English translations of Fünf Lieder für 1 Singstimme mit Pianofortebegleitung, opus 5

by Anna Krause

1. Wiegenlied  [sung text not yet checked]
by Anna Krause , "Wiegenlied", op. 5 (Fünf Lieder für 1 Singstimme mit Pianofortebegleitung) no. 1, published 1882 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Schlesinger
Language: German (Deutsch) 
  Schlaf, [Kindlein]1, schlaf!
Der Vater [hüt]2 die Schaf',
Die Mutter schüttelt 's Bäumelein,
Da fällt herab ein Träumelein,
Schlaf, [Kindlein]1, schlaf!

  Schlaf, [Kindlein]1, schlaf!
Am Himmel ziehn die Schaf',
Die Sternlein sind die [Lämmerlein]3,
Der Mond der ist das Schäferlein,
Schlaf, [Kindlein]1, schlaf!

  Schlaf, Kindlein, schlaf!
Christkindlein hat ein Schaf,
Ist selbst das liebe Gotteslamm,
Das um uns all' zu Tode kam,
Schlaf, Kindlein, schlaf!

  Schlaf, Kindlein, schlaf!
So schenk' ich dir ein Schaf,
Mit einer goldnen Schelle fein,
Das soll dein Spielgeselle sein,
Schlaf, Kindlein, schlaf!

  Schlaf, Kindlein, schlaf!
Und [blök']4 nicht wie ein Schaf,
Sonst kömmt des Schäfers Hündelein,
Und beißt mein böses Kindelein,
Schlaf, Kindlein, schlaf!

  Schlaf, [Kindlein]1, schlaf!
[Geh fort und hüt' die Schaf]5,
Geh fort, du schwarzes Hündelein,
Und weck' mir nicht mein Kindelein,
Schlaf, [Kindlein]1, schlaf!

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Confirmed with L. Achim v. Arnim & Clemens Brentano, Des Knaben Wunderhorn, Zweiter Teil herausgegeben von Dr. Karl Bode, Berlin, Leipzig, Wien, Stuttgart: Deutsches Verlagshaus Bong & Co., [no year], pages 421-422.

1 Hohfeld: "Kindchen"
2 Brahms, Hohfeld, Reichardt: "hüt't"
3 Brahms: "Lämmelein"
4 Brahms: "bläk"
5 Hohfeld: "Bleib immer gut und brav"

from Volkslieder (Folksongs)
1. Lullaby
Language: English 
  Sleep, little child, sleep!
Your father is tending the sheep,
Your mother shakes the little tree,
Thereupon a little dream falls down,
Sleep, little child, sleep!

  Sleep, little child, sleep!
The sheep are wandering along the heavens,
The stars are the little lambs,
The moon is the little shepherd,
Sleep, little child, sleep!

  Sleep, little child, sleep!
The Christchild has a sheep,
Is himself the dear lamb of God,
That was put to death for all of us,
Sleep, little child, sleep!

  Sleep, little child, sleep!
Then I shall give you a sheep,
With a fine little golden bell,
To be your playmate,
Sleep, little child, sleep!

  Sleep, little child, sleep!
And do not bleat like a sheep,
Otherwise the shepherd’s little dog shall come
And bite my bad little child,
Sleep, little child, sleep!

  Sleep, little child, sleep!
[Be off and tend the sheep]1,
Be off, you little black dog,
And do not wake my little child,
Sleep, little child, sleep!

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):
"Morgenlied von den Schäfchen" = "Morning song about the little sheep"
"Schlaf', Kindchen, schlaf'" = "Sleep, little child, sleep"
"Schlaf, Kindlein, Schlaf" = "Sleep, little child, sleep"
"Wiegenlied" = "Lullaby"

1 Hohfeld: "Remain good and virtuous always"


This text was added to the website: 2022-08-29
Line count: 30
Word count: 165

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
2. Mädchen mit dem roten Mündchen  [sung text not yet checked]
by Anna Krause , "Mädchen mit dem roten Mündchen", op. 5 (Fünf Lieder für 1 Singstimme mit Pianofortebegleitung) no. 2, published 1882 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Schlesinger
Language: German (Deutsch) 
  Mädchen mit dem roten Mündchen,
Mit den Äuglein süß und klar,
Du mein liebes, kleines Mädchen,
Deiner denk' ich immerdar.

 Lang ist heut der Winterabend,
Und ich möchte bei dir sein,
[Bei dir sitzen, mit dir schwatzen]1,
Im vertrauten Kämmerlein.

  An die Lippen [wollt']2 ich pressen
Deine [kleine]3 weiße Hand,
Und mit Thränen sie benetzen,
Deine [kleine, weiße]4 Hand.

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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 137.

1 Dresel: "mit dir schwatzen, mit dir kosen"
2 Dresel: "möcht"
3 Dresel: "liebe"
4 Dresel: "weiße, liebe"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
2. Maiden with the red little mouth
Language: English 
 Maiden with the red little mouth,
 with eyes sweet and clear:
 You are my dear little maiden -
 I think of you all the time.
 
 The winter evening drags tonight,
 and I would be with you,
 to sit by you and chat
 in a cosy little room.
 
 I would like to press to my lips
 your small white hand,
 and moisten it with my tears,
 your small white hand.

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: 69

Translation © by Emily Ezust
3. Anfangs wollt' ich fast verzagen  [sung text not yet checked]
by Anna Krause , "Anfangs wollt' ich fast verzagen", op. 5 (Fünf Lieder für 1 Singstimme mit Pianofortebegleitung) no. 3, published 1882 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Schlesinger
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Anfangs wollt' ich fast verzagen,
und ich glaubt', ich trüg' es nie;
und ich hab' es doch getragen -
aber fragt mich nur nicht, wie?

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Poem headed with An Carl v. U Ins Stammbuch

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
3. At first I almost despaired
Language: English 
 At first I almost despaired,
 and I thought I would never be able to bear it;
 yet even so, I have borne it -
 but do not ask me how.

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: 4
Word count: 30

Translation © by Emily Ezust
4. Liebesglück  [sung text not yet checked]
by Anna Krause , "Liebesglück", op. 5 (Fünf Lieder für 1 Singstimme mit Pianofortebegleitung) no. 4, published 1882 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Schlesinger
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wenn still [mit]1 seinen letzten Flammen
Der Abend in das Meer versank,
Dann wandeln [traulich wir]2 zusammen
Am [Waldgestad im]3 Buchengang.

Wir sehn den Mond [durch]4 Wolken steigen,
Wir hören fern die Nachtigall,
Wir atmen Düfte, doch wir schweigen -
Was soll der Worte leerer Schall?

Das höchste Glück hat keine Lieder,
Der Liebe Lust ist still und mild;
Ein Kuß, ein Blicken hin und wieder,
Und alle Sehnsucht ist gestillt.

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1 Pache: "in"; further changes may exist not shown above.
2 Sucher: "wir traulich"
3 Randhartinger and some other editions of Geibel: "Ufer in dem"; Sucher: "Ufer durch den"
4 Sucher: "aus"

by Emanuel von Geibel (1815 - 1884)
4.
Language: English 
When quietly, with its last flames,
The evening sank into the sea, 
Together we affectionately wandered
The beech-lined path along the forested shore.

We saw the moon climb through the clouds,
We heard a distant nightingale,
We inhaled fragrances, and were quite silent –
What need for the empty sound of words? 

The greatest happiness has no songs,
The pleasure of love is quiet and gentle;
A kiss, a shared glance and once again,
And all yearning is stilled.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2022 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.
    Contact: 

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Translations of title(s):
"Abendstille" = "Evening Quiet"
"Gestillte Sehnsucht" = "Stilled Yearning"
"Liebesglück" = "Love's Happiness"
"Stilles Glück" = "Quiet Happiness"
"Wenn still in seinen letzten Flammen" = "When quietly, with its last flames"
"Wenn still mit seinen letzten Flammen" = "When quietly, with its last flamesWhen quietly, with its last flames, The evening sank into the sea, Together we affectionately wandered The beech-lined path along the forested shore. We saw the moon climb through the clouds, We heard a distant nightingale, We inhaled fragrances, and were quite silent – What need for the empty sound of words? The greatest happiness has no songs, The pleasure of love is quiet and gentle; A kiss, a shared glance and once again, And all yearning is stilled."



This text was added to the website: 2022-11-23
Line count: 12
Word count: 79

Translation © by Michael P Rosewall
5. Wehmuth  [sung text not yet checked]
by Anna Krause , "Wehmuth", op. 5 (Fünf Lieder für 1 Singstimme mit Pianofortebegleitung) no. 5, published 1882 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Schlesinger
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich kann wohl manchmal singen,
Als ob ich fröhlich sei,
Doch heimlich Tränen dringen,
Da wird das Herz mir frei.

[Es]1 lassen Nachtigallen,
Spielt draußen Frühlingsluft,
Der Sehnsucht Lied erschallen
Aus ihres [Kerkers]2 Gruft.

[Da]3 lauschen alle Herzen,
Und alles ist erfreut,
Doch keiner [fühlt]3 die Schmerzen,
Im Lied das tiefe Leid.

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1 Blodek, Hensel, Jensen, Schoeck, Széchényi: "So"
2 Blodek, Jensen, Schoeck, Széchényi: "Käfigs"
3 Barth, Hensel: "Es"
4 Hensel: "ahnt"

by Joseph Karl Benedikt, Freiherr von Eichendorff (1788 - 1857)
5.
Language: English 
Sometimes I can sing
as if I were happy,
but secretly tears well up
and free my heart.

The nightingales, 
when spring breezes play, let
their songs of yearning resound
from the depths of their dungeons.

Then all hearts listen
and everyone rejoices;
yet no one truly feels the anguish
of the song's deep sorrow.

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 "Wehmut" = "Melancholy"


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 55

Translation © by Emily Ezust