English translations of Zwei Lieder, opus 32

by Erik Meyer-Helmund (1861 - 1932)

1. Mein Liebchen, wir sassen beisammen  [sung text not yet checked]
by Erik Meyer-Helmund (1861 - 1932), "Mein Liebchen, wir sassen beisammen", op. 32 (Zwei Lieder) no. 1 (1886-8), published 1887 [ voice and piano ], Magdeburg, Heinrichshofen
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Mein Liebchen, wir sassen beisammen,
Traulich im leichten Kahn.
Die Nacht war still, und wir schwammen
Auf weiter Wasserbahn.

Die Geisterinsel, die schöne,
Lag dämm'rig im Mondenglanz;
Dort klangen liebe Töne,
Dort wogte der Nebeltanz.

Dort klang es lieb und lieber,
Und wogt' es hin und her;
Wir aber schwammen vorüber,
Trostlos auf weitem Meer.

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Confirmed with Heinrich Heine, Buch der Lieder, Hoffmann und Campe, Hamburg, 1827, page 147.


by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
1. My darling, we sat together
Language: English 
My darling, we sat together,
Comfortably in the light little boat;
The night was still, and we floated
on the broad watery road.

The ghostly island, the lovely one,
lay duskily in the moonlight;
there rang out lovely tones,
there the dancing mists waved.

The sounds there grew lovelier and lovelier,
and the dance surged back and forth;
but we floated past,
Comfortless on the wide sea.

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: 2003-10-13
Line count: 12
Word count: 67

Translation © by Emily Ezust
2. Ständchen  [sung text not yet checked]
by Erik Meyer-Helmund (1861 - 1932), "Ständchen", op. 32 (Zwei Lieder) no. 2, published 1887 [ voice and piano ], Magdeburg, Heinrichshofen
Language: German (Deutsch) 
[Hüttelein]1,
   Still und klein,
   Blinke sanft im Sternenschein,
   Weißt du auch, was du verschließest?
   Wenn du dir es stehlen ließest,
   Könnt' ich nimmer gut dir seyn,
   Hüttelein,
   Schließ dich fein,
   Laß mir keinen Dieb hinein.
Hüttelein,
   Still und klein,
   Sprich, was meint dein Mägdelein?
   Ob es hundert auch begehrten,
   Kanns ja doch nur einem werden;
   Ach wer soll der eine seyn?
   Hüttelein,
   Schließ dich fein;
   Kann ich nicht der eine sein?
Hüttelein.
   Still und klein,
   Droben ist ihr Kämmerlein;
   Wo sie ruht in süßem Schlummer,
   Ferne von ihr Leid und Kummer!
   Wieg' in sanften Traum sie ein.
   Hüttelein,
   Schließ dich fein,
   Schlössest du doch mich auch ein!

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Confirmed with Friedrich Rückert, Gesammelte Gedichte, Dritter Band, Erlangen, Carl Heyder, 1837, pages 41-42.

1 J. Boie: "Hüttlein"; further changes may exist not shown above.

by Friedrich Rückert (1788 - 1866)
2.
Language: English 
Little cottage,
Quiet and small,
Glitter gently in the starlight,
Do you also know what you enclose?
If you allow it to be stolen,
I could never be good to you.
Little cottage,
Guard yourself well, 
For my sake, don’t let a thief inside.
Little cottage,
Quiet and small,
Tell me, what does your little maid think?
If a hundred each desire her,
It can truly only be just one;
Ah, who should that one be?
Little cottage,
Guard yourself well,
Could I not be the one?
Little cottage,
Quiet and small,
Her little chamber lies above,
Where she rests in sweet slumber,
Removed from her sorrow and worry!
Nestle in your gentle dream.
Little cottage. 
Guard yourself well.
If only you would lock me inside as well!

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: 2022-07-12
Line count: 27
Word count: 128

Translation © by Michael P Rosewall