English translations of Zwei Lieder nach Nicolaus Lenau, opus 26

by Richard Georg Strauss (1864 - 1949)

1. Frühlingsgedränge
 (Sung text)
by Richard Georg Strauss (1864 - 1949), "Frühlingsgedränge", op. 26 (Zwei Lieder nach Nicolaus Lenau) no. 1
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Frühlingskinder im bunten Gedränge,
Flatternde Blüten, duftende Hauche,
Schmachtende, jubelnde Liebesgesänge
Stürzen ans Herz mir aus jedem Strauche.
Frühlingskinder mein Herz umschwärmen,
Flüstern hinein mit schmeichelnden Worten,
Rufen hinein mit trunknem Lärmen,
Rütteln an längst verschlossnen Pforten.
Frühlingskinder, mein Herz umringend,
Was doch sucht ihr darin so dringend?
Hab' ich's verrathen euch jüngst im Traume,
Schlummernd unterm Blüthenbaume?
Brachten euch Morgenwinde die Sage,
Daß ich im Herzen eingeschlossen
Euren lieblichen Spielgenossen,
Heimlich und selig -- ihr Bildnis trage?

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Note for line 7, word 4: Lang has "trunkenen", which is likely a typo.

by Nikolaus Lenau (1802 - 1850)
1.
Language: English 
Children of spring in colorful profusion,
fluttering blossoms, fragrant breezes,
yearning, jubilant songs of love -
they burst upon my heart from every bush.
Children of spring swarm around my heart,
whispering cajoling words,
calling with intoxicated shouts,
rattling gates long locked.
Children of spring, besetting my heart,
what do you still seek so urgently within?
Did I betray it to you recently in a dream
as I slumbered beneath a blossoming tree?
Or did the morning wind bring tidings to you
that, locked in my heart,
your lovely playmate's 
image I bear secretly and blissfully?

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.


Based on:

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Translation of title "Frühlingsgedränge = "Spring's profusion"


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 16
Word count: 95

Translation © by Emily Ezust
2. O wärst du mein!
 (Sung text)
by Richard Georg Strauss (1864 - 1949), "O wärst du mein!", op. 26 (Zwei Lieder nach Nicolaus Lenau) no. 2
Language: German (Deutsch) 
O wärst du mein, es wär' ein schönes Leben!
So aber ists Entsagen nur und Trauern,
Nur ein verlornes Grollen und Bedauern;
Ich kann es meinem Schicksal nicht vergeben.

Undank tut wohl und jedes Leid der Erde;
Ja! meine Freud'  in Särgen, Leich' an Leiche,
Sind ein gelinder Gram, wenn ichs vergleiche
Dem Schmerz, daß ich dich nie besitzen werde.

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by Nikolaus Lenau (1802 - 1850)
2. To *
Language: English 
[Ah]1 if you were mine, it would be a finer life,
But instead it is only renunciation and grief,
[And]2 wasted lament and regret.
I cannot forgive my fate.

Ingratitude is good, and all the sorrow on earth;
Yes, my [friends]3 in coffins, corpse upon corpse -
All these are small griefs when I compare them to
The agony that I will never possess you.

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.


Based on:

Go to the general single-text view

View original text (without footnotes)
1 Strauss: "Ah"
2 Strauss: "only"
3 Strauss: "joys"


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 8
Word count: 67

Translation © by Emily Ezust