English translations of Neun Gesänge, opus 1

by Marie Hinrichs (1828 - 1891)

1. Du welker Dornenstrauch
 (Sung text)
by Marie Hinrichs (1828 - 1891), "Du welker Dornenstrauch", op. 1 (Neun Gesänge) no. 1, published 1846, stanzas 1,2,4 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig: Breitkopf & Härtel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Du welker Dornenstrauch
Machst meinen Reichthum aus,
    Bring' mir entschwund'nes Glück
        Zurück, zurück! 

Einst war die Zeit wohl da,
Wo ich die Rose sah,
    Aus deiner Blätter Grün
        Voll Reiz erblüh'n; --

 ... 

Mein Herz! o klage nicht,
Wenn wund der Dorn dich sticht,
    Denk' an der Rose Zeit,
        Die dich erfreut'! --

Text Authorship:

  • by Noway , "Der Dornenstrauß"

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by Noway
1. You wilted thorn bush
Language: English 
You [leafless bouquet of thorns]1
Are the sum total of my wealth,
    My vanished happiness -- bring it
        Back, back!

Once there was a time
When I saw the rose
    From out of the green of your leaves
       Blossoming forth full of charm; --

[ ... ]

My heart! oh do not lament
When the thorn pricks and wounds you,
    Think about the time of the rose
        That gladdened you!

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.
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Translations of title(s):
"Der Dornenstrauß" = "The bouquet of thorns"
"Du welker Dornenstrauch" = "You wilted thorn bush"

1 Hinrichs: "wilted thorn bush"


This text was added to the website: 2019-03-11
Line count: 16
Word count: 89

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
2. Ihr Bild
 (Sung text)
by Marie Hinrichs (1828 - 1891), "Ihr Bild", op. 1 (Neun Gesänge) no. 2, published 1846 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig: Breitkopf & Härtel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich stand in dunkeln Träumen
Und starrte ihr Bildniß an,
Und das geliebte Antlitz
Heimlich zu leben begann.
 
Um ihre Lippen zog sich
Ein Lächeln wunderbar,
Und wie von Wehmuthsthränen
Erglänzte das Augenpaar.
 
Auch meine Thränen flossen
Mir von den Wangen herab -- 
Und ach, ich kann's nicht glauben,
Daß ich Dich verloren hab'!

Text Authorship:

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by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
2. Her portrait
Language: English 
I stood in gloomy daydreams
and gazed at her portrait,
and that well-beloved countenance
began furtively to come to life.

About her lips there seemed to glide 
a wondrous smile,
and, as if they were about to fill with nostalgic tears,
her eyes glistened.
 
And my tears flowed
down my cheeks -
and ah, I cannot believe
that I have lost you!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 1996 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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Translations of titles
"Ihr Bildnis" = "Her portrait"
"Ihr Bild" = "Her portrait"
"Ich stand in dunkeln Träumen" = "I stood in gloomy daydreams"



This text was added to the website: 2017-10-13
Line count: 12
Word count: 61

Translation © by Emily Ezust
3. Wenn du mich lieb hast
 (Sung text)
by Marie Hinrichs (1828 - 1891), "Wenn du mich lieb hast", op. 1 (Neun Gesänge) no. 3, published 1846 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig: Breitkopf & Härtel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Aus meinen Tränen sprießen
Viel blühende Blumen hervor,
Und meine Seufzer werden
Ein Nachtigallenchor.

Und wenn du mich lieb hast, Kindchen,
Schenk' ich dir die Blumen all',
Und vor deinem Fenster soll klingen
Das Lied der Nachtigall.

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by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
3. From my tears sprout forth
Language: English 
From my tears sprout forth
Many blooming flowers,
And my sighing become joined with
The chorus of the nightingales.

And if you love me, dear child,
I will send you so many flowers;
And before your window should sound
The song of the nightingale.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Paul Hindemith, (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: 44

Translation © by Paul Hindemith
4. Eine alte Kunde
 (Sung text)
by Marie Hinrichs (1828 - 1891), "Eine alte Kunde", op. 1 (Neun Gesänge) no. 4, published 1846 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig: Breitkopf & Härtel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich weiß eine alte Kunde,
Die hallet dumpf und trüb:
Ein Ritter liegt liebeswunde,
Doch treulos ist sein Lieb.

Als treulos muß er verachten
Die eigne Herzliebste sein,
Als schimpflich muß er betrachten
Die eigne Liebespein.

Er möcht in die Schranken reiten
Und rufen die Ritter zum Streit:
"Der mag sich zum Kampfe bereiten,
Wer mein Lieb eines Makels zeiht!"

Da würden wohl alle schweigen,
Nur nicht sein eigener Schmerz;
Da müßt er die Lanze neigen
Wider 's eigne klagende Herz.

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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 57.

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
4. An old story
Language: English 
I know an old story,
It echoes dully and drearily:
A knight lies wounded by love,
But his beloved is faithless.

As faithless he must scorn
His own heart’s beloved,
As disgraceful he must regard
His own pain of loving.

He wants to ride into the arena
And summon the knights to a duel:
"He who accuses my beloved of a flaw,
Let him prepare himself for battle!"

Thereupon all would fall silent,
Only not his own pain;
Thereupon he must turn his lance
Upon his own lamenting heart.

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.
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Translations of title(s):
"Eine alte Kunde" = "An old story"
"Der liebeswunde Ritter" = "The knight wounded by love"
"Der wunde Ritter" = "The wounded knight"



This text was added to the website: 2019-10-27
Line count: 16
Word count: 89

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
5. Blicke zum Himmel
 (Sung text)
by Marie Hinrichs (1828 - 1891), "Blicke zum Himmel", op. 1 (Neun Gesänge) no. 5, published 1846 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig: Breitkopf & Härtel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
                 Mutter.
Blicke zum Himmel, mein Kind! dort wohnt dir ein seliger Bruder; 
  Weil er mich nimmer betrübt, führten die Engel ihn hin.

                 Kind.
Daß kein Engel mich je von der liebenden Brust dir entführe,
  Mutter, so sage du mir, wie ich betrüben dich kann!

Text Authorship:

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Confirmed with: Uhlands Werke in drei Teilen, Erster Teil. Gedichte, herausgegeben von Adalbert Silbermann, Berlin, Leipzig, Wien, Stuttgart: Deutsches Verlagshaus Bong & Co., [no year given], page 85.

by Johann Ludwig Uhland (1787 - 1862)
5. Gaze up toward heaven
Language: English 
                 Mother.
Gaze up toward heaven, my child! there dwells a blessed brother of yours;
  Because he [never]1 saddened me, the angels carried him off.

                 Child.
So that no angel may every take me away from your loving bosom,
  Mother, so tell me how I can sadden you!

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: 

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Translations of title(s):
"Mutter und Kind" = "Mother and child"
"Blicke zum Himmel" = "Gaze up toward heaven"

1 Incorrectly given as "always" in at least one other Uhland edition.

This text was added to the website: 2019-03-11
Line count: 6
Word count: 49

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
6. Du bist wie eine Blume
 (Sung text)
by Marie Hinrichs (1828 - 1891), "Du bist wie eine Blume", op. 1 (Neun Gesänge) no. 6, published 1846
Language: German (Deutsch) 
  Du bist wie eine Blume
So hold und schön und rein;
Ich schau' dich an, und Wehmut
Schleicht mir ins Herz hinein.

  Mir ist, als ob die Hände
Aufs Haupt ich dir legen sollt',
Betend, daß Gott dich erhalte
So rein und schön und hold.

Text Authorship:

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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 136.

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
6. Thou art, as is a flower
Language: English 
Thou art, as is a flower,
so meek and pure and fine,
I look at thee and sadness
steals o'er the heart of mine.

I feel that both my hands softly
thy hair, thy head should seek,
praying that God may preserve thee
so pure and fine and meek.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2009 by Bertram Kottmann, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you must ask the copyright-holder(s) directly for permission. If you receive no response, you must consider it a refusal.

    Bertram Kottmann.  Contact: BKottmann (AT) t-online.de

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This text was added to the website: 2009-08-10
Line count: 8
Word count: 49

Translation © by Bertram Kottmann
7. Im Mai
 (Sung text)
by Marie Hinrichs (1828 - 1891), "Im Mai", op. 1 (Neun Gesänge) no. 7, published 1846 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig: Breitkopf & Härtel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Im wunderschönen Monat Mai,
Als alle Knospen sprangen,  
Da ist in meinem Herzen
Die Liebe aufgegangen.

Im wunderschönen Monat Mai,
Als alle Vögel sangen, 
Da hab' ich ihr gestanden
Mein Sehnen und Verlangen.

Text Authorship:

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by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
7. In the wonderfully beautiful month of May
Language: English 
In the wonderfully beautiful month of May
When all the buds are bursting open,
There, from my own heart,
Bursts forth my own love.

In the wonderfully beautiful month of May
When all the birds are singing,
So have I confessed to her
My yearning and my longing.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Paul Hindemith, (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: 48

Translation © by Paul Hindemith
8. Die Nonne
 (Sung text)
by Marie Hinrichs (1828 - 1891), "Die Nonne", op. 1 (Neun Gesänge) no. 8, published 1846 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig: Breitkopf & Härtel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Im stillen Klostergarten 
Eine bleiche Jungfrau ging;
Der Mond beschien sie trübe,
An ihrer Wimper hing 
Die Träne zarter Liebe.

"O wohl mir, daß gestorben 
Der treue Buhle mein!
Ich darf ihn wieder lieben:
Er wird ein Engel sein, 
Und Engel darf ich lieben."

Sie trat mit zagem Schritte 
Wohl zum Mariabild;
Es stand im lichten Scheine,
Es sah so muttermild
Herunter auf die Reine.

Sie sank zu seinen Füßen, 
Sah auf mit Himmelsruh',
Bis ihre Augenlider
Im Tode fielen zu:
Der Schleier wallte nieder.

Text Authorship:

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Confirmed with: Uhlands Werke, Erster Teil, Gedichte, herausgegeben von Adalbert Silbermann, Berlin, Leipzig, Wien, Stuttgart: Deutsches Verlagshaus Bong & Co., [no year], pages 111-112.

Note: in stanza 4, line 3, word 3, Hinrichs has the typo "Augenlieder" in the score.

by Johann Ludwig Uhland (1787 - 1862)
8. The nun
Language: English 
In the silent convent garden, a pale maiden wandered.
The moon shone somberly upon her.
Upon her eyelash hung
The tear of a tender love.
 
"O how happy I am that my true love is dead!
I may love him again:
For he shall be an angel,
And I may love angels." 

She walked with timid steps to the image of the virgin Mary.
It stood in the bright light,
And looked down so motherly and gently
Upon the pure one. 

She sank down to her feet and looked up in heavenly peace,
Until her eyelids
Fell shut in death.
Her veil floated downward.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2010 by Kelly Dean Hansen, (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: 2010-10-22
Line count: 16
Word count: 104

Translation © by Kelly Dean Hansen
9. Hör' ich das Liedchen
 (Sung text)
by Marie Hinrichs (1828 - 1891), "Hör' ich das Liedchen", op. 1 (Neun Gesänge) no. 9, published 1846 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig: Breitkopf & Härtel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Hör' ich das Liedchen klingen,
Das einst die Liebste sang,
So will mir die Brust zerspringen
Vor wildem Schmerzensdrang

Es treibt mich ein dunkles Sehnen
Hinauf zu der Waldeshöh',
Dort löst sich auf in Tränen
Mein übergroßes Weh'.

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by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
9. I hear the dear song sounding
Language: English 
I hear the dear song sounding
That once my beloved sang.
And my heart wants to burst so strongly
From the savage pressure of pain.

A dark longing is driving me
Up into the heights of the woods
Where in my tears can be dissolved
My own colossal woe.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Paul Hindemith, (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 between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 8
Word count: 49

Translation © by Paul Hindemith