English translations of Drei Lieder für eine Singstimme mit Pianoforte, opus 18

by Francesco Berger (1834 - 1933)

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1. Einsamkeit  [sung text not yet checked]
by Francesco Berger (1834 - 1933), "Einsamkeit", op. 18 (Drei Lieder für eine Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 1, published 1859 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Breitkopf & Härtel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wie eine trübe Wolke
Durch heitre Lüfte geht,
[Wann]1 in der [Tanne]2 Wipfel
Ein mattes Lüftchen weht:

So zieh' ich meine Straße
Dahin mit trägem Fuß,
Durch helles, frohes Leben,
Einsam und ohne Gruß.

Ach, daß die Luft so ruhig!
Ach, daß die Welt so licht!
Als noch die Stürme tobten,
War ich so elend nicht.

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Confirmed with Gedichte aus den hinterlassenen Papieren eines reisenden Waldhornisten. Herausgegeben von Wilhelm Müller. Zweites Bändchen. Deßau 1824. Bei Christian Georg Ackermann, page 105; and with Urania. Taschenbuch auf das Jahr 1823. Neue Folge, fünfter Jahrgang. Leipzig: F. A. Brockhaus. 1823, page 222.

First published in Urania (see above) as no. 12 of Wanderlieder von Wilhelm Müller. Die Winterreise. In 12 Liedern.

1 Müller (Urania), and Schubert: "Wenn"
2 Schubert (Alte Gesamtausgabe, second version): "Tannen"

by Wilhelm Müller (1794 - 1827)
1. Loneliness
Language: English 
As a dark cloud 
Passes through clear skies,
When a faint breeze wafts
Through the tops of the pine trees:

So I make my way
With heavy steps,
Through bright, joyful life,
Alone and ungreeted.

Ah, the air is so calm,
Ah, the world is so bright!
When the tempests were raging,
I was not so miserable.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Arthur Rishi, (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 between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 57

Translation © by Arthur Rishi
2. Um Mitternacht  [sung text not yet checked]
by Francesco Berger (1834 - 1933), "Um Mitternacht", op. 18 (Drei Lieder für eine Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 2, published 1859 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Breitkopf & Härtel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
[Um]1 Mitternacht in ernster Stunde,
Tönt oft ein wundersamer Klang:
'S ist wie aus liebem Muttermunde
Ein freundlich tröstender Gesang.
 
In süßen, unbelauschten Thränen
Löst er des Herzens bange Pein,
Und alles unmuthvolle Sehnen
Und allen Kummer wiegt er ein.
 
Als käm' der Mai des Lebens wieder,
Regt sich's im Herzen wunderbar:
Da quillen Töne, keimen Lieder,
Da wird die Seele jung und klar.
 
So tönt das stille Läuten
Doch ich versteh' die Weise nie,
Und nur mitunter möcht' ich's deuten
Als wär's der Kindheit Melodie.

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1 Nolopp: "Zur"; further changes may exist not shown above.

by Robert Eduard Prutz (1816 - 1872)
2. At midnight
Language: English 
At midnight in the sombre hour,
A wondrous tone often sounds:
Like that from a mother's dear mouth,
A song of friendly consolation.

In sweet, unobserved tears
It dissolves the heart's anxious pain,
And cradles all discouraged longing
And all sorrow.

As if the May of life were returned,
The heart stirs wonderfully:
Then sounds surge, songs awaken,
The soul becomes young and lucid.

So sounds the peaceful ringing,
But I never understand the tune,
And only now and then might I interpret it
As if it were the melody of childhood.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2020 by David Arkell, (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):
"Um Mitternacht" = "At midnight"
"Um Mitternacht im ernster Stunde" = "At midnight in the sombre hour"
"Zur Mitternacht" = "At midnight"



This text was added to the website: 2020-12-09
Line count: 16
Word count: 92

Translation © by David Arkell
3. Frühlingsgruß  [sung text not yet checked]
by Francesco Berger (1834 - 1933), "Frühlingsgruß", op. 18 (Drei Lieder für eine Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 3, published 1859 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Breitkopf und Härtel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Leise [zieht]1 durch mein Gemüth
Liebliches Geläute.
Klinge, kleines Frühlingslied,
Kling' hinaus in's Weite.

[Kling']2 hinaus bis an das Haus,
Wo die [Blumen]3 sprießen.
Wenn du eine Rose schaust,
Sag' ich lass' sie grüßen.

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Confirmed with Neue Gedichte von Heinrich Heine, Zehnte Auflage, Hamburg, Hoffmann und Campe, 1871, page 10.

Note: modern German would change the spelling "Gemüth" to "Gemüt"

1 Quiteria: "klingt"; further changes may exist not shown above.
2 Grieg: "Zieh"
3 Gade, Grieg, Urspruch, Zenger: "Veilchen"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
3. Sweet chimes are softly filling my soul
Language: English 
Sweet chimes are softly
filling my soul;
Ring, little springtime-song
Ring out: far and wide.

Go forward till you reach the house,
where the violets bloom;
And if you see a rose,
give her my greetings.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Marty Lucas, (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: 

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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 8
Word count: 36

Translation © by Marty Lucas