English translations of Drei Lieder für zwei Singstimme mit Begleitung des Pianoforte, opus posth. 77

by Felix Mendelssohn (1809 - 1847)

1. Sonntagsmorgen
 (Sung text)
by Felix Mendelssohn (1809 - 1847), "Sonntagsmorgen", op. posth. 77 no. 1 (1836), published 1849 [ duet for 2 sopranos with piano ], Leipzig, Kistner
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Das ist der Tag des Herrn!
Ich bin allein auf weiter Flur;
Noch eine Morgenglocke nur,
Nun Stille nah und fern.

Anbetend knie ich hier.
O süßes Graun, geheimes Wehn,
Als knieten viele ungesehn
Und beteten mit mir.

Der Himmel nah und fern
Er ist so still und feierlich,
So ganz, als wollt er öffnen sich.
Das ist der Tag des Herrn!

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Note: Hensel's score has "Nur" in stanza 1, line 3, word 1, but this is probably a typo.

by Johann Ludwig Uhland (1787 - 1862)
1. A shepherd's Sunday song
Language: English 
This is the day of the Lord!
I am alone on the wide meadow;
yet only one morning bell,
then silence near and far.
 
Adoring,  I kneel here.
O sweet shudder!  Secret stirring!
As if many knelt unseen
and prayed with me.
 
The sky near and far,
it is so serene and solemn,
altogether as if it would open up!
This is the day of the Lord!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2003 by John Glenn Paton, (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: 2004-01-28
Line count: 12
Word count: 67

Translation © by John Glenn Paton
2. Das Ährenfeld
 (Sung text)
by Felix Mendelssohn (1809 - 1847), "Das Ährenfeld", op. posth. 77 no. 2 (1836), published 1849 [ vocal duet with piano ], Leipzig, Kistner
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ein Leben war's im Ährenfeld,
Wie sonst wohl nirgend auf der Welt:
Musik und Kirmes weit und breit,
Und lauter Lust und Fröhlichkeit.

Die Grillen zirpten früh am Tag
Und luden ein zum Hochgelag:
« Hier ist es gut, herein, herein!
Hier schenkt man Tau und Blütenwein!»

Der Käfer kam mit seiner Frau,
Trank hier ein Mäßlein kühlen Tau,
Und wo nur winkt' ein Blümelein,
Da kehrte gleich das Bienchen ein.

Den Fliegen ward die Zeit nicht lang,
Sie summten manchen frohen Sang,
Die Mücken tanzten ihren Reih'n
Wohl auf und ab im Sonnenschein.

Das war ein Leben ringsumher,
Als ob es ewig Kirmes wär';
Die Gäste zogen aus und ein
Und ließen sich's gar wohl dort sein.

Wie aber geht es in der Welt?
Heut' ist gemäht das Ährenfeld,
Zerstöret ist das schöne Haus,
Und hin ist Kirmes, Tanz und Schmaus.

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by August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben (1798 - 1874)
2. The wheat-field
Language: English 
What a life it was in the wheat-field,
Like nowhere else in the world:
Music and fun far and wide,
And loud joy and gaiety.

The crickets chirped early in the day
Summoning everyone to the feast:
"It is good here - come in, come in!
Here one is given dew and nectar wine!"

The beetle came with his wife,
And drank here some cool dew,
And wherever a little flower beckoned,
A bee came immediately to call. 

The flies did not think time dragged,
And hummed many happy tunes;
The midges danced their rounds
Up and down in the sunshine.

It was such a life all around
As if there would be an eternal festival:
The guests came and went
And enjoyed themselves thoroughly there.

But how is it really in the world?
Today the field of wheat has been reaped;
Destroyed is that beautiful dwelling,
And gone are festival, dance, and feast.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2016 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: 2016-10-24
Line count: 24
Word count: 153

Translation © by Emily Ezust
3. Lied aus Ruy Blas
 (Sung text)
by Felix Mendelssohn (1809 - 1847), "Lied aus Ruy Blas", op. posth. 77 no. 3 (1836), published 1849 [ vocal duet for 2 sopranos and piano ], Leipzig, Kistner
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wozu der Vöglein Chöre
belauschen fern und nah?
Das Schönste, was ich höre,
ist deine Stimme ja.

Ob die Gestirne flimmern,
ob Nebel sie verhüllt,
die schönsten Sterne flimmern
in deinen Augen mild,
 
Ob Frühling überziehet
mit Blumen Feld und Flur,
die schönste Blume blühet
in deinem Herzen nur.

Die Stimme süß und klagend,
des Auges Stern so rein,
Die Blume, Düfte tragend,
das muß die Liebe sein.

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Singable translation by Karl Ferdinand von Dräxler-Manfred (1806 - 1879)
3. Song from Ruy Blas
Language: English 
Why listen to the choirs
Of birds both near and far?
The most beautiful thing I hear
Is in any case your voice.

Whether the stars twinkle,
Whether they are shrouded in mist,
The most beautiful stars shimmer
In your gentle eyes.

Whether spring covers
The fields and meadows with flowers,
The most beautiful flower blooms
In your heart alone.

The voice, sweet and lamenting,
The pure star of your eyes,
The flower, bearing scents--
That must be love.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2011 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: 

Based on:

Based on:

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This text was added to the website: 2011-08-24
Line count: 16
Word count: 79

Translation © by Sharon Krebs