English translations of Sechs deutsche Lieder, opus 54

by Jakob Rosenhain (1813 - 1894)

1. Ich lieb' eine Blume, doch weiß ich nicht welche  [sung text not yet checked]
by Jakob Rosenhain (1813 - 1894), "Ich lieb' eine Blume, doch weiß ich nicht welche", op. 54 (Sechs deutsche Lieder) no. 1
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich lieb' eine Blume, doch weiß ich nicht welche;
Das macht mir Schmerz.
Ich schau' in alle Blumenkelche
Und such' ein Herz.

Es duften die Blumen im Abendscheine,
Die Nachtigall schlägt.
Ich such' ein Herz, so schön wie das meine,
So schön bewegt.

Die Nachtigall schlägt, und ich verstehe
Den süßen Gesang:
Uns beiden ist so bang' und wehe,
So weh und bang.

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by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
1. I love a flower
Language: English 
I love a flower, if 'tis requited, I know not,
that gives me pain.
I look into all flower-blooms
and seek a heart.

Flowers are fragrant in the evening-light;
the nightingale sings,
I search for a heart, as beautiful as mine,
that moves as beautifully.

The nightingale sings, and I understand
the sweet song:
we're both so anxious and sad,
so sad and anxious.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by John H. Campbell, (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 between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 64

Translation © by John H. Campbell
2. Vergiftet sind meine Lieder  [sung text not yet checked]
by Jakob Rosenhain (1813 - 1894), "Vergiftet sind meine Lieder", op. 54 (Sechs deutsche Lieder) no. 3
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Vergiftet sind meine Lieder; -
Wie könnt es anders sein?
Du hast mir ja Gift gegossen
Ins blühende Leben hinein.

Vergiftet sind meine Lieder; -
Wie könnt es anders sein?
Ich trag' im Herzen viel Schlangen,
Und dich, Geliebte mein.

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Confirmed with Heinrich Heine, Buch der Lieder, Hoffmann und Campe, Hamburg, 1827, page 155.


by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
2. Poisoned are my songs
Language: English 
 Poisoned are my songs -
 how could it be otherwise?
 You have poured poison
 into my blossoming life.
 
 Poisoned are my songs -
 how could it be otherwise?
 I bear in my heart many snakes,
 and you, my beloved!

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: 38

Translation © by Emily Ezust