English translations of Zehn Gesänge für 1 Singstimme mit Pianoforte, opus 53

by Arno Kleffel (1840 - 1913)

1. Thautropfen und Quell  [sung text not yet checked]
by Arno Kleffel (1840 - 1913), "Thautropfen und Quell", op. 53 (Zehn Gesänge für 1 Singstimme mit Pianoforte), Heft 1 no. 1, published 1897 [ voice and piano ], Berlin: A. Deneke
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Es glich dem Maienthaue 
Vor Zeiten meine Lieb;
An jeder Blume der Aue
Ein Tropfen haften blieb.
Und kann die Sonne gezogen
Am blauen Himmelsrund,
Der Thau ward aufgesogen
Von ihrem heissen Mund.

Nun gleicht dem Quell mein Minnen,
Der hat der Tropfen viel,
Und seine Wellen rinnen
Zu einem einz'gen Ziel.
Sie rauschen leise Lieder
Der schlanken Weide am Rain,
Sie neigt sich lauschend nieder. --
Ach Lieb, wann wirst du mein?

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Confirmed with Rudolf Baumbach, Spielmannslieder, Leipzig: Verlag von A. G. Liebeskind, 1883, page 75.


by Rudolph Baumbach (1840 - 1905)
1. Dewdrop and water-spring
Language: English 
In the past my loving
Was like the dew of May;
A droplet would cling
To every flower in the meadow.
And if the sun came along
The blue dome of heaven,
The dew would be sucked up
By the sun's fervent lips.

Now my loving is like the water-spring
That has many droplets,
And its waves run
Toward only one goal.
They sough quiet songs
To the slender willow at the marge,
It bends down, listening. --
Ah love, when shall you be mine?

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2022 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):
"Es glich dem Maienthaue" = "Like the dew of May"
"Thautropfen und Quell" = "Dewdrop and water-spring"



This text was added to the website: 2022-06-15
Line count: 16
Word count: 84

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
2. Märzenwind  [sung text not yet checked]
by Arno Kleffel (1840 - 1913), "Märzenwind", op. 53 (Zehn Gesänge für 1 Singstimme mit Pianoforte), Heft 1 no. 2, published 1897 [ voice and piano ], Berlin: A. Deneke
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Kühl war die Märzenluft, heiss war mein Blut.
Wind kam geflogen und nahm mir den Hut. 

Über den Gartenzaun ward er geweht.
Dort hat gefunden ihn Nachbars Margareth,

Hat ihm die Erde geblasen vom Rand
Und ihm ein Veilchen gesteckt unter's Band,

Warf ihn herüber mir ohne ein Wort.
Als ich ihr danken wollt', war sie schon fort. 

Nun muss ich täglich am Gartenzaun steh'n,
Wart' auf den Wind, doch der Wind will nicht weh'n. 

Gretchen auch schau' ich durch's Gartenstacket,
Aber nicht einmal den Blondkopf sie dreht. 

Hilft mir der Wind nicht, so werf' ich hinein
Selber den Hut ihr und steig' hinterdrein!

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Confirmed with Rudolf Baumbach, Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen, Leipzig: Verlag von A. G. Liebeskind, 1885, pages 113-114.

Note: in many older editions, the spelling of the capitalized word "über" becomes "Ueber", but this is often due to the printing process and not to rules of orthography, since the lower-case version is not "ueber", so we use "Über".


by Rudolph Baumbach (1840 - 1905)
2. March wind
Language: English 
The air of March was cool, my blood was heated.
The wind came flying along and took my hat.

It was blown over the garden fence.
There our neighbour's Margareth found it.

She blew the dirt off its brim
And tucked a violet under the hatband,

Without a word, she tossed it over to me.
When I wanted to thank her, she was already gone.

Daily now I am forced to stand at the garden fence,
Waiting for the wind, but the wind does not blow.

I see Gretchen, too, through the pickets,
But she never even turns her blonde head [my way].

If the wind will not help me, I shall myself
Throw my hat over to her and climb over after it!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2020 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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This text was added to the website: 2020-02-03
Line count: 14
Word count: 124

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
3. Schlehenblüthe  [sung text not yet checked]
by Arno Kleffel (1840 - 1913), "Schlehenblüthe", op. 53 (Zehn Gesänge für 1 Singstimme mit Pianoforte), Heft 1 no. 3, published 1897 [ voice and piano ], Berlin: A. Deneke
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Blühender Schleh, blühender Schleh,
Schimmerst an Hecken und Rainen;
Leg' ich mich nieder in Gras und in Klee,
Möchte recht bitterlich weinen.

Blühender Schleh, blühender Schleh,
Mahnst mich an bräutliches Linnen.
Wenn ich im Arme des Andern sie seh',
Mein' ich, ich komme von Sinnen.

Blühender Schleh, blühender Schleh,
Wahr' dich vor Kälte und Wetter! 
Mir hat die Blüthen getödtet der Schnee,
Sturmwind pfeift durch die Blätter.

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Confirmed with Rudolf Baumbach, Spielmannslieder, Leipzig: Verlag von A. G. Liebeskind, 1883, page 72.


by Rudolph Baumbach (1840 - 1905)
3. Blackthorn blossom
Language: English 
Blossoming blackthorn, blossoming blackthorn,
You shimmer upon hedge and marge;
When I lie down in grass and clover,
I would like to weep quite bitterly.

Blossoming blackthorn, blossoming blackthorn,
You remind me of bridal linen.
When I see her in the arms of another,
I feel that I shall lose my mind.

Blossoming blackthorn, blossoming blackthorn,
Beware of cold and inclement weather!
The snow has killed the blossoms for me,
A tempest whistles through the leaves.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2022 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):
"Blühender Schleh" = "Blossoming blackthorn"
"Schlehenblüte" = "Blackthorn blossom"
"Schlehenblüthe" = "Blackthorn blossom"



This text was added to the website: 2022-06-14
Line count: 12
Word count: 76

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
4. Blüthen, Blüthen überall  [sung text not yet checked]
by Arno Kleffel (1840 - 1913), "Blüthen, Blüthen überall", op. 53 (Zehn Gesänge für 1 Singstimme mit Pianoforte), Heft 1 no. 4, published 1897 [ voice and piano ], Berlin: A. Deneke
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Blüthen, Blüthen überall.
Süßes Locken der Nachtigall.

Nachtigall auf dem Hollundertrieb,
Hat mich das blonde [Mädel]1 lieb?

Und die Nachtigall nimmer müd
[Singt: "Sie glüht, sie glüht, sie glüht."]2

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Confirmed with Frau Holde Gedicht von Rudolf Baumbach, Leipzig: Verlag von A.G. Liebeskind, 1885, page 32

1 von Fielitz: "Mädchen"
2 Fischof: "Singet: "Sie glüht, sie glüht."

by Rudolph Baumbach (1840 - 1905)
4. Blossoms, blossoms everywhere
Language: English 
Blossoms, blossoms everywhere.
The sweet enticing [song] of the nightingale.

Nightingale upon the elder sprig,
Does the blonde maiden love me?

And never wearying, the nightingale
Sings: "She’s aglow [with love], she’s aglow, [she’s aglow]1."

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2017 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):
"Sie glüht" = "She’s aglow"
"Nachtigall auf dem Hollundertrieb" = "Nightingale upon the elder sprig"
"Blüthen, Blüthen überall" = "Blossoms, blossoms everywhere"
"Lied aus Frau Holle" = "Song from Frau Holle"
"Blüten, Blüten, überall" = "Blossoms, blossoms everywhere"

1 omitted by Fischof


This text was added to the website: 2017-02-12
Line count: 6
Word count: 35

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
5. Heim  [sung text not yet checked]
by Arno Kleffel (1840 - 1913), "Heim", op. 53 (Zehn Gesänge für 1 Singstimme mit Pianoforte), Heft 1 no. 5, published 1897 [ voice and piano ], Berlin: A. Deneke
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Bin durch die Alpen gezogen, 
Wo die Lawine rollt, 
Sah, wie in Meereswogen 
Tauchte der Sonne Gold. 
Aber freudig ich tauschte 
Alpen und Meeresstrand 
Für das Tannen-durchrauschte 
Nordische Heimatland.

Schlösser sah ich und Thürme, 
Schimmernd und marmorweiss;
[Dunkeler]1 Pinien Schirme 
Wiegten im Wind sich leis, 
Aber schöner und besser --
Lacht mich immerhin aus -- 
Als die Marmorschlösser 
Dünkt mich mein Vaterhaus.

Mägdlein durfte ich kosen, 
Schlank und liliengleich, 
Frauen wie volle Rosen, 
Üppig und anmuthreich; 
[Lilie aber und Rose]2
Werden von der besiegt,
Die mich als Knaben [im Schose]3
[In den]4 Schlaf gewiegt.

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Confirmed with Rudolf Baumbach, Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen, Leipzig: Verlag von A. G. Liebeskind, 1882, pages 84-85.

1 Weinzierl: "Dunkler"
2 Seiffert: "Lilien aber und Rosen"
3 Seiffert: "mit Kosen"
4 Weinzierl: "Sanft in den"

by Rudolph Baumbach (1840 - 1905)
5. Home
Language: English 
I travelled through the Alps
Where the avalanches roll;
I saw how the gold of the sun
Descended into the ocean waves.
But gladly would I exchange
The Alps and ocean shore
For the land suffused with soughing of pines,
My Nordic homeland.

I saw castles and turrets,
Shimmering and marble-white;
Dark pine canopies
Swayed quietly in the wind,
But more beautiful and better --
Laugh at me if you please --
Than the marble castles
Is my parental home.

I exchanged caresses with maidens
Slender and lily-like,
With women like full-blown roses,
Voluptuous and full of charms;
[But the lily and the rose]1
Are trumped by her 
Who, when I was lad,
Rocked me to sleep [in her lap.]2

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2020 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):
"Bin durch die Alpen gezogen" = "I travelled through the Alps"
"Heim" = "Home"

1 Seiffert: "Lilies, however, and roses"
2 Seiffert: "with caresses"


This text was added to the website: 2020-09-20
Line count: 24
Word count: 118

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
6. Der stille Trinker  [sung text not yet checked]
by Arno Kleffel (1840 - 1913), "Der stille Trinker", op. 53 (Zehn Gesänge für 1 Singstimme mit Pianoforte), Heft 2 no. 6, published 1897 [ voice and piano ], Berlin: A. Deneke
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Sie schwenkten die Kannen
Und priesen die Mädchen,
Marien und Annen,
Lieschen  und Kätchen.
Nur einer sass in der Ecke allein,
Stumm, beim Wein;
Der [musste]1 wohl ohne Liebchen sein. 

Die Wächter riefen
Und bliesen Zwei;
Die Zecher schliefen
Auf Stroh und Heu. 
Der stille Trinker allein nicht schlief,
Stand auf und lief --
Wohin? -- Weiss [ich's]2? -- Stille Wasser sind tief!

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Confirmed with Rudolf Baumbach, Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen, Leipzig: Verlag von A. G. Liebeskind, 1882, page 32.

1 Sinigaglia: "musst' "
2 Sinigaglia: "ich"

by Rudolph Baumbach (1840 - 1905)
6. The quiet drinker
Language: English 
They swung the jugs
And praised the maidens,
Maria and Anna,
Lizzie and Kate.
Only one man sat alone in the corner,
Mute, drinking wine;
He had to be the one without a beloved.

The watchmen called out
And blew "two o'clock";
The carousers were sleeping
Upon straw and hay.
Only the quiet drinker was not sleeping,
He rose up and ran --
Whither? -- How should I know? -- Still waters run deep!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2020 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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This text was added to the website: 2020-09-23
Line count: 14
Word count: 71

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
7. Der Frühling wird wach  [sung text not yet checked]
by Arno Kleffel (1840 - 1913), "Der Frühling wird wach", op. 53 (Zehn Gesänge für 1 Singstimme mit Pianoforte), Heft 2 no. 7, published 1897 [ voice and piano ], Berlin: A. Denek
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Es steigen die Glöckchen
Aus schmelzendem Eis
Und schütteln die Röckchen,
Halb grün und halb weiss.
Es knarren die Eichen,
Befreit rauscht der Bach,
Die Kälte will weichen,
Der Frühling wird wach!

Die Mutter Sibylle
Tut's Schiebfenster auf
Und schaut durch die Brille
Zum Giebel hinauf.
Zwei Kätzelein schleichen
Verliebt über's Dach,
Die Kälte will weichen,
Der Frühling wird wach!

Was kommt dort getänzelt,
Trägt Söckel am Schuh?
Es trippelt und schwänzelt
Und kichert mir zu.
Verheissendes Zeichen,
Beherzt folg' ich nach,
Die Kälte will weichen,
Der Frühling wird wach!

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Confirmed with Rudolf Baumbach, Spielmannslieder, Leipzig: Verlag von A. G. Liebeskind, 1883, pages 70-71.


by Rudolph Baumbach (1840 - 1905)
7. Spring awakes
Language: English 
The dear snowdrops
Arise from the melting ice
And shake their little skirts,
Half green and half white.
The oaks are creaking,
Freed, the brook flows,
Coldness wishes to depart,
Spring awakes!

Mother Sibyl
Opens the sliding window
And, through her glasses,
She gazes up toward the gable.
Two little cats who are in love
Creep over the roof,
Coldness wishes to depart,
Spring awakes!

Who comes dancing along there
Wearing decorations on her shoes?
There is a tripping and a wagging
And a giggling at me.
A prophetic sign,
Heartened I follow,
Coldness wishes to depart,
Spring awakes!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2022 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):
"Der Frühling ist wach" = "Spring is awake"
"Der Frühling wird wach" = "Spring awakes"



This text was added to the website: 2022-02-20
Line count: 24
Word count: 99

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
8. Die Wasserrose  [sung text not yet checked]
by Arno Kleffel (1840 - 1913), "Die Wasserrose", op. 53 (Zehn Gesänge für 1 Singstimme mit Pianoforte), Heft 2 no. 8, published 1897 [ voice and piano ], Berlin: A. Deneke
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Kreischend in die Höhe fliegt
Aufgeschreckt ein Reiher,
Und vor meinen Füssen liegt
Schilfumsäumt ein Weiher. 

Eine Wasserrose ruht
Schwebend auf den Wogen
Wie ein Stern, der in die Fluth
Sank vom Himmelsbogen. 

Eine Stimme mahnte leis
Mich an's eigne Leben,
Als ich sah der Blüthe weiss
Auf dem Wasser schweben. 
 
Ihre Wurzel kriecht im See
Tief im schwarzen Schlamme,
Doch die Blüthe steigt zur Höh',
Trinkt der Sonne Flamme.

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Confirmed with Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen, vierte Auflage, Leipzig: A. G. Liebeskind, 1882, page 65.


by Rudolph Baumbach (1840 - 1905)
8. The waterlily
Language: English 
Squawking, a heron flies,
Startled, up into the air,
And before me lies
A pond bordered with reeds.

A waterlily rests
Floating upon the waves
Like a star that sank into
The waters from the arch of heaven.

A voice quietly reminded me
Of my own life,
As I saw the white flower
Floating upon the water.

Its roots in the lake crawl
Deep in the dark mud,
But its flower rises to the heights,
[And] drinks the flame of the sun.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2020 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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This text was added to the website: 2020-09-21
Line count: 16
Word count: 82

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
9. Überall blühendes Maienglück  [sung text not yet checked]
by Arno Kleffel (1840 - 1913), "Überall blühendes Maienglück", op. 53 (Zehn Gesänge für 1 Singstimme mit Pianoforte), Heft 2 no. 9, published 1897 [ voice and piano ], Berlin: A. Deneke
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Überall blühendes Maienglück,
Mir nur ist bang im Gemüthe. 
Hast mir versprochen, du kehrtest zurück,
Ständen die Rosen in Blüthe.
Ach, Gelbveiel und Rautenstrauch 
Blühen schon längst in den Scherben,
Und die Knospen der Rose auch 
Schwellen und wollen sich färben.

Rose, du musst in die Kammer herein
Und in die dunkelste Ecke,
Dass dir der wärmende Sonnenschein
Vorschnell die Blüthen nicht wecke.
Draussen im Garten im sonnigen Glast
Stehen sie alle schon offen.
Aber solang du noch Knospen hast,
Darf ich Arme noch hoffen.

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Confirmed with Von der Landstrasse. Lieder von Rudolf Baumbach , Zweites Tausend, Leipzig: Verlag von A.G. Liebeskind, 1882, page 67.


by Rudolph Baumbach (1840 - 1905)
9. Everywhere the blossoming joy of May
Language: English 
Everywhere the blossoming joy of May,
Only I have an anxious spirit.
You promised me that you would return
When the roses stood in bloom.
Ah, yellow violets and rue
Have long been blooming in the pots,
And the buds of the rose, too,
Are swelling and taking on colour.

Rose, you must be moved into the chamber
And placed in the darkest corner,
So that the warming sunshine
Does not waken your blooms prematurely.
Out in the garden in the glare of the sun,
They are all already opened.
But as long as you still have buds,
I, poor wretch, can yet hope.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2020 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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This text was added to the website: 2020-09-21
Line count: 16
Word count: 104

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
10. Gute Nacht  [sung text not yet checked]
by Arno Kleffel (1840 - 1913), "Gute Nacht", op. 53 (Zehn Gesänge für 1 Singstimme mit Pianoforte), Heft 2 no. 10, published 1897 [ voice and piano ], Berlin: A. Deneke
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Mutter Nacht im Mantel grau
Kommt zu Berg gestiegen,
Gras und Blumen trinken Thau,
Nächt'ge Vögel fliegen,
Silbersternlein wandeln sacht.
    Gute Nacht!

Was da flieht den Sonnenschein,
Wandelt jetzt im Walde.
Ruhig schläft der Senne ein
An des Berges Halde.
Salige Fräulein haben Acht.
    Gute Nacht!

Was euch kümmert, was euch plagt,
Lasst es thalwärts fahren.
So ihr Glück im Herzen tragt,
Sollt ihr's weislich sparen,
Bis die Sonne wieder lacht.
    Gute Nacht!

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Confirmed with Rudolf Baumbach, Spielmannslieder, Leipzig: Verlag von A. G. Liebeskind, 1883, page 42.


by Rudolph Baumbach (1840 - 1905)
10. Good night
Language: English 
Mother Night in a grey mantle
Comes a-climbing up the mountain,
Grass and flowers drink dew,
Night-birds fly,
Little silver stars move gently.
    Good night!

That which flees sunshine
Now walks in the forest.
The cowherd falls asleep peacefully
Upon the acclivity of the mountain.
Happy maidens keep watch.
    Good night!

What troubles you, what plagues you,
Let it fall away towards the valley.
If you carry happiness in your heart,
You are to save it wisely
Until the sun smiles down once more.
    Good night!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2020 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):
"Abendlied im Gebirge" = "Evening song in the mountains"
"Gute Nacht" = "Good night"
"Mutter Nacht im Mantel grau" = "Mother Night in a grey mantle"



This text was added to the website: 2020-10-03
Line count: 18
Word count: 86

Translation © by Sharon Krebs