English translations of Drei Lieder im schwäbischen Volkston, für Mezzo-Sopran mit Begleitung von Violine, Violoncello und Pianoforte oder mit Pianoforte allein, opus 10

by Max Zenger (1837 - 1911)

1. O Lerchle was hilft mi dei lustiger Schlag
 (Sung text)
by Max Zenger (1837 - 1911), "O Lerchle was hilft mi dei lustiger Schlag", op. 10 (Drei Lieder im schwäbischen Volkston, für Mezzo-Sopran mit Begleitung von Violine, Violoncello und Pianoforte oder mit Pianoforte allein) no. 1, published 1873 [ mezzo-soprano and violin, cello, and piano (or piano alone) ], Hamburg, Schuberth
Language: Alemannic 
O Lerchle was hilft mi dei lustiger Schlag,
solang' i no Winter im Herze 'rum trag'?
Do drin will's net taue, ist's still wie im Grab,
seitdem i koin Schatz und koin Glaube nich hab'.

O Lerchle, du woisst net, wie traurig ei'm d'Welt,
wenn's Liebste auf Erde ei'm d'Treue net hält.
I möcht' ja gern froh sein, möcht' juble wie du,
könnt' i no vergesse und weine dazu!

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by Adolf Grimminger (1827 - 1903)
1. O lark, how does thy merry singing help me
Language: English 
O lark, how does thy merry singing help me,
as long as it's winter within my heart?
It won't thaw there, it's silent as in the grave
since I have neither my beloved nor faith any more.

O lark, thou dost not know, how sad the world is,
when the dearest on earth isn't faithful to you.
Sure I want to be merry and cheer as you do,
could I only forget and weep about it!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from Alemannic to English copyright © 2025 by Johann Winkler, (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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This text was added to the website: 2025-01-22
Line count: 8
Word count: 76

Translation © by Johann Winkler
2. Am Bach steht a Linde
 (Sung text)
by Max Zenger (1837 - 1911), "Am Bach steht a Linde", op. 10 (Drei Lieder im schwäbischen Volkston, für Mezzo-Sopran mit Begleitung von Violine, Violoncello und Pianoforte oder mit Pianoforte allein) no. 2, published 1873 [ mezzo-soprano and violin, cello, and piano (or piano alone) ], Hamburg, Schuberth
Language: Alemannic 
Am Bach steht a Linde, do träumt sich's wol schön,
wenn Sternle am Himmel zu Tausenden steh'n,
wenn leis' aus der Ferne die Nachtigall grüßt
und heimlich und traulich zu zweien man küsst.

So oft i des Plätzle von Weitem no seh',
do wird mer im Herze so schwer und so weh'.
Ach, d'Lind' und die Sterne, die wisse gar gut,
wer oft mit sei'm Schätzle glückselig dort g'ruht.

Wol grünt no die Linde wie ehmals im Grund,
doch kann's mer net helfe und macht mi net g'sund.
Net weit ist a Mühle, die aber steht leer,
und i war einst glücklich, jetzt bin i's net mehr.

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by Adolf Grimminger (1827 - 1903)
2. By the brook stands a linden tree
Language: English 
By the brook stands a linden tree, there it's good to dream,
when the stars stand in the sky by the thousands,
when softly from afar the nightingale greets
and two lovers kiss each other secretly and cosily.

Whenever I see the spot from afar,
my heart becomes heavy and weary.
The linden tree and the stars, they know well,
who happily rested there with his beloved.

The linden tree is still as green as before,
but it can't help me nor cure me.
Not far from there is a mill, but it's abandoned now,
and I have been happy once, but not so any more.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from Alemannic to English copyright © 2025 by Johann Winkler, (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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Line count: 12
Word count: 106

Translation © by Johann Winkler
3. Sag, gold'ger Schatz, was fang i an
 (Sung text)
by Max Zenger (1837 - 1911), "Sag, gold'ger Schatz, was fang i an", op. 10 (Drei Lieder im schwäbischen Volkston, für Mezzo-Sopran mit Begleitung von Violine, Violoncello und Pianoforte oder mit Pianoforte allein) no. 3, published 1873 [ mezzo-soprano and violin, cello, and piano ], Hamburg, Schuberth
Language: Alemannic 
Sag', gold'ger Schatz, was fang' i an,
dass i koi Ruh' nich finde kan?
All Weg und Steg, auf Schritt und Tritt
nimmt's Herz an stets sei Unruh' mit.
Und wo i geh und wo i steh,
do moin i au, i müss' di seh'.
Glaub, hab' der z'tief in d'Äugle 'guckt,
als bu beim Tanz die Hand mir druckt.

Denn wie die dein' in meiner g'ruht,
und du mir g'sagt, du sei'st mer gut,
und wie so lieb dann drein geseh'
do han i glaubt, i müss' vergeh'.
Es ist mer heut' no wie im Traum,
mei Lieb, mei Glück, kann's fasse kaum.
Jetzt sag du selbst, mei gold'ger Schatz,
hat so viel Glück im Herze Platz?

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3. My dearest, tell me, how is it
Language: English 
My dearest, tell me, how is it
that I can find no rest?
Wherever I go, at every step and turn
my heart always takes along its restlessness,
and wherever I go, wherever I stand,
I feel as if I saw thee before mine eyes.
Methinks I have looked too deeply in thine eyes,
when thou hast pressed my hand, while we were dancing.

For since thy hand rested in mine
and thou saidst thou wouldst love me
and since thou gavest me such a dear look,
I felt as if I were going to die.
Until today I feel as if I were dreaming
and can barely bear my love and my happiness.
Now tell me for thyself, my dearest,
is there room enough in a heart for so much happiness?

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from Alemannic to English copyright © 2025 by Johann Winkler, (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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This text was added to the website: 2025-01-22
Line count: 16
Word count: 132

Translation © by Johann Winkler