English translations of Sechs deutsche Lieder, opus 9

by Heinrich (Ludwig Egmont) Dorn (1804 - 1892)

1. Warum sind denn die Rosen so blaß  [sung text not yet checked]
by Heinrich (Ludwig Egmont) Dorn (1804 - 1892), "Warum sind denn die Rosen so blaß", op. 9 (Sechs deutsche Lieder) no. 4
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Warum sind [denn]1 die Rosen so blaß?
O sprich mein Lieb warum?
Warum sind denn im grünen Gras
Die blauen Veilchen so stumm?

Warum singt denn mit so kläglichem Laut,
Die Lerche in der Luft?
Warum steigt denn aus dem Balsamkraut
Verwelkter Blütenduft?

Warum scheint denn die Sonn' auf die Au,
So kalt und verdrießlich herab?
Warum ist denn die Erde so grau,
Und öde wie ein Grab?

Warum bin ich selbst so krank und so trüb?
Mein liebes Liebchen sprich
O sprich mein herzallerliebstes Lieb,
Warum verließest du mich?

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

View original text (without footnotes)

Confirmed with Heinrich Heine, Buch der Lieder, Hoffmann und Campe, Hamburg, 1827, page 129.

1 Zenger: "doch"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
1. Why are the roses so pale?
Language: English 
 Why are the roses so pale?
 o speak, my love, why?
 Why in the green grass
 are the blue violets so silent?
 
 Why with such a lamenting voice
 does the lark sing in the sky?
 Why from the balsam weed does there rise
 the scent of wilting blossoms?
 
 Why does the sun shine down on the meadow,
 so coldly and morosely?
 Why is the earth so gray
 and desolate like a grave?
 
 Why am I myself so ill and dull?
 My lovely darling speak,
 O speak, my heart's most beloved love,
 why have you abandoned 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:

    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: 16
Word count: 97

Translation © by Emily Ezust
2. Wenn ich in deine Augen seh'  [sung text not yet checked]
by Heinrich (Ludwig Egmont) Dorn (1804 - 1892), "Wenn ich in deine Augen seh'", op. 9 (Sechs deutsche Lieder) no. 5
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wenn ich in deine Augen [seh']1,
So schwindet [all' mein Leid]2 und Weh; 
Doch wenn ich küße deinen Mund,
So werd' ich ganz und gar gesund.

Wenn ich mich lehn' an deine Brust,
Kommt's über mich wie Himmelslust;
Doch wenn du sprichst: ich liebe dich!
[So]3 muß ich weinen bitterlich.

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

View original text (without footnotes)

Confirmed with Heinrich Heine, Buch der Lieder, Hoffmann und Campe, Hamburg, 1827, page 114.

1 Hensel: "sehe"
2 Franz, Dresel: "alles Leid"
3 Wolf: "Dann"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
2. When I gaze into your eyes
Language: English 
When I gaze into your eyes,
All my pain and woe vanishes;
Yet when I kiss your lips,
I am made wholly and entirely healthy.

When I lay against your breast
It comes over me like longing for heaven;
Yet when you say, "I love you!"
I must cry so bitterly.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Paul Hindemith, (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: 

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 Paul Hindemith
3. Die heil'gen drei Könige aus Morgenland  [sung text not yet checked]
by Heinrich (Ludwig Egmont) Dorn (1804 - 1892), "Die heil'gen drei Könige aus Morgenland", op. 9 (Sechs deutsche Lieder) no. 6
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Die heil'gen drei Kön'ge aus Morgenland,
Sie frugen in jedem Städtchen:
Wo geht der Weg nach Bethlehem,
Ihr lieben Buben und Mädchen?

Die Jungen und Alten, sie [wußten es]1 nicht,
Die Könige zogen weiter;
Sie folgten einem goldenen Stern,
Der leuchtete lieblich und heiter.

Der Stern blieb stehn über Joseph's Haus,
Da sind sie [hineingegangen]2;
Das Öchslein brüllte, das Kindlein schrie,
Die heil'gen drei Könige sangen.

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

View original text (without footnotes)

Confirmed with Buch der Lieder von Heinrich Heine, Berlin, A. Warschauers Verlag, 1827, page 102. Note: it is number 39 in this edition, but 37 in later editions.

1 Strauss: "wußten's"
2 Lange-Müller: "hinein gegangen"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
3. The three holy kings from the eastern land
Language: English 
The three holy kings from the eastern land
asked in every little village and town:
Where is the way to Bethelehem,
dear boys and girls?

Neither young nor old knew it,
so the kings sought further;
They followed a golden star
that shone lovely and joyous.

The star stayed standing over Joseph's house,
and there within was the child;
the baby ox bawled, the child cried,
and the three holy kings sang.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2006 by Sarah Hoffman, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you must ask the copyright-holder(s) directly for permission. If you receive no response, you must consider it a refusal.

    Sarah Hoffman.  Contact: sarah (DOT) hoffman (AT) yahoo (DOT) com

    If you wish to commission a new translation, please contact:

Based on:

Go to the general single-text view


This text was added to the website: 2007-01-16
Line count: 12
Word count: 72

Translation © by Sarah Hoffman