English translations of Fünf Lieder für Bariton nach Gedichten von Hermann Hesse, opus 15

by Joachim Kötschau (1905 - 1973)

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1. Allein
 (Sung text)
by Joachim Kötschau (1905 - 1973), "Allein", op. 15 (Fünf Lieder für Bariton nach Gedichten von Hermann Hesse) no. 1
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Es führen über die Erde 
Straßen und Wege viel,
Aber alle haben 
Dasselbe Ziel.

Du kannst reiten und fahren 
Zu zweien und zu drein,
Den letzten Schritt mußt du
Gehen allein.

Drum ist kein Wissen 
Noch Können so gut,
Als daß man alles Schwere 
Alleine tut.

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Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada and the U.S., but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.

by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962)
1. Alone
Language: English 
Across the Earth are leading
many a road and bend,
yet all are speeding
to the selfsame end.

Be you riding or driving
as twosome or three,
the last of your steps
belongs but to thee.

For skill's not as valid,
nor all that is known,
as tackling the difficult
stuff by your own.

Text Authorship:

  • Singable translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2010 by Walter A. Aue, (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.

    Walter A. Aue.  Contact: waue (AT) dal (DOT) ca

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This text was added to the website: 2010-03-26
Line count: 12
Word count: 54

Translation © by Walter A. Aue
2. Allein
 (Sung text)
by Joachim Kötschau (1905 - 1973), "Allein", op. 15 (Fünf Lieder für Bariton nach Gedichten von Hermann Hesse) no. 1 [ baritone and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Es führen über die Erde 
Straßen und Wege viel,
Aber alle haben 
Dasselbe Ziel.

Du kannst reiten und fahren 
Zu zweien und zu drein,
Den letzten Schritt mußt du
Gehen allein.

Drum ist kein Wissen 
Noch Können so gut,
Als daß man alles Schwere 
Alleine tut.

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada and the U.S., but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.

by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962)
2. Alone
Language: English 
Across the Earth are leading
many a road and bend,
yet all are speeding
to the selfsame end.

Be you riding or driving
as twosome or three,
the last of your steps
belongs but to thee.

For skill's not as valid,
nor all that is known,
as tackling the difficult
stuff by your own.

Text Authorship:

  • Singable translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2010 by Walter A. Aue, (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.

    Walter A. Aue.  Contact: waue (AT) dal (DOT) ca

    If you wish to commission a new translation, please contact:

Based on:

Go to the general single-text view


This text was added to the website: 2010-03-26
Line count: 12
Word count: 54

Translation © by Walter A. Aue
3. Ich soll erzählen
 (Sung text)
by Joachim Kötschau (1905 - 1973), "Ich soll erzählen", op. 15 (Fünf Lieder für Bariton nach Gedichten von Hermann Hesse) no. 2 [ baritone and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich soll erzählen,
Die Nacht ist schon spät -
Willst du mich quälen,
Schöne Elisabeth?

Daran ich dichte
Und du dazu,
Meine Liebesgeschichte
Ist dieser Abend und du.

Du mußt nicht stören,
Die Reime verwehn.
Bald wirst du sie hören,
Hören und nicht verstehn.

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Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada and the U.S., but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.

by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962)
3.
Language: English 
I am to tell stories,
The night is already far advanced-
Do you wish to torture me,
Lovely Elizabeth?

That upon which I am creatively engaged
And you in addition,
My love story
Is this evening and you.

You must not disturb me,
The rhymes are being wafted away.
Soon you shall hear them,
Hear them and not understand them.

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.
    Contact: 

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Translations of title(s):
"Ich soll erzählen" = "I am to tell stories"
"Elisabeth" = "Elizabeth"



This text was added to the website: 2018-05-02
Line count: 12
Word count: 60

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
4. Wenn auch der Abend kalt und traurig ist
 (Sung text)
by Joachim Kötschau (1905 - 1973), "Wenn auch der Abend kalt und traurig ist", op. 15 (Fünf Lieder für Bariton nach Gedichten von Hermann Hesse) no. 3 [ baritone and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wenn auch der Abend kalt und traurig ist 
Und Regen rauscht, 
Ich singe doch mein Lied in dieser Frist,
Weiß nicht, wer lauscht.

Wenn auch die Welt in Krieg und Angst erstickt, 
An manchem Ort 
Brennt heimlich doch, ob niemand sie erblickt, 
Die Liebe fort.

Text Authorship:

  • by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Im vierten Kriegsjahr", written 1917

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Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada, but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.

by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962)
4. Though the evening is cold and sad
Language: English 
Though the evening is cold and sad
And rain rushes,
I still sing my song in this time,
Know not who listens.

Even though the world suffocates in [war and fear]1,
In many a place,
Though no one sees it, love burns on
Secretly.

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.
    Contact: 

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Translations of title(s):
"Die Liebe" = "Love"
"Am Abend" = "At eventide"
"Wenn auch der Abend kalt und traurig ist" = "Though the evening is cold and sad"
"Im vierten Kriegsjahr" = "In the fourth year of war"

1 Würz: "agony and misery"


This text was added to the website: 2018-01-16
Line count: 8
Word count: 46

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
5. Ich liebe Frauen, die vor tausend Jahren
 (Sung text)
by Joachim Kötschau (1905 - 1973), "Ich liebe Frauen, die vor tausend Jahren", op. 15 (Fünf Lieder für Bariton nach Gedichten von Hermann Hesse) no. 4 [ baritone and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich liebe Frauen, die vor tausend Jahren
Geliebt von Dichtern und besungen waren.

Ich liebe Städte, deren leere Mauern
Königsgeschlechter alter Zeit betrauern.

Ich liebe Städte, die erstehen werden,
Wenn niemand mehr von heute lebt auf Erden.

Ich liebe Frauen -- schlanke, wunderbare,
Die ungeboren ruhn im Schoß der Jahre.

Sie werden einst mit ihrer sternebleichen
Schönheit der Schönheit meiner Träume gleichen.

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Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada and the U.S., but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.

by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962)
5. I love women, who a thousand years ago
Language: English 
I love women, who a thousand years ago
Were loved by poets and praised by them in song.

I love cities whose empty walls
Mourn the royal dynasties of olden times.

I love cities that shall come into being
When no one from the present still lives on earth.

I love women -- slender ones, wondrous ones,
Who rest unborn in the womb of the years.

Someday with their star-pale beauty they shall
Equal the beauty of my dreams.

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.
    Contact: 

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Translations of title(s):
"Ich liebe Frauen, die vor tausend Jahren" = "I love women, who a thousand years ago"
"Ich liebe Frauen --" = "I love women --"



This text was added to the website: 2018-09-28
Line count: 10
Word count: 78

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
6. Gang am Abend
 (Sung text)
by Joachim Kötschau (1905 - 1973), "Gang am Abend", op. 15 (Fünf Lieder für Bariton nach Gedichten von Hermann Hesse) no. 5 [ baritone and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Spät auf staubiger Straße geh ich,
Mauerschatten fallen schräg,
Und durch Rebenranken seh ich
Mondlicht über Bach und Weg.

Lieder, die ich einst gesungen,
Stimm ich leise wieder an,
Ungezählter Wanderungen
Schatten kreuzen meine Bahn.

Wind und Schnee und Sonnenhitze
Vieler Jahre klingt mir nach,
Sommernacht und blaue Blitze,
Sturm und Reiseungemach.

Braun gebrannt und vollgesogen
Von der Fülle dieser Welt,
Fühl ich weiter mich gezogen,
Bis mein Pfad ins Dunkle fällt.

Text Authorship:

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Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada, but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.

Confirmed with Hermann Hesse, Sämtliche Werke, herausgegeben von Volker Michels, Band 10 Die Gedichte, bearbeitet von Peter Huber, Frankfurt am Main: Suhrkamp Verlag, 2002, page 242.

by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962)
6. Walk at eventide
Language: English 
Late upon the dusty street I walk,
The shadows of the rock walls fall obliquely,
And through the grapevine tendrils I see
Moonlight upon brook and pathway.

Songs that once I sang
I strike up again quietly,
The shadows of countless
Ramblings cross my path.

The wind and snow and heat of the sun
Of many years [echoes for]1 me,
Summer night and blue lightning,
Storm and the adversity of travel.

Darkly tanned and saturated
With the fullness of the world,
I feel myself drawn onward
Until my path falls into the darkness.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2019 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: 

Based on:

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View original text (without footnotes)

Translations of title(s):
"Gang am Abend" = "Walk at eventide"
"Unterwegs" = "On my way"

1 Jesinghaus (and the poem as given in the Gedichte volume above): "waftingly follows"


This text was added to the website: 2019-10-13
Line count: 16
Word count: 94

Translation © by Sharon Krebs