English translations of Zehn Lieder, opus 1

by Theodor Fürchtegott Kirchner (1823 - 1903)

1. Sie sagen: es wäre die Liebe
 (Sung text)
by Theodor Fürchtegott Kirchner (1823 - 1903), "Sie sagen: es wäre die Liebe", op. 1 (Zehn Lieder) no. 1, published 1842 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Whistling
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich kann die Sprache der Sterne,
die Sprache der Rosen verstehn,
ich hab' mein Täubchen so gerne,
ich weiß nicht, wie mir geschehn.
Was mir aus jedem Wölkchen lacht,
zu schön, als daß ich's beschriebe,
was mich so froh, so selig macht,
sie sagen: es wäre die Liebe.
 
Mir träumte im schwellenden Grase
vom gold'nen Schmetterling,
von einer Seifenblase,
die farbig am Halme hing.
Was mich träumen läßt bei Tag und Nacht,
zu süß, als daß ich's beschriebe,
was in mir schläft, was in mir wacht,
sie sagen: es wäre die Liebe.
 
Sie lächelten hüben und drüben,
sie deuteten meinen Traum,
sie flüsterten drüben und hüben:
ich selbst sei der farbige Schaum.
Was mich so fromm, so gläubig macht,
zu sehr, als daß ich's beschriebe,
was mir den Himmel zurück gebracht,
sie sagen: es wäre die Liebe.
 
Der Halm, um den ich gegaukelt,
einen Jüngling von fernem Ort,
von Sturme hergeschaukelt,
vom Sturme getragen fort.
Was mich beängstigt Tag und Nacht,
zu sehr, als daß ich's beschriebe,
was mich so still, so traurig macht,
sie sagen: es wäre die Liebe.

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by Karl Isidor Beck (1817 - 1879)
1.
[Translation not yet available]
2. Leise zieht durch mein Gemüt  [sung text not yet checked]
by Theodor Fürchtegott Kirchner (1823 - 1903), "Leise zieht durch mein Gemüt", op. 1 (Zehn Lieder) no. 2, published 1842 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Whistling
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Leise [zieht]1 durch mein Gemüth
Liebliches Geläute.
Klinge, kleines Frühlingslied,
Kling' hinaus in's Weite.

[Kling']2 hinaus bis an das Haus,
Wo die [Blumen]3 sprießen.
Wenn du eine Rose schaust,
Sag' ich lass' sie grüßen.

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Confirmed with Neue Gedichte von Heinrich Heine, Zehnte Auflage, Hamburg, Hoffmann und Campe, 1871, page 10.

Note: modern German would change the spelling "Gemüth" to "Gemüt"

1 Quiteria: "klingt"; further changes may exist not shown above.
2 Grieg: "Zieh"
3 Behrens, Gade, Grieg, Urspruch, Zenger: "Veilchen"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
2. Sweet chimes are softly filling my soul
Language: English 
Sweet chimes are softly
filling my soul;
Ring, little springtime-song
Ring out: far and wide.

Go forward till you reach the house,
where the violets bloom;
And if you see a rose,
give her my greetings.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Marty Lucas, (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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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 8
Word count: 36

Translation © by Marty Lucas
3. Sie weiß es nicht
 (Sung text)
by Theodor Fürchtegott Kirchner (1823 - 1903), "Sie weiß es nicht", op. 1 (Zehn Lieder) no. 3, published 1842 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Whistling
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Sie weiß es nicht, wie ich mich wiege 
  In Träumen von ihr, 
Und auf der Sehnsucht Schwingen fliege 
  Wachend zu ihr, 
Und wie ich immer flüstre und kose
  Und rede mit ihr, 
Und stehen bleibe vor jeder Rose
  Als stünd' ich vor ihr; 
Wie all mein Sehnen, mein Verlangen 
  Strebet nach ihr, 
Und Alles mir ist aufgegangen 
  Einzig in ihr.

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by August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben (1798 - 1874)
3. She knows it not
Language: English 
She knows it not, as I sway,
in reverie of her,
and because of that longing soar,
waking, to her,
and as always I whisper and caress
and talk to her,
and remain standing before each rose,
as though I stood before her;
as all my longing, my desire
strive after her,
and everything in me is bound up
only in her.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by John H. Campbell, (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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With some corrections and changes to the translation suggested by John W. Grubbs


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 62

Translation © by John H. Campbell
4. Frühlingslied
 (Sung text)
by Theodor Fürchtegott Kirchner (1823 - 1903), "Frühlingslied", op. 1 (Zehn Lieder) no. 4, published 1842 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Whistling
Language: German (Deutsch) 
In dem Walde sprießt und grünt es
Fast jüngfräulich lustbeklommen;
Doch die Sonne lacht herunter:
Junger Frühling, sei willkommen!

Nachtigall! auch dich schon hör' ich,
Wie du flötest selig trübe
Schluchzend langgezogne Töne,
Und dein Lied ist lauter Liebe!

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Confirmed with: Heinrich Heine’s sämtliche Werke in vier Bänden, herausgegeben von Otto F. Lachmann, Erster Band, Leipzig: Druck und Verlag von Philipp Reclam jun, [1887], page 240.

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
4. Spring song
Language: English 
In the forest it blooms and greens
almost virginally full of desire;
yet the sun laughs down:
young Spring, welcome!

Nightingale, I already hear
how you sing, blissfully sad,
long, sobbing tones,
and your song is pure love!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by John W. Grubbs, (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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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 8
Word count: 38

Translation © by John W. Grubbs
5. Erster Verlust  [sung text not yet checked]
by Theodor Fürchtegott Kirchner (1823 - 1903), "Erster Verlust", op. 1 (Zehn Lieder) no. 5, published 1842 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Whistling
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ach wer bringt die schönen Tage,
Jene Tage der ersten Liebe,
Ach wer bringt nur eine Stunde
Jener holden Zeit zurück!

Einsam nähr' ich meine Wunde
Und mit stets erneuter Klage
Traur' ich [um's verlorne]1 Glück.

Ach, wer bringt die schönen Tage,
[Jene holde Zeit zurück!]2

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Confirmed with Goethe's Werke, Vollständige Ausgabe letzter Hand, Erster Band, Stuttgart und Tübingen, in der J.G.Cottaschen Buchhandlung, 1827, page 63; and with Goethe's Schriften. Achter Band. Leipzig, bey Georg Joachim Göschen, 1789, page 113.

First written 1785 by Goethe for his fragmentary Singspiel "Die ungleichen Hausgenossen" (Arie der Baronesse, Act II), with different stanzas 2 and 3.

1 Nägeli: "um verlornes"
2 Damcke: "Jener holden Zeit zurück"; Schubert: "Wer jene holde Zeit zurück!"; Medtner, Zelter: "Wer bringt die holde, süße, liebe Zeit zurück?"

by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832)
5. First loss
Language: English 
Ah, who will bring back those beautiful days -
those days of first love?
Ah, who will bring back even just one hour
of that lovely time?

Lonely, I nourish my wound
and with constantly renewed laments,
I mourn my lost happiness.

Ah, who will bring back those beautiful days -
that lovely time?

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: 9
Word count: 52

Translation © by Emily Ezust
6. Frühlingslied  [sung text not yet checked]
by Theodor Fürchtegott Kirchner (1823 - 1903), "Frühlingslied", op. 1 (Zehn Lieder) no. 6, published 1842 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Whistling
Language: German (Deutsch) 
  Die blauen Frühlingsaugen
Schau'n aus dem Gras [hervor]1;
Das sind die [lieben]2 Veilchen,
Die [ich]3 zum Strauß erkor.

  Ich pflücke sie und denke,
Und die Gedanken all,
Die mir im Herzen seufzen,
Singt laut die Nachtigall.

  [Ja,]4 was ich denke, singt sie
[Lautschmetternd]5, daß es schallt;
Mein [zärtliches]6 Geheimnis
Weiß schon der ganze Wald.

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Confirmed with: Heinrich Heine’s sämtliche Werke in vier Bänden, herausgegeben von Otto F. Lachmann, Erster Band, Leipzig: Druck und Verlag von Philipp Reclam jun, [1887], page 243

1 Decker: "empor"
2 Methfessel: "blauen"
3 Franz: "ich mir"
4 Decker: "Und"
5 Franz, Methfessel, Thuille: "Und schmettert"
6 Franz: "zärtlich süß"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
6. Spring song
Language: English 
  The blue eyes of spring 
Peep [forth]1 from the grass;
Those are the [dear]2 violets
That I chose for a bouquet.

  I pick them and I ponder,
And all of the thoughts
That are sighing within my heart,
The nightingale sings them loudly.

  [Yes,]3 what I'm thinking, [the nightingale] sings
[Like a loud]4 clarion, so that it resounds;
My most tender secret
Is already known to the whole wood.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2018 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 title(s):
"Frühlingslied II" = "Spring song II"
"Schubert" = "Schubert"
"Im Frühling" = "In spring"
"Verratene Liebe" = "Revealed love"
"Das verrathene Geheimniss" = "The revealed secret"
"Frühlingslied" = "Spring song"
"Neuer Frühling" = "New spring"
"Die blauen Frühlingsaugen schau'n aus dem Gras hervor" = "The blue eyes of spring peep forth from the grass"
"Lautes Geheimnis" = "Open secret"
"Verratene Liebe: Duett" = "Revealed love: duet"
"Das Veilchen" = "The violet"
"Die blauen Frühlingsaugen" = "The blue eyes of spring"
"Frühlingsaugen" = "Eyes of spring"
"Duett" = "Duet"

1 von Decker "up"
2 Methfessel "blue"
3 von Decker "And"
4 Methfessel "And like a"


This text was added to the website: 2018-04-16
Line count: 12
Word count: 74

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
7. Der Mond und Sie  [sung text not yet checked]
by Theodor Fürchtegott Kirchner (1823 - 1903), "Der Mond und Sie", op. 1 (Zehn Lieder) no. 7, published 1842 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Whistling
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wie ist so ruhig, klar und rein
Dein liebes Angesicht,
So wie im Lenz der Mondenschein
Ein träumerisches Licht!

Ich gehe Nächtens nie allein,
Dein holdes Bild geht mit,
Und selbst der Mond in hellem Schein
Hält mit mir Tritt und Schritt.

Doch geh' ich in mein Kämmerlein
Und drück' die Augen zu,
So schwindet zwar der Mondenschein,
Doch, Liebchen, niemals du.

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by Julius Mosen (1803 - 1867)
7. The Moon and Her
Language: English 
How calm, clear, and pure
Thy dearest face appears!
As much so as the moon's glow
In spring dreamily lights our way!

I never go alone by night,
but your fair image attends me,
and the moon, shining ever brightly
keeps pace with me alone.

But still I go back to my chamber,
and compel mine eyes to close.
So it is that the moonlight fades,
But, dearest, you never shall.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2020 by Andrew Schneider, (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):
"Der Mond und Sie" = "The Moon and Her"
"Wie ist so ruhig" = "How calm"



This text was added to the website: 2020-03-28
Line count: 12
Word count: 71

Translation © by Andrew Schneider
8. Da drüben über'm Walde
 (Sung text)
by Theodor Fürchtegott Kirchner (1823 - 1903), "Da drüben über'm Walde", op. 1 (Zehn Lieder) no. 8, published 1842 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Whistling
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Da drüben über'm Walde
Da singt ein Vogel schön,
Da drüben an dem Bache
Seh' ich ein Rehlein geh'n,
Da drüben!
 
Und wo der Vogel singet
Und wo das Rehlein geht,
Da drüben bei den Tannen
Der Liebsten Hütte steht,
Da drüben!
 
Möcht' mit dem Vogel singen,
Möcht' mit dem Rehlein geh'n,
Da drüben heimlich lauschend
Durch's kleine Fenster seh'n,
Da drüben!

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by Julius Mosen (1803 - 1867)
8. Down yonder o'er the forest
Language: English 
Down yonder o'er the forest
there sings a radiant bird,
down yonder by the streamlet
I see a young doe walk,
down yonder! down yonder!
 
And where the bird doth sing
and where the doe doth walk
down yonder by the fir trees
the hut of my dearest stands,
down yonder! down yonder!
 
Would I could sing with the birds
Would I could walk with the does,
down yonder list'ning in secret
glancing through windows small.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2008 by Harry Joelson, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you must ask the copyright-holder(s) directly for permission. If you receive no response, you must consider it a refusal.

    Harry Joelson.  Contact: harry (DOT) joelson (AT) sunrise (DOT) ch

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This text was added to the website: 2008-01-18
Line count: 14
Word count: 76

Translation © by Harry Joelson
9. Frühlingsgedränge  [sung text not yet checked]
by Theodor Fürchtegott Kirchner (1823 - 1903), "Frühlingsgedränge", op. 1 (Zehn Lieder) no. 9, published 1842 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Whistling
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich lieb' eine Blume, doch weiß ich nicht welche;
Das macht mir Schmerz.
Ich schau' in alle Blumenkelche
Und such' ein Herz.

Es duften die Blumen im Abendscheine,
Die Nachtigall schlägt.
Ich such' ein Herz, so schön [wie]1 das meine,
So schön bewegt.

Die Nachtigall schlägt, und ich verstehe
Den süßen Gesang:
Uns beiden ist so bang' und wehe,
So weh und bang.

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1 Rosenhain: "als"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
9. I love a flower
Language: English 
I love a flower, if 'tis requited, I know not,
that gives me pain.
I look into all flower-blooms
and seek a heart.

Flowers are fragrant in the evening-light;
the nightingale sings,
I search for a heart, as beautiful as mine,
that moves as beautifully.

The nightingale sings, and I understand
the sweet song:
we're both so anxious and sad,
so sad and anxious.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by John H. Campbell, (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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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 64

Translation © by John H. Campbell
10. Frühlingslied  [sung text not yet checked]
by Theodor Fürchtegott Kirchner (1823 - 1903), "Frühlingslied", op. 1 (Zehn Lieder) no. 10, published 1842 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Whistling
Language: German (Deutsch) 
  Die schönen Augen der Frühlingsnacht,
[Sie schauen]1 so tröstend [nieder]2:
Hat dich die Liebe so kleinlich gemacht,
Die Liebe, sie hebt dich wieder.

  Auf grüner Linde sitzt und singt
Die süße Philomele;
Wie mir das Lied zur Seele dringt,
So dehnt sich wieder die Seele.

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Confirmed with: Heinrich Heine’s sämtliche Werke in vier Bänden, herausgegeben von Otto F. Lachmann, Erster Band, Leipzig: Druck und Verlag von Philipp Reclam jun, [1887], page 240.

1 Hanslick: "Schauen"
2 Hanslick: "hernieder"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
10. Spring Song
Language: English 
The beauteous eyes of a spring night
look so consolingly below upon thee.
Love, that has acted so shabbily with thee,
yet again holds thee in thrall.

Sweet Philomela perches and sings
upon the green linden branches.
My soul blossoms forth with new vigor
once her song enters within.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2020 by Andrew Schneider, (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):
"... (Aus Heines neuern Frühling)" = "(From Heine's New Spring)"
"Die schönen Augen" = "Beauteous Eyes"
"Die schönen Augen der Frühlingsnacht" = "The Beauteous Eyes of a Spring Night"
"Frühlingslied" = "Spring Song"



This text was added to the website: 2020-03-28
Line count: 8
Word count: 49

Translation © by Andrew Schneider