English translations of Sechs Männerchöre, opus 84

by Hugo Wilhelm Ludwig Kaun (1863 - 1932)

1. Im stillen Friedhof  [sung text not yet checked]
by Hugo Wilhelm Ludwig Kaun (1863 - 1932), "Im stillen Friedhof", op. 84 (Sechs Männerchöre) no. 1, copyright © 1909 [ men's chorus a cappella ], Magdeburg: Heinrichshofen's Verlag
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wenn ich im stillen Friedhof geh,
Wird mir so schwer zu Herzen,
Dass man die treuste Menschenbrust,
Die mitgetragen Leid und Lust,
So eilig kann verschmerzen.

Gras wächst darüber, ach, wie bald,
Das Grab wird selber heiter;
Wie wenn ein Blatt vom Wipfel fällt,
So geht ein Leben aus der Welt --
Die Vögel singen weiter.

O Menschenherz mit deinem Stolz!
Was flüstern die Zypressen?
"Wir stehen auf einem schmalen Raum,
Darunter liegt ein Herze kaum,
So ist es schon vergessen."

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by (Karl) Ludwig Pfau (1821 - 1894)
1. In the Quiet Cemetery
Language: English 
When I walk in the quiet cemetery,
My heart becomes so heavy,
That one who had the most faithful human heart,
Which bore sorrow and joy,
Could so quickly be forgotten. 

Grass grows to cover it, ah, so soon,
The grave itself becomes less somber;
Just as a leaf might fall from a tree branch,
So, a life departs from the world –
The birds continue to sing.

O, heart of humankind, with such pride!
What is it that the cypresses whisper?
“We stand upon an insubstantial place,
Hardly has a heart been lain beneath,
When already it is forgotten.”

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2023 by Michael P Rosewall, (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):
"Im Friedhof" = "In the Cemetery"
"Im stillen Friedhof" = "In the Quiet Cemetery"
"Wenn ich im stillen Friedhof geh" = "When I Walk in the Quiet Cemetery"



This text was added to the website: 2023-02-01
Line count: 15
Word count: 100

Translation © by Michael P Rosewall