English translations of Zehn Liebeslieder, opus 31

by Heinrich Rudolph Willmers (1821 - 1878)

1. Was will die einsame Träne  [sung text not yet checked]
by Heinrich Rudolph Willmers (1821 - 1878), "Was will die einsame Träne", op. 31, Heft 1 no. 1
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Was will die einsame Thräne?
Sie trübt mir ja den Blick.
Sie blieb aus alten Zeiten
In meinem Auge zurück.

Sie [hatte]1 viel' leuchtende Schwestern,
Die alle zerflossen sind,
Mit meinen Qualen und Freuden,
Zerflossen in Nacht und Wind.

Wie Nebel sind auch zerflossen
Die blauen Sternelein,
Die mir [jene]2 Freuden und Qualen
Gelächelt ins Herz hinein.

Ach, meine Liebe selber
Zerfloß wie eitel Hauch!
Du alte, einsame Thräne,
Zerfließe jetzunder auch!

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Confirmed with Buch der Lieder von Heinrich Heine, Sechsundfünfzigste Auflage (56th edition), Hamburg, Hoffmann und Campe, 1887, page 147. Note: in this edition, the poem is number 29.

Modern German would change "Thräne" to "Träne".

1 Franz: "hat"
2 Cornelius: "die"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
1. What does this solitary tear mean?
Language: English 
 What does this solitary tear mean?
 - it so blurs my gaze.
 It has lingered since long ago
 behind my eye.
 
 It had several shining sisters,
 which have all flown away
 with my agonies and joys,
 flown away in night and wind.
 
 Like mist have also faded away
 the blue little stars
 through which my joys and agonies
 were smiled into my heart.
 
 Alas, my love itself
 has vanished, like a vain breath!
 You old, lonely tear,
 flow down then and be gone!

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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Line count: 16
Word count: 83

Translation © by Emily Ezust
2. Schöne Wiege meiner Leiden  [sung text not yet checked]
by Heinrich Rudolph Willmers (1821 - 1878), "Schöne Wiege meiner Leiden", op. 31, Heft 1 no. 2
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Schöne Wiege meiner Leiden,
schönes Grabmal meiner Ruh',
schöne Stadt, wir müssen scheiden, -
Lebe wohl! ruf' ich dir zu.

Lebe wohl, du heil'ge Schwelle,
wo da wandelt Liebchen traut;
lebe wohl! du heil'ge Stelle, 
wo ich sie zuerst geschaut.

Hätt' [ich dich]1 doch nie [gesehen]2,
schöne Herzenskönigin!
Nimmer wär' es dann geschehen,
daß ich jetzt so elend bin.

Nie wollt' ich dein Herze rühren,
Liebe hab' ich [nie]3 erfleht;
nur ein stilles Leben führen
[wollt' ich, wo]4 dein Odem weht.

Doch du drängst mich selbst von hinnen,
bittre Worte spricht dein Mund;
Wahnsinn wühlt in meinen Sinnen,5
und mein Herz ist krank und wund.

Und die Glieder matt und träge
schlepp' ich fort am Wanderstab,
bis mein müdes Haupt ich lege
ferne in ein kühles Grab.

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1 Bill: "ich"
2 Schumann: "gesehn"
3 Bill: "nicht"
4 Bill: "wo"
5 Bill adds "Wahnsinn wühlt in meiner Brust"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
2. Pretty cradle of my sorrows
Language: English 
 Pretty cradle of my sorrows,
 pretty tombstone of my rest,
 pretty town - we must part, -
 farewell! I call to you.
 
 Farewell, you holy threshhold,
 across which my darling would tread;
 farewell! you sacred spot
 where I first saw her.
 
 Would that I had never seen you,
 lovely queen of my heart!
 Never would it then have happened,
 that I would now be so wretched.
 
 I never wished to touch your heart,
 I never begged for love;
 all I wished was to lead a quiet life
 where your breath could stir me.
 
 Yet you yourself pushed me away from you,
 with bitter words at your lips;
 Madness filled my senses,
 and my heart is sick and wounded.
 
 And my limbs are heavy and sluggish;
 I'll drag myself forward, leaning on my staff, 
 until I can lay my weary head 
 in a cool and distant grave.

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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Line count: 24
Word count: 145

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3. Mein Liebchen, wir saßen beisammen  [sung text not yet checked]
by Heinrich Rudolph Willmers (1821 - 1878), "Mein Liebchen, wir saßen beisammen", op. 31, Heft 1 no. 3 [ tenor or soprano and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Mein Liebchen, wir sassen beisammen,
Traulich im leichten Kahn.
Die Nacht war still, und wir schwammen
Auf [weiter]1 Wasserbahn.

Die Geisterinsel, die schöne,
Lag dämm'rig im Mondenglanz;
Dort klangen liebe Töne,
[Dort]2 wogte der Nebeltanz.

Dort klang es lieb und lieber,
Und wogt' es hin und her;
Wir aber schwammen vorüber,
Trostlos auf weitem Meer.

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Confirmed with Heinrich Heine, Buch der Lieder, Hoffmann und Campe, Hamburg, 1827, page 147.

1 Franz: "öder"
2 Franz: "Und"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
3. My darling, we sat together
Language: English 
My darling, we sat together,
Comfortably in the light little boat;
The night was still, and we floated
on the broad watery road.

The ghostly island, the lovely one,
lay duskily in the moonlight;
there rang out lovely tones,
there the dancing mists waved.

The sounds there grew lovelier and lovelier,
and the dance surged back and forth;
but we floated past,
Comfortless on the wide sea.

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: 2003-10-13
Line count: 12
Word count: 67

Translation © by Emily Ezust
4. Warum sind denn die Rosen so blaß  [sung text not yet checked]
by Heinrich Rudolph Willmers (1821 - 1878), "Warum sind denn die Rosen so blaß", op. 31, Heft 1 no. 4 [ tenor or soprano 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]2?

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"
2 Lachner, Vliegh: "Hervor ein Leichenduft"

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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Line count: 16
Word count: 97

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5. Mädchen mit dem roten Mündchen  [sung text not yet checked]
by Heinrich Rudolph Willmers (1821 - 1878), "Mädchen mit dem roten Mündchen", op. 31, Heft 1 no. 5 [ tenor or soprano and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
  Mädchen mit dem roten Mündchen,
Mit den Äuglein süß und klar,
Du mein liebes, [kleines]1 Mädchen,
Deiner denk' ich immerdar.

 Lang ist heut der Winterabend,
Und ich möchte bei dir sein,
[Bei dir sitzen, mit dir schwatzen]2,
Im vertrauten Kämmerlein.

  An die Lippen [wollt']3 ich pressen
Deine [kleine]4 weiße Hand,
Und mit Thränen sie benetzen,
Deine [kleine, weiße]5 Hand.

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Confirmed with: Heinrich Heine’s sämtliche Werke in vier Bänden, herausgegeben von Otto F. Lachmann, Erster Band, Leipzig: Druck und Verlag von Philipp Reclam jun, [1887], page 137.

1 Franz: "süßes"
2 Dresel: "mit dir schwatzen, mit dir kosen"
3 Dresel: "möcht"
4 Dresel: "liebe"
5 Dresel: "weiße, liebe"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
5. Maiden with the red little mouth
Language: English 
 Maiden with the red little mouth,
 with eyes sweet and clear:
 You are my dear little maiden -
 I think of you all the time.
 
 The winter evening drags tonight,
 and I would be with you,
 to sit by you and chat
 in a cosy little room.
 
 I would like to press to my lips
 your small white hand,
 and moisten it with my tears,
 your small white hand.

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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Line count: 12
Word count: 69

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6. Und wüßten's die Blumen, die kleinen  [sung text not yet checked]
by Heinrich Rudolph Willmers (1821 - 1878), "Und wüßten's die Blumen, die kleinen", op. 31, Heft 2 no. 6 [ tenor or soprano and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
[Und]1 wüßten's die Blumen, die kleinen,
Wie tief verwundet mein Herz,
Sie würden mit mir weinen,
Zu heilen meinen Schmerz.

Und wüßten's die Nachtigallen,
Wie ich so traurig und krank,
Sie ließen fröhlich erschallen
Erquickenden Gesang.

Und wüßten sie mein Wehe,
Die [goldnen]2 Sternelein,
Sie kämen aus [ihrer Höhe]3,
Und sprächen Trost mir ein.

[Die alle]4 können's nicht wissen,
Nur [eine]5 kennt meinen Schmerz;
[Sie]6 hat ja selbst zerrissen,
Zerrissen mir das Herz.

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Confirmed with Heinrich Heine, Buch der Lieder, Hoffmann und Campe, Hamburg, 1827, page 128.

Note: Christian Jost's setting begins "Zerrissen mir das Herz" (the last line) and then follows the rest of the text.

1 Jost: "Zerrissen mir das Herz./ Und"
2 Jost, Schumann: "goldenen"; Lenz: "kleinen"
3 Lenz: "ihren Höhen"
4 André, Jost, Schumann: "Sie alle"; Lenz: "Sie alle, sie"
5 Hensel: "einer"; Lenz: "eine, die"
6 Hensel: "Er"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
6. And if the blooms - the small ones - knew
Language: English 
And if the blooms - the small ones - knew
How deeply wounded is my heart,
They would weep with me
To heal my pain.

And if the nightingales knew
How sad and ill I am,
They would let forth merrily
A refreshing song.

And if they knew my woe -
The little golden stars -
They would come down from their heights
And speak their consolation to me.

But all of them could not know this,
Only one knows my pain;
She herself has indeed torn,
Torn my heart in two.

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: 16
Word count: 88

Translation © by Paul Hindemith
7. Du bist wie eine Blume  [sung text not yet checked]
by Heinrich Rudolph Willmers (1821 - 1878), "Du bist wie eine Blume", op. 31, Heft 2 no. 7 [ tenor or soprano and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
  Du bist wie eine [Blume]1
[So hold und schön und rein;]2
Ich [schau']3 dich an, und Wehmut
Schleicht mir ins Herz hinein.

  Mir ist, als [ob ich]4 die Hände
Aufs Haupt [dir]5 legen sollt',
[Betend]6, daß [Gott dich]7 erhalte
[So rein und schön und hold]8.

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Confirmed with: Heinrich Heine’s sämtliche Werke in vier Bänden, herausgegeben von Otto F. Lachmann, Erster Band, Leipzig: Druck und Verlag von Philipp Reclam jun, [1887], page 136.

1 Hamma: "Blüthe"
2 Ander: "So schön, so rein und hold"; Chadwick: "So schön, so hold, so rein"; Mayer: "So hold, so schön und rein"; Becker, Thuille: "So hold, so schön, so rein"; Unger: "So rein so schön und hold"; Schleinizt: "So schön und hold und rein"
3 Becker: "seh'"
4 Hinrichs: "ob"
5 Hinrichs: "ich dir"
6 Dreyschock: "und beten"
7 Liszt: "dich Gott"
8 Ander: "So hold und schön und rein"; Chadwick, Thuille: "So schön, so hold, so rein"; Mayer: "So rein, so schön und hold"; Becker: "So rein, so schön, so hold"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
7. Thou art, as is a flower
Language: English 
Thou art, as is a flower,
so meek and pure and fine,
I look at thee and sadness
steals o'er the heart of mine.

I feel that both my hands softly
thy hair, thy head should seek,
praying that God may preserve thee
so pure and fine and meek.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2009 by Bertram Kottmann, (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.

    Bertram Kottmann.  Contact: BKottmann (AT) t-online.de

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This text was added to the website: 2009-08-10
Line count: 8
Word count: 49

Translation © by Bertram Kottmann
8. Du hast Diamanten und Perlen  [sung text not yet checked]
by Heinrich Rudolph Willmers (1821 - 1878), "Du hast Diamanten und Perlen", op. 31, Heft 2 no. 8 [ tenor or soprano and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Du hast Diamanten und Perlen,
Hast alles, was Menschenbegehr,
Und hast die schönsten Augen -
Mein Liebchen, was willst du mehr?

Auf deine schönen Augen
Hab ich ein ganzes Heer
Von ewigen Liedern gedichtet -
Mein Liebchen, was willst du mehr?

Mit deinen schönen Augen
Hast du mich gequält so sehr,
Und hast mich zu Grunde gerichtet -
Mein Liebchen, was willst du mehr?

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by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
8. You have diamonds and pearls
Language: English 
 You have diamonds and pearls,
 you have everything that one can desire,
 and you have beautiful eyes - 
 my darling, what more do you wish?
 
 On the subject of your beautiful eyes
 I have composed an entire army
 of eternal songs -
 my darling, what more do you wish?
 
 With your beautiful eyes
 you have tormented me so much,
 and you have demolished me -
 my darling, what more do you wish?

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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Line count: 12
Word count: 70

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9. Die Lotosblume ängstigt  [sung text not yet checked]
by Heinrich Rudolph Willmers (1821 - 1878), "Die Lotosblume ängstigt", op. 31, Heft 2 no. 9 [ tenor or soprano 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)
9.
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
10. Ach, ich sehne mich nach Tränen  [sung text not yet checked]
by Heinrich Rudolph Willmers (1821 - 1878), "Ach, ich sehne mich nach Tränen", op. 31, Heft 2 no. 10 [ tenor or soprano and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ach, ich sehne mich nach Tränen,
Liebestränen, [schmerzenmild]1,
Und ich fürchte, dieses Sehnen
Wird am Ende noch erfüllt.

Ach, der Liebe süßes Elend
Und der Liebe bittre Lust
Schleicht sich wieder, himmlisch quälend,
In die kaum genes'ne Brust.

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1 Deprosse: "schmerzensmild"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
10. Ah, I yearn for tears
Language: English 
Ah, I yearn for tears,
Tears of love, gently painful,
And I fear that this yearning
Shall in the end be fulfilled.
 
Ah, the sweet misery of love
And the bitter joy of love
Creeps once again with heavenly torture
Into the barely recovered breast.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2015 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:
"Erfüllte Ahnung" = "Fulfilled premonition"
"Sehnen" = "Yearning"
"Ach, ich sehne mich nach Tränen" = "Ah, I yearn for tears"
"Süßes Elend, bitt're Lust" = "Sweet misery, bitter joy"
"Neuer Frühling" = "New spring"


This text was added to the website: 2015-10-13
Line count: 8
Word count: 45

Translation © by Sharon Krebs