English translations of Drei Lieder, opus 8

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

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1. Wenn zwei von einander scheiden
 (Sung text)
by W. J. Otto Lessmann (1844 - 1918), "Wenn zwei von einander scheiden", op. 8 (Drei Lieder) no. 1, published 1870 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Bote und Bock
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wenn zwei von einander scheiden,
So geben sie sich die Händ',
Und fangen an zu weinen,
Und seufzen ohne End'.

Wir haben nicht geweinet,
Wir seufzten nicht Weh und Ach!
Die Tränen und die Seufzer,
Die kamen hinten nach.

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by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
1. When two people part
Language: English 
When two people part
They give each other their hands
And they begin to weep
And sigh endlessly!
We did not weep,
And did not sigh "woe" and "alas."
The tears and the sighs
Came afterwards!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2006 by Sharon Krebs and Harald 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: 2006-12-14
Line count: 8
Word count: 36

Translation © by Sharon Krebs, Harald Krebs
2. Der Knabe mit dem Wunderhorn
 (Sung text)
by W. J. Otto Lessmann (1844 - 1918), "Der Knabe mit dem Wunderhorn", op. 8 (Drei Lieder) no. 2, published 1870, stanzas 1-2,5 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Bote und Bock
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich bin ein lust'ger Geselle,
Wer könnt auf Erden fröhlicher sein!
Mein Rößlein so helle, so helle,
Das trägt mich mit Windesschnelle
In's blühende Leben hinein! --
Trara!
In's blühende Leben hinein.

Es tönt an meinem Munde
Ein silbernes Horn von süßem Schall,
Es tönt wohl manche Stunde,
Von Fels und Wald in der Runde
Antwortet der Widerhall! --
Trara!
Antwortet der Widerhall.

 ... 

Es zieht mich hinaus in die Ferne;
Ich gebe dem flüchtigen Rosse den Sporn.
Ade! Wohl blieb ich noch gerne,
Doch winken schon andre Sterne,
Und grüssend ertöne das Horn --
Trara!
Und grüssend ertöne das Horn.

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by Emanuel von Geibel (1815 - 1884)
2. The boy with the magic horn
Language: English 
I am a lusty fellow -
Who can be happier than I!
My little pony so light,
It carries me with the speed of wind
Out into a blooming life!
Trara!
Out into a blooming life!

From my lips there resounds
A sweet call from my silver horn;
It resounds for many hours.
From the cliffs to the forests, and back again
Comes the echo's answer.
Trara!
Comes the echo's answer.

[ ... ]

I am drawn far away,
I give my hurrying steed the spur,
Farewell! I would gladly stay,
But other stars do beckon,
And my horn sets my greeting to music.
Trara!
And my horn sets my greeting to music.

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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Translation of title "Der Knabe mit dem Wunderhorn" = "The boy with the magic horn"


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 35
Word count: 189

Translation © by Emily Ezust
3. Nun ist der Tag geschieden  [sung text not yet checked]
by W. J. Otto Lessmann (1844 - 1918), "Nun ist der Tag geschieden", op. 8 (Drei Lieder) no. 3, published 1870 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Bote und Bock
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Nun ist der Tag geschieden
Mit seinem Drang und Schall,
Es weht ein kühler Frieden
Durch's Dunkel überall.

Wie still die Felder liegen!
Der Wald nur ist erwacht,
Und was er dem Lichte verschwiegen
Das singt er leise der Nacht.

Und was ich am lauten Tage
Dir nimmer sagen kann,
[Nun möcht' ich dir's sagen und klagen]1 -
O komm' und [hör']2 mich an!

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1 Randhartinger: "Nun möcht' ich's dir sagen und klagen"; Sandberger: "Nun möcht' ich dir's sagen, nun möcht' ich dir's klagen"; Thuille: "Nun möcht' ich's dir sagen und klagen"
2 Sandberger: "höre"

by Emanuel von Geibel (1815 - 1884)
3.
Language: English 
Now, the day has departed
With its tumult and uproar,
A cool peace blows
Everywhere through the darkness.

How quietly lie the fields!
Only the forest remains awake,
And what it kept hidden from the light of day
It quietly sings to the night.

And what I, on a clamorous day,
Could never say to you,
Now I would like to tell you and lament – 
O come and listen to me!

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.
    Contact: 

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This text was added to the website: 2022-08-26
Line count: 12
Word count: 72

Translation © by Michael P Rosewall