In ahnungsvollem Glanze
Ruht still Neaples tiefes Meer,
Es ziehn im dunklen Kranze
Die Berge schweigend rings umher.
 
Drin liegt, so sagt die Kunde,
Ein unbekannter Edelstein,
Drum bricht aus seinem Grunde
Ein zauberhafter heller Schein.
 
Und wenn du scheidest
Von dem süßen Lande,
Bleibt dir das Herz
Gefesselt dort am Strande.
 
Doch mich riß los vom Wehe
Der Liebsten Auge wunderbar,
Und wenn hinein ich spähe,
Wird mir der große Zauber klar:
 
Es strahlt, als ob drin schliefe,
Des Zauberdemants Wunderschau,
Und wie des Meeres Tiefe,
Blau ist das Aug' der holden Frau.

Naples’s deep sea rests
Quietly in ominous brightness,
Silently, the dark mountain range
Embraces the sea.

According to mythology,
An unknown jewel lies in the sea,
That’s why a magic bright shine
Is reflected from its ground. 

And if you leave 
The sweet land,
Your heart is caught
And kept at the beach.

But my beloved’s eyes
Pulled me away from the pain,
And if I look into her eyes,
Then I understand the magic.

Her eye is as bright as if
The jewel sleeps in it,
The graceful woman’s eye is
As blue as the depth of the sea.

Text Authorship:

• Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2014 by Anja Bunzel, (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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Based on:

• a text in German (Deutsch) by (Johann) Gottfried Kinkel (1815 - 1882), "Blaue Augen"
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This text was added to the website: 2014-07-24
Line count: 20
Word count: 100

Ach, in dem funklenden,
träumerisch dunkelnden
Aug' meiner Holden,
Da lacht mir die herzliche
Liebe entgegen
In freudiger Gluht,
Winkt mir die Sehnsucht,
Die bange, die schmerzliche,
Und doch in schwellendem,
Quellendem Muth.
 
Und in dem lebenden,
Wonnig erbebenden
Bild ihrer Augen,
Dem wundergestaltigen,
Lern ich den Zauber
Der Liebe verstehn;
Wie in der Freude,
Der frischen, gewaltigen,
So in dem Schmerz
Und unendlichen Weh'n.

Ach, the heartfelt 
Love smiles at me 
From my beloved’s 
Bright, dreaming 
Dark eyes.
Happily,
The longing is waving at me,
Fearful, painful longing, 
And yet with increasing
Courage.

And in those lively,
Moving 
Image of her eyes,
In those fascinating eyes,
I see the magic
Of love;
I see both fresh
And powerful happiness,
And pain,
Endless pain.

Text Authorship:

• Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2014 by Anja Bunzel, (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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Based on:

• a text in German (Deutsch) by Sebastian Longard (1817 - 187?92), "Schwarze Augen"
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This text was added to the website: 2014-07-24
Line count: 20
Word count: 59

Gelehnet lag ich an dem Baum,
   Und lauscht' dem Wellensang; 
Versunken ganz in holden Traum 
   Ward nicht die Zeit mir lang. 

Die Sonne lenkt' den Strahlenlauf 
   Zum tiefen Horizont,
Das Abendroth stieg mild herauf, 
   Es folgt der Silbermond.

Der Mond ging endlich auch zur Ruh'
   Ringsum mich ward es Nacht;
Mir fielen nicht die Augen zu
   Auf einsam stiller Wacht.

So möcht' ich ruhen Tag und Nacht,
   Und überschaun mein Glück,
Und ewig ewig träumen nach
   Dem Einen Augenblick.

I lay leaning against a tree,
   And listened to the singing of the waves;
Completely immersed in a lovely dream,
   Time did not hang heavy on my hands.

The sun took its beaming journey
   To the low horizon,
The glow of sunset gently arose,
   The silvery moon followed suit.

The moon, too, finally went to rest,
   Round about me night fell;
My eyes did not fall shut
   During my solitary, silent watch.

Thus would I like to rest day and night,
   And survey my happiness,
And ever, ever dream again
   That One Moment.

Text Authorship:

• Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2015 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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Based on:

• a text in German (Deutsch) by Johanna Kinkel (1810 - 1858), no title
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This text was added to the website: 2015-03-20
Line count: 16
Word count: 93

Laß tief in dir mich lesen,
Verhehl' auch dies mir nicht,
Was für ein Zauberwesen
Aus deiner Stimme spricht!

So viele Worte dringen
[Ans]1 Ohr uns ohne Plan,
Und während sie verklingen,
Ist alles abgetan!

Doch [drängt]2 auch nur von ferne
Dein Ton zu mir sich her,
[Behorch']3 ich ihn so gerne,
Vergess' ich ihn so schwer.

Ich bebe dann, [entglimme]4
Von allzu rascher Glut:
Mein Herz und deine Stimme
Verstehn sich gar zu gut!

Let me read deep within you -
Do not conceal this from me either -
What kind of a magical spirit
Speaks through your voice.

So many words assail
Our ears without design
And when they have died away,
Nothing remains!

But if even from a distance
The sound of your voice finds its way to me,
I listen to it so gladly,
I find it so difficult to forget.

I tremble then, come alight
With all too rapid ardour;
My heart and your voice
Understand each other too well!

Text Authorship:

• Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2008 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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Based on:

• a text in German (Deutsch) by August von Platen-Hallermünde (1796 - 1835), no title, appears in Gedichte, in Romanzen und Jugendlieder, no. 14
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Translated titles:
"Mein Herz und deine Stimme" = "My heart and your voice"
"An die Geliebte" = "To the beloved"
"Die Stimme der Geliebten" = "The voice of the beloved"
"Ihre Stimme"= "Her voice"

This text was added to the website: 2008-09-03
Line count: 16
Word count: 88

Es [hüllt]1 der dunkle Wald uns ein;
  Die Ruder plätschern matt und leise; 
Kaum, daß von oben noch herein
  Der Mond bescheint die stille Reise.

Die Blume träumt in stiller Pracht,
  Es singen leis die schönen Frauen --
Wer möchte wohl nach solcher Nacht
  Noch wünschen je den Tag zu schauen!

The dark forest encloses us;
  The oars splash tiredly and quietly;
From on high the moon hardly
  Shines upon our quiet journey any longer.
 
The flower dreams in quiet splendour,
  The beautiful women sing softly --
After such a night as this, who would
  Yet wish ever to see day!

Text Authorship:

• Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2015 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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Based on:

• a text in German (Deutsch) by Alexander Kaufmann (1817 - 1893), "In der Bucht", appears in Gedichte, in 1. Lieder, first published 1852
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This text was added to the website: 2015-06-09
Line count: 8
Word count: 49

Auf einsam hohen Thurme
In trüber Nebelnacht,
Umbraust vom Wintersturme
Halt ich die stille Wacht.
Des Lebens Sturm Gebrause
Berührt nicht meine Klause
Mit Lust und Sorg’ und Leid.
Welt, o Welt! Wie liegst du so weit!

O sonst in wilden Strudel
Riss mich die Ungeduld;
Mir quoll des Lebens Sprudel,
Mich lockte Frauenhuld.
Das alles ist verdorben
Seit ich vor Liebe gestorben
In träumender Einsamkeit.
Welt, o Welt! Wie liegst du so weit!

Merlin ist fest gebunden 
Durch grauses Zauberwort,
Von Minnespruch umwunden
In Waldes stillstem Ort.
Es zeugt, dass er noch lebet,
Sein Lied nur das durchschwebet
Die Forsten weit und breit.
Welt, o Welt! Wie liegst du so weit!

I keep watch
On the lonely high tower
In the dark night
Surrounded by wintry storms.
The storm of life
Does not touch me,
No more happiness, sorrows or pain.
World, o World! You are so big!

I used to get excited
By the wildness of life;
I used to be enthusiastic
Attracted by the women’s charm.
This is all over now
Since I have died from loving pain
In dreaming loneliness.
World, o World! You are so big!

Merlin is bonded tightly
By an evil spell,
Embraced by loving whispers
In the quiet forest.
People say he is still alive,
His song travels
Through the forests everywhere.
World, o World! You are so big!

Text Authorship:

• Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2014 by Anja Bunzel, (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 (Johann) Gottfried Kinkel (1815 - 1882)
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This text was added to the website: 2014-07-24
Line count: 24
Word count: 115