English translations of Sechs Lieder, opus 71

by Felix Mendelssohn (1809 - 1847)

1. Tröstung
 (Sung text)
by Felix Mendelssohn (1809 - 1847), "Tröstung", op. 71 (Sechs Lieder) no. 1 (1843) [ voice and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Werde heiter, mein Gemüthe,
Und vergiß der Angst und Pein!
Groß ist Gottes Gnad' und Güte,
Groß muß auch dein Hoffen sein.

Kommt der helle, goldne Morgen
Nicht hervor aus dunkler Nacht?
Lag nicht einst im Schnee verborgen
Tief des Frühlings Blüthenpracht?

Durch die Finsterniß der Klagen
Bricht der Freude Morgenstern;
Bald wird auch dein Morgen tagen,
Gottes Güt' ist nimmer fern.

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Note: modern German would change the following spellings: "Gemüthe" -> "Gemüte", "Blüthenpracht" -> "Blütenpracht"

by August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben (1798 - 1874)
1.
Language: English 
Be cheerful, my nature,
And forget anguish and pain!
Great is God's grace and goodness,
Great must also be your hope.
 
Does the bright, golden morning
Not come forth from the dark night?
Did not in snow lie once hidden
[This]1 flowering of spring?
 
Through the darkness of lamentation
Breaks the morning star of joy;
Soon your morning will also dawn,
God's goodness is never far away!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2013 by Barbara Miller, (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 titles
"Morgenlied" = "Morning song"
"Tröstung" = "Consolation"

1 Mendelssohn: "Deep the"


This text was added to the website: 2013-02-06
Line count: 12
Word count: 68

Translation © by Barbara Miller
2. Frühlingslied
 (Sung text)
by Felix Mendelssohn (1809 - 1847), "Frühlingslied", op. 71 (Sechs Lieder) no. 2 (1843) [ voice and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Der Frühling naht mit Brausen,
Er rüstet sich zur Tat,
Und unter Sturm und Sausen
Keimt still die grüne Saat;
Drum wach, erwach, du Menschenkind,
Daß dich der Lenz nicht schlafend find'!

Tu ab die Wintersorgen,
Empfange frisch den Gast;
Er fliegt wie junger Morgen,
Er hält nicht lange Rast.
Die Knospe schwillt,
Die Blume blüht,
Die Stunde eilt,
Der Frühling flieht.
Drum wach, erwach, du Menschenkind,
Daß dich der Lenz nicht schlafend find'!

Dir armen Menschenkinde
Ist wund und weh ums Herz,
Auf, spreng getrost die Rinde,
Schau mutig frühlingswärts!
Es schmilzt das Eis, die Quelle rinnt,
Dir taut der Schmerz und löst sich lind.

Und wie die Vöglein leise
Anstimmen ihren Chor,
So schall auch deine Weise
Aus tiefster Brust hervor:
Bist nicht verarmt, bist nicht allein,
Umringt von Sang und Sonnenschein!

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by Karl Klingemann (1798 - 1862)
2.
Language: English 
Spring approaches with a blustering,
It is preparing itself for action,
And beneath storm and roaring
The sown seeds quietly sprout green;
Therefore be watchful, awaken, you human child,
That spring may not find you sleeping!

Put off your winter worries,
Receive the guest cheerily;
It flies like the young morning,
It does not stop for long.
The blossom swells,
The flower blooms,
The hour hastens,
Spring flees.
Therefore be watchful, awaken, you human child,
That spring may not find you sleeping!

You, poor human child,
Have a wounded and sore heart,
Arise, burst out of the bark confidently,
Gaze courageously springward!
The ice melts, the water-spring flows,
Your pain thaws and is gently released.

And as the birds quietly
Strike up their chorus,
Thus may your lay also sound
Forth from your deepest breast:
You are not impoverished, are not alone,
When surrounded by song and sunshine!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2019 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.
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Translations of title(s):
"Frühlingslied" = "Spring song"
"Der Frühling naht mit Brausen" = "Spring approaches with a blustering"



This text was added to the website: 2019-04-11
Line count: 28
Word count: 148

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
3. An die Entfernte
 (Sung text)
by Felix Mendelssohn (1809 - 1847), "An die Entfernte", op. 71 (Sechs Lieder) no. 3 (1847) [ voice and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Diese Rose pflück' ich hier
In der weiten Ferne,
Liebes Mädchen, dir, ach dir,
Brächt' ich sie so gerne!

Doch bis ich zu dir mag ziehn
Viele weite Meilen,
Ist die Rose längst dahin;
Denn die Rosen eilen.

Nie soll weiter sich in's Land
Lieb' von Liebe wagen,
Als sich blühend in der Hand
Läßt die Rose tragen;

Oder als die Nachtigall
Halme bringt zum Neste,
Oder als ihr süßer Schall
Wandert mit dem Weste.

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by Nikolaus Lenau (1802 - 1850)
3. To the Distant One
Language: English 
I pick this rose here
In the [unknown]1 distance.
Dear [maiden]2, to you, ah to you
I would bring it so gladly!

But by the time I could travel to you
Many distant miles,
The rose would long be wilted;
For roses hasten [to die].

Never should lovers [venture]3
Farther from each other
Than a blooming rose may be
Carried in a person's hand [without wilting];

Or [farther] than the nightingale
Brings straws to its nest,
Or [farther] than [the nightingale's] sweet sounds
Are carried by the west wind.

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.
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1 Mattiesen, Mendelssohn, Schoeck: "great"
2 Lang: "Herze"
3 Bartók: "part"
Translated titles:
An die Entfernte = To the distant one
An die Entfernte I = To the distant one I
Der Entfernten = To the distant one
Diese Rose pflück' ich hier = I pick this rose here
Mit einer Rose = With a rose


This text was added to the website: 2006-12-04
Line count: 16
Word count: 93

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
4. Schilflied
 (Sung text)
by Felix Mendelssohn (1809 - 1847), "Schilflied", op. 71 (Sechs Lieder) no. 4 (1842) [ voice and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Auf dem Teich, dem Regungslosen,
Weilt des Mondes holder Glanz,
Flechtend seine bleichen Rosen
In des Schilfes grünen Kranz.

Hirsche wandeln dort am Hügel,
Blicken durch die Nacht empor;
Manchmal regt sich das Geflügel
Träumerisch im tiefen Rohr.

Weinend muß mein Blick sich senken;
Durch die tiefste Seele geht
Mir ein süßes Deingedenken,
Wie ein stilles Nachtgebet.

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by Nikolaus Lenau (1802 - 1850)
4. On the pond, the motionless one
Language: English 
 On the pond, the motionless one,
 rests the moon's lovely gleam,
 weaving its pale roses
 into a green garland of reeds.
 
 Deer wander there on the hill,
 gazing up through the night;
 often, winged things stir
 dreamily in the tall reeds.
 
 Weeping, I must lower my gaze;
 through the depths of my soul pass
 sweet thoughts of you,
 like a quiet night prayer.

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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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 64

Translation © by Emily Ezust
5. Auf der Wanderschaft
 (Sung text)
by Felix Mendelssohn (1809 - 1847), "Auf der Wanderschaft", op. 71 (Sechs Lieder) no. 5 (1842) [ voice and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich wandre fort in fernes Land,
Noch einmal blickt' ich um, bewegt
Und sah, wie sie den Mund geregt,
Und wie gewinket ihre Hand.

Wohl rief sie noch ein freundlich Wort
Mir nach auf meinen trüben Gang,
Doch hört' ich nicht den liebsten Klang,
Weil ihn der Wind getragen fort.

Daß ich mein Glück verlassen muß,
Du rauher, kalter Windeshauch,
Ist's nicht genug, daß du mir auch
Entreißest ihren letzten Gruß?

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by Nikolaus Lenau (1802 - 1850)
5. To the wind
Language: English 
I wandered forth to a far-off land;
just one more time I looked back with emotion,
and saw how she moved her mouth 
and how she waved with her hand.

She must have called a friendly word
to send me on my gloomy way,
but I did not hear one beloved sound
because the wind had carried it away.

That I must give up my happiness,
you raw, cold blast of wind,
it should be enough - yet must you also 
tear from me her last farewell?

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2004 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.


Based on:

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This text was added to the website: 2004-05-13
Line count: 12
Word count: 86

Translation © by Emily Ezust
6. Nachtlied
 (Sung text)
by Felix Mendelssohn (1809 - 1847), "Nachtlied", op. 71 (Sechs Lieder) no. 6 (1847), stanzas 1-2,5 [ voice and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Vergangen ist der lichte Tag;
Von ferne kommt der Glocken Schlag.
So reist die Zeit die ganze Nacht,
Nimmt manchen mit, der's nicht gedacht.

Wo ist nun hin die bunte Lust,
Des Freundes Trost und treue Brust,
Der Liebsten süßer Augenschein?
Will keiner mit mir munter sein?

 ... 

Frisch auf denn, liebe Nachtigall,
Du Wasserfall mit hellem Schall!
Gott loben wollen wir vereint,
Bis daß der lichte Morgen scheint!

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by Joseph Karl Benedikt, Freiherr von Eichendorff (1788 - 1857)
6. Night song
Language: English 
Gone is the light day,
from far comes the bell's tolling;
Thus passes the time the whole night,
carrying so many along, without their knowing.

Where now is the colorful joy,
the friend's comfort and faithful bosom,
the dearest one's sweet glances?
Does no one want to be lively with me?

[ ... ]

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Carl Johengen, (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: 2004-01-26
Line count: 12
Word count: 71

Translation © by Carl Johengen