English translations of Vier Gedichte für eine Singstimme mit Pianoforte, opus 1

by W. J. Otto Lessmann (1844 - 1918)

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1. Gefunden  [sung text not yet checked]
by W. J. Otto Lessmann (1844 - 1918), "Gefunden", op. 1 (Vier Gedichte für eine Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 1 [ voice and piano ], Magdeburg, Heinrichshofen's Verlag
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich ging im Walde
So für mich hin,
Und Nichts zu suchen,
Das war mein Sinn.

Im Schatten sah ich
Ein Blümchen stehn,
Wie Sterne leuchtend,
Wie Äuglein schön.

Ich wollt' es brechen,
Da sagt' es fein:
"Soll ich zum Welken
Gebrochen sein?"

Ich grub's mit allen
Den Würzlein aus,
Zum Garten trug ich's
Am hübschen Haus.

Und pflanzt' es wieder
Am stillen Ort;
Nun zweigt es immer
Und blüht so fort.

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by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832)
1. Found
Language: English 
I was walking in the woods
Just [enjoying] being there,
And seeking nothing [in particular] out,
That was my state of mind.

In the shade I saw
A little flower standing,
Shining like stars,
Like beautiful little eyes.

I wanted to pick it,
When it said sweetly:
“Shall I wither [after]
Being picked?”

I dug it all out [preserving]
Its little roots,
I carried it to the garden
Next to my pretty house.

And replanted it
In a silent place;
Now [new] sprigs appear
And bloom immediately.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2016 by Laura Prichard, (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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Translation of title "Gefunden" = "Found"


This text was added to the website: 2016-04-04
Line count: 20
Word count: 87

Translation © by Laura Prichard
2. Dein Angesicht, so lieb und schön  [sung text not yet checked]
by W. J. Otto Lessmann (1844 - 1918), "Dein Angesicht, so lieb und schön", op. 1 (Vier Gedichte für eine Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 2 [ voice and piano ], Magdeburg, Heinrichshofen's Verlag
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Dein Angesicht so lieb und schön,
Das hab' ich jüngst im Traum gesehn,
Es ist so mild und engelgleich,
Und doch so bleich, so [schmerzenbleich]1.

Und nur die Lippen, die sind rot;
Bald aber küßt sie bleich der Tod.
Erlöschen wird das Himmelslicht,
Das aus den frommen Augen bricht.

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Confirmed with Heinrich Heine, Buch der Lieder, Hoffmann und Campe, Hamburg, 1827, page 114.

1 Schumann: "schmerzenreich"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
2.
Language: English 
Your face so lovable and fair:
I saw it recently in a dream.
It is so mild and angelic,
and yet so pale, so [pale with]1 pain!

And only your lips are red;
but soon Death will kiss them pale.
Out will go the heavenly light
that reflects out from your innocent eyes.

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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1 Schumann: "full of"

Translations of titles
"Dein Angesicht" = "Your face"
"Dein Angesicht so lieb und schön" = "Your face so lovable and fair"
"Im Traumbild" = "In a dream image"
"Liebchens Angesicht" = "Darling's face"


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 8
Word count: 54

Translation © by Emily Ezust
3. Ständchen  [sung text not yet checked]
by W. J. Otto Lessmann (1844 - 1918), "Ständchen", op. 1 (Vier Gedichte für eine Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 3 [ voice and piano ], Magdeburg, Heinrichshofen's Verlag
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wenn du im Traum wirst fragen:
„Wer pocht an's Fensterlein?“
Dann wird der Wind dir sagen:
Ich bin's! -- o laß mich ein!
Dem Liebsten ist nach dir so bang,
Ich bring' dir Gruß und Kuß und Sang --
Schlummre süß!

Wenn du im Traum wirst fragen:
„Was will so heller Schein?“
Dann wird der Mond dir sagen:
Ich bin's! -- o laß mich ein!
Ich komm' von Einem, der noch wacht,
Der für dich betet jede Nacht,
Schlummre süß!

Wenn du im Traum wirst fragen:
„Woher so süßer Schall?“
Wird dir ein Vöglein sagen:
Ich bin's, die Nachtigall!
Von Lieb' und Sehnsucht sing' ich laut,
Bis daß dein Aug' den Morgen schaut --
Schlummre süß!

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Confirmed with Pfälzische Blätter für Geschichte, Poesie und Unterhaltung, ed. by A. Kranzbühler, Zweibrücken: A. Kranzbühler, Freitag, 9 Juni 1871, issue no. 67, first page [no page numbers].


by Rudolf Löwenstein (1819 - 1891)
3.
Language: English 
If, in a dream, you may ask:
“Who is knocking on my little window?
Then the wind will say to you:
“I am! Oh, let me inside!
Your beloved is so anxious to be near you,
I bring you greetings, and kisses and song – 
Slumber sweetly!”

If, in a dream, you may ask:
“Who is shining so brightly?”
Then the moon will say to you:
“I am! O, let me inside!
I come from the One, who is still awake,
Who prays for you every night,
Slumber sweetly!”

If, in a dream, you may ask:
“Who is making such a sweet sound?”
Then a little bird will say to you:
“I am, the nightingale!
Of love and longing I sing lustily,
Until your eyes see the morning – 
Slumber sweetly!”

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2022 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: 2022-07-01
Line count: 21
Word count: 131

Translation © by Michael P Rosewall
4. Nun die Schatten dunkeln   [sung text not yet checked]
by W. J. Otto Lessmann (1844 - 1918), "Nun die Schatten dunkeln ", op. 1 (Vier Gedichte für eine Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 4 [ voice and piano ], Magdeburg, Heinrichshofen's Verlag
Language: German (Deutsch) 
[Nun]1 die Schatten dunkeln,
Stern [an]2 Stern erwacht:
Welch ein Hauch der Sehnsucht
Flutet [in der]3 Nacht!

Durch das [Meer]4 der Träume
Steuert ohne Ruh',
[Steuert]5 meine Seele
Deiner Seele zu.

Die sich dir ergeben,
Nimm sie ganz dahin!
Ach, du weißt, daß nimmer
Ich [mein]6 eigen bin.

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Confirmed with Emanuel Geibel, Juniuslieder, Stuttgart und Tübingen: J.G. Cotta'scher Verlag, 1848, page 34.

1 Lewy: "Wenn"; further changes may exist not shown above.
2 Bolko von Hochberg: "bei"
3 Bolko von Hochberg, Hermann, Rubinstein, Schachner, Zumpe: "durch die"
4 Bolko von Hochberg: "Reich"
5 Hermann: "Sehnend"
6 Schachner: "mir"

by Emanuel von Geibel (1815 - 1884)
4. Now the shadows are darkening
Language: English 
Now the shadows are darkening
star after star is waking up:
what a breath of longing
is flooding through the night!

Across the sea of dreams,
steering ceaselessly
my soul is steering
towards your soul.

Anything that surrenders to you
is to be taken completely.
Oh, you know, that I am no longer
my own.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2005 by Malcolm Wren, (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: 2005-04-11
Line count: 12
Word count: 55

Translation © by Malcolm Wren