English translations of Acht Lieder, opus 49

by Richard Georg Strauss (1864 - 1949)

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1. Waldseligkeit
 (Sung text)
by Richard Georg Strauss (1864 - 1949), "Waldseligkeit", op. 49 (Acht Lieder) no. 1 (1901), published 1902 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Fürstner
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Der Wald beginnt zu rauschen,
den Bäumen naht die Nacht,
als ob sie selig lauschen,
berühren sie sich sacht.

Und unter ihren Zweigen,
da bin ich ganz allein,
da bin ich ganz mein eigen :
ganz nur Dein!

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

Confirmed with Richard Dehmel, Gesammelte Werke in drei Bände, Erster Band, S. Fischer Verlag, Berlin, 1920, Erlösungen, page 55.


by Richard Fedor Leopold Dehmel (1863 - 1920)
1. Bliss in the woods
Language: English 
The woods begin to rustle
and Night approaches the trees,
as if it were listening happily
for the right moment to caress them.

And under their branches
I am entirely alone;
I am entirely myself,
entirely yours!

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: 37

Translation © by Emily Ezust
2. In goldener Fülle
 (Sung text)
by Richard Georg Strauss (1864 - 1949), "In goldener Fülle", op. 49 (Acht Lieder) no. 2 (1901), published 1902 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Fürstner
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wir schreiten in goldener Fülle
Durch seliges Sommerland,
Fest liegen uns're Hände
Wie in einander gebannt.

Die große Sommersonne
Hat uns're Herzen erhellt,
Wir schreiten in goldener Fülle
Bis an das Ende der Welt.

Und bleicht deine sinkende Stirne, 
Und läßt meine Seele ihr Haus,
Wir schreiten in goldener Fülle
Auch in das Jenseits hinaus.

Wem solch ein Sommer beschieden,
Der lacht der flüchtigen Zeit
Wir schreiten in goldener Fülle
Durch alle Ewigkeit.
Wir schreiten in goldener Fülle 
Durch seliges Sommerland.
Wir schreiten in goldener Fülle 
Bis ans Ende der Welt.
Wir schreiten in goldener Fülle 
Durch alle Ewigkeit.

Text Authorship:

  • by Paul Remer (1867 - 1943), "In goldener Fülle"

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Confirmed with Paul Remer, Johanniskind. Sommerlieder, Berlin, 1899, page 24.

by Paul Remer (1867 - 1943)
2.
Language: English 
We walk in golden abundance
Through blissful summerland,
Our hands lie firmly clasped,
As if bound to one another.

The great summer sun
Has illuminated our hearts,
We walk in golden abundance
Until the end of the world

And if your lowering brow pales,
And if my soul leaves its home,
We will walk in golden abundance
In the next life as well.

To whomever such a summer is granted,
He laughs at the passage of time --
We walk in golden abundance
Throughout eternity.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Lawrence Snyder and Rebecca Plack, (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 "In goldener Fülle" = "In golden abundance"


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 16
Word count: 84

Translation © by Lawrence Snyder, Rebecca Plack
3. Wiegenliedchen
 (Sung text)
by Richard Georg Strauss (1864 - 1949), "Wiegenliedchen", op. 49 (Acht Lieder) no. 3, published 1902 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Fürstner
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Bienchen, Bienchen,
Wiegt sich im Sonnenschein,
Spielt um mein Kindelein,
Summt dich in Schlummer ein,
Süßes Gesicht.

Spinnchen, Spinnchen,
Flimmert im Sonnenschein,
Schlummre, mein Kindelein,
Spinnt dich in Träume ein,
Rühre dich nicht!

Tief-Edelinchen
Schlüpft aus dem Sonnenschein,
Träume, mein Kindelein,
Haucht dir ein Seelchen ein:
Liebe zum Licht.

Text Authorship:

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by Richard Fedor Leopold Dehmel (1863 - 1920)
3. Little cradle song
Language: English 
Little bee, little bee,
Rocks itself in the sunshine,
Plays about my little child,
Humming you into slumber,
Sweet face.
 
Little spider, little spider,
Twinkles in the sunshine --
Slumber, my little child --
Entangling you in a web of dreams,
Don't move!
 
Profound little Edeline
Slips out of the sunshine --
Dream, my little child --
Breathing a little soul into you:
Love of light.

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:
"Wiegenlied" = "Cradle song"
"Wiegenliedchen" = "Little cradle song"


This text was added to the website: 2016-09-11
Line count: 15
Word count: 62

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
4. Das Lied des Steinklopfers
 (Sung text)
by Richard Georg Strauss (1864 - 1949), "Das Lied des Steinklopfers", op. 49 (Acht Lieder) no. 4 (1901), published 1902 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Fürstner
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich bin kein Minister,
Ich bin kein König,
Ich bin kein Priester,
Ich bin kein Held,
Mir ist kein Orden,
Mir ist kein Titel
Verliehen worden
Und auch kein Geld.

Dich will ich kriegen,
Du harter Plocken,
Die Splitter fliegen,
Der Sand stäubt auf -
"Du armer Flegel,"
Mein Vater brummte,-
"Nimm meinen Schlägel;"
Und starb darauf.

Heut hab ich Armer
Noch nichts gegessen,
Der Allerbarmer
Hat nichts gesandt;
Von gold’nem Weine
Hab‘ ich geträumet
Und klopfe Steine
Für's Vaterland.

Text Authorship:

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Confirmed with Die Texte der Lieder von Richard Strauss, Kritische Ausgabe von Reinhold Schlötterer, Pfaffenhofen: W. Ludwig Verlag, 1988.


by Karl Friedrich Henckell (1864 - 1929)
4. The song of the stonebreaker
Language: English 
I am no minister,
I am no king,
I am no priest,
I am no hero,
No medal,
No title,
Has been bestowed upon me
And also no money.

You I wish to deal with,
You hard block,
The splinters are flying,
The sand rises in clouds -
“You poor lout,”
My father muttered,-
“Take my hammer;”
And died thereafter.

Today I, poor wretch,
Have not yet eaten anything,
The All-Merciful One
Has sent nothing;
I have dreamed
Of golden wine,
And I break stones
For the Fatherland.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2014 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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This text was added to the website: 2014-05-19
Line count: 24
Word count: 87

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
5. Sie wissen's nicht
 (Sung text)
by Richard Georg Strauss (1864 - 1949), "Sie wissen's nicht", op. 49 (Acht Lieder) no. 5 (1901), published 1902 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Fürstner
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Es wohnt ein kleines Vögelein
Auf grünem Baum, im grünen Licht,
Daß es die schöne Nachtigall,
Das Vöglein, es weiß es nicht.

Es wohnt ein schneeweiß Mägdelein
Im vierten Stock beim Himmelslicht,
Daß es das schönste Kind der Stadt,
Das schöne Kind, es weiß es nicht.

Sie wissen's nicht, und unten tief
Geht einer, dem das Herz zerbricht,
Zum Mädchen und zur Nachtigall
Schluchzt er hinauf, sie wissen's nicht.

Text Authorship:

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by Oscar Panizza (1853 - 1921)
5.
Language: English 
A little bird lives
Upon a green tree, in green light;
The little bird, it does not know
That it is the beautiful nightingale.

A snow-white maiden lives
In the fourth storey near the light of heaven;
That beautiful child, she does not know
That she is the most beautiful child in the city.

They know it not, and far down below
Walks a man whose heart is breaking;
His sobs rise up to the maiden and the nightingale.
They know it not.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2014 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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English song title (Saar): Maiden and Nightingale
English song title (Strauss): They know it not


This text was added to the website: 2014-04-23
Line count: 12
Word count: 83

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
6. Junggesellenschwur
 (Sung text)
by Richard Georg Strauss (1864 - 1949), "Junggesellenschwur", op. 49 (Acht Lieder) no. 6 (1900), published 1902 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Fürstner
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Weine, weine, weine nur nicht,
ich will dich lieben, doch heute nicht,
ich will dich ehren, soviel ich kann,
aber 's Nehmen,
aber 's Nehmen steht mir nicht an.

Glaube, glaube, glaube nur fest,
daß dich mein' Treu' niemals verläßt,
allzeit beständig, niemals abwendig
will ich treu sein.
aber gebunden, das geh' ich nicht ein.

Hoffe, hoffe, hoffe, mein Kind,
daß meine Worte aufrichtig sind,
ich tu' dir schwören bei meiner Ehren,
daß ich treu bin:
aber 's Heiraten ist nie mein Sinn.

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

from Volkslieder (Folksongs)
6. Weep, weep, weep not
Language: English 
 Weep, weep, weep not!
 I will love you, but just not today.
 I will honour you as much as I can,
 but keeping -
 but keeping is not for me.
 
 Believe, believe, believe firmly
 that I will never lose my fidelity:
 I will be constant forever, and never stray;
 I will be true to you.
 But committment is not for me. 
 
 Hope, hope, hope, my dear
 that my words are genuine;
 I swear to you by my honour
 that I am truthful:
 but marriage is never my meaning.

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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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 15
Word count: 88

Translation © by Emily Ezust
7. Wer lieben will, muß leiden
 (Sung text)
by Richard Georg Strauss (1864 - 1949), "Wer lieben will, muß leiden", op. 49 (Acht Lieder) no. 7 (1901), published 1902 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Fürstner
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wer lieben will, muß leiden;
Ohn' Leiden liebt man nicht,
Drum bin ich ein armes Mädchen,
Kein' Mensch' hab' ich jetzt mehr.

Jetzt geh ich auf den Kirchhof,
Auf meiner Mutter Grab,
Und tu so bitterlich weinen,
Bis sie mir Antwort gab.

Und durch die Allmacht Gottes
Gab sie mir gleich Antwort.
Drei Wörtlein tut sie sprechen
Aus ihrer kühlen Gruft:

Ach, Tochter, liebe Tochter,
Erwarte nur die Zeit.
Der Tod wird dich schon holen
Für in die Ewigkeit.

Text Authorship:

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from Volkslieder (Folksongs)
7. Those who wish to love, must suffer
Language: English 
Those who wish to love, must suffer;
Without suffering one does not love.
That is why I am a poor girl;
I no longer have anyone belonging to me.
 
Now I shall go to the churchyard
To my mother’s grave,
And I shall weep so bitterly
Until she gives me an answer.
 
And through God’s omnipotence
She immediately gave me an answer.
Three little words she speaks
From out her cool tomb:
 
Ah daughter, dear daughter,
Only await the time.
Death shall fetch even you
And take you to eternity.

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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This text was added to the website: 2016-11-25
Line count: 16
Word count: 90

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
8. Ach, was Kummer, Qual und Schmerzen
 (Sung text)
by Richard Georg Strauss (1864 - 1949), "Ach, was Kummer, Qual und Schmerzen", op. 49 (Acht Lieder) no. 8 (1901), published 1902 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Fürstner
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ach, was Kummer, Qual und Schmerzen, hm, hm.
Es liegt mir was auf meinem Herzen, hm, hm.
Und ich trau es nicht zu sagen,
Mich bei Jemand zu beklagen,
    da ich doch, hm, hm.

Stille muß ich's in mich schliessen, hm, hm.
Darf kein Wörtchen lassen fliessen, hm, hm.
Muß mich stellen vor den Leuten,
Als wär ich in allen Freuden,
    da ich doch, hm, hm.

Meine Freude wär zu leben, hm, hm.
Mich der Freundschaft zu ergeben, hm, hm.
Mein Herz wünscht sich zu verschenken,
Um ein and'res Herz zu lenken,
    das empfindsam hm, hm.

Text Authorship:

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from Volkslieder (Folksongs)
8. Ah, what sorrow, agony and pain
Language: English 
Ah, what sorrow, agony and pain, hm, hm.
Something is weighing upon my heart, hm, hm.
And I dare not say it,
[Dare not] complain to anyone,
    since I, hm, hm.

Silently I must lock it up inside myself, hm, hm.
Must not let a single little word flow out, hm, hm.
I must appear before other people
As if I were revelling in all joys,
    while I, hm, hm.

It would be my happiness to live, hm, hm.
To surrender myself to friendship, hm, hm.
My heart wishes to give itself away,
In order to guide another heart
    that is sensitive, hm, hm.

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.
    Contact: 

Based on:

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This text was added to the website: 2016-05-24
Line count: 15
Word count: 104

Translation © by Sharon Krebs