German (Deutsch) translations of Two Songs, opus 22

by Edmund Duncan Rubbra (1901 - 1986)

1. Take, o take those lips away  [sung text not yet checked]
by Edmund Duncan Rubbra (1901 - 1986), "Take, o take those lips away", op. 22 (Two Songs) no. 1 (1928), published 1929 [ voice and piano ], London : Curwen ; reissued 1971 South Croyden : Lengnick
Language: English 
Take, o take those lips away,
That so sweetly [were]1 forsworn;
And those eyes, the break of day,
Lights [that]2 do mislead the morn:
But my kisses bring again;
Seals of love, [but]3 seal'd in vain, sealed in vain.

Hide, o hide those hills of snow
that thy frozen bosom wears,
On whose tops the pinks that grow
are yet of those that April wears;
But first set my poor heart free,
Bound in those icy chains by thee.

Text Authorship:

  • by Anonymous / Unidentified Author
  • sometimes misattributed to William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616)

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Note: quoted by John Fletcher, in Bloody Brother, 1639 and by William Shakespeare, in Measure for Measure, Act IV, scene 1, c1604 (just one stanza)
1 Bishop: "are"
2 Bishop: "which"
3 Bishop: "tho'"

by Anonymous / Unidentified Author and sometimes misattributed to William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616)
1. Nimm, so nimm doch Deine Lippen fort
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Nimm, so nimm doch Deine Lippen fort,
die so süß mir schworen,
und jene Augen, wie der anbrechende Tag,
Lichter, die den Morgen lügen schelten:
Aber meine Küsse bringe mir zurück,
Pfründe der Liebe, doch vergeblich gegeben.
 
Verhülle jene schneeweißen Hügel,
mit denen Deine eisige Brust sich schmückt,
auf deren Gipfel die Nelken, die dort wachsen,
jene sind, die der April vernichtet;
doch zuvorderst setze mein armes Herz mir frei,
von Euch gebunden in jene eisigen Ketten.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from English to German (Deutsch) copyright © 2010 by Sarah L. Weller, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you must ask the copyright-holder(s) directly for permission. If you receive no response, you must consider it a refusal.

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This text was added to the website: 2010-10-26
Line count: 12
Word count: 77

Translation © by Sarah L. Weller
2. Why so pale and wan  [sung text not yet checked]
by Edmund Duncan Rubbra (1901 - 1986), "Why so pale and wan", op. 22 (Two Songs) no. 2 (1928), published 1929 [ voice and piano ]
Language: English 
Why so pale and wan, fond lover?
  Prithee, why so pale?
Will, when looking well can't move her,
  Looking ill prevail?
  Prithee, why so pale?

Why so dull and mute, young sinner?
  Prithee, why so mute?
Will, when speaking well can't win her,
  Saying nothing [do't]1?
  Prithee, why so mute?

Quit, quit for shame, this will not move,
  This cannot take her;
If of herself she will not love,
  Nothing can make her;
  [The devil take her!]2

Text Authorship:

  • by John Suckling, Sir (1609 - 1642), no title, written 1637, Printed by John Haviland for Thomas Walkley, at the sign of the Flying Horse near York House, London, first published 1638

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Confirmed with Works in prose and Verse, by Sir John Suckling, Aglaura, Act IV, Scene 2, G. Routledge, London 1910, Page 115.

1 Stöhr: "do"
2 Britten: "Let who will take her!"

by John Suckling, Sir (1609 - 1642)
2.
[Translation not yet available]