English translations of Dreizehn Lieder für eine Singstimme und Klavier, opus 2

by Alexander Zemlinsky (1871 - 1942)

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1. Heilige Nacht
 (Sung text)
by Alexander Zemlinsky (1871 - 1942), "Heilige Nacht", op. 2 (Dreizehn Lieder für eine Singstimme und Klavier), Heft 1 no. 1 (1894-6), published 1897
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ruhe, heilige Nacht!
Dämmerig scheint der Mond.
Süß ist, o Mädchen, dein Kuß
Während der ruhigen Nacht.

Freundin, im Dunkel der Nacht
Wie kann ich traurig noch sein?
Hell wie die Sterne bist du
Während der ruhigen Nacht.

Freundin, die Sterne sind schön.
Und auch die Trauer ist süß;
Du bist das Liebste mir doch
Während der heiligen Nacht.

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by Friedrich Martin von Bodenstedt (1819 - 1892)
1. Holy night
Language: English 
 Be calm, holy night!
 Dimly shines the moon.
 Sweet is your kiss, O maiden,
 during the calm night.
 
 My friend, in the darkness of the night
 how can I still be sad?
 You are bright as the stars
 during the calm night.
 
 My friend, the stars are fair,
 and sadness is also sweet;
 but for me, you are the loveliest
 during the holy night.

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:

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    from the LiederNet Archive

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This text was added to the website: 2003-11-04
Line count: 12
Word count: 65

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2. Der Himmel hat keine Sterne
 (Sung text)
by Alexander Zemlinsky (1871 - 1942), "Der Himmel hat keine Sterne", op. 2 (Dreizehn Lieder für eine Singstimme und Klavier), Heft 1 no. 2 (1894-6), published 1897
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Der Himmel hat keine Sterne so klar,
Das Meer so keine Korallen,
Wie mir ein Menschenaugenpaar
Und Menschenlippen gefallen.

Er wandert unter den Sternen dahin,
Er wandert über die Meere,
Er geht mir immer nur durch den Sinn,
Dem ich zu eigen gehöre!

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by Paul Heyse (1830 - 1914)
2. The sky has no stars so clear
Language: English 
 The sky has no stars so clear,
 The sea has no such coral,
 like a pair of eyes
 and lips to please me.
 
 He wanders onward beneath the stars,
 He travels across the seas,
 He passes always through my mind,
 He to whom I belong.

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:

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Line count: 8
Word count: 46

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3. Geflüster der Nacht
 (Sung text)
by Alexander Zemlinsky (1871 - 1942), "Geflüster der Nacht", op. 2 (Dreizehn Lieder für eine Singstimme und Klavier), Heft 1 no. 3 (1894-6), published 1897
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Es ist ein Flüstern in der Nacht,
Es hat mich ganz um den Schlaf gebracht:
Ich fühl's, es will sich was verkünden
Und kann den Weg nicht zu mir finden.

Sind's Liebesworte, vertraut dem Wind,
Die unterwegs verwehet sind?
Oder ist's Unheil aus künftigen Tagen,
Das emsig drängt, sich anzusagen?

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by Theodor Storm (1817 - 1888)
3. There is a whispering in the night
Language: English 
 There is a whispering in the night -
 it has kept me entirely from my sleep.
 I feel it wants to tell me something,
 and cannot find the way to me.
 
 Are they words of love, confided to the wind,
 and blown off course on the way?
 Or is it some disaster from future days,
 that eagerly hurries here to announce itself?

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:

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Line count: 8
Word count: 62

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4. Der Liebe Leid
 (Sung text)
by Alexander Zemlinsky (1871 - 1942), "Der Liebe Leid", op. 2 (Dreizehn Lieder für eine Singstimme und Klavier), Heft 1 no. 4 (1894-6)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wenn Nachts im Wald die Turteltaube klagt,
dann netz' mein Lager schlaflos ich mit Thränen.
Sie klagt, sie klagt ich aber weine still verzagt,
Verbergend meines Herzens sehnend Wähnen.
So theilen wir womit die Liebe plagt,
Für sie die Klagen und für mich die Thränen,
Die Thränen.

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  • by Anonymous / Unidentified Author

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4.
[Translation not yet available]
5. Mailied
 (Sung text)
by Alexander Zemlinsky (1871 - 1942), "Mailied", op. 2 (Dreizehn Lieder für eine Singstimme und Klavier), Heft 1 no. 5 (1894-6)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Zwischen Weizen und Korn,
Zwischen Hecken und Dorn,
Zwischen Bäumen und Gras,
Wo gehts Liebchen? 
Sag mir das.

  Fand mein Holdchen 
  Nicht daheim;
  Muß das Goldchen 
  Draußen sein.
  Grünt und blühet 
  Schön der Mai;
  Liebchen ziehet 
  Froh und frei.

An dem Felsen beim Fluß,
Wo sie reichte den Kuß,
Jenen ersten im Gras, 
Seh' ich etwas!
Ist sie das? --

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Note: The modernized spelling of "Weizen" is "Waizen". See also this placeholder for songs with the title "Mailied" that might or might not refer to this poem.

by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832)
5. May song
Language: English 
Between wheat and corn,
Between thicket and thorn,
Between trees and grass,
Where has my sweetheart gone? 
Tell me.

  I did not find my darling 
  At home.
  My treasure 
  Must be outside.
  May is blooming 
  Green and fair -
  My love must be wandering, 
  Happy and free.

At the cliffs by the river,
where she bestowed the kiss,
that first one in the grass - 
Do I see something?
Is it she?

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:

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Translations of titles
"Mailied" = "May song"



This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 18
Word count: 70

Translation © by Emily Ezust
6. Um Mitternacht
 (Sung text)
by Alexander Zemlinsky (1871 - 1942), "Um Mitternacht", op. 2 (Dreizehn Lieder für eine Singstimme und Klavier), Heft 1 no. 6 (1894-6)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Nun ruht und schlummert Alles,
Die Menschen, der Wald und Wind,
Das Wasser leisen Falles
Nur durch die Blumen rinnt.

Der Mond mit vollem Scheine
Ruht breit auf jedem Dach;
In weitem Wald alleine
Bin ich zur Stunde noch wach.

Und Alles, Lust und Schmerzen,
Bracht' ich in mir zur Ruh;
Nur Eins noch wacht im Herzen,
Nur Eins: und das bist Du!

Und Deines Bildes Friede
Folgt mir in Zeit und Raum:
Bei Tage wird er zum Liede,
Und Nachts wird er zum Traum!

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by Julius Rodenberg (1831 - 1914)
6. At Midnight
Language: English 
Now, everything rests and slumbers,
Earth, humanity, forest and wind,
Only the quiet fall of water
Continues to run through the flowers.

The moon, gleaming fully,
Rests broadly upon every roof;
In all the wide world
I alone am awake at this hour.

And everything, passion and pain,
Comes to rest within me;
Only one thing yet stirs within my heart,
Only one: and that is You!

And the peace from that image of you
Follows me through time and space:
During the day, it becomes a song,
And at night, it becomes a dream!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2022 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.
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Translation of title "Um Mitternacht" = "At Midnight"


This text was added to the website: 2022-09-05
Line count: 16
Word count: 95

Translation © by Michael P Rosewall
7. Vor der Stadt
 (Sung text)
by Alexander Zemlinsky (1871 - 1942), "Vor der Stadt", op. 2 (Dreizehn Lieder für eine Singstimme und Klavier), Heft 1 no. 7 (1894-6), published 1897
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Zwei Musikanten ziehn daher
Vom Wald aus weiter Ferne,
Der eine ist verliebt gar sehr,
Der andre wär es gerne.

Die stehn allhier im kalten Wind
Und singen schön und geigen:
Ob nicht ein süßverträumtes Kind
Am Fenster sich wollt' zeigen?

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by Joseph Karl Benedikt, Freiherr von Eichendorff (1788 - 1857)
7. Two musicians arrive here
Language: English 
Two musicians arrive here
from a forest far away:
one is very much in love,
and the other wishes he were.

They stand here in the cold wind
and sing and play so fairly:
Wouldn't some sweetly dreaming maiden
like to appear at her window?

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:

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Line count: 8
Word count: 45

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8. Frühlingstag
 (Sung text)
by Alexander Zemlinsky (1871 - 1942), "Frühlingstag", op. 2 (Dreizehn Lieder für eine Singstimme und Klavier), Heft 2 no. 1 (1894-6), published 1897
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Es ist so still, als wär' es Schlafenszeit,
Als wär' entschlummert Not und Leid,
Gestorben Angst und Qual.
Kein Hauch bewegt die Bäume,
Wie unschuldsvolle Kinderträume
Ziehn leis die Wölklein übers Tal.

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by Carl Siebel (1836 - 1868)
8. Spring day
Language: English 
 It is so quiet, as if it were time to sleep,
 as if suffering and pain were slumbering,
 and as if fear and misery have died.
 Not a breath stirs the trees;
 like the innocent dreams of children,
 the little clouds float gently over the valley.

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:

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Line count: 6
Word count: 47

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9. Altdeutsches Minnelied
 (Sung text)
by Alexander Zemlinsky (1871 - 1942), "Altdeutsches Minnelied", op. 2 (Dreizehn Lieder für eine Singstimme und Klavier), Heft 2 no. 2 (1894-6), published 1897
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Leucht't heller denn die Sonne,
Ihr beiden Äugelein!
Bei dir ist Freud' und Wonne,
Du zartes Jungfräulein,
Du bist mein Augenschein,
Wär ich bei dir allein,
Kein Leid sollt mich anfechten,
Wollt allzeit fröhlich sein!

Dein Reiz ist aus der Maßen
Gleichwie der Blumen Art;
Wenn du gehst auf der Straßen,
Gar oft ich deiner wart,
Ob ich gleich lang muß stehn
Im Regen, Sturm und Schnee,
Kein Müh soll mich verdrießen,
Wenn ich dich, Herzlieb, seh.

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from Volkslieder (Folksongs)
9. You beamed brighter than the sun
Language: English 
 You beamed brighter than the sun,
 both of you darling eyes!
 With you is joy and bliss,
 You gentle young maiden.
 You are the light in my eyes!
 If I were alone with you,
 no sorrow could trouble me,
 and I would be forever happy!
 
 Your charm is beyond measure
 just as that of the flower.
 When you walk down the street,
 I often wait for you,
 no matter how long I must stand,
 in rain, storm or snow;
 no trouble could irritate me,
 if I could only see you, my sweetheart.

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:

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Line count: 16
Word count: 93

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10. Der Traum
 (Sung text)
by Alexander Zemlinsky (1871 - 1942), "Der Traum", op. 2 (Dreizehn Lieder für eine Singstimme und Klavier), Heft 2 no. 3 (1894-6), published 1897
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Es war ein niedlich Zeiselein,
Das träumte nachts im Mondenschein:
Es säh' am Himmel Stern bei Stern,
Davon wär' jeder ein Hirsekern,
Und als es geflogen himmelauf,
Da pickte das Zeislein die Sterne auf.
  Piep -- 
Wie war das im Traume so lieb!

Und als die Sonne beschien den Baum,
Erwachte das Zeislein von seinem Traum.
Es wetzte das Schnäbelchen her und hin
Und sprach verwundert in seinem Sinn:
"Nun hab' ich gepickt die ganze Nacht
Und bin doch so hungrig aufgewacht!
  Ping --
Das ist mir ein närrisches Ding!"

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by Victor August Eberhard Blüthgen (1844 - 1920)
10. The Dream
Language: English 
There was a sweet little greenfinch
that dreamed all night in the moonlight:
It saw in the sky star upon star,
and every one was a millet seed.
And when it flew up into the sky,
the greenfinch pecked at the stars.
Peep -
how lovely it was in the dream!

And when the sun warmed the tree,
the little greenfinch awoke from its dream.
It opened and closed its beak
and said with astonishment to itself:
"I've been pecking the whole night
and yet I've woken up so hungry!
Ping -
That seems such a stupid thing to 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:

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Translations of titles
"Das Zeiselein" = "The little greenfinch"
"Der Traum" = "The Dream"
"Der Traum - Aus dem Kinderparadies in ganz kindlicher Weise seiner Mama komponiert von einem Kinde" = "The dream - from the children's paradise, composed by a child in a very childlike way for his mother"
"Zeisleins Traum" = "The dream of the little greenfinch"



This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 16
Word count: 98

Translation © by Emily Ezust
11. Im Lenz  [sung text not yet checked]
by Alexander Zemlinsky (1871 - 1942), "Im Lenz", op. 2 (Dreizehn Lieder für eine Singstimme und Klavier), Heft 2 no. 4 (1894-6), published 1897
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Im Lenz, im Lenz,
Wenn Veilchen blühn zuhauf,
Gib acht, gib acht,
Da wachen die Tränen auf.
 
Im Herbst, im Herbst
Fiel alles Laub vom Baum.
Ach, Lieb' und Glück
Vergangen wie [ein]1 Traum!
 
Gib acht, gib acht,
So ist der Dinge Lauf:
Blumen und Wunden
Brechen im Frühling auf.

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1 Zemlinsky (1892 version): "im"

by Paul Heyse (1830 - 1914)
11. In spring
Language: English 
In spring, in spring,
when violets bloom all over,
beware, beware,
for tears then awaken.

In autumn, in autumn,
the leaves all fell from the tree.
Ah, love and happiness 
disappeared as if [in] a dream!

Beware, beware,
that is the way of things:
flowers and wounds 
break open in spring.

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:

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Line count: 12
Word count: 51

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12. Das verlassene Mädchen
 (Sung text)
by Alexander Zemlinsky (1871 - 1942), "Das verlassene Mädchen", op. 2 (Dreizehn Lieder für eine Singstimme und Klavier), Heft 2 no. 5 (1894-6), published 1897
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich sitze manchen langen Tag
Mit meinem Kind am grünen Hag,
Wo ich an seinem Herzen lag,
Am Herzen lag.

Da nahm er mich in seinen Arm
Und küßte mich so warm, so warm -
Davon mir wurde bittrer Harm,
Ja bittrer Harm.

Sie stießen aus dem Elternhaus
In Nacht und Nebel mich hinaus -
Da ging mir wohl das Lachen aus,
Das Lachen aus.

Ich wäre tot schon sicherlich,
Mein armes Kind, du dauerst mich,
Möcht' fluchen dir und küsse dich,
Und küsse dich.

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by Otto von Leixner von Grünberg (1847 - 1907)
12. The forsaken maiden
Language: English 
 Many a long day I sit 
 with my child on the green heath,
 where I lay on his heart,
 on his heart.
 
 There he took me in his arms
 and kissed me so warmly, so ardently -
 and then bitter grief befell me,
 yes, bitter grief.
 
 They drove me from my parents' house,
 into the night and fog -
 and all the laughter left me, 
 left me.
 
 I should really be dead,
 my poor child - I feel sorry for you.
 I want to curse you and kiss you,
 and kiss you.

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:

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Word count: 90

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13. Empfängnis
 (Sung text)
by Alexander Zemlinsky (1871 - 1942), "Empfängnis", op. 2 (Dreizehn Lieder für eine Singstimme und Klavier), Heft 2 no. 6 (1894-6), published 1897
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Du weiche Nacht, o komm mich zu umfangen,
Mein Sehnen rundest du und reifst den Wein.
Ein seliges, ein stummes Heiland-Bangen
Schwellt meine Seele, zur Empfängnis rein.

Und wie ich sehnend meine Arme breite,
Da ringt sich von des Himmels Früchten los
Ein heller Keim und fällt aus Gottes Weite
In meiner Seele betend bangen Schoß.

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Confirmed with Paul Wertheimer,Gedichte, Leipzig: Verlag von Georg Heinrich Meyer, 1896, page 25


by Paul Wertheimer (1874 - 1937)
13. Conception
Language: English 
You, soft night, O come and embrace me.
You round out my yearning and mature the wine.
A blissful, mute awe for the Redeemer
swells my soul, pure and ready for conception.

And as I open my arms with longing,
there fights free from heaven's fruit
a bright seed, and it falls from God's firmament
into the womb of my soul, so devout and full of awe.

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:

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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 8
Word count: 67

Translation © by Emily Ezust