English translations of Lieder und Gesänge, Heft II, opus 9

by Philip Wolfrum (1854 - 1919)

Return to the original list

1. Frühlingsgedränge
 (Sung text)
by Philip Wolfrum (1854 - 1919), "Frühlingsgedränge", op. 9 (Lieder und Gesänge, Heft II) no. 1 [ voice and piano ]
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 trunkenem Lärmen,
Rütteln an längst verschloss'nen Pforten.
Frühlingskinder, mein Herz umringend,
Was doch sucht ihr darin so dringend?
Hab' ich's verrathen euch jüngst im Traume,
Schlummernd unter dem Blüthenbaume?
Brachten euch Morgenwinde die Sage,
Daß ich im Herzen eingeschlossen
Euren lieblichen Spielgenossen,
Heimlich und selig -- ihr Bildnis trage?

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

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:

Go to the general single-text view

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. Bitte
 (Sung text)
by Philip Wolfrum (1854 - 1919), "Bitte", op. 9 (Lieder und Gesänge, Heft II) no. 2 [ voice and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Weil' auf mir, du dunkles Auge,
Übe deine ganze Macht,
Ernste, milde, träumerische,
Unergründlich süße Nacht!

Nimm mit deinem Zauberdunkel
Diese Welt von hinnen mir,
Daß du über meinem Leben
Einsam schwebest für und für.

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

by Nikolaus Lenau (1802 - 1850)
2. Linger on me, dark eyes
Language: English 
Linger on me, dark eyes -
exert your entire power,
somber, mild, dream-like,
unfathomably sweet night.

With your magic darkness
take from me this world,
so that above my life
you alone will float forever and ever.

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: 36

Translation © by Emily Ezust
3. Mein Herz ist wie die dunkle Nacht
 (Sung text)
by Philip Wolfrum (1854 - 1919), "Mein Herz ist wie die dunkle Nacht", op. 9 (Lieder und Gesänge, Heft II) no. 3 [ voice and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Mein Herz ist wie die dunkle Nacht,
Wenn alle Wipfel rauschen;
Da steigt der Mond in voller Pracht
Aus Wolken sacht --
Und sieh, der Wald verstummt in tiefem Lauschen.

Der Mond, der helle Mond bist du;
Aus deiner ganzen Liebesfülle
Wirf einen, nur einen Blick mir zu 
Voll Himmelsruh --
Und sieh, dies ungestüme Herz wird stille.

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

by Emanuel von Geibel (1815 - 1884)
3. My heart is like the dark night
Language: English 
My heart is like the dark night,
when all the treetops rustle;
There rises the moon in full splendour
from among clouds softly,
and behold, the forest grows silent in deep listening.

The moon, the bright moon are you:
In your abundance of love
cast a glance to me
full of heavenly peace,
and behold, this unquiet heart becomes still.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2003 by Carl Johengen, (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:

Go to the general single-text view


This text was added to the website: 2004-01-26
Line count: 10
Word count: 60

Translation © by Carl Johengen
4. Es war ein alter König
 (Sung text)
by Philip Wolfrum (1854 - 1919), "Es war ein alter König", op. 9 (Lieder und Gesänge, Heft II) no. 4 [ alto or mezzo-soprano and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Es war ein alter König,
sein Herz war schwer, sein Haupt war grau;
der arme alte König,
er nahm eine junge Frau.

Es war ein schöner Page,
blond war sein Haar, leicht war sein Sinn;
er trug die seid'ne Schleppe
der jungen Königin.

Kennst du das alte Liedchen?
Es klingt so süß, es klingt so trüb!
Sie mußten beide sterben,
sie hatten sich viel zu lieb.

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
4. There was an old king
Language: English 
 There was an old king,
 his heart was heavy, his head was gray;
 the poor, old king,
 he took a young wife.
 
 There was a handsome pageboy,
 blond was his hair, light was his manner;
 he carried the silk train
 of the young queen.
 
 Do you know this old song?
 It sounds so sweet, it sounds so troubled!
 They both had to die,
 for they loved each other too much.

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: 12
Word count: 71

Translation © by Emily Ezust
5. Winterliedchen
 (Sung text)
by Philip Wolfrum (1854 - 1919), "Winterliedchen", op. 9 (Lieder und Gesänge, Heft II) no. 5 [ voice and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Geduld, du kleine Knospe,
Im lieben stillen Wald,
Es ist noch viel zu frostig,
Es ist noch viel zu bald.

Noch geh ich dich vorüber,
Doch merk ich mir den Platz,
Und kommt heran der Frühling,
So hol ich dich, mein Schatz.

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

by August von Platen-Hallermünde (1796 - 1835)
5. Winter song
Language: English 
Be patient small bud
In the lovely quiet wood,
It is still far too frosty
It is still far too early.

I shall leave you there now
But I have made a note of the spot
And when spring arrives
I shall come and fetch you, my treasure.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2005 by Malcolm Wren, (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:

Go to the general single-text view


This text was added to the website: 2005-04-11
Line count: 8
Word count: 48

Translation © by Malcolm Wren
6. Wie rafft' ich mich auf
 (Sung text)
by Philip Wolfrum (1854 - 1919), "Wie rafft' ich mich auf", op. 9 (Lieder und Gesänge, Heft II) no. 6 [ voice and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wie rafft' ich mich auf in der Nacht, in der Nacht,
Und fühlte mich fürder gezogen,
Die Gassen verließ ich vom Wächter bewacht,
Durchwandelte sacht
In der Nacht, in der Nacht,
Das Tor mit dem gotischen Bogen.

Der Mühlbach rauschte durch felsigen Schacht,
Ich lehnte mich über die Brücke,
Tief unter mir nahm ich der Wogen in Acht,
Die wallten so sacht,
In der Nacht, in der Nacht,
Doch wallte nicht eine zurücke.

Es drehte sich oben, unzählig entfacht,
Melodischer Wandel der Sterne,
Mit ihnen der Mond in beruhigter Pracht,
Sie funkelten sacht
In der Nacht, in der Nacht,
Durch täuschend entlegene Ferne.

Ich blickte hinauf in der Nacht, in der Nacht,
Ich blickte hinunter aufs neue:
O wehe, wie hast du die Tage verbracht,
Nun stille du sacht
In der Nacht, in der Nacht,
Im pochenden Herzen die Reue!

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

by August von Platen-Hallermünde (1796 - 1835)
6. How I roused myself in the night
Language: English 
Oh, how I roused myself in the night, in the night,
And felt myself drawn farther;
I left the alleys, guarded by the watchmen,
And wandered through quietly,
In the night, in the night,
The gate with the gothic arch.

The millbrook rushed through the rocky gorge,
I leaned over the bridge,
Observing far below me the waves,
Which rolled so quietly,
In the night, in the night,
Yet never did one roll back.

Overhead wanders the infinite, flickering,
melodic traffic of the stars,
With them, the moon in calm splendor;
They gleam quietly
In the night, in the night,
At a deceptively remote distance.

I gaze up into the night, in the night,
And gaze down again anew:
Alas, how have you spent the day!
Now, softly you try to still, 
In the night, in the night,
the remorse of your pounding heart!

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: 24
Word count: 144

Translation © by Emily Ezust