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English translations of Sechs Lieder, opus 19

by Johanna Kinkel (1810 - 1858)

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1. Die Mandoline
 (Sung text)
by Johanna Kinkel (1810 - 1858), "Die Mandoline", op. 19 (Sechs Lieder) no. 1 (1848), published 1848 [ alto or baritone and piano ], Cöln, Schloss
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich bin der Mandoline gleich,
Die dort im Saal vergessen steht;
An wunderbaren Klange reich,
Der tief zu Herzen geht.
 
Doch alles bleibt in ihrer Brust,
Der Lieder reiche Zauberglut,
Und alles Weh, und alle Lust,
Denn ach, ihr Meister ruht.

Text Authorship:

  • by Wilhelm Seibt (1823 - 1891?1904)

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by Wilhelm Seibt (1823 - 1891?1904)
1. The mandolin
Language: English 
I feel like a forgotten mandolin
That has been left in the hall;
Rich in wonderful sounds
Reaching the heart.

But all the sounds stay in its body,
The rich magic of the songs,
And all pain, and all desire,
Ach, its player rests.

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 Wilhelm Seibt (1823 - 1891?1904)
    • Go to the text page.

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This text was added to the website: 2014-07-25
Line count: 8
Word count: 44

Translation © by Anja Bunzel
2. Durch Carthages Trümmerhallen
 (Sung text)
by Johanna Kinkel (1810 - 1858), "Durch Carthages Trümmerhallen", op. 19 (Sechs Lieder) no. 2, published 1848 [ alto or baritone and piano ], Cöln, Schloss
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Durch Carthago’s Trümmerhallen
Suchend bin ich umgeschweift;
Wo in heissem Mittagwallen
Voll die gold’ne Ernte reift.
Und ich sah wie bunt zum Kranze
Meer und Erde sich verflicht
Unter klarem Himmelsglanze
Aber ach, ihn fand ich nicht.

Durch Egyptens reiche Fluren
Zog ich an dem Pilgerstab;
Alter Grösse heil’ge Spuren 
Trägt manch prächtig Königsgrab.
Auf den Pyramiden leuchtet 
Unbewölkt der Sonne Licht,
Weit der Strom das Land befeuchtet
Aber ach, ihn fand ich nicht!

Canaan! zu süsser Labe 
Deinen Grund betrat ich nun,
Wo an des Erlösers Grabe
Alle Erdensorgen ruhn.
Gläubig bin ich hingesunken
Auf mein flammend Angesicht,
Himmelslust hab’ ich getrunken
Aber ach, ihn fand ich nicht!

Text Authorship:

  • by (Johann) Gottfried Kinkel (1815 - 1882)

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by (Johann) Gottfried Kinkel (1815 - 1882)
2. Over Carthage’s battlefields
Language: English 
Over Carthage’s battlefields
I rambled searching;
Where the golden corn
Ripens in the hot midday’s sun.
I saw how sea and earth
Merge to a colourful collar,
Beneath the clear sky
But ach, I did not find him. 

I pilgrimaged through
Egypt’s rich landscape;
Some glorious tombs
Host the sacred traces of old heroes.
The sunlight shines
On the pyramids,
The river waters the land
But ach, I did not find him!

Cannan! I entered your ground
For the sake of a sweet balm,
Where all sorrows rest
At the savior’s tomb.
I kneeled down onto
My flaming face,
I felt relief
But ach, I did not find him!

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)
    • Go to the text page.

Go to the general single-text view


This text was added to the website: 2014-07-25
Line count: 24
Word count: 109

Translation © by Anja Bunzel
3. Liebesmacht
 (Sung text)
by Johanna Kinkel (1810 - 1858), "Liebesmacht", op. 19 (Sechs Lieder) no. 3, published 1848 [ alto or baritone and piano ], Cöln, Schloss
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Das Bächlein magst du dämmen 
wenn überschwillt die Fluth;
Gebietend magst du hemmen
Der Flammen rothe Gluth.
Den Falken magst du zähmen, 
Des Adlers Schwinge lähmen;
Doch eigen stilles Denken,
Und Herz und Liebe lenken
Ach, das vermagst du nicht.

Dem fernen Thal vertraust du 
Kein Samenstäubchen an;
Und doch im Lenze schaust du
Voll Blumen reich den Plan.
So keimt aus Herzensgrunde
Die holde Liebeskunde;
Der Rosen Fülle wecken, 
Und dann mit Schnee sie decken,
Nein, das vermagst du nicht.

Text Authorship:

  • by (Johann) Gottfried Kinkel (1815 - 1882)

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by (Johann) Gottfried Kinkel (1815 - 1882)
3. The power of love
Language: English 
You will dam the stream
If it is flooded;
You will put out the red glow
Of the flames.
You will tame the hawk,
You will lame the eagle’s wings,
But, ach, you cannot
Think quietly and lead
Your love and your heart. 

You do not resign a single grain of sand
To the remote valley;
And yet you will look at all the flowers
In the springtime.
Deep from the heart, springs
The graceful love;
But, ach, you cannot
Discover the wealth of the rose
And cover the rose with snow.

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)
    • Go to the text page.

Go to the general single-text view


This text was added to the website: 2014-07-25
Line count: 18
Word count: 92

Translation © by Anja Bunzel
4. Beduinen‑Romanze
 (Sung text)
by Johanna Kinkel (1810 - 1858), "Beduinen-Romanze", op. 19 (Sechs Lieder) no. 4 (1848), published 1848 [ alto or baritone and piano ], Cöln, Schloss
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Vorwärts mit des Vogels Fluge,
Fort!, fort, mein Roß in Sturmesflucht!
Denn gemordet liegt der Feind
Drunten in der Felsenschlucht.
Halala leila halala!
 
Mondlicht zittert! In der Wüste
Bäumt ein Schatten sich empor.
Und die Stute beißt den Zaum,
Schaudert, schnaubt und spitzt das Ohr.
Halala leila halala!
 
Jussuf senkt die Lanzenspitze
Spornt das Tier mit aller Macht.
Doch der Schatten unbewegt
Steht im Weg ihm da und lacht
Halala leila halala!
 
Rückwärts wendet sich die Stute,
Braust dahin in Sturmesflucht,
Und der Mörder liegt zerschellt
Bei dem Feind in tiefer Schlucht.
Halala leila halala!

Text Authorship:

  • by (Johann) Gottfried Kinkel (1815 - 1882)

Go to the general single-text view

by (Johann) Gottfried Kinkel (1815 - 1882)
4. Bedouins’ romance
Language: English 
Ahead with the bird’s flight,
Ahead!, ahead, my horse in stormy escape!
Because the murdered enemy lies
Down there in the rocky gorge.
Halala leila halala!

Moonlight is shaking! In the desert
A shadow is approaching.
And the mare bites the bridle,
It shudders, snuffles and strains its ears.
Halala leila halala!

Yusuf lowers the lancehead
With a vengeance, he cheers up the animal.
But motionless, the shadow
Stands in his way and laughs.
Halala leila halala!

The mare turns backwards
Blusters in stormy escape.
And the shattered murdere lies
Besides the enemy in the rocky gorge.
Halala leila halala!

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)
    • Go to the text page.

Go to the general single-text view


This text was added to the website: 2014-07-25
Line count: 20
Word count: 100

Translation © by Anja Bunzel
5. Abschied  [sung text not yet checked]
by Johanna Kinkel (1810 - 1858), "Abschied", op. 19 (Sechs Lieder) no. 5, published 1848 [ alto or baritone and piano ], Cöln, Schloss
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Schöne Wiege meiner Leiden,
schönes Grabmal meiner Ruh',
schöne Stadt, wir müssen scheiden, -
Lebe wohl! ruf' ich dir zu.

Lebe wohl, du heil'ge Schwelle,
wo da wandelt Liebchen traut;
lebe wohl! du heil'ge Stelle, 
wo ich sie zuerst geschaut.

Hätt' ich dich doch nie [gesehen]1,
schöne Herzenskönigin!
Nimmer wär' es dann geschehen,
daß ich jetzt so elend bin.

Nie wollt' ich dein Herze rühren,
Liebe hab' ich nie erfleht;
nur ein stilles Leben führen
wollt' ich, wo dein Odem weht.

Doch du drängst mich selbst von hinnen,
bittre Worte spricht dein Mund;
Wahnsinn wühlt in meinen Sinnen,
und mein Herz ist krank und wund.

Und die Glieder matt und träge
schlepp' ich fort am Wanderstab,
bis mein müdes Haupt ich lege
ferne in ein kühles Grab.

Text Authorship:

  • by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856), no title, appears in Buch der Lieder, in Junge Leiden, in Lieder, no. 5

See other settings of this text.

View original text (without footnotes)
1 Schumann: "gesehn"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
5. Pretty cradle of my sorrows
Language: English 
 Pretty cradle of my sorrows,
 pretty tombstone of my rest,
 pretty town - we must part, -
 farewell! I call to you.
 
 Farewell, you holy threshhold,
 across which my darling would tread;
 farewell! you sacred spot
 where I first saw her.
 
 Would that I had never seen you,
 lovely queen of my heart!
 Never would it then have happened,
 that I would now be so wretched.
 
 I never wished to touch your heart,
 I never begged for love;
 all I wished was to lead a quiet life
 where your breath could stir me.
 
 Yet you yourself pushed me away from you,
 with bitter words at your lips;
 Madness filled my senses,
 and my heart is sick and wounded.
 
 And my limbs are heavy and sluggish;
 I'll drag myself forward, leaning on my staff, 
 until I can lay my weary head 
 in a cool and distant grave. 

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 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.
    licenses@email.lieder.example.net

Based on:

  • a text in German (Deutsch) by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856), no title, appears in Buch der Lieder, in Junge Leiden, in Lieder, no. 5
    • Go to the text page.

Go to the general single-text view


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 24
Word count: 145

Translation © by Emily Ezust
6. Thurm und Fluth
 (Sung text)
by Johanna Kinkel (1810 - 1858), "Thurm und Fluth", op. 19 (Sechs Lieder) no. 6 (1848), published 1848 [ alto or baritone and piano ], Cöln, Schloss
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Auf starkem Klippenrande
Raget ein starker Thurm
Weitschauend über die Lande,
Und trotzt so stolz dem Sturm.
   Unten so dumpf und schwer
   Wälzt sich das ew'ge Meer;
Die Wogen kennen nicht Rast noch Ruh,
Sie wühlen und spülen immerzu.

Was frommt, o Flut, dein Tollen?
Dein tausendjährig Drohn?
Es spricht ja deinem Rollen
Der feste Zwinger Hohn!
    ... 
   Stolz noch das Schloß sich bläht,
   Well' an Welle vergeht --
Die Wogen kennen nicht Rast noch Ruh,
Sie wühlen und spülen immerzu.

Da kommt die Nacht. Es stürmen
Vom West die Geister her;
Da hebt sich empor zu Thürmen
Das stille, das ewige Meer.
   Tief in die Luken zischt
   Weiß und wüthig der Gischt--
Die Wogen kennen nicht Rast noch Ruh,
Sie wühlen und spülen immerzu.

Die ihr vertraut den Riffen:
Bebt, die ihr droben haust!
Die Flut hat euch ergriffen
Mit tausendfingriger Faust.
   Just um die Mitternacht
   Berstend der Thurm zerkracht --
Die Wogen kennen nicht Rast noch Ruh,
Sie wühlen und spülen immerzu.

Text Authorship:

  • by (Johann) Gottfried Kinkel (1815 - 1882), "Thurm und Fluth", written 1846, appears in Gedichte, in Bilder aus Welt und Vorzeit

Go to the general single-text view

Modernized spelling would change "Thurm" to "Turm", "Fluth" to "Flut", "Abendroth" to "Abendrot", "Todmuthig" to "Todmutig", and "wüthig" to "wütig"

by (Johann) Gottfried Kinkel (1815 - 1882)
6. Tower and floodwaters
Language: English 
Upon a [sharp]1 cliff edge
There looms a strong tower
That gazes far across the land,
And defies the storm so proudly.
   Below so dully and heavily
   Rolls the eternal sea;
The waves know neither rest nor repose,
They moil and swirl without end.

Of what use is, oh floodwaters, your agitation?
Your thousand-year-long threatening?
Your rolling waves are mocked
By the sturdy ward [of the castle]!
   From early morning until sunset,
   You [waves] break yourself into death;
The waves know neither rest nor repose,
They moil and swirl without end.

Valiant unto death, wave after wave
Shatters its curly head,
And has only managed to steal
A grain of sand from that place.
   Proudly the castle still stands,
   Wave upon wave passes away --
The waves know neither rest nor repose,
They moil and swirl without end.

Then comes the night.  From the west
The spirits storm forth;
Then the still, eternal sea lifts itself
Up to the height of the towers.
   Deep into the crevices hisses
   The spume, whitely and furiously --
The waves know neither rest nor repose,
They moil and swirl without end.

[You have]2 placed your trust in the reefs:
Tremble, you who live above!
The floodwaters have seized you
With a thousand-fingered fist.
   Precisely at midnight
   The tower cracks asunder --
The waves know neither rest nor repose,
They moil and swirl without end.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2013 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 (Johann) Gottfried Kinkel (1815 - 1882), "Thurm und Fluth", written 1846, appears in Gedichte, in Bilder aus Welt und Vorzeit
    • Go to the text page.

Go to the general single-text view

View original text (without footnotes)
1 J. Kinkel: "mighty"
2 J. Kinkel: "Those of you who"


This text was added to the website: 2013-07-31
Line count: 40
Word count: 229

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
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