English translations of Drei Lieder von Goethe, opus 15

by Erich J. Wolff (1874 - 1913)

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1. Mignon
 (Sung text)
by Erich J. Wolff (1874 - 1913), "Mignon", op. 15 (Drei Lieder von Goethe) no. 1, published 1907 [ voice and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Kennst du das Land? wo die Citronen blühn,
Im dunkeln Laub die Gold-Orangen glühn,
Ein sanfter Wind vom blauen Himmel weht, 
Die Myrte still und hoch der Lorbeer steht,
Kennst du es wohl?
                   Dahin! Dahin
Möcht' ich mit dir, o mein Geliebter, ziehn.

Kennst du das Haus? Auf Säulen ruht sein Dach,
Es glänzt der Saal, es schimmert das Gemach,
Und Marmorbilder stehn und sehn mich an:
Was hat man Dir, du armes Kind, gethan?
Kennst du es wohl? 
                   Dahin! Dahin
Möcht' ich mit dir, o mein Beschützer, ziehn.

Kennst du den Berg und seinen Wolkensteg?
Das Maulthier sucht im Nebel seinen Weg;
In Höhlen wohnt der Drachen alte Brut;
Es stürzt der Fels und über ihn die Flut.
Kennst du ihn wohl?
                    Dahin! Dahin
Geht unser Weg! o Vater, laß uns ziehn!

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See also the following poems inspired by this poem: the French poem Mignon and the German poem Kennst du das Land, wo über Grabes Nächte.

Note: modern German would employ the following spellings: "gethan" -> "getan", "Maulthier" -> "Maultier", etc.

by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832)
1. Knowest thou where?
Language: English 
Knowest thou where the lemon blossom grows,
In foliage dark the orange golden glows,
A gentle breeze blows from the azure sky,
Still stands the myrtle, and the laurel, high?
Dost know it well?
'Tis there! 'Tis there
Would I with thee, oh my beloved, fare.

Knowest the house, its roof on columns fine?
Its hall glows brightly and its chambers shine,
And marble figures stand and gaze at me:
What have they done, oh wretched child, to thee?
Dost know it well?
'Tis there! 'Tis there
Would I with thee, oh my protector, fare.

Knowest the mountain with the misty shrouds?
The mule is seeking passage through the clouds;
In caverns dwells the dragons' ancient brood;
The cliff rocks plunge under the rushing flood!
Dost know it well?
'Tis there! 'Tis there
Leads our path! Oh father, let us fare.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 1996 by Walter Meyer, (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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Other titles: "Sehnsucht nach Italien" -> "Longing for Italy"


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 21
Word count: 141

Translation © by Walter Meyer
2. Elfensang
 (Sung text)
by Erich J. Wolff (1874 - 1913), "Elfensang", op. 15 (Drei Lieder von Goethe) no. 2, published 1907 [ voice and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Um Mitternacht, wenn die Menschen  ...  schlafen,
Da scheinet uns der Mond,
Da leuchtet uns der Stern,
Wir wandeln und singen,
Und tanzen erst gern.

Um Mitternacht, wenn die Menschen  ...  schlafen,
Auf Wiesen an den Erlen
Wir suchen unsern Raum,
Und wandeln und singen
Und tanzen einen Traum.

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Poem headed by: 
   ...Der Mond ist unendlich schön, 
   Ich bin durch die neuen Wege gelaufen 
   da sieht die Nacht himmlisch drein. Die Elfen sangen.
by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832)
2.
[Translation not yet available]
3. Meeresstille
 (Sung text)
by Erich J. Wolff (1874 - 1913), "Meeresstille", op. 15 (Drei Lieder von Goethe) no. 3, published 1907 [ voice and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Tiefe Stille herrscht im Wasser,
Ohne Regung ruht das Meer,
Und bekümmert sieht der Schiffer
Glatte Fläche rings umher.
Keine Luft von keiner Seite!
Todesstille fürchterlich!
In der ungeheuern Weite
Reget keine Welle sich.

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Note: The poem's title in the first edition (Schiller's Musenalmanach 1796) is "Meeresstille", from the second edition on (1800) it is "Meeres Stille".

by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832)
3. Deep stillness reigns on the water
Language: English 
Deep stillness reigns on the water;
motionless, the sea rests,
and the sailor gazes about with alarm
at the smooth flatness all around.

No breeze from any side!
It is fearfully, deathly still!
In the enormous expanse
not one wave stirs.

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


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 8
Word count: 41

Translation © by Emily Ezust