English translations of Drei Duette für Sopran und Alt, opus 16

by Alexis Holländer (1840 - 1924)

1. Es blühen die Blumen und Bäume
 (Sung text)
by Alexis Holländer (1840 - 1924), "Es blühen die Blumen und Bäume", op. 16 (Drei Duette für Sopran und Alt) no. 1, published 1870 [ vocal duet for soprano and alto with piano ], Berlin: Verlag von Wilhelm Müller
Language: German (Deutsch) 
  Es blühen die Blumen und Bäume,
Der Frühling ist wieder erwacht
Und alle die schönen Träume
Von alter Lust und Pracht.
  So freudig wehen die Lüfte,
So prächtig die Wölkchen erglühn,
So würzig schwimmen die Düfte,
So zaubrisch leuchtet das Grün!

  So lustig die Vögel sich schwingen
Im Walde von Ast zu Ast, 
Und hören nicht auf mit Singen, 
Und finden nicht Ruh noch Rast. 
  Und neue Wunder sich zeigen
Auf jeglichem Schritt und Tritt:
Wer könnte noch trauern und schweigen, 
Und säng' und jauchzte nicht mit!

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by Friedrich Heinrich Oser (1820 - 1891)
1. The flowers and trees are blooming
Language: English 
  The flowers and trees are blooming,
Springtime has awakened once more
And all the lovely dreams
Of old pleasure and splendour.
  The breezes blow so joyfully,
The little clouds come aglow so radiantly,
The scents hover so spicily,
The verdure shines so enchantingly!

  The birds dart so merrily
From branch to branch in the woods,
And do not cease their singing,
And find neither peace nor rest.
  And new wonders appear
At every turn:
Who could still sorrow and keep silent,
And would not join in the singing and rejoicing!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2025 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 titles:
"Es blühen die Blumen und Bäume" = "The flowers and trees are blooming"
"Es blüh'n die Blumen und Bäume" = "The flowers and trees are blooming"



This text was added to the website: 2025-01-20
Line count: 16
Word count: 91

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
2. Frühlingsklage
 (Sung text)
by Alexis Holländer (1840 - 1924), "Frühlingsklage", op. 16 (Drei Duette für Sopran und Alt) no. 2, published 1870 [ vocal duet for soprano and alto with piano ], Berlin: Verlag von Wilhelm Müller
Language: German (Deutsch) 
  Wölklein ziehen in den Höhn, 
Schnell gejagt von lauen Lüften;
Wiesen stehn so wunderschön,
Veilchen rings im Grase düften!
  Aber fern im Haine schon,
  Horch! welch banger Klageton!

  Weiß es wohl, o Nachtigall, 
Ach! was mir dein Lied will sagen! 
Kenn' ihn wohl, der Wehmuth Schall 
In den allerschönsten Tagen! 
  Mir auch zittert's durch Gemüth, 
  Wie so bald der Lenz verblüht!

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by Friedrich Heinrich Oser (1820 - 1891)
2. Springtime lament
Language: English 
  Little clouds scud in the heights,
Quickly chased about by balmy breezes;
Meadows stand wondrously beautiful,
Violets disperse their scent all about the [valley]1!
   But already, far away in the grove,
  Hark! what an anxious sound of lamenting!

  I know well, oh nightingale,
Ah! what your song wishes to tell me!
I know well the sound of melancholy
During the most beautiful of days!
  It trembles also through my spirit,
  How very quickly springtime fades!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2025 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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View original text (without footnotes)
1 Holländer: "grass"


This text was added to the website: 2025-01-20
Line count: 12
Word count: 77

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
3. Abendfrieden
 (Sung text)
by Alexis Holländer (1840 - 1924), "Abendfrieden", op. 16 (Drei Duette für Sopran und Alt) no. 3, published 1870 [ vocal duet for soprano and alto with piano ], Berlin: Verlag von Wilhelm Müller
Language: German (Deutsch) 
  Wie lachst du voller Frieden, 
Mein Kirchlein, noch mich an, 
Da nun der Tag geschieden, 
Und Nacht mich will umfahn. 
  Im Kirchhof mitten drinnen 
So mild schaust du hinab, 
Und ziehst hinauf mein Sinnen 
Weit über Tod und Grab. 

  O gieb ihm deinen Segen,
Du letzter Abendstrahl, 
Eh sich die Schatten legen 
Nun ganz auf Berg und Thal.
  Und ich, umrauscht vom Walde,
Von süßem Hauch umweht,
Will bringen an der Halde
Vor Gott mein Nachtgebet.

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Confirmed with Liederbuch von Friedrich Oser, 1842-1874. Mit einem biographischen Verzeichnis der Componisten, Basel: Benno Schwabe, Verlagsbuchhandlung, 1875, page 109-110.


by Friedrich Heinrich Oser (1820 - 1891)
3. Evening peace
Language: English 
  How you smile at me 
Full of peace, my little church,
Now that the day has departed
And night wishes to embrace me.
  In the middle of the churchyard
You gaze down so mildly,
And draw my thoughts
Far above death and grave.

  Oh, give [my spirit] your blessing,
You last ray of evening,
Before the shadows now utterly
Descend upon mountain and valley.
  And I, soughed about by the forest,
Wafted about by a sweet breath,
At the acclivity shall bring
My nighttime prayer before God.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2025 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: 

Based on:

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This text was added to the website: 2025-01-20
Line count: 16
Word count: 88

Translation © by Sharon Krebs