English translations of Acht Lieder, opus 5

by Alexander Zemlinsky (1871 - 1942)

1. Schlaf nur ein!
 (Sung text)
by Alexander Zemlinsky (1871 - 1942), "Schlaf nur ein!", op. 5 (Acht Lieder), Heft 1 no. 1 (1896)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ach, was bin ich aufgewacht?
Ob am Haus die Liebste klopft?
Leise tönt es durch die Nacht --
  „Schlaf' nur ein,
  Schlaf' nur ein!
  Regen an die Scheiben klopft.”

Warum klingt mir doch das Ohr?
Spricht von mir das falsche Kind,
Das mich aus dem Sinn verlor? --
  „Schlaf' nur ein,
  Schlaf' nur ein!
  Heerdenglocken rührt der Wind.”

Und sie sah im Traum mich an,
Und sie sprach: Du glaubst es kaum,
Was ich leide, süßer Mann! --
  „Schlaf' nur ein,
  Schlaf' nur ein!
  Schlaf' ihn aus, den falschen Traum!”

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

by Paul Heyse (1830 - 1914)
1.
Language: English 
Ah, what has awoken me?
Is it my sweetheart knocking?
Softly it sounds through the night!
"Go to sleep,
just go to sleep!
It is raindrops knocking at the window-pane."

Why do I hear ringing in my ears?
Is that false girl talking about me,
she who thrust me out of her mind?
"Go to sleep,
just go to sleep!
Cowbells are chiming from the wind."

And she looked at me in the dream,
and she said: You hardly believe
what I suffer, sweet man!
"Go to sleep,
just go to sleep!
Sleep it away - that false dream!"

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

Translations of title(s):
"Ach, was bin ich aufgewacht?" = "Ah, what has awoken me?"
"Schlaf nur ein" = "Go to sleep!"



This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 18
Word count: 98

Translation © by Emily Ezust
2. Hütet euch!
 (Sung text)
by Alexander Zemlinsky (1871 - 1942), "Hütet euch!", op. 5 (Acht Lieder), Heft 1 no. 2 (1897?)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ein Stündlein sind sie beisammen gewes't,
Ein Stündlein läuft so geschwind,
Und saßen sich Herz an Herzen fest.
Denn die Liebe, die kommt wie der Wind.

Du junger Gesell, nun hüte dich fein,
Nun hüte dich, schönes Kind,
Und verriegele gut deines Herzens Schrein -
Denn die Liebe, die geht wie der Wind!

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

Confirmed with Gesammelte Werke von Paul Heyse. Erster Band. Gedichte, Berlin, Verlag von Wilhelm Hertz, 1872, page 6. Previously published without a title.


by Paul Heyse (1830 - 1914)
2. Beware!
Language: English 
One little hour they spent together,
One little hour runs past so quickly!
And they sat, heart firmly to heart.
For Love - it arrives like the wind.

You, young fellow, now beware!
Beware, lovely maiden -
and lock up well the cupboard of your heart -
for Love - it departs like the wind!

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: 51

Translation © by Emily Ezust
3. O Blätter, dürre Blätter
 (Sung text)
by Alexander Zemlinsky (1871 - 1942), "O Blätter, dürre Blätter", op. 5 (Acht Lieder), Heft 1 no. 3 (1897?), copyright © 1898 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig & Kopenhagen: Wilhelm Hansen, Musik-Verlag
Language: German (Deutsch) 
O Blätter, dürre Blätter!
Wie trauert ihr so sehr!
Als ihr noch gabet grünen Schein --
Da war mein lieber Schatz noch mein,
Den hab' ich nimmermehr.

O Blätter, dürre Blätter!
Ihr habt ihn oft gesehn,
Wann er mir Treu versprochen hat -
Ach! kann die Liebe wie ein Blatt
In einem Jahr vergehn?

O Blätter, dürre Blätter!
Es war ein falscher Knab';
Euch klag' ich es, ihr schweiget still,
Weil ich sonst niemand sagen will,
Wie lieb' ich ihn noch hab'!

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

by (Karl) Ludwig Pfau (1821 - 1894)
3. O leaves, withered leaves
Language: English 
 O leaves, withered leaves!
 How very mournful you are!
 When you still had a green gleam,
 my dear treasure still was mine -
 he whom I have no longer.
 
 O leaves, withered leaves!
 You had seen him so often,
 when he promised to be true -
 alas! can Love, like a leaf,
 pass away in only one year?
 
 O leaves, withered leaves!
 He was a false boy;
 If I lament to you, you will keep silent,
 for I will tell no one else
 how much I love him still.

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: 15
Word count: 88

Translation © by Emily Ezust
4. O Sterne, goldene Sterne
 (Sung text)
by Alexander Zemlinsky (1871 - 1942), "O Sterne, goldene Sterne", op. 5 (Acht Lieder), Heft 1 no. 4 (1897?), copyright © 1898 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig & Kopenhagen: Wilhelm Hansen, Musik-Verlag
Language: German (Deutsch) 
O Sterne, goldene Sterne!
Wohl scheint ihr so wunderlicht;
Doch wie die Äugelein scheinen
Von der Herzigen, von der Meinen,
Wenn sie sagt: "Ich hab' dich so gerne!"
So scheinet ihr nicht.

O Sonne, goldene Sonne!
Wohl hast du ein scharf Gesicht;
Du miß'st mit einem Strahle
So viel tausend Gebirge und Tale.
Doch die Wonne, o meine Wonne --
Die miß'st du nicht.

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

by (Karl) Ludwig Pfau (1821 - 1894)
4. O stars, golden stars
Language: English 
 O stars, golden stars!
 so wondrously bright do you shine;
 but as the eyes gleam
 of the sweetheart who is mine
 when she says, "I like you so well" -
 you do not shine like that.
 
 O sun, golden sun!
 You certainly have a keen face.
 With one beam you measure
 so many thousands of mountains and valleys.
 But the bliss, o my bliss -
 that you cannot measure.

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: 68

Translation © by Emily Ezust
5. Unter blühenden Bäumen
 (Sung text)
by Alexander Zemlinsky (1871 - 1942), "Unter blühenden Bäumen", op. 5 (Acht Lieder), Heft 2 no. 1 (1897?)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Unter blühenden Bäumen
  Hab' bei schweigender Nacht
Ich in seligen Träumen
  Dein, du Holde, gedacht.

Duftend streute die Linde
  Blüten nieder zu mir;
Schmeichelnd kosten die Winde
  Wie ein Grüßen von dir.

Und ein himmlisches Singen
  Schien vom Sternengezelt
Leise hernieder zu klingen
  Durch die schlafende Welt.

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

See also this placeholder - other composers may have set this text.

by Otto Franz Gensichen (1847 - 1933)
5. Under blossoming trees
Language: English 
 Beneath blossoming trees
 in the silent night,
 in blissful dreams
 I think of you, you lovely woman.
 
 The fragrant linden trees strewed
 blossoms down upon me;
 the winds caressed pleasantly
 like a greeting from you.
 
 And a heavenly singing
 from the starry sky seemed 
 to float gently down
 to permeate the sleeping world.

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: 54

Translation © by Emily Ezust
6. Tiefe Sehnsucht
 (Sung text)
by Alexander Zemlinsky (1871 - 1942), "Tiefe Sehnsucht", op. 5 (Acht Lieder), Heft 2 no. 2 (1897?)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Maienkätzchen, erster Gruß,
Ich breche euch und stecke euch
An meinen alten Hut.

Maienkätzchen, erster Gruß,
Einst brach ich euch und steckte euch
Der Liebsten an den Hut.

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

by Detlev von Liliencron (1844 - 1909)
6. Catkins, first greeting
Language: English 
 Catkins, first greeting;
 I break you off and stick you
 in my old hat.

 Catkins, first greeting,
 Once I broke you off and stuck you
 in my sweetheart's hat.

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: 6
Word count: 30

Translation © by Emily Ezust
7. Nach dem Gewitter
 (Sung text)
by Alexander Zemlinsky (1871 - 1942), "Nach dem Gewitter", op. 5 (Acht Lieder), Heft 2 no. 3 (1897?)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Die blaue Nacht geht leuchtend übern See;
Im Mondschein strahlt der weiße Bergesschnee.
Durch ferne Wolken flammt ein fahles Licht,
Wie vor Gewittern, doch sie zünden nicht.

Die Hand in meiner Hand scheucht alle Pein...
Oh, dieses tiefe, tiefe Seligsein!
Nun wurde mir das goldene Verstehn:
Ich darf dem Glück in beide Augen sehn.

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

by Franz Evers (1871 - 1947)
7. After the thunderstorm
Language: English 
The blue night shines over the sea,
and the white mountain snow gleams in the moonlight.
Through distant clouds a wan light burns,
as before a thunderstorm, but it does not ignite.

The hand in my hand drives away all pain...
oh, this deep, deep ecstasy!
Only now has golden comprehension dawned:
I am permitted to see happiness in these two eyes.

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: 62

Translation © by Emily Ezust
8. Im Korn
 (Sung text)
by Alexander Zemlinsky (1871 - 1942), "Im Korn", op. 5 (Acht Lieder), Heft 2 no. 4
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Oh, das Korn, das wogte so,
Und da mußte ich dich fassen.
Konnte deine Hand nicht lassen,
Meine Seele wogte so.

Und das Korn, das ging so leise,
In den Sommerähren sang es,
Tief in meine Seele drang es:
Eine wunderbare Weise.

Oh, die Hände wurden uns trunken,
Leise schlugen deine Finger -
Und dein Kopf, mir, dem Bezwinger,
Ist er an die Brust gesunken.

Text Authorship:

Go to the general single-text view

by Franz Evers (1871 - 1947)
8. Among the corn
Language: English 
 Oh, the corn, it was waving so,
 that I had to grab you.
 I could not let go of your hand,
 for my soul was waving so.
 
 And the corn, it moved so gently,
 and sang in its summer ears;
 and deep in my soul it went,
 a wonderful melody.
 
 Oh, our hands are acting as though they are drunk,
 gently your fingers tapped -
 and your head upon mine, your conquerer's
 breast, you let sink.

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: 76

Translation © by Emily Ezust