English translations of Zwei Lieder, opus 82

by Richard Ferdinand Würst (1824 - 1881)

1. Nach Jahren  [sung text not yet checked]
by Richard Ferdinand Würst (1824 - 1881), "Nach Jahren", op. 82 (Zwei Lieder) no. 1 [ voice and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Die Mutter lehnt am schattigen Thor,
Ihr blondes Töchterchen kniete davor,
Brach Rosen sich und Vergißmeinnicht,
Und küßt sie mit lachendem Angesicht:
«Ei! Mutter bin ich so groß wie du,
Dann trag' ich dir Alles im Hause zu,
Dann heg' ich und pfleg' ich dich lieb und fein
Wie die Rosen und die Vergißnichtmein.» -

Und Jahre schwanden, -- am schattigen Thor
Ragt höher und voller der Flieder empor!
Ein Mägdlein umfaßt des Geliebten Arm,
Es schlagen ihre Herzen so treu und warm,
Doch wie sie sich küßten auf Wang' und Mund,
Weinte das Mädchen aus Herzensgrund:
Denn die sie wollt' pflegen so lieb und fein,
Lag still unter Ros' und Vergißnichtmein.

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

by Adolf Böttger (1815 - 1870)
1. Years later
Language: English 
The mother leaned against the shaded gate,
Before it, her little blonde daughter knelt. 
She gathered roses and forget-me-nots,
And kissed her mother gaily.
“Oh, Mother! I am just as tall as you are,
So, I can carry everything into the house for you,
And lovingly I will cherish and care for you
Like the roses and the forget-me-nots.”

And the years passed away – at the shaded gate
The lilacs grew taller and more lush! 
A maiden tightly clasped her beloved’s arm,
Her heart beating so faithfully and ardently,
Yet, as they kissed each other’s cheek and mouth,
The maiden wept deep within her heart:
For she who had nurtured and cared so well,
Now lay silently beneath the roses and forget-me-nots.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2023 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:

Go to the general single-text view

Translations of title(s):
"Die Mutter lehnet am schattigen Thor" = "The mother leaned against the shaded gate"
"Die Mutter lehnt am schattigen Thor" = "The mother leaned against the shaded gate"
"Erinnerung" = "Remembrance"
"Nach Jahren" = "Years later"



This text was added to the website: 2023-07-18
Line count: 16
Word count: 123

Translation © by Michael P Rosewall
2. Nacht war kaum verblühet  [sung text not yet checked]
by Richard Ferdinand Würst (1824 - 1881), "Nacht war kaum verblühet", op. 82 (Zwei Lieder) no. 2 [ voice and piano ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Die Nacht war kaum verblühet,
Nur eine Lerche sang
Die stille Luft entlang.
Wen grüßt sie schon so frühe?

Und draußen in dem Garten
Die Bäume übers Haus
Sahn weit ins Land hinaus,
Als ob sie wen erwarten.

In festlichen Gewanden
Wie eine Kinderschar,
Tauperlen in dem Haar,
Die Blumen alle standen.

Ich dacht: ihr kleinen Bräute,
Was schmückt ihr euch so sehr? -
Da blickt' die eine her:
"Still, still, 's ist Sonntag heute.

Schon klingen Morgenglocken,
Der liebe Gott nun bald
Geht durch den stillen Wald."
Da kniet ich froherschrocken.

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

by Joseph Karl Benedikt, Freiherr von Eichendorff (1788 - 1857)
2.
Language: English 
Night had scarcely given way,
Only one lark sang
Through the silent air.
Who does she greet so early?

And outdoors in the garden,
The trees above the house
Gazed far out across the land
As if they were waiting for someone.

In festive clothing, 
Like a troop of children
With pearls of dew in their hair,
Stood all the flowers.

I thought: you little brides,
Why do you adorn yourselves so? –
One looked at me:
“Quiet, quiet, today is Sunday.

The morning bells are already ringing,
The beloved God 
Soon passes through the quiet wood.”
I knelt in joyful amazement.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2023 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:

Go to the general single-text view

Translations of title(s):
"Frühmorgens" = "Early in the Morning"
"Nacht war kaum verblühet" = "Night had scarecely given way"
"Sonntag" = "Sunday"



This text was added to the website: 2023-02-01
Line count: 20
Word count: 102

Translation © by Michael P Rosewall