English translations of Lieder und Gesänge für Singstimme und Klavier (Heft 1), opus 27

by Robert Schumann (1810 - 1856)

1. Sag an, o lieber Vogel mein
 (Sung text)
by Robert Schumann (1810 - 1856), "Sag an, o lieber Vogel mein", op. 27 (Lieder und Gesänge für Singstimme und Klavier (Heft 1)) no. 1 (1847), published 1849 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Whistling
Language: German (Deutsch) 
"Sag' an, o lieber Vogel mein,
Sag' an, wohin die Reise Dein?"
  Weiß nicht, wohin,
  Mich treibt der Sinn,
Drum muß der Pfad wohl richtig sein!

"Sag' an, o liebster Vogel mir,
Sag', was verspricht die Hoffnung Dir?"
  Ach, linde Luft
  Und süßen Duft
Und neuen Lenz verspricht sie mir!

"Du hast die schöne Ferne nie
Gesehen, und Du glaubst an sie?"
  Du frägst mich viel, 
  Und das ist Spiel,
Die Antwort aber macht mir Müh'!

Nun zog in gläubig-frommem Sinn
Der Vogel über's Meer dahin,
  Und linde Luft
  Und süßer Duft,
Sie wurden wirklich sein Gewinn!

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by (Christian) Friedrich Hebbel (1813 - 1863)
1. Tell me, oh my dear bird
Language: English 
  "Tell me, oh my dear bird,
 tell me where your journey will take you?"
 I don't know where,
 but my fancy guides me;
 therefore, the way must surely be right.
 
 "Tell me, oh my dear bird,
 tell me what Hope promises you?"
 Ah, mild air
 and sweet fragrance,
 and a new Spring is what she promises me.
 
 "You have never seen the distant lands,
 and yet you believe in them?"
 You ask me quite a lot,
 and it is but a game to you,
 but the answers make me weary.
 
 Now away in faith and pious spirit
 the bird crossed over the sea,
 and mild air
 and sweet fragrance
 were truly its just reward.

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: 20
Word count: 115

Translation © by Emily Ezust
2. Dem roten Röslein gleicht mein Lieb
 (Sung text)
by Robert Schumann (1810 - 1856), "Dem roten Röslein gleicht mein Lieb", op. 27 (Lieder und Gesänge für Singstimme und Klavier (Heft 1)) no. 2 (1840), published 1849 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Whistling
Language: German (Deutsch) 
 Dem rothen Röslein gleicht mein Lieb,
Im Junimond erblüht;
Mein Lieb ist eine Melodei,
Vor der die Seele glüht.
 
  Wie schön du bist, geliebte Maid!
Wie wird das Herz mir schwer!
Und lieben wird's dich immerdar,
Bis trocken Strom und Meer!
 
  Und würden trocken Strom und Meer,
Und schmölzen Fels und Stein:
Ich würde dennoch lebenslang
Dir Herz und Seele weihn!
 
  Nun, holdes Liebchen, lebe wohl!
Leb' wohl, du süße Maid!
Bald kehr' ich wieder, wär' ich auch
Zehn tausend Meilen weit!

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by Wilhelm Christoph Leonhard Gerhard (1780 - 1858)
2.
Language: English 
  My love is like the little red rose,
That bloomed in June;
My love is a melody
That enflames my soul
 
  How lovely you are, beloved maiden!
How my heart grows heavy!
And it shall love you forever,
Until the rivers and oceans dry up!
 
  And should the rivers and oceans dry up,
And should granite and stone melt:
For my whole life I would nevertheless
Dedicate my heart and soul to you!
 
  [And]1, lovely darling, farewell!
Farewell, you sweet maiden!
Soon I shall return, though I might be
Ten thousand miles away!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2016 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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Translated titles:
"Rothes Röslein" = "Little red rose"
"Die rothe, rothe Ros'" = "The red, red rose"
"Dem rothen Röslein gleicht mein Lieb" = "My love is like the little red rose"

1 Schumann: "Now"


This text was added to the website: 2016-11-08
Line count: 16
Word count: 96

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
3. Was soll ich sagen?
 (Sung text)
by Robert Schumann (1810 - 1856), "Was soll ich sagen?", op. 27 (Lieder und Gesänge für Singstimme und Klavier (Heft 1)) no. 3 (1840), published 1849 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Whistling
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Mein Aug' ist trüb, mein Mund ist stumm.
Du heißest mich reden, es sei darum.

Dein Aug' ist klar, dein Mund ist rot,
Und was du nur wünschest, das ist ein Gebot.

Mein Haar ist grau, mein Herz ist wund,
Du bist so jung, und bist so gesund.

Du heißest mich reden, und machst mir's so schwer.
Ich seh' dich so an, und zittre so sehr.

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by Adelbert von Chamisso (1781 - 1838)
3. My eyes are troubled
Language: English 
My eyes are troubled, my mouth is dumb,
you tell me to speak, and yet it remains so.

Your eyes are clear, your mouth is red,
and what you only wish is my command.

My hair is grey, my heart is wounded;
you are so young, and so healthy.

You bid me to speak, and make it so difficult.
I gaze on you, and I tremble.

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: 66

Translation © by Emily Ezust
4. Jasminenstrauch
 (Sung text)
by Robert Schumann (1810 - 1856), "Jasminenstrauch", op. 27 (Lieder und Gesänge für Singstimme und Klavier (Heft 1)) no. 4 (1840), published 1849 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Whistling
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Grün ist der Jasminenstrauch
Abends eingeschlafen,
Als ihn mit des Morgens Hauch
Sonnenlichter trafen,
Ist er schneeweiß aufgewacht:
"Wie geschah mir in der Nacht?"
Seht, so geht es Bäumen,
Die im Frühling träumen.

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by Friedrich Rückert (1788 - 1866)
4. Jasmine bush
Language: English 
 Green is the jasmine bush
 as evening comes in to sleep;
 but when morning's breath
 meets the sun's light,
 it awakens and becomes snow-white:
 "What happened to me in the night?"
 See: this is how it goes with trees,
 as they dream in Spring.

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: 45

Translation © by Emily Ezust
5. Nur ein lächelnder Blick
 (Sung text)
by Robert Schumann (1810 - 1856), "Nur ein lächelnder Blick", op. 27 (Lieder und Gesänge für Singstimme und Klavier (Heft 1)) no. 5 (1840), published 1847 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Whistling
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Nur ein lächelnder Blick von deinem strahlendem Auge! 
Und vom freudigen Licht fühl' ich mich innerst erhellt. 
So erheitert am nebligten Tag' ein freundlicher Strahl uns, 
Wenn den düsteren Flor plötzlich die Sonne durchbricht. 

Nur ein liebliches Wort aus deinem rosigen Munde! 
Und mein ganzes Sein fühl' ich belebend erquickt. 
So durchduftet, wie stark! ein Tröpfchen Öl, von der Rose 
Würz'ger Blume gepreßt, Locken und Brust und Gewand.

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by G. W. Zimmermann
5.
Language: English 
Only a smiling glance from your radiant eyes,
and from its joyous light I feel bright inside.
So on a misty day we are cheered by a friendly ray,
when through the dark gauze the sun breaks suddenly through.

Only a loving word from your rosy mouth,
and my entire being I feel is enlivened and refreshed.
So, strongly filled with perfume, like a drop of oil pressed from a rose's 
roots and flower, are your locks, bosom, and clothing.

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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Translation of titles
"Nur ein lächelnder Blick" = "Only a smiling glance"
"Blick und Wort" = "Glance and word"



This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 8
Word count: 80

Translation © by Emily Ezust