English translations of 2 Lieder, opus 30

by Josephine Lang (1815 - 1880)

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1. Glockenblume
 (Sung text)
by Josephine Lang (1815 - 1880), "Glockenblume", op. 30 (2 Lieder) no. 1, published 1864, stanzas 1-3,5 [ voice and piano ], Stuttgart, Verlag der Ebner’schen Kunst- und Musikhandlung
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Die blaue Glockenblume
Hast du begehrt von mir; --
O sag', was soll die arme,
Die schlichte Blüte dir?

Du hast sie nur begehret
Im Scherze, froh und leicht;
Daß meine Hand gezittert,
Als ich sie dir gereicht, --

Davon kein leises Ahnen
Durch deine Seele zieht;
Du hast sie längst vergessen
Noch eh' sie ist verblüht.

 ... 

Mag mir das Glöcklein tönen
Ein leises Grabgeläut,
Wenn ich hinunter senke
Die kurze Seligkeit!

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Note provided by Sharon Krebs: Ottilie Wildermuth’s poems were not published until after her death. Josephine Lang knew her personally and obtained the poems directly from the poet. Therefore the changes noted in the footnotes might not be Lang’s, but rather earlier versions by Wildermuth herself.

by Ottilie Wildermuth (1817 - 1877)
1. The bluebell
Language: English 
The bluebell,
You asked me for it; --
Oh tell me, of what use is the poor,
The simple blossom to you?

You only asked for it
In jest, happily and lightly;
[That my hand trembled
When I passed it to you, --]1

Of that, no faint perception
Passes [into]2 your soul.
You have [likely]3 forgotten [the flower] -
Even before it wilted!

[ ... ]

[Thus may the little bell sound]4
A quiet peal of funeral bells
When I lay to rest
[My] brief happiness!

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.
    Contact: 

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1 Lang changes the punctuation so that these lines are the conclusion of a thought. The translation for the song text should therefore be: "So that my hand trembled / When I passed it to you!"
2 Lang: "through"
3 Lang: "long"
4 Lang: "May the little bell sound for me"


This text was added to the website: 2006-11-13
Line count: 20
Word count: 105

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
2. Wiegenlied in stürmischer Zeit
 (Sung text)
by Josephine Lang (1815 - 1880), "Wiegenlied in stürmischer Zeit", op. 30 (2 Lieder) no. 2, published 1864 [ voice and piano ], Stuttgart, Verlag der Ebner’schen Kunst- und Musikhandlung
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Schlafe Kindlein, schlafe,
Thu' die Äuglein zu,
Gottes Engel hüten 
Deine süsse Ruh!
 
Ob die Donner rollen,
Zuckt der Blitze Schein,
Möge doch mein Kindlein
Ruhig schlafen ein!
 
Gottes Engel schirmen
Deinen linden Schlaf!
Wen der Herr behütet,
Nie ein Wetter traf!
 
Und wir wollten zagen,
Wo ein Kindlein ruht?
Sind wir all' nicht Kinder
In des Vaters Hut?

Text Authorship:

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Note: Ottilie Wildermuth’s poems were not published until after her death. Josephine Lang knew her personally and obtained the poems directly from the poet. Therefore the changes noted in the footnotes might not be Lang’s, but rather earlier versions by Wildermuth herself.

by Ottilie Wildermuth (1817 - 1877)
2. Lullaby in stormy times
Language: English 
Sleep, little child, sleep!
Close your little eyes;
[Even if thunder rolls
Over your rest!]1
 
Even if [storms roar]2,
[If] lightning quivers,
May my little child
Fall quietly asleep!
 
God's angels guard
Your [quiet]3 slumber!
Those whom God protects
Have never been harmed by a storm!
 
And we [should]4 despair [in a situation]
Where a child rests?
Are we not all children
In the Father's care?

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.
    Contact: 

Based on:

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View original text (without footnotes)

Translation of title "Wiegenlied in stürmischer Zeit" = "Lullaby in stormy times"

1 Lang: "God's angels are guarding / Your sweet rest!"
2 Lang: "thunder rolls"
3 Lang: "gentle"
4 Lang: "would"


This text was added to the website: 2006-11-13
Line count: 16
Word count: 71

Translation © by Sharon Krebs