English translations of Fünf Gesänge für Alto oder Bariton, opus 11

by Julius Lammers (1829 - 1888)

1. Wie sich Rebenranken schwingen  [sung text not yet checked]
by Julius Lammers (1829 - 1888), "Wie sich Rebenranken schwingen", op. 11 (Fünf Gesänge für Alto oder Bariton) no. 1, published 1863 [ alto or baritone and piano ], Hannover, Nagel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wie sich Rebenranken schwingen
In der linden Lüfte Hauch,
Wie sich weiße Winden schlingen
Luftig um den Rosenstrauch:

Also schmiegen sich und ranken
Frühlingsselig, still und mild,
Meine Tag- und Nachtgedanken
Um ein trautes, liebes Bild.

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by August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben (1798 - 1874)
1. As vine tendrils vibrate
Language: English 
As vine tendrils vibrate
In the breath of mild breezes,
As white bindweed winds itself
lightly around the rosebush:

So my thoughts nestle and twine about,
blissful with the springtime, quietly and gently,
By day and by night,
About the dear, beloved image.

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: 8
Word count: 43

Translation © by Emily Ezust
2. Ich hab' im Traum geweinet  [sung text not yet checked]
by Julius Lammers (1829 - 1888), "Ich hab' im Traum geweinet", op. 11 (Fünf Gesänge für Alto oder Bariton) no. 2, published 1863 [ alto or baritone and piano ], Hannover, Nagel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich hab' im [Traum]1 geweinet,
Mir träumte, du lägest im Grab.
Ich wachte auf, und die Träne 
Floß noch von der Wange herab.

Ich hab' im [Traum]1 geweinet,
Mir träumt', du verließest mich.
Ich wachte auf, [und ich weinte]2
Noch lange bitterlich.

Ich hab' im [Traum]1 geweinet,
Mir träumte, du [wär'st mir noch]3 gut.
Ich wachte auf, und noch immer
[Strömt meine Tränenflut]4.

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Confirmed with Heinrich Heine, Buch der Lieder, Hoffmann und Campe, Hamburg, 1827, page 159.

1 Franz, Thuille: "Traume"
2 Meyer: "und weinte"
3 Dahl: "wärest mir noch"; Loewe, Söderman: "bliebest mir"; Meyer: "warst mir noch"; Thuille: "bliebst mir"
4 Meyer: "Strömt meiner Tränen Flut"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
2. I wept in my dream
Language: English 
I wept in my dream -
I dreamed you lay in a grave.
I awoke, and my tears
Still flowed down my cheeks.

I wept in my dream -
I dreamed you had abandoned me.
I awoke and I cried
Bitterly for a long while.

I wept in my dream -
I dreamed you were still good to me.
I awoke, and still
Streams my flood of tears.

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: 12
Word count: 65

Translation © by Paul Hindemith
3. Wolle keiner mich fragen   [sung text not yet checked]
by Julius Lammers (1829 - 1888), "Wolle keiner mich fragen ", op. 11 (Fünf Gesänge für Alto oder Bariton) no. 3, published 1863 [ alto or baritone and piano ], Hannover, Nagel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wolle Keiner mich fragen,
Warum mein Herz so schlägt,
Ich kann's nicht fassen, nicht sagen,
Was mich bewegt.

Als wie im Traume schwanken
Trunken die Sinne mir;
Alle meine Gedanken
Sind nur bei dir.

Ich habe die Welt vergessen,
Seit ich dein Auge gesehn;
Ich möchte dich an mich pressen
Und still im Kuß vergehn.

Mein Leben möcht' ich lassen
Um ein Lächeln von dir,
Und du - ich kann's nicht fassen -
Versagst es mir.

Ist's Schicksal, ist's dein Wille?
Du siehst mich nicht. -
Nun wein' ich stille, stille,
Bis [das Herz mir zerbricht]1.

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1 Randhartinger (1869 version): "bricht"; Lessmann, Schnaubelt: "mir das Herz zerbricht"

by Emanuel von Geibel (1815 - 1884)
3. Does nobody want to ask me
Language: English 
Does nobody want to ask me,
Why my heart beats so fast,
I cannot believe it, I cannot tell
What it is that moves me.

My senses alternate
Like drunk dreams;
All my thoughts
Are only concerned with you.

I have forgotten about the world,
Since I saw your eyes;
I want to lean against you
And kiss you silently.

I want to die
For the sake of your smile,
And you – I cannot believe it – 
Reject me.

Is it destiny? Is it your will?
You do not see me.
Now I will cry quietly,
Until my heart breaks.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2014 by Anja Bunzel, (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: 2014-07-24
Line count: 20
Word count: 101

Translation © by Anja Bunzel
4. Das Mädchen am Bache  [sung text not yet checked]
by Julius Lammers (1829 - 1888), "Das Mädchen am Bache", op. 11 (Fünf Gesänge für Alto oder Bariton) no. 4, published 1863 [ alto or baritone and piano ], Hannover, Nagel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
  Ich saß im Grünen,
Am klaren Bach
Und blickte träumend
Den Wellen nach.
Und Blumen schauten
So [tief]1 hinein:
Wie muß es selig
Dort unten sein!

  Und Strahlen glänzten
Durch Wipfelgrün,
Ich sah am Himmel
Die Wölkchen ziehn.
Sie zogen freundlich
Im Sonnenschein:
Wie muß es selig
Dort oben sein!

  Da stand [er]2 vor mir
So morgenschön!
Kaum wagt' ich bebend
[Ihn]2 anzusehn.
[Sein]3 Auge strahlte
So tief und rein: --
Wie könnt' ich selig
Auf Erden sein!

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Confirmed with Ludwig Rellstab, Gesammelte Schriften, Neue Ausgabe, Zwölfter Band, Gedichte, Leipzig: F.A. Brockhaus, 1860, pages 78-79.

1 Merxhausen (Decker): "lieb"
2 Merxhausen (Decker) gives the option: "sie"
3 Merxhausen (Decker) gives the option: "ihr"

by Ludwig Rellstab (1799 - 1860)
4.
Language: English 
  I sat in the greenery
By the clear brook
And my gaze dreamily
Followed the waves.
And flowers gazed
So [deep]1 into the water:
How blissful it must be
Down there!

  And sunbeams sparkled
Through the green of the treetops,
Upon the heavens I saw
The clouds scudding.
They moved amiably
In the sunshine:
How blissful it must be
Up there!

  Then [he]2 stood before me,
As beautiful as the morning!
Trembling, I hardly dared 
To look at [him]3.
[His]4 eyes shone
So deeply and purely: --
How blissfully happy I could be
Upon earth!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2024 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):
"Am Bache" = "At the brook"
"Bewußtsein" = "Awareness"
"Das Mädchen am Bache" = "The maiden at the brook"
"Ich sass im Grünen" = "I sat in the greenery"
"Lied" = "Song"
"Selig" = "Blissful"

1 Merxhausen (von Decker): "fondly"
2 Merxhausen (von Decker) gives the option: "she"
3 Merxhausen (von Decker) gives the option: "her"
4 Merxhausen (von Decker) gives the option: "Her"


This text was added to the website: 2024-02-04
Line count: 24
Word count: 100

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
5. Warum bist du so ferne?  [sung text not yet checked]
by Julius Lammers (1829 - 1888), "Warum bist du so ferne?", op. 11 (Fünf Gesänge für Alto oder Bariton) no. 5, published 1863 [ alto or baritone and piano ], Hannover, Nagel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
  Warum bist du so ferne?
O mein Lieb!
Es leuchten mild die Sterne
O mein Lieb!
Der Mond will schon sich neigen
In seinem stillen Reigen.
Gute Nacht, mein süßes Lieb,
[O mein Lieb]1!

  Es rauschen sanft die Wogen,
O mein Lieb!
[Gleich ihnen]2 fortgezogen,
[Bist du,]3 Lieb!
Ich wandle [stumm]4 im Haine
Und klag's dem Mondenscheine.
Gute Nacht, mein süßes Lieb!
[O mein Lieb]1!

  Es regen sich im Herzen,
O mein Lieb!
Die [alten, bösen]5 Schmerzen,
O mein Lieb!
Sie freuen und sie kränken,
Denn ich muß dein gedenken,
[Du fernes, süßes Lieb]6!
[O mein Lieb]1!

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Confirmed with O. L. B. Wolff, Schriften I. Romane, Novellen und Erzählungen., Band XIV Gedichte und poetische Uebersetzungen, Jena: Druck und Verlag von Friedrich Mauke, 1843, page 104.

1 Marschner: "Gute Nacht, mein süßes Lieb"
2 Banck: "Ach! du bist"; Marschner: "Auch du bist"
3 Banck, Marschner: "O mein"
4 Marschner: "still"
5 Marschner: "bittersüßen"
6 Marschner: "Gute Nacht, mein süßes Lieb"; Molique: "O mein fernes, süßes Lieb"

by Oskar Ludwig Bernhard Wolff (1799 - 1851)
5.
Language: English 
  Why are you so far away?
Oh my love!
The stars are shining benignly,
Oh my love!
The moon already wishes to bow down
In its quiet roundelay.
Good night, my sweet love,
[Oh my love!]1

  The waves are rushing softly,
Oh my love!
[Gone away like them
Have you,]2 love!
I wander about [mutely]3 in the grove
And lament it to the moonlight.
Good night, my sweet love,
[Oh my love!]1

  In my heart are stirring,
Oh my love!
The [old, evil]4 pangs,
Oh my love!
They gladden and they wound me,
For I must think of you,
[You faraway, sweet love!]1
[Oh my love!]1

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):
"Gute Nacht" = "Good night"
"In der Ferne" = "In the distance"
"Ständchen" = "Serenade"
"Warum bist du so ferne" = "Why are you so far away"
"Warum so fern" = "Why so far away"

1 Marschner: "Good night, my sweet love!"
2 Marschner: "You, too, have gone away,/ Oh my"
3 Marschner: "silently"
4 Marschner: "bittersweet"


This text was added to the website: 2020-03-30
Line count: 24
Word count: 114

Translation © by Sharon Krebs