English translations of Vier Gedichte von H. Heine, opus 40

by Leopold Lenz (1803 - 1862)

1. Und wüßten's die Blumen, die kleinen
 (Sung text)
by Leopold Lenz (1803 - 1862), "Und wüßten's die Blumen, die kleinen", op. 40 (Vier Gedichte von H. Heine) no. 1, published 1846 [ soprano or baritone and piano ], Mainz, Schott
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Und wüßten's die Blumen, die kleinen,
Wie tief verwundet mein Herz,
Sie würden mit mir weinen,
Zu heilen meinen Schmerz.

Und wüßten's die Nachtigallen,
Wie ich so traurig und krank,
Sie ließen fröhlich erschallen
Erquickenden Gesang.

Und wüßten sie mein Wehe,
Die kleinen Sternelein,
Sie kämen aus ihren Höhen,
Und sprächen Trost mir ein.

Sie alle, sie können's nicht wissen,
Nur eine, die kennt meinen Schmerz;
Sie hat ja selbst zerrissen,
Zerrissen mir das Herz.

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Note: Christian Jost's setting begins "Zerrissen mir das Herz" (the last line) and then follows the rest of the text.

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
1. And if the blooms - the small ones - knew
Language: English 
And if the blooms - the small ones - knew
How deeply wounded is my heart,
They would weep with me
To heal my pain.

And if the nightingales knew
How sad and ill I am,
They would let forth merrily
A refreshing song.

And if they knew my woe -
The little golden stars -
They would come down from their heights
And speak their consolation to me.

But all of them could not know this,
Only one knows my pain;
She herself has indeed torn,
Torn my heart in two.

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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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 16
Word count: 88

Translation © by Paul Hindemith
2. Es fällt ein Stern herunter
 (Sung text)
by Leopold Lenz (1803 - 1862), "Es fällt ein Stern herunter", op. 40 (Vier Gedichte von H. Heine) no. 2, published 1846 [ soprano or baritone and piano ], Mainz, Schott
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Es fällt ein Stern herunter
Aus seiner funkelnden Höh;
Das ist der Stern der Liebe,
Den ich dort fallen seh.
 
Es fallen vom Apfelbaume,
Der weißen Blätter so viel,
Es kommen die neckenden Lüfte,
Und treiben damit ihr Spiel.
 
Es singt der Schwan im Weiher,
Und rudert auf und ab,
Und immer leiser singend,
Taucht er ins Flutengrab.
 
Es ist so still so dunkel!
Verweht ist Blatt und Blüt',
Der Stern ist knisternd zerstoben,
Verklungen das Schwanenlied.

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by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
2. A star is tumbling downward
Language: English 
A star is tumbling downward
From where it sparkled on high,
It is the star for lovers,
That falling there I spy.

The apple tree has been shedding
White petals abundantly
Along come the breezes so teasing
And toying with the debris.

The swan sings in the water,
And paddles o'er each wave,
And singing ever softer,
Dives to his watery grave.

It is so dark and silent,
Swept off are bloom and leaf,
The star has fizzled and scattered;
And faded, the swan's song, so brief.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 1996 by Walter Meyer, (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 between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 16
Word count: 87

Translation © by Walter Meyer
3. Ich stand in dunkeln Träumen
 (Sung text)
by Leopold Lenz (1803 - 1862), "Ich stand in dunkeln Träumen", op. 40 (Vier Gedichte von H. Heine) no. 3, published 1846 [ soprano or baritone and piano ], Mainz, Schott
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich stand in dunkeln Träumen
Und starrte ihr Bildniß an,
Und das geliebte Antlitz
Heimlich zu leben begann.
 
Um ihre Lippen zog sich
Ein Lächeln wunderbar,
Und wie von Wehmuthsthränen
Erglänzte das Augenpaar.
 
Auch meine Thränen flossen
Mir von der Wang' herab -- 
Und ach, ich kann's nicht glauben,
Daß ich Dich verloren hab'!

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by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
3. I stood in gloomy daydreams
Language: English 
I stood in gloomy daydreams
and gazed at her portrait,
and that well-beloved countenance
began furtively to come to life.

About her lips there seemed to glide 
a wondrous smile,
and, as if they were about to fill with nostalgic tears,
her eyes glistened.
 
And my tears flowed
down my cheeks -
and ah, I cannot believe
that I have lost you!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 1996 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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Translations of titles
"Ihr Bildnis" = "Her portrait"
"Ihr Bild" = "Her portrait"
"Ich stand in dunkeln Träumen" = "I stood in gloomy daydreams"



This text was added to the website: 2017-10-13
Line count: 12
Word count: 61

Translation © by Emily Ezust
4. Das Meer erglänzte weit hinaus
 (Sung text)
by Leopold Lenz (1803 - 1862), "Das Meer erglänzte weit hinaus", op. 40 (Vier Gedichte von H. Heine) no. 4, published 1846 [ soprano or baritone and piano ], Mainz, Schott
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Das Meer erglänzte weit hinaus,
Im letzten Abendscheine;
Wir saßen im einsamen Fischerhaus,
Wir saßen stumm und alleine.

Der Nebel stieg, das Wasser schwoll,
Die Möve flog hin und wieder;
Aus deinen Augen, liebevoll,
Fielen die Thränen nieder.

Ich sah sie fallen auf deine Hand,
Ich sah sie fallen auf deine Hand;
Ich hab' von deiner weißen Hand
Die Thränen fortgetrunken.

Seit jener Stunde verzehrt sich mein Leib,
Die Seele stirbt vor Sehnen; -
Mich hat das unglückseel'ge Weib
Vergiftet mit ihren Thränen.

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by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
4. The sea sparkled out in the distance
Language: English 
 The sea sparkled out in the distance
 By the light of evening's last glow;
 We sat near the solitary fisherman's house,
 We sat mute and alone.

 The fog gathered, the water swelled,
 A seagull flew back and forth;
 From your eyes full of love
 Tears fell down.

 I saw them fall on your hand
 And sank to one knee;
 From out of your white hand
 I drank the tears.

 Since that hour my body consumes itself,
 My soul is dying of longing;
 This wretched woman
 Has poisoned me with her tears.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 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.
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This text was added to the website: 2003-10-13
Line count: 16
Word count: 92

Translation © by Michael P Rosewall