English translations of Zwei Lieder für Sopran (oder Tenor) mit Pianoforte, opus 17

by Erik Meyer-Helmund (1861 - 1932)

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1. Letzter Wunsch  [sung text not yet checked]
by Erik Meyer-Helmund (1861 - 1932), "Letzter Wunsch", op. 17 (Zwei Lieder für Sopran (oder Tenor) mit Pianoforte) no. 1, published 1885 [ sorpano or tenor and piano ], Hamburg, Rahter
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Mein Schatz will Hochzeit halten,
 Ich liege auf den Tod
Und nehme mit [zu]1 Grabe,
 Was ich in Schmerz und Noth
Um ihn gelitten habe.

An meinem Fenster [blühen]2
 Gelbveigel und Rosmarin;
Wenn ich von Lieb und Jammer
 Hinweggeschieden bin,
Tragt still sie aus der Kammer!

Zwei Sträußlein sollt ihr binden,
 Eins heftet mir an's Kleid,
Eins sendet meinem Knaben;
 Es ist für alle Zeit
Die letzte meiner Gaben.

O dürft' ich ungesehen
 Dem frohen Paare nah'n,
Und, wenn die Glocken läuten,
 [Ihn segnend noch]3 umfah'n, --
Und treten still beiseiten.

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Confirmed with Deutscher Dichterwald. Lyrische Anthologie von Georg Scherer, Vierte Auflage, Stuttgart, Eduard Hallberger, 1874, pages 517-518. Note: modern German would change the following spellings: "Noth" -> "Not"

1 Bill: "zum"
2 Bill: "blüh'n"
3 Bill: "und segnend ihn" (nonsensical)

by Wilhelm Ritter von Hertz, Dr. (1835 - 1902)
1. Last wish
Language: English 
My beloved wishes to celebrate his wedding,
 I am lying near to death
And take along with me into the grave
 That which, in pain and misery
I have suffered because of him.

At my window there bloom
 Wallflowers and rosemary;
When I have passed away
 From love and sorrow,
Carry them quietly from the room!

Two bouquets you are to make;
 Attach one of them to my gown,
Send one of them to my lad;
 It is for all time
The last gift I shall bestow upon him.

Oh if, unseen, I could
 Draw near to the happy couple,
And, when the bells ring,
 Embrace him yet with my blessing, --
And then quietly turn aside.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2012 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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This text was added to the website: 2012-07-14
Line count: 20
Word count: 116

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
2. Wenn der Vogel naschen will
 (Sung text)
by Erik Meyer-Helmund (1861 - 1932), "Wenn der Vogel naschen will", op. 17 (Zwei Lieder für Sopran (oder Tenor) mit Pianoforte) no. 2, published 1885 [ soprano or tenor and piano ], Hamburg, Rahter
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Amsel in dem schwarzen Kleid
Treff' ich hier dich wieder?
O wie gern zur Maienzeit
Hört' ich deine Lieder!
Und nun sitz'st du still und stumm
In den Rebenschlingen. --
"Wenn der Vogel naschen will,
Pflegt er nicht zu singen."

Heda, Geigerlein, wohin?
Ei, was muss ich sehen!
Um das Haus der Winzerin
Schleichst du auf den Zehen.
Nimm hervor das Saitenspiel,
Lass ein Stücklein klingen!
"Wenn der Vogel naschen will,
Pflegt er nicht zu singen."

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by Rudolph Baumbach (1840 - 1905)
2. When the bird wishes to nibble
Language: English 
Blackbird in your dark garb,
Do I find you here once more?
Oh, how gladly in May-time
I heard your songs!
And now you are sitting [mute and silent]1
In the loops of the grapevine. --
"When the bird wishes to nibble
It tends not to sing."

Hey there, little violinist, whither?
What must I see!
On tiptoe you are sneaking 
About the house of the lady vintner.
Take out your stringed instrument,
Let a little song ring out!
"When the bird wishes to nibble
It tends not to sing."

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2020 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: 

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Translations of title(s):
"Amsel in dem schwarzen Kleid" = "Blackbird in your dark garb"
"Wenn der Vogel naschen will" = "When the bird wishes to nibble"

1 Meyer-Helmund: "silent and mute"


This text was added to the website: 2020-01-15
Line count: 16
Word count: 90

Translation © by Sharon Krebs