English translations of Acht deutsche Lieder, opus 1

by Josephine Lang (1815 - 1880)

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1. An die Entfernte  [sung text not yet checked]
by Josephine Lang (1815 - 1880), "An die Entfernte", op. 1 (Acht deutsche Lieder) no. 1 (1828), published 1831 [ voice and piano ], München, Falter und Sohn, note: published without an opus number; designated by Lang in 1867 as opus 1
Language: German (Deutsch) 
So hab ich wirklich dich verloren,
Bist du, o [Schöne]1, mir entflohn?
Noch [klingt]2 in den gewohnten Ohren
Ein jedes Wort, ein jeder Ton.

So wie des Wandrers Blick am Morgen
Vergebens in die Lüfte dringt,
[Wenn]3, in dem blauen Raum verborgen,
Hoch über ihm die Lerche singt:

So dringet ängstlich hin und wieder
Durch Feld und [Busch und Wald]4 mein Blick;
Dich rufen alle meine Lieder;
O komm, Geliebte, mir zurück!

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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, page 67; and with Goethe's Schriften, Achter Band, Leipzig, bey Georg Joachim Göschen, 1789, page 117.

1 Berger: "Teure"
2 Hensel: "tönt"
3 Schubert (Neue Gesamtausgabe): "Wann"
4 Hensel: "Wald und Busch"

by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832)
1. To the distant one
Language: English 
So have I truly lost you?
Have you, o fair one, fled from me?
Yet still I can hear in my accustomed ears 
Every word, every tone of your voice.

Just as the wanderer's gaze in the morning
Searchingly pierces the heavens in vain
When, concealed in the blue expanse
High above, the lark sings to him:

So does my gaze anxiously search here and there,
Through field and bush and forest,
Singing to you through all my songs,
O come, my darling, back to me!

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: 86

Translation © by Emily Ezust
2. An den Frühling  [sung text not yet checked]
by Josephine Lang (1815 - 1880), "An den Frühling", op. 1 (Acht deutsche Lieder) no. 2 (1828), published 1831 [ voice and piano ], München, Falter und Sohn, note: published without an opus number; designated by Lang in 1867 as opus 1
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Willkommen schöner Jüngling!
Du Wonne der Natur!
Mit deinem Blumenkörbchen
Willkommen auf der Flur!

Ey! ey! Da bist [ja]1 wieder!
Und bist so [lieb und schön]2!
Und freun wir uns so herzlich,
Entgegen dir zu gehn.

Denkst auch noch an mein Mädchen?
Ey lieber denke doch!
Dort liebte mich das Mädchen,
Und 's Mädchen liebt mich noch!

Fürs Mädchen manches Blümchen
[Erbat ich mir]3 von dir -
Ich komm' und bitte wieder,
Und du? - du giebst es mir?

Willkommen schöner Jüngling!
Du Wonne der Natur!
Mit deinem Blumenkörbchen
Willkommen auf der Flur.

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Confirmed with Gedichte von Friederich Schiller, Zweiter Theil, Zweite, verbesserte und vermehrte Auflage, Leipzig, 1805, bei Siegfried Lebrecht Crusius, pages 140-141.

First published in Anthologie auf das Jahr 1782, anonymously edited by Schiller with the fake publishing information "Gedrukt in der Buchdrukerei zu Tobolsko", actually published by Johann Benedict Metzler in Stuttgart, pages 123-124. This poem has "M." as the author's name.

1 Schubert (D. 283 only): "du"
2 Schubert (D. 283 only): "schön und lieb"
3 Schiller (Anthologie): "Erbettelt' ich"

by Friedrich von Schiller (1759 - 1805)
2. Welcome, handsome youth
Language: English 
Welcome, handsome youth!
You delight of nature!
With your basket of flowers,
you are welcome on this meadow!

Hey, hey! you've come again!
And you are so dear and handsome!
We rejoice heartily
as we greet you.

Do you also still think about my maiden?
Hey, my friend, you should!
For there my sweetheart loved me,
and the maiden loves me still!

For my sweetheart
I asked for many flowers from you -
I've come to ask again;
and you? You grant it.

Welcome, handsome youth!
You delight of nature!
With your basket of flowers,
you are welcome on this meadow!

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: 20
Word count: 100

Translation © by Emily Ezust
3. Liebessehnen  [sung text not yet checked]
by Josephine Lang (1815 - 1880), "Liebessehnen", op. 1 (Acht deutsche Lieder) no. 3 (1828), published 1831, stanza 1 [ voice and piano ], München, Falter und Sohn, note: published without an opus number; designated by Lang in 1867 as opus 1
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Mein erster Gedanke,
Mein letzter Gedanke,
Geliebte, bist du;
Wenn ich erwache,
Wenn ich entschlummre,
Gedenke ich dein.

[ ... ]

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Confirmed with Gedichte des Königs Ludwig von Bayern, Erster Theil, zweite vermehrte Ausgabe, München: Verlag der Literarischen Artistischen Anstalt der J.G. Cotta'schen Buchhandlung, page 260.


by Ludwig I, König von Bayern (1786 - 1868)
3. Love's Longing
Language: English 
My first thought,
My last thought,
Beloved, is [of] you!
When I awaken,
When I fall into slumber,
I think of you.

[ ... ]

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2006 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: 2006-06-12
Line count: 18
Word count: 75

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
4. Am Tag, wo freudiges Entzücken  [sung text not yet checked]
by Josephine Lang (1815 - 1880), "Am Tag, wo freudiges Entzücken", op. 1 (Acht deutsche Lieder) no. 4 (1828), published 1831 [ voice and piano ], München, Falter und Sohn, note: published without an opus number; designated by Lang in 1867 as opus 1
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Am Tag, wo freudiges Entzücken
Durchströmt die wonnetrunkne Brust,
Zeig' ich mit sonnenfrohen Blicken
Durch Töne meine Himmelslust!

Wie in die nebelgraue Ferne
Vom Orient Apollo lacht,
So lächeln ihrer [word missing] Sterne
Auch in der Zukunft Schauernacht.

Und wie des Bächleins frohe Welle
Durch junger Wiesen Wechselgrün,
So fliesse in kristallner Zelle
Auch ihre Lebenswelle hin!

Bis froh auf der Vollendung Flügel
Von hehrem Schauer sanft durchbebt
Zu der Verklärung Sonnenhügel
Ihr unbewölkter Geist entschwebt!

Text Authorship:

  • by Anonymous / Unidentified Author

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Note: the published version of Lang's song is lost; this text came from a manuscript.

by Anonymous / Unidentified Author
4. On days when joyful rapture
Language: English 
On days when joyful rapture
Floods through my breast drunken with bliss,
I, with sunny, happy gaze, display
My heavenly joy through music.

As in the foggy-grey distance
Apollo laughs from the east,
Thus the stars of [word missing], too, smile
In the awesome night of the future.

And as the happy wave of the little brook
[Flows] through the changeful green of the meadows,
Thus may their life-wave, too, flow on
In its crystal-clear confines!

Until happy on the wings of fulfillment,
Gently shaken by a lofty shudder,
Their unclouded spirit soars aloft
To the sunny hills of transfiguration!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2006 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: 2006-06-12
Line count: 16
Word count: 100

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
5. Wie lieb du mir im Herzen bist  [sung text not yet checked]
by Josephine Lang (1815 - 1880), "Wie lieb du mir im Herzen bist", op. 1 (Acht deutsche Lieder) no. 5 (1828), published 1831 [ voice and piano ], München, Falter und Sohn, note: published without an opus number; designated by Lang in 1867 as opus 1
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich möchte dir wohl gerne sagen,
Wie lieb du mir im Herzen bist,
Nun aber weiss ich nichts zu sagen,
Weil es so ganz unmöglich ist!

Und mag ich's alle Tage singen,
Wie lieb du mir im Herzen bist,
Doch werd' ich's nimmer fertig bringen,
Weil es so ganz unmöglich ist!

Und weil es nie ist auszusprechen,
Weil's Lieben so unendlich ist,
So magst du meine Augen fragen,
Wie lieb du mir im Herzen bist!

Darinnen wirst du deutlich sehen,
Wie lieb du mir im Herzen bist,
Darinnen wirst du deutlich sehen,
Was jedem Wort unmöglich ist!

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Note: when misattributed to Richter, it is under his pseudonym Jean Paul.

by Josephine Lang (1815 - 1880) and sometimes misattributed to Johann Paul Friedrich Richter (1763 - 1825)
5. How dear you are to me in my heart
Language: English 
I would very much like to tell you
How dear you are to me in my heart,
But now I have nothing to say,
Because [saying] it is so utterly impossible!

And if I were to sing it every day
How dear you are to me in my heart,
Yet I shall never manage to express it,
Because [expressing] it is so utterly impossible!

And since it can never be expressed in words,
Because [my] loving is so infinite,
Then you may ask my eyes
How dear you are to me in my heart!

Therein you shall clearly see
How dear you are to me in my heart,
Therein you shall clearly see
What is impossible for any word [to express]!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2006 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: 2006-06-12
Line count: 16
Word count: 121

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
6. Hexenlied  [sung text not yet checked]
by Josephine Lang (1815 - 1880), "Hexenlied", op. 1 (Acht deutsche Lieder) no. 6 (1828), published 1831 [ voice and piano ], München, Falter und Sohn, note: published without an opus number; designated by Lang in 1867 as opus 1
Language: German (Deutsch) 
  Die Schwalbe fliegt,
Der Frühling siegt,
Und spendet uns Blumen zum Kranze!
Bald huschen wir 
Leis' aus der Thür,
Und fliegen zum prächtigen Tanze!

  Ein schwarzer Bock,
Ein Besenstock,
Die Ofengabel, der Wocken,
Reißt uns geschwind,
Wie Blitz und Wind,
Durch sausende Lüfte zum Brocken!

  Um Beelzebub
Tanzt unser Trupp
Und küßt ihm die kralligen Hände!
Ein Geisterschwarm
Faßt uns beim Arm,
Und schwinget im Tanzen die Brände!

  Und Beelzebub
Verheißt dem Trupp
Der Tanzenden Gaben auf Gaben:
Sie sollen schön
In Seide gehn
Und Töpfe voll Goldes sich graben!

  Ein Feuerdrach'
Umflieget das Dach,
Und bringet uns Butter und Eier!
Die Nachbarn [sehn]1
Die Funken wehn,
Und schlagen ein Kreuz vor dem Feuer!

  Die Schwalbe fliegt,
Der Frühling siegt,
[Und Blumen entblühn um die Wette]2!
Bald huschen wir 
Leis' aus der Thür,
[Und lassen die Männer im Bette]3!

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Confirmed with Gedichte von Ludewig Heinrich Christoph Hölty, Besorgt durch seine Freunde Friederich Leopold Grafen zu Stolberg und Johann Heinrich Voß, Carlsruhe: bey Christian Gottlieb Schmieder, 1784, pages 140-141.

1 Lang, Mendelssohn, Weigl: "dann seh'n"
2 Lang: "Die Blumen erblühn um die Wette"; Mendelssohn, Weigl: "Die Blumen erblühen zum Kranze"
3 Mendelssohn, Weigl: "Juchheissa zum prächtigen Tanze"

by Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty (1748 - 1776)
6. Witches' song
Language: English 
The swallows are flying,
Spring has prevailed,
And is giving us flowers for our wreaths.
Soon we will flit 
Softly out of the door
And fly to the glorious dance!
 
A black goat, 
A broomstick,
The oven fork, the distaff,
Snap us along swiftly 
Like lightning and wind,
Through roaring winds to Brocken.
 
Around Beelzebub 
Our coven dances
And kisses him on his clawed hands.
A bevy of ghosts 
Seizes us by the arm
Swinging torches in the dance.
 
And Beelzebub 
Promises the coven
of dancers gifts upon gifts:
They will be beautiful 
Walking in silk,
And they will dig up pots full of gold.
 
A fire-breathing dragon flies 
Around the roof
And brings us butter and eggs.
The neighbours [see]1 
Sparks blowing
And they cross themselves against the fire.
 
The swallows are flying,
Spring has prevailed,
[And flowers rival each other in blooming]2.
Soon we will flit 
Softly out of the door;
[And leave the men in bed]3!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2018 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 titles:
"Hexenlied" = "Witches' song"
"And'res Maienlied" = "Another May song"

1 Lang, Mendelssohn, Weigl: "then see"
2 Lang: "The flowers rival each other in blooming"; Mendelssohn, Weigl: "The flowers bloom on the wreath"
3 Mendelssohn, Weigl: "Hurray for the glorious dance!"


This text was added to the website: 2018-10-04
Line count: 36
Word count: 163

Translation © by Emily Ezust
7. Abschied vom Herbst  [sung text not yet checked]
by Josephine Lang (1815 - 1880), "Abschied vom Herbst", op. 1 (Acht deutsche Lieder) no. 7 (1828), published 1831 [ voice and piano ], München, Falter und Sohn, note: published without an opus number; designated by Lang in 1867 as opus 1
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Die Schwalben ziehn,
Nicht länger darf ich weilen,
Zum Süden muß ich eilen,
Zur Wärme hin.

Die Sonne sinkt;
Soll Leben nicht versinken,
Muß ich die Wärme trinken,
Der Süden winkt.

Wo Sonne glüht,
Sie immerwährend scheinet,
Sich Lenz mit Herbst vereinet,
Wo's ewig blüht;

Dahin! dahin
Muß ich! darf hier nicht weilen,
Muß in den Süden eilen;
Die Schwalben fliehn.

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Confirmed with Gedichte des Königs Ludwig von Bayern, Erster Theil, zweite vermehrte Ausgabe, München: Verlag der Literarischen Artistischen Anstalt der J.G. Cotta'schen Buchhandlung, page 302.


by Ludwig I, König von Bayern (1786 - 1868)
7. Farewell to Autumn
Language: English 
The swallows are migrating,
I must not linger any longer,
I must hurry southward
Into the warmth.

The sun is sinking;
If life shall not also sink,
I must imbibe warmth;
The south beckons.

Where the sun is glowing
It shines forever,
Spring unites with Autumn
Where everything blooms eternally.

Thence! thence
I must go! I must not linger here,
I must hurry southward;
The swallows are fleeing.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2006 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: 2006-06-12
Line count: 16
Word count: 68

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
8. Das Wunderblümchen  [sung text not yet checked]
by Josephine Lang (1815 - 1880), "Das Wunderblümchen", op. 1 (Acht deutsche Lieder) no. 8 (1828), published 1831, stanza 2 [ voice and piano ], München, Falter und Sohn, note: published without an opus number; designated by Lang in 1867 as opus 1
Language: German (Deutsch) 
[ ... ]

Es strahlt der Lenz auf tausend Zweigen,
Froh hat sich die Natur verjüngt.
Die Jugend schlingt den muntern Reigen,
Horch', wie dort durch des Haines Schweigen
Das süße Lied der Vögel klingt.
Doch schöner, als der Klang im Liede,
Färbt sich am Quell die zarte Blüthe.

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Confirmed with Theodor Körner's sämmtliche Werke, Im Auftrage der Mutter des Dichters herausgegeben und mit einem Vorworte begleitet von Karl Streckfuß, Berlin: Nicolai'sche Buchhandlung; Wien: Carl Gerold, pages 36-37.


by (Karl) Theodor Körner (1791 - 1813)
8. The magic flower
Language: English 
[ ... ]

Spring is glowing from a thousand branches
Nature has happily made herself young again.
Young people are forming the merry roundelay,
Listen how through the silence of the glade
The sweet song of the birds is ringing.
Yet more beautiful than the sounds within the song
Is the colouring of the delicate blossom beside the spring.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2006 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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Updated Dec 1, 2011 (extra stanzas not set by Lang).


This text was added to the website: 2006-06-12
Line count: 56
Word count: 397

Translation © by Sharon Krebs