English translations of Zwei Lieder für 1 Mittelstimme mit Pianoforte, opus 137

by Friedrich [Fritz] Kirchner (1840 - 1907)

1. Die ganze Welt ist viel zu gross  [sung text not yet checked]
by Friedrich [Fritz] Kirchner (1840 - 1907), "Die ganze Welt ist viel zu gross", op. 137 (Zwei Lieder für 1 Mittelstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 1, published 1886 [ medium voice and piano ], Oldenburg, Hintzen
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Die ganze Welt ist viel zu groß,
Sie an ein Herz zu fassen;
Dazu genugt nur Gottes Schoß,
Dem bleibt es überlassen;
Ein Menschenherz ist viel zu klein,
Um liebend sich der Welt zu weihn.

Du mußt an eine treue Brust
[Insonders]1 hin dich neigen,
Ihr alle deine Liebeslust
Ausschließlich geben eigen;
Wer so ein Herz am Herzen halt,
Der liebt in Ihm die ganze Welt.

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Note: sometimes published without a title
1 when published without a title, "Besonders"

by Friedrich Rückert (1788 - 1866)
1. The entire world is much too large
Language: English 
The entire world is much too large
For any heart to embrace;
Only God’s bosom is large enough for that,
So it is left up to Him;
The heart of a man is far too small
To pledge itself lovingly to the world.

You must chiefly lean upon
A breast that is faithful;
Give all of the love in your heart
Completely to it;
They who hold such a heart to their own,
May, through it, love the whole world.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2025 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 titles:
"Die ganze Welt" = "The entire world"
"Die ganze Welt ist viel zu groß" = "The entire world is much too large"
"Die ganze Welt ist viel zu gross" = "The entire world is much too large"
"Ihr Herz die Welt" = "Your heart the world"
"Liebe im Kleinen" = "Love in little things"



This text was added to the website: 2025-10-28
Line count: 12
Word count: 80

Translation © by Michael P Rosewall
2. Vöglein, wohin so schnell!   [sung text not yet checked]
by Friedrich [Fritz] Kirchner (1840 - 1907), "Vöglein, wohin so schnell! ", op. 137 (Zwei Lieder für 1 Mittelstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 2, published 1886 [ medium voice and piano ], Oldenburg, Hintzen
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Vöglein, wohin so schnell?
„Nach Norden, nach Norden!
Dort scheint die [Sonne]1 [nun so]2 hell,
Dort ist's nun Frühling [worden]3.“

O Vöglein mit den Flügeln bunt,
Und wenn du kommst zum Lindengrund,
Zum Hause meiner [Lieben]4,
Dann sag' ihr, daß ich Tag und Nacht
Von ihr geträumt, an sie gedacht,
Und daß ich treu geblieben.

Und die Blumen im Thal,
Grüss tausend, tausendmal!

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Confirmed with Gedichte von Emanuel Geibel, Zutphen, Thieme'sche Buchhandlung, 1873, pages 59-60.

1 Henkel: "Sonn'"
2 Thuille: "so"
3 Franz, Keller, Thuille: "geworden"
4 Franz, Heidingsfeld, Keller: "Liebe"; Thuille: "Liebsten"

by Emanuel von Geibel (1815 - 1884)
2. Little bird, where are you going so quickly?
Language: English 
 Little bird, where are you going so quickly?
 "To the north, to the north!
 There the sun is shining now so brightly,
 and there it has already become springtime."
 O little bird with colorful wings,
 when you come to the valley of linden trees,
 to the house of my beloved,
 tell her that day and night
 I dream about her and think about her,
 and that I have remained faithful.
 And to the flowers in the valley,
 greet them a thousand times!

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.


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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 83

Translation © by Emily Ezust