English translations of Zehn Gesänge, opus 6

by Max Lewandowsky (1874 - 1906)

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1. Das verlassene Mägdlein  [sung text not yet checked]
by Max Lewandowsky (1874 - 1906), "Das verlassene Mägdlein", op. 6 (Zehn Gesänge) no. 2, note: source gives composer only as "M. Lewandowsky" - may not be correct full name
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Früh, [wann]1 die Hähne kräh'n,
[Eh']2 die Sternlein [verschwinden]3,
Muß ich am [Herde stehn]4,
Muß Feuer zünden.

Schön ist der [Flammen]5 Schein,
[Es]6 springen die Funken.
Ich schaue so [drein]7,
In Leid versunken.

Plötzlich, da kommt es mir,
Treuloser Knabe,
Daß ich die Nacht von dir
Geträumet habe.

Träne auf Träne dann
Stürzet hernieder;
So kommt der Tag heran -
O ging' er wieder!

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Confirmed with Eduard Mörike, Gedichte, Dramatisches, Erzählendes, Zweite, erweiterte Auflage, Stuttgart: J.G. Cotta'sche Buchhandlung Nachf., 1961, pages 61-62.

1 Bock, Feyhl, Zenger: "wenn"; Senger: "eh' " (further changes may exist not noted above).
2 Zenger: "Wenn"
3 Schumann, Pfitzner (SJ5), Wolf: "schwinden"
4 van Eijken, Schumann: "Heerde steh'n"
5 Schumann, Wetzel: "Flamme"
6 Reinecke: "Hell"
7 Molitor, Reinecke, Schumann, Pfitzner (SJ5), Wolf, Zenger: "darein"

by Eduard Mörike (1804 - 1875)
1.
Language: English 
Early, when the cock crows,
Before the stars disappear,
I must stand at the hearth;
I must light the fire.

Beautiful is the blaze of the flames;
[The sparks fly]1.
I gaze into the fire,
Sunk in grief.

Suddenly, it comes to me,
Unfaithful boy,
That last night
I dreamed of you.

Tears upon tears then 
Pour down;
So the day comes -
O would it were gone again!

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.


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Translated titles:
"Das verlassene Mägdlein" = "The abandoned maiden"
"Die Verlassene" = "The abandoned one"
1 Reinecke: "Bright fly the sparks"


This text was added to the website: 2003-10-13
Line count: 16
Word count: 70

Translation © by Emily Ezust
2. Julinächte  [sung text not yet checked]
by Max Lewandowsky (1874 - 1906), "Julinächte", op. 6 (Zehn Gesänge) no. 5, published 1902 [ voice and piano ], Strassburg im Elsaß: Süddeutscher Musikverlag
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wie ich euch hasse, ihr Nächte voll Duft
Mit dem schweren, trunkenen Odem,
Mit der weichen, sehnsuchtsschwangeren Luft
Und dem schwülen, betäubenden Brodem!
  Wo ihr ein einsames Herze wißt,
  Da drängt ihr und schmeichelt, droht und küßt,
  Bis es verloren, verdorben ist.
Lieder, die die Sehnsucht sann,
Schleier, die die Sünde spann,
Blumen, die dem Sumpf entblühten,
Flammen, die im Abgrund glühten,
  Bringt ihr mit als Hochzeitsgaben,
  Schenkt ihr denen,
  Die in Thränen
  Euch sich hingegeben haben.

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Confirmed with Anna Ritter, Gedichte, Neunte Auflage, Stuttgart und Berlin: J.G. Cotta'sche Buchhandlung Nachfolger, 1900, page 90.


by Anna (Nuhn) Ritter (1865 - 1921)
2. July nights
Language: English 
How I hate you, you scent-filled nights
With your heavy, intoxicated breath,
With your soft air, pregnant with yearning
And your humid, numbing vapours!
  Where you know there is a lonely heart,
  You rush in and flatter, threaten, and kiss,
  Until it is lost, has perished!
Songs that yearning imagined,
Veils spun by sin,
Flowers that blossomed in a swamp,
Flames that glowed in the abyss,
  You bring as bridal gifts,
  You give to those
  Who in tears
  Have offered themselves to you.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2023 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: 2023-10-12
Line count: 15
Word count: 83

Translation © by Sharon Krebs