English translations of Fünf Lieder von Heine, opus 4

by Hermann Wichmann (1824 - 1905)

1. Aus meinen Tränen sprießen  [sung text not yet checked]
by Hermann Wichmann (1824 - 1905), "Aus meinen Tränen sprießen", op. 4 (Fünf Lieder von Heine) no. 1 [ duet for 2 voices and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Aus meinen Tränen sprießen
Viel blühende Blumen hervor,
Und meine Seufzer werden
Ein Nachtigallenchor.

Und wenn du mich lieb hast, Kindchen,
Schenk' ich dir die Blumen all',
Und vor deinem Fenster soll klingen
Das Lied der Nachtigall.

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Confirmed with Heinrich Heine, Buch der Lieder, Hoffmann und Campe, Hamburg, 1827, page 113.


by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
1. From my tears sprout forth
Language: English 
From my tears sprout forth
Many blooming flowers,
And my sighing become joined with
The chorus of the nightingales.

And if you love me, dear child,
I will send you so many flowers;
And before your window should sound
The song of the nightingale.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Paul Hindemith, (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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Line count: 8
Word count: 44

Translation © by Paul Hindemith
2. Wasserfahrt  [sung text not yet checked]
by Hermann Wichmann (1824 - 1905), "Wasserfahrt", op. 4 (Fünf Lieder von Heine) no. 2
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich stand gelehnet an den Mast,
Und zählte jede Welle.
[Ade!]1 mein schönes Vaterland!
Mein Schiff, das segelt schnelle!

Ich [kam schön]2 Liebchens Haus vorbei,
Die Fensterscheiben blinken;
Ich [guck']3 mir fast die Augen aus,
Doch [will mir niemand]4 winken.

Ihr Tränen, bleibt mir aus dem Aug',
Daß ich nicht dunkel sehe.
[Mein krankes]5 Herze brich mir nicht
Vor [allzugroßem]6 Wehe.

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1 Lachner: "Leb wohl"
2 Hensel: "geh' bei"
3 Lachner: "schau"
4 Hensel: "niemand will mir"
5 Hensel, Pfitzner: "Du armes"
6 Hensel: "übergroßem"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
2. I stood leaning against the mast
Language: English 
I stood leaning against the mast
and counted every wave.
Adieu, my fair fatherland!
My ship, it sails so swiftly!
 
I passed my fair sweetheart's house,
the windowpanes flashing;
I almost stared my eyes out,
but no one waved to me.
 
You tears, stay away from my eyes,
for you make it too dark to see.
[My sick]1 heart, do not break
from this overwhelming grief.

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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1 Pfitzner: "You poor"


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 67

Translation © by Emily Ezust
3. Die Lotosblume ängstigt  [sung text not yet checked]
by Hermann Wichmann (1824 - 1905), "Die Lotosblume ängstigt", op. 4 (Fünf Lieder von Heine) no. 3 [ duet for 2 voices and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Die Lotosblume ängstigt
Sich vor der Sonne Pracht
Und mit gesenktem Haupte
Erwartet sie träumend die Nacht.

Der Mond, [der]1 ist ihr Buhle
Er weckt sie mit seinem Licht,
Und ihm entschleiert sie freundlich
Ihr [frommes]2 Blumengesicht,

Sie blüht und glüht und leuchtet
Und starret stumm in die Höh';
Sie duftet und weinet und zittert
Vor Liebe und Liebesweh.

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Confirmed with Heinrich Heine, Buch der Lieder, Hoffmann und Campe, Hamburg, 1827, page 119.

1 Loewe: "das"
2 Franz: "holdes"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
3.
Language: English 
The lotus flower is anxious
In the Sun's radiance,
And with hanging head
Waits, dreaming, for Night.

The moon, who is her lover,
Awakens her with his light,
And for him she smilingly unveils
Her innocent flower-face.

She blooms and glows and gleams
And gazes silently upwards;
She sends forth fragrance, and weeps and trembles,
With love and love's torment.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Lawrence Snyder, (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 "Die Lotosblume" = "The lotus flower"


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 60

Translation © by Lawrence Snyder
4. Warum sind denn die Rosen so blaß  [sung text not yet checked]
by Hermann Wichmann (1824 - 1905), "Warum sind denn die Rosen so blaß", op. 4 (Fünf Lieder von Heine) no. 4 [ duet for 2 voices and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Warum sind [denn]1 die Rosen so blaß?
O sprich mein Lieb warum?
Warum sind denn im grünen Gras
Die blauen Veilchen so stumm?

Warum singt denn mit so kläglichem Laut,
Die Lerche in der Luft?
Warum steigt denn aus dem Balsamkraut
Verwelkter Blütenduft?

Warum scheint denn die Sonn' auf die Au,
So kalt und verdrießlich herab?
Warum ist denn die Erde so grau,
Und öde wie ein Grab?

Warum bin ich selbst so krank und so trüb?
Mein liebes Liebchen sprich
O sprich mein herzallerliebstes Lieb,
Warum verließest du mich?

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Confirmed with Heinrich Heine, Buch der Lieder, Hoffmann und Campe, Hamburg, 1827, page 129.

1 Zenger: "doch"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
4. Why are the roses so pale?
Language: English 
 Why are the roses so pale?
 o speak, my love, why?
 Why in the green grass
 are the blue violets so silent?
 
 Why with such a lamenting voice
 does the lark sing in the sky?
 Why from the balsam weed does there rise
 the scent of wilting blossoms?
 
 Why does the sun shine down on the meadow,
 so coldly and morosely?
 Why is the earth so gray
 and desolate like a grave?
 
 Why am I myself so ill and dull?
 My lovely darling speak,
 O speak, my heart's most beloved love,
 why have you abandoned me?

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: 16
Word count: 97

Translation © by Emily Ezust
5. Du schönes Fischermädchen  [sung text not yet checked]
by Hermann Wichmann (1824 - 1905), "Du schönes Fischermädchen", op. 4 (Fünf Lieder von Heine) no. 5 [ duet for 2 voices and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Du schönes Fischermädchen,
Treibe den Kahn an's Land;
Komm zu [mir und setze]1 dich nieder,
Wir kosen Hand in Hand.

Leg' an mein Herz dein Köpfchen,
Und fürchte dich nicht [zu]2 sehr,
[Vertrau'st du dich]3 doch [sorglos]4
Täglich dem wilden Meer.

Mein Herz gleicht ganz dem Meere,
Hat Sturm und Ebb' und Fluth,
Und manche schöne Perle
In seiner Tiefe ruht.5

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Confirmed with Buch der Lieder von H. Heine. Hamburg bei Hoffmann und Campe. 1827, page 186; and with Reisebilder von H. Heine. Erster Theil. Hamburg, bey Hoffmann und Campe. 1826, page 12.

First published as number XII of Drei und dreißig Gedichte von H. Heine in Der Gesellschafter oder Blätter für Geist und Herz. Herausgegeben von F. W. Gubitz. Achter Jahrgang. Berlin, 1824. In der Maurerschen Buchhandlung. Sonnabend den 27. März. 50stes Blatt, page 246.

1 Meyerbeer: "mir, setz"
2 André, Dresel: "so"
3 Dresel: "Trauest du"
4 Mendel: "täglich"
5 Meyerbeer adds: 
Komm! Komm!
Du schönes Fischermädchen, komm, komm,
Wir kosen Hand in Hand.
Komm! Komm! Komm!

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
5. You beautiful fishermaiden
Language: English 
You beautiful fishermaiden,
Pull your boat toward shore;
Come to me and sit down,
We will speak of love, hand in hand.

Lay your little head on my heart,
And do not be too frightened;
Indeed, you trust yourself fearlessly
Daily to the wild sea!

My heart is just like the sea,
Having storms and ebb and flow,
And many beautiful pearls
Rest in its depths.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Michael P Rosewall, (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 between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 66

Translation © by Michael P Rosewall