English translations of Sechs Lieder, opus 9

by Carl Orff (1895 - 1982)

1. Lehn deine Wang' an meine Wang'  [sung text not yet checked]
by Carl Orff (1895 - 1982), "Lehn deine Wang' an meine Wang'", op. 9 (Sechs Lieder) no. 2 (1911) [ tenor and piano ], unpublished
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Lehn deine Wang' an meine Wang',
Dann fliessen die Tränen zusammen;
Und an mein Herz drück fest dein Herz,
Dann schlagen zusammen die Flammen!

Und wenn in die große Flamme fliesst
Der Strom von [unsern]1 Tränen,
Und wenn [dich mein Arm]2 gewaltig umschließt -
Sterb' ich vor Liebessehnen!

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Confirmed with Heinrich Heine, Buch der Lieder, Hoffmann und Campe, Hamburg, 1827, page 115.

1 Zenger: "unsren"
2 Jensen: "mein Arm dich"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
1. Lay your cheek against my cheek
Language: English 
Lay your cheek against my cheek,
 Then our tears will flow together;
 And against my heart press firmly your heart,
 Then their flames will leap together!

 And when, into the great flame, flows
 The stream of our tears,
 And when my arm embraces you powerfully -
 I shall die of love's yearning!

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: 8
Word count: 51

Translation © by Emily Ezust
2. Die Lotosblume  [sung text not yet checked]
by Carl Orff (1895 - 1982), "Die Lotosblume", op. 9 (Sechs Lieder) no. 3 (1911) [ tenor and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Die Lotosblume ängstigt
Sich vor der Sonne Pracht
Und mit gesenktem Haupte
Erwartet sie träumend die Nacht.

Der Mond, [der]1 ist ihr Buhle
Er weckt sie mit seinem Licht,
Und ihm entschleiert sie freundlich
Ihr [frommes]2 Blumengesicht,

Sie blüht und glüht und leuchtet
Und starret stumm in die Höh';
Sie duftet und weinet und zittert
Vor Liebe und Liebesweh.

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Confirmed with Heinrich Heine, Buch der Lieder, Hoffmann und Campe, Hamburg, 1827, page 119.

1 Loewe: "das"
2 Franz: "holdes"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
2. The lotus flower
Language: English 
The lotus flower is anxious
In the Sun's radiance,
And with hanging head
Waits, dreaming, for Night.

The moon, who is her lover,
Awakens her with his light,
And for him she smilingly unveils
Her innocent flower-face.

She blooms and glows and gleams
And gazes silently upwards;
She sends forth fragrance, and weeps and trembles,
With love and love's torment.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Lawrence Snyder, (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 title "Die Lotosblume" = "The lotus flower"


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 60

Translation © by Lawrence Snyder
3. Verriet mein blasses Angesicht  [sung text not yet checked]
by Carl Orff (1895 - 1982), "Verriet mein blasses Angesicht", op. 9 (Sechs Lieder) no. 4 (1911) [ tenor and piano ], unpublished
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Verriet mein blasses Angesicht
Dir nicht mein Liebeswehe?
Und willst du, daß der stolze Mund
[Das]1 Bettelwort gestehe?

O, dieser Mund ist [viel]2 zu stolz,
Und kann nur küssen und scherzen;
Er [spräche]3 vielleicht ein höhnisches Wort,
Während ich sterbe vor Schmerzen.

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1 Hofmann: "Dies"
2 Hofmann: "gar"
3 Hofmann: "spräch'"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
3.
[Translation not yet available]