English translations of Fünf Lieder für Sopran, Alt, Tenor und Bass, opus 13

by Max Zenger (1837 - 1911)

1. Ach Gott, wie soll ich singen
 (Sung text)
by Max Zenger (1837 - 1911), "Ach Gott, wie soll ich singen", op. 13 (Fünf Lieder für Sopran, Alt, Tenor und Bass) no. 1, published 1873 [ satb quartet ], Mainz: Schott, 1873
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ach Gott, wie soll ich singen, wie lieb mein Schatz mir war:
Ich hab' sie sehen bringen auf einer Totenbahr.
Und will ich nun gedenken ihrer Finger weiß und fein, 
Fällt mir mit vielem Kränken ihr weißes Bahrtuch ein. 
Will durch den Sinn mir gehen ihrer Wangen roter Duft, 
Muß ich die Rosen sehn, die stehn auf ihrer Gruft!

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by Felix Ludwig Julius Dahn (1834 - 1912)
1. Ah God, how am I to sing
Language: English 
[Ah God, how am I to sing]1 of how precious my darling was to me:
I have seen her being carried upon a bier.
And when I now want to think of her fingers, white and delicate,
With much grief I am reminded of her white mortcloth.
If the red scent of her cheeks wishes to waft through my mind,
I am forced to see the roses that bloom upon her grave!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2019 by Sharon Krebs, (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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Translations of title(s):
"Ach Gott, wie soll ich singen" = "Ah God, how am I to sing"
"O Gott, wie sollt' ich singen" = "Oh God, how could I sing"

1 Ritter: "Oh God, how could I sing"


This text was added to the website: 2019-12-11
Line count: 6
Word count: 72

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
2. All' Ding' der Welt vergänglich sein
 (Sung text)
by Max Zenger (1837 - 1911), "All' Ding' der Welt vergänglich sein", op. 13 (Fünf Lieder für Sopran, Alt, Tenor und Bass) no. 2, published 1873 [ satb quartet ], Mainz: Schott
Language: German (Deutsch) 
All' Ding' der Welt vergänglich sein und schwank wie Sommerfaden:
Nur treue Lieb, die währt allein, Gott hält sie hoch in Gnaden. 
Ich weiß ein Muttergottesbild, steht frei auf rauher Halde, 
Das müßt' vor Wind und Wetter wild verblaßt sein, ach wie balde! 
Sein Kornblumkranz, der ist verdorrt um seinen Ram viel schnelle: 
Das Bildnis selbst prangt fort und fort in frischer Pracht und Helle, 
Weil Gott der Herr mit eigner Hand ihm abwehrt Sturm und Regen: --
So hält er auch in Flor und Stand Treulieb' mit seinem Segen.

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by Felix Ludwig Julius Dahn (1834 - 1912)
2. All things in the world are fleeting
Language: English 
All things in the world are fleeting and fluctuating as gossamer:
Only true love -- it alone endures; God holds it high in grace.
I know a shrine of the Mother of God; it stands out in the open on the rugged height;
From the wind and the wild weather it ought to be faded, ah, how soon!
The wreath of cornflowers about its rim, it has quickly wilted:
The image itself stands on and on, resplendent in glory and brightness,
Because with His own hand the Lord God repels storm and rain: --
Thus, too, He keeps true love in bloom and existence with His blessing.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2019 by Sharon Krebs, (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: 2019-12-11
Line count: 8
Word count: 105

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
3. Viel böse Zeit hab' ich verzehrt
 (Sung text)
by Max Zenger (1837 - 1911), "Viel böse Zeit hab' ich verzehrt", op. 13 (Fünf Lieder für Sopran, Alt, Tenor und Bass) no. 3, published 1873 [ satb quartet ], Mainz: Schott
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Viel böse Zeit hab' ich verzehrt, eh' ich dich hab' gefunden:
Es hat die Welt mein Herz versehrt mit tausend roten Wunden. 
Die Weiber fand ich falsch und schwank und keine hatte Treue: 
Da ward das Herz mir zag und krank, der Minne hatt' ich Reue.
Doch du bist treu, dir trau' ich gern; läßt du dich falsch erfinden, 
Wird auch dem schönen Morgenstern sein heller Glanz erblinden.

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by Felix Ludwig Julius Dahn (1834 - 1912)
3. I wasted much evil time
Language: English 
I wasted much evil time before I found you:
The world has hurt my heart with many red wounds.
I found women to be false and fickle and none of them were faithful:
My heart became timid and sick, I rued love.
But you are faithful; I trust you gladly; if it were found that you were false
The bright radiance of the lovely morning star would also go out.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2019 by Sharon Krebs, (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: 2019-12-11
Line count: 6
Word count: 70

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
4. Es ist ein Schnee gefallen
 (Sung text)

Subtitle: Volkslied nach Werher von Tegernsee

by Max Zenger (1837 - 1911), "Es ist ein Schnee gefallen", subtitle: "Volkslied nach Werher von Tegernsee", op. 13 (Fünf Lieder für Sopran, Alt, Tenor und Bass) no. 4, published 1873 [ satb chorus ], Mainz: Schott
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Es ist ein Schnee gefallen
und ist doch nicht die Zeit,
zur schönsten Maid von allen
ist mir der Weg verschneit.

Mein Haus geht mir zu Ende,
es ist mir worden alt,
der Wind streicht durch die Wände,
mein Stüblein ist gar kalt.

Mein Lieb, lass dich's erbarmen, 
daß ich so elend bin,
schließ mich in deine Arme:
so fährt der Winter hin.

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4. There has been a snowfall
Language: English 
There has been a snowfall
and it is not yet time for that;
the road to the loveliest maiden of all
is completely blocked with snow.

My house is falling apart,
it has grown old on me,
the wind passes through the walls,
my little chamber is quite cold.

My love, take pity
that I am so miserable,
and take me in your arms:
then winter would depart.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2025 by Sharon Krebs, (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: 2025-01-18
Line count: 12
Word count: 68

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
5. Mailied nach Wernher von Tegernsee
 (Sung text)
by Max Zenger (1837 - 1911), "Mailied nach Wernher von Tegernsee", op. 13 (Fünf Lieder für Sopran, Alt, Tenor und Bass) no. 5, published 1873 [ satb chorus ], Mainz: Schott
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Der Mai, der liebe Maie,
der bringt der Blumen viel;
ich trag' ein freies Gemüte,
ich weiß wohl, wem ich's will.

Ich will's einem freien Gesellen,
der wirbt in Lieb' um mich;
er trägt wohl Samt und Seide,
er trägt es nur für mich.

Er meint, es säng' die Nachtigall,
da war's eine Jungfrau fein;
und kann sie sein nicht worden,
so trauert das Herze sein.

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by Wernher[r] von Tegernsee (flourished 1172)
5. May-song after Wernher von Tegernsee
Language: English 
May, dear May
brings many flowers;
I have a free spirit,
I know well to whom I wish to yield it.

I yield it to a free comrade
who lovingly woos me;
he wears velvet and silk,
he wears it only for me.

He thought the nightingale was singing,
then it turned out to be a delicate maiden;
and if she cannot be his,
then his heart would sorrow.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2025 by Sharon Krebs, (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: 2025-01-18
Line count: 12
Word count: 69

Translation © by Sharon Krebs