English translations of Acht Lieder und Gesänge von Heine und Goethe, opus 71

by Joseph Klein (1802 - 1862)

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1. Wenn ich in deine Augen seh'  [sung text not yet checked]
by Joseph Klein (1802 - 1862), "Wenn ich in deine Augen seh'", op. 71 (Acht Lieder und Gesänge von Heine und Goethe) no. 1, published 1826 [ soprano and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wenn ich in deine Augen [seh']1,
So schwindet [all' mein Leid]2 und Weh; 
Doch wenn ich küße deinen Mund,
So werd' ich ganz und gar gesund.

Wenn ich mich lehn' an deine Brust,
Kommt's über mich wie Himmelslust;
Doch wenn du sprichst: ich liebe dich!
[So]3 muß ich weinen bitterlich.

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Confirmed with Heinrich Heine, Buch der Lieder, Hoffmann und Campe, Hamburg, 1827, page 114.

1 Hensel: "sehe"
2 Franz, Dresel: "alles Leid"
3 Wolf: "Dann"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
1. When I gaze into your eyes
Language: English 
When I gaze into your eyes,
All my pain and woe vanishes;
Yet when I kiss your lips,
I am made wholly and entirely healthy.

When I lay against your breast
It comes over me like longing for heaven;
Yet when you say, "I love you!"
I must cry so bitterly.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Paul Hindemith, (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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Line count: 8
Word count: 51

Translation © by Paul Hindemith
2. Du liebst mich nicht  [sung text not yet checked]
by Joseph Klein (1802 - 1862), "Du liebst mich nicht", op. 71 (Acht Lieder und Gesänge von Heine und Goethe) no. 2, published 1826 [ soprano and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Du liebst mich nicht, du liebst mich nicht,
Das kümmert mich gar wenig;
Schau' ich dir nur ins Angesicht,
So bin ich froh wie'n König.

Du hassest, hassest mich sogar,
So spricht dein rotes Mündchen;
Reich mir es nur zum Küssen dar,
So tröst' ich mich, mein Kindchen.

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Confirmed with Heinrich Heine, Buch der Lieder, Hoffmann und Campe, Hamburg, 1827, page 121.


by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
2. You love me not
Language: English 
 You love me not, you love me not,
 but it only troubles me a little:
 If I only see your face,
 I am as happy as a King.
 
 You hate me, even detest me:
 so says your red little mouth;
 but if you would just put it up for a kiss,
 I would be much consoled, my darling.

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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Line count: 8
Word count: 59

Translation © by Emily Ezust
3. Gekommen ist der Maie  [sung text not yet checked]
by Joseph Klein (1802 - 1862), "Gekommen ist der Maie", op. 71 (Acht Lieder und Gesänge von Heine und Goethe) no. 3, published 1826 [ soprano and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Gekommen ist der [Maye]1,
Die Blumen und Bäume blühn,
Und durch [die Himmelsbläue]2
Die [rosigen]3 Wolken ziehn.

Die [Nachtigallen]4 singen
Herab aus [der laubigen]5 Höh,
Die weißen Lämmer springen
Im weichen grünen Klee.

[Ich kann nicht singen und springen]6,
Ich liege krank im Gras;
Ich höre fernes Klingen,
Mir träumt, ich weiß nicht was.

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Confirmed with Heinrich Heine, Historisch-kritische Gesamtausgabe der Werke, herausgegeben von Manfred Windfuhr, Band 2, Neue Gedichte, bearbeitet von Elisabeth Genton, Hamburg: Hoffmann und Campe, 1983, pages 13-14.

1 Curschmann, Marek: "Maie"
2 Franz: "des Himmels Bläue"
3 Curschmann: "ros'gen"
4 Curschmann: "lust'gen Vöglein"
5 Curschmann: "luftiger"
6 Curschmann: "Doch ich kann nicht springen und singen"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
3. May has come
Language: English 
May has come,
The flowers and the trees blossom,
And through the blue of heaven
The rosy clouds travel.

The [nightingales]1 are singing
Down from the [leafy]2 heights,
The white lambs are leaping about
In the soft green clover.

[I cannot sing and leap]3,
Ill I lie in the grass;
I hear a distant ringing,
I am dreaming I know not what.

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):
"Neuer Frühling" = "New spring"
"Mailied" = "May-song"
"Zum ersten Mai" = "For the first of May"
"Frühlingsankunft" = "Spring's arrival"
"Ungestillte Sehnsucht" = "Unassuaged yearning"
"Im Mai" = "In May"
"Duett" = "Duet"
"Der Mai" = "May"
"Frühlingslied" = "Spring song"
"Gekommen ist der Maie" = "May has come"
"Der neue Frühling" = "The new spring"

1 Curschmann: "merry birdlets"
2 Curschmann: "airy"
3 Curschmann: "But I cannot leap and sing"


This text was added to the website: 2020-03-12
Line count: 12
Word count: 66

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
4. In meiner Brust da sitzt ein Weh  [sung text not yet checked]
by Joseph Klein (1802 - 1862), "In meiner Brust da sitzt ein Weh", op. 71 (Acht Lieder und Gesänge von Heine und Goethe) no. 4
Language: German (Deutsch) 
"In meiner Brust, da sitzt ein Weh,
Das will die Brust zersprengen;
Und wo ich steh' und wo ich geh',
Will's mich von hinnen drängen.

"Es treibt mich nach der Liebsten Näh',
Als könnt die Grete heilen;
Doch wenn ich der ins Auge seh',
Muß ich von hinnen eilen.

"Ich steig' hinauf des Berges Höh',
Dort ist man doch alleine;
Und wenn ich still dort oben steh',
Dann steh' ich still und weine."

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Confirmed with Buch der Lieder von Heinrich Heine, zweiundfünfzigste Auflage (52nd edition), Hamburg, Hoffmann und Campe, 1882, pages 52-53.


by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
4. Within my heart there lies an ache
Language: English 
"Within my heart there lies an ache
that will break my heart apart;
wherever I stay, wherever I go,
it is always pushing me onward.

"It drives me to my beloved's presence,
as if Grete could heal it;
but when I look her in the eye,
I must hurry away from there.

"I climb to the heights of the mountain,
for there one can be alone;
and when I stay up there silently,
then I stand mutely and weep."

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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Line count: 12
Word count: 79

Translation © by Emily Ezust
5. Gretchen  [sung text not yet checked]
by Joseph Klein (1802 - 1862), "Gretchen", op. 71 (Acht Lieder und Gesänge von Heine und Goethe) no. 5, published 1826 [ soprano and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Es war ein König in Thule
Gar treu bis an [das]1 Grab,
Dem sterbend seine Buhle
Einen goldnen Becher gab.

Es ging ihm nichts darüber,
Er leert' ihn jeden Schmaus;
Die Augen gingen ihm über,
So oft er trank daraus.

Und als er kam zu sterben,
Zählt' er seine Städt' im Reich,
[Gönnt']2 alles [seinem]3 Erben,
Den Becher nicht zugleich.

Er saß beim Königsmahle,
Die Ritter um ihn her,
[Auf hohem]4 Vätersaale,
Dort auf dem Schloß am Meer.

Dort stand der alte Zecher,
Trank letzte Lebensgluth,
Und warf den [heil'gen]5 Becher
Hinunter in die Fluth.

Er sah ihn stürzen, trinken,
Und sinken tief ins Meer.
Die Augen täten ihm sinken;
Trank nie einen Tropfen mehr.

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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, pages 187-188; and with "Faust. Ein Fragment" in Goethe's Schriften. Siebenter Band, Leipzig, bey Georg Joachim Göschen, 1790, pages 94-95. The two versions differ in stanza 5, line 3 word 3 ("heil'gen" in the first cited work, "heiligen" in the second cited work.

Note: the text was first published in a different version in Volks- und andere Lieder, mit Begleitung des Forte piano, In Musik gesetzt von Siegmund Freyherrn von Seckendorff, Dritte Sammlung. Dessau, 1782, pages 6-9; see below.

See also "Het dartele water bruiselt", a poem by Pol de Mont written to be sung to Schumann's song "Der König von Thule".

1 Lenz, Liszt: "sein"
2 Zelter: "Lies"
3 Fritze, Lenz, Liszt: "seinen"
3 Schubert (Neue Gesamtausgabe): "seinen"
4 Zelter: "In hohen"
5 Rheinberger: "heiligen"

by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832)
5. There was a King of Thule
Language: English 
There was a King of Thule,
faithful to the grave,
to whom his dying beloved
gave a golden goblet.

Nothing was more valuable to him:
he drained it in every feast;
and his eyes would overflow
whenever he drank from it.

And when he neared death,
he counted the cities of his realm
and left everything gladly to his heir -
except for the goblet.

He sat at his kingly feast,
his knights about him,
in the lofty hall of ancestors,
there in the castle by the sea.

There, the old wine-lover stood,
took a last draught of life's fire,
and hurled the sacred goblet
down into the waters.

He watched it plunge, fill up,
and sink deep into the sea.
His eyes then sank closed
and he drank not one drop more.

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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Line count: 24
Word count: 132

Translation © by Emily Ezust
6. Liebhaber in allen Gestalten  [sung text not yet checked]
by Joseph Klein (1802 - 1862), "Liebhaber in allen Gestalten", op. 71 (Acht Lieder und Gesänge von Heine und Goethe) no. 6, published 1826 [ soprano and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich wollt' ich wär' ein Fisch,
So [hurtig und]1 frisch;
Und kämst du zu [anglen]2,
Ich würde nicht [manglen]3.
Ich wollt' ich wär' ein Fisch,
So hurtig und frisch.

Ich wollt' ich wär' ein Pferd,
Da wär' ich dir werth.
O wär' ich ein Wagen,
Bequem dich zu tragen.
Ich wollt' ich wär' ein Pferd,
Da wär' ich dir werth. 

Ich wollt' ich wäre Gold,
Dir immer im Sold;
Und thätst du was kaufen,
Käm ich [wieder]4 gelaufen.
Ich wollt' ich wäre Gold,
Dir immer im Sold.

Ich wollt' ich wär' treu,
Mein Liebchen stets neu;
Ich wollt' mich verheißen,
Wollt' nimmer verreisen.
Ich wollt' ich wär' treu,
Mein Liebchen stets neu.

Ich wollt' ich wär' alt
Und runzlig und kalt;
Thätst du mir's versagen,
Da könnt mich's nicht plagen.
Ich wollt' ich wär' alt
Und runzlig und kalt.

Wär' ich Affe sogleich
Voll neckender Streich';
Hätt' was dich verdrossen,
So macht' ich dir Possen.
Wär' ich Affe sogleich
Voll neckender Streich'.

Wär' ich gut wie ein Schaf;
Wie der Löwe so brav;
Hätt' Augen wie's Lüchschen,
Und Listen wie's Füchschen.
Wär' ich gut wie ein Schaf
Wie der Löwe so brav.

Was alles ich wär',
Das gönnt' ich dir sehr;
Mit fürstlichen Gaben,
Du solltest mich haben.
Was alles ich wär',
Das gönnt' ich dir sehr.

Doch bin ich wie ich bin,
[Und]5 nimm mich nur hin!
Willst [du]6 bess're besitzen,
So laß dir sie schnitzen.
Ich bin nun wie ich bin;
So nimm mich nur hin!

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Confirmed with Goethe's Werke. Vollständige Ausgabe letzter Hand. Erster Band. Stuttgart und Tübingen, in der J.G.Cotta'schen Buchhandlung. 1827, pages 34-36; with Goethe's Werke. Erster Band. Stuttgart und Tübingen, in der J. G. Cotta'schen Buchhandlung. 1815, pages 32-34; and with Goethe's Werke. Erster Band. Original-Ausgabe. Wien, 1816. Bey Chr. Kaulfuß und C. Armbruster. Stuttgart. In der J. G. Cotta'schen Buchhandlung. Gedruckt bey Anton Strauß, pages 34-36.

1 Schubert (autograph): "munter so"
2 Goethe (Wien 1816 edition), and Schubert: "angeln"
3 Goethe (Wien 1816 edition), and Schubert: "mangeln"
4 Schubert: "wie"
5 Schubert: "Doch"
6 omitted by Schubert

by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832)
6. I wish I were a fish
Language: English 
I wish I were a fish,
so quick and fresh;
and if you came to fish,
I would not stay away.
I wish I were a fish,
so quick and fresh;

I wish I were a horse
that you esteemed;
O were I only a cart
to bear you comfortably!
I wish I were a horse
that you esteemed.

I wish I were gold,
always in your pocket,
and if you used me to buy something,
I would come running back.
I wish I were gold,
always in your pocket.

I wish I were faithful,
and my sweetheart always new;
I would promise myself
never to go away.
I wish I were true,
and my sweetheart always new.

I wish I were old
and wrinkled and cold;
If you betrayed me,
I would not be able to torment myself.
I wish I were old,
and wrinkled and cold.

Were I were a monkey
full of teasing pranks,
if something annoyed you,
I would make a joke of it.
Were I a monkey
full of teasing pranks.

Were I as good as a sheep,
as brave as a lion;
had I eyes like a lynx,
and cunning like a fox.
Were I good as a sheep,
and brave as a lion....

If I were all that, 
I would not begrudge you;
with princely gifts,
you should have me.
If I were all that,
I would not begrudge you.

But I am just as I am;
and take me for that!
If you want something better,
then let them carve it out of you.
For I am just as I am;
and take me for that.

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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Line count: 54
Word count: 274

Translation © by Emily Ezust
7. Sehnsucht  [sung text not yet checked]
by Joseph Klein (1802 - 1862), "Sehnsucht", op. 71 (Acht Lieder und Gesänge von Heine und Goethe) no. 7 (1826), published 1826 [ soprano and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Was zieht mir das Herz so?
Was zieht mich hinaus?
Und windet und schraubt mich
[Aus]1 Zimmer und Haus?
Wie dort sich die Wolken
[Um]2 Felsen verziehn!
Da möcht' ich hinüber,
Da möcht' ich wohl hin!

Nun wiegt sich der Raben
Geselliger Flug;
Ich mische mich drunter
Und folge dem Zug.
Und Berg und Gemäuer
Umfittigen wir;
Sie weilet da drunten;
Ich spähe nach ihr.

Da kommt sie und wandelt;
Ich eile sobald
Ein singender Vogel
[Zum buschigen]3 Wald.
Sie weilet und horchet
Und lächelt mit sich:
"Er singet so lieblich
Und singt es an mich."

Die scheidende Sonne
[Verguldet]4 die Höhn;
Die sinnende Schöne
Sie läßt es [geschehn]5.
Sie wandelt am Bache
Die Wiesen entlang,
Und finster und finstrer
Umschlingt sich der Gang;

Auf einmal erschein' ich
Ein blinkender Stern.
"Was glänzet da droben,
So nah und so fern?"
Und hast du mit Staunen
Das Leuchten erblickt;
Ich lieg dir zu Füßen,
Da bin ich beglückt!

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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, pages 99-100, and with Taschenbuch auf das Jahr 1804, Herausgegeben von Wieland und Goethe, Tübingen, in der Cotta'schen Buchhandlung, pages 117-119.

1 Goethe's 1827 edition: "An's"
2 Schubert: "Am"
3 Goethe (1804 and 1806 editions): "Zum buschichten", Goethe (Wien 1810 edition): "Zum buschigten", Schubert: "Im buschigten"
4 Beethoven, Schubert: "vergüldet"
5 Schubert: "geschehen"

by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832)
7. Longing
Language: English 
 What pulls at my heart so?
 What pulls me outside?
 And twists me and yanks me
 from this room and the house?
 How the clouds there
 disperse around the cliffs!
 I'd like to go there,
 I've very much like to go!
 
 Now ravens pass by
 in friendly flight;
 I mix with them
 and follow their course.
 And mountain and ruin
 we circle in flight;
 she lingers below,
 and I peer after her.
 
 Then she comes wandering;
 I hurry immediately,
 a singing bird,
 to the bushy wood.
 She lingers and listens
 and smiles to herself:
 "He sings so nicely
 and he is singing for me!"
 
 The departing sun
 gilds the heights;
 the pensive, fair lady,
 she lets it happen.
 She wanders by the brook,
 along the meadows,
 and darker and darker
 twists the path;
 
 At once I appear,
 a glittering star.
 "What gleams up there,
 so near and so far?"
 And when, with astonishment,
 you gaze upon this light,
 I will lie at your feet
 and be happy there!

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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Translation of title "Sehnsucht" = "Longing"


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 40
Word count: 169

Translation © by Emily Ezust
8. Gefunden  [sung text not yet checked]
by Joseph Klein (1802 - 1862), "Gefunden", op. 71 (Acht Lieder und Gesänge von Heine und Goethe) no. 8, published 1826 [ soprano and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich ging im Walde
So für mich hin,
Und Nichts zu suchen,
Das war mein Sinn.

Im Schatten sah ich
Ein Blümchen stehn,
Wie Sterne leuchtend,
Wie Äuglein schön.

Ich wollt' es brechen,
Da sagt' es fein:
"Soll ich zum Welken
Gebrochen sein?"

Ich grub's mit allen
Den Würzlein aus,
Zum Garten trug ich's
Am hübschen Haus.

Und pflanzt' es wieder
Am stillen Ort;
Nun zweigt es immer
Und blüht so fort.

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by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832)
8. Found
Language: English 
I was walking in the woods
Just [enjoying] being there,
And seeking nothing [in particular] out,
That was my state of mind.

In the shade I saw
A little flower standing,
Shining like stars,
Like beautiful little eyes.

I wanted to pick it,
When it said sweetly:
“Shall I wither [after]
Being picked?”

I dug it all out [preserving]
Its little roots,
I carried it to the garden
Next to my pretty house.

And replanted it
In a silent place;
Now [new] sprigs appear
And bloom immediately.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2016 by Laura Prichard, (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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Translation of title "Gefunden" = "Found"


This text was added to the website: 2016-04-04
Line count: 20
Word count: 87

Translation © by Laura Prichard