English translations of 2 Lieder, opus 30
by Josephine Lang (1815 - 1880)
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!
Text Authorship:
- by Ottilie Wildermuth (1817 - 1877), "Die Glockenblume", written 1839, appears in Mein Liederbuch, in Aus dem Frauenleben
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Note: the text above is taken from stanzas 1-3,5 of the original text.
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.
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;
So that my hand trembled
When I passed it to you!
Of that, no faint perception
Passes through your soul.
You have long forgotten the flower -
Even before it wilted!
...
May the little bell sound for me
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: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Ottilie Wildermuth (1817 - 1877), "Die Glockenblume", written 1839, appears in Mein Liederbuch, in Aus dem Frauenleben
Go to the general single-text view
Note: the text above is taken from stanzas 1-3,5 of the original text.
This text was added to the website: 2006-11-13
Line count: 20
Word count: 105
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:
- by Ottilie Wildermuth (1817 - 1877), no title, written 1848, appears in Mein Liederbuch, in Haus und Heimat, in Wiegenlieder in stürmischer Zeit. (1848.), no. 1
Go to the general single-text view
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.
Sleep, little child, sleep! Close your little eyes; God's angels are guarding Your sweet rest! Even if thunder rolls, If lightning quivers, May my little child Fall quietly asleep! God's angels guard Your gentle slumber! Those whom God protects Have never been harmed by a storm! And we would 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: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Ottilie Wildermuth (1817 - 1877), no title, written 1848, appears in Mein Liederbuch, in Haus und Heimat, in Wiegenlieder in stürmischer Zeit. (1848.), no. 1
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website: 2006-11-13
Line count: 16
Word count: 71