurel blooms in the forest"
"Der Seidelbast" = "The laurel"
"Wanderschaft" = "Wanderings"
This text was added to the website: 2018-01-03
Line count: 14
Word count: 83
Die dunklen Büsche duften schwer, Es wiegt der Wind in den Platanen Die bunten Lampen hin und her, Vom Dache rauschen rote Fahnen. Juchhe! nun lodert alle Lust Empor in grellen Flammen. Nun brennt in deiner schönen Brust Das Schloß der Liebe zusammen. Juchhe! Nun bin ich zum letztenmal An deiner heißen Seite Und gebe durch den hellen Saal Dir lachend das Geleite. Und morgen ist der Rausch verloht Und die Walzer sind verklungen, Und unsre schöne Liebe ist tot Und unsere Märchen versungen.
Text Authorship:
- by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Das Fest", written 1901
Go to the general single-text view
Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada, but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.
Confirmed with Hermann Hesse, Sämtliche Werke, herausgegeben von Volker Michels, Band 10 Die Gedichte, bearbeitet von Peter Huber, Frankfurt am Main: Suhrkamp Verlag, 2002, pages 79-80.
The dark bushes give forth their scent heavily, In the plane trees the wind sways The colourful lamps back and forth, From the rooftop red flags rustle. Hooray! now all joy flares Up in lurid flames. Now within your lovely breast The entire castle of love burns. Hooray! now for the last time I am at your fervent side And through the bright hall I laughingly escort you. And tomorrow the rush shall have died away And the sound of the waltzes faded, And our beautiful love shall be dead And our fairy-tales sung out.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2017 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: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Das Fest", written 1901
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website: 2017-04-29
Line count: 16
Word count: 95
Mir zittern die Saiten Und stimmen die Weise an, Die ich für dich vorzeiten, Die ich für dich in einem Mai Aus lauter Glück ersann. Ich führe den Bogen So scheu und leis gespannt, Wie ich ihn da gezogen, Da ich in einer fernen Nacht Vor deinem Fenster stand. Mein Herz ist beklommen Von Liedern andrer Zeit -- Weiß Gott, wie das gekommen, Daß mir aus deiner Liebe ward So eitel Weh und Leid.
Text Authorship:
- by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Con sordino", written 1899, appears in Neue deutsche Lyriker III , in An die Schönheit, in Der Geiger, no. 2, first published 1919
See other settings of this text.
Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada and the U.S., but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.
Your strings tremble for me And begin to sound the lay That I for you long ago, That I for you once in a May Created from pure happiness. I draw the bow [across the strings] So shyly and gently taut, As I drew it there When in a distant night I stood before your window. My heart is oppressed By songs of another time. God knows how it happened That your love created for me Such pure pain and sorrow.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2014 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: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Con sordino", written 1899, appears in Neue deutsche Lyriker III , in An die Schönheit, in Der Geiger, no. 2, first published 1919
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website: 2014-02-17
Line count: 15
Word count: 81
Ich weiß, was du mir sagen Möchtest in dieser Stund - Sag's nicht! Sieh dort den dämmernden Grund Des Weihers und wie sich jagen Die Spiegelwolken in schwarzer Pracht - Sag's nicht! Heut ist eine schlimme Nacht. Ich weiß, in dieser Stunde Stürmt dir die tiefste Brust Von allem, was du mich fragen mußt. Frag' nicht! An deinem Munde Säumt noch das Wort, das elend macht - Sag's nicht! Heut ist eine schlimme Nacht. Du sollst mir's morgen sagen - Wir wissen nicht, vielleicht Ist morgen alles wunderleicht, Was heut kein Herz kann tragen Und was mich jetzt so elend macht - Frag' nicht! Heut ist eine schlimme Nacht.
Text Authorship:
- by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Nicht heut", written 1900
See other settings of this text.
Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada and the U.S., but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.
I know what you wish to say To me in this hour- Do not say it! See yonder the twilit surface Of the pond and how the reflected clouds Chase each other in black splendour - Do not say it! This is an evil night. I know, in this hour In your deepest breast there rages a storm Of everything that you must ask me. Do not ask! May the word that creates misery Linger [unspoken] upon your lips - Do not say it! This is an evil night. You shall say it to me tomorrow - We do not know, perhaps Tomorrow everything shall be wondrously light That today no heart can bear And that at this moment makes me so miserable - Do not ask! This is an evil night.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2018 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: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Nicht heut", written 1900
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website: 2018-10-08
Line count: 18
Word count: 128
Herwandernd aus den Bergen durch die Nacht Hat mich der Weg durch fahle Wiesensäume Und weiche Schatten unsichtbarer Bäume Ans offene Tor der alten Stadt gebracht. Durch eine lange Straße schritt ich sacht, Und nirgends schien aus all den schwarzen Scheiben Ein einzig Kerzenlicht und lud zum Bleiben, Und alles schlief, und überall war Nacht. Erst, da ich wieder weit im Felde ging Und rückwärts auf die wunderlich gebaute, Schlafwirre Flucht der dunkeln Giebel schaute, Sah ich ein Licht, das hoch im Turme hing. Und oben am Gesims war Einer wach; Der trug am Strick die schaukelnde Laterne Und bog sich vor und schaute in die Ferne Und meinen kaum gehörten Schritten nach.
Text Authorship:
- by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Auf einer Nachtwanderung", written 1903
Go to the general single-text view
Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada, but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.
Confirmed with Hermann Hesse, Sämtliche Werke, herausgegeben von Volker Michels, Band 10 Die Gedichte, bearbeitet von Peter Huber, Frankfurt am Main: Suhrkamp Verlag, 2002, pages 128-129.
Wandering hither from the mountains through the night My path has led me through dun-coloured meadow edges And soft shadows of invisible trees To the open gate of the old city. I strode gently through a long street And nowhere out of all the black windowpanes Shone a single candle and invited one to abide, And everything slept and everywhere it was night. Only when I again wandered far away in a field And looked back upon the strangely-constructed, Sleep-tangled row of dark gables, I saw a light, suspended high in a tower. And high up upon a cornice one person was awake; On a rope he carried the swinging lantern And leaned forward and gazed into the far distance And followed my barely-heard footsteps.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2016 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: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Auf einer Nachtwanderung", written 1903
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website: 2016-11-30
Line count: 16
Word count: 125
Seele, banger Vogel du, Immer wieder mußt du fragen: Wann nach so viel wilden Tagen Kommt der Friede, kommt die Ruh? O ich weiß: kaum haben wir Unterm Boden stille Tage, Wird vor neuer Sehnsucht dir Jeder liebe Tag zur Plage. Und du wirst, geborgen kaum, Dich um neue Leiden mühen Und voll Ungeduld den Raum Als der jüngste Stern durchglühen.
Text Authorship:
- by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Keine Rast", written 1913
See other settings of this text.
Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada and the U.S., but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.
Confirmed with Hermann Hesse, Sämtliche Werke, herausgegeben von Volker Michels, Band 10 Die Gedichte, bearbeitet von Peter Huber, Frankfurt am Main: Suhrkamp Verlag, 2002, pages 217-218.
Soul, you anxious bird, Ever again you must ask: When, after so many wild days, Shall come peace, shall come rest? Oh, I know: when we have just Buried some quiet days, New yearning turns every single day Into torment for you. And, only just made secure, you shall Labour over new sufferings And, full of impatience, glow through The universe as the youngest star.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2019 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: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Keine Rast", written 1913
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website: 2019-01-06
Line count: 12
Word count: 65
Mit Dämmerung und Amselschlag Kommt aus den Tälern her die Nacht. Die Schwalben ruhn, der lange Tag Hat auch die Schwalben müd gemacht. Durchs Fenster mit verhaltenem Klang Geht meiner Geige müder Strich. Verstehst du, schöne Nacht, den Sang - Mein altes Lied, mein Lied an dich? Ein kühles Rauschen kommt vom Wald, Daß mir das Herz erschauernd lacht, Und leis mit freundlicher Gewalt Besiegt mich Schlummer, Traum und Nacht.
Text Authorship:
- by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Nacht", subtitle: "(1901)", written 1901
See other settings of this text.
Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada, but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.
With twilight and blackbird song The night comes forth from the valleys. The swallows rest, the long day Has made even the swallows weary. Out through the window with muted sound The tired bow-strokes of my violin pass. Lovely night, do you understand the singing - My old song, my song to you? A cool soughing comes from the forest That makes my heart laugh thrillingly, And quietly with friendly force I am conquered by slumber, dream, and night.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2019 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: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Nacht", subtitle: "(1901)", written 1901
Go to the general single-text view
Subtitle: "(1901)"
Translations of title(s):
"Nacht" = "Night"
"Nacht I" = "Night I"
This text was added to the website: 2019-02-21
Line count: 12
Word count: 78
Ich habe meine Kerze ausgelöscht; Zum offenen Fenster strömt die Nacht herein, Umarmt mich sanft und läßt mich ihren Freund Und ihren Bruder sein. Wir beide sind am selben Heimweh krank; Wir senden ahnungsvolle Träume aus Und reden flüsternd von der alten Zeit In unsres Vaters Haus.
Text Authorship:
- by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Die Nacht", subtitle: "(1907)", written 1907, appears in Unterwegs, first published 1911
See other settings of this text.
Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada and the U.S., but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.
I have extinguished my candle; Night streams in through the open window, Embraces me gently and permits me to be its friend And its brother. We are both suffering from the same homesickness; We send forth dreams full of premonitions And speak whisperingly of the past time In our father’s house.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2017 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: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Die Nacht", subtitle: "(1907)", written 1907, appears in Unterwegs, first published 1911
Go to the general single-text view
Translations of title(s):
"Die Nacht" = "Night"
"Ich habe meine Kerze ausgelöscht" = "I have extinguished my candle"
"Nacht" = "Night"
"Nacht II" = "Night II"
This text was added to the website: 2017-09-25
Line count: 8
Word count: 51