English translations of Vier Orchesterlieder, opus 1

by Hans Krása (1899 - 1944)

1. Geiß und Schleiche  [sung text not yet checked]
by Hans Krása (1899 - 1944), "Geiß und Schleiche", op. 1 (Vier Orchesterlieder) no. 1
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Die Schleiche singt ihr Nachtgebet,
die Waldgeiß staunend vor ihr steht.

Die Waldgeiß schüttelt ihren Bart
wie ein Magister hochgelahrt.

Sie weiß nicht, was die Schleiche singt,
sie hört nur, daß es lieblich klingt.

Die Schleiche fällt in Schlaf alsbald.
Die Geiß geht sinnend durch den Wald.

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by Christian Morgenstern (1871 - 1914)
1.
Language: English 
The lizard sings its nightly prayer,
the forest goat stands astounded before it.

The goat shakes its beard
like some erudite scholar.

[The goat] does not know what the lizard is singing -
it is aware only that it sounds lovely.

The lizard falls asleep shortly.
The goat walks pensively through the forest.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2005 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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This text was added to the website: 2005-10-12
Line count: 8
Word count: 52

Translation © by Emily Ezust
2. Nein!  [sung text not yet checked]
by Hans Krása (1899 - 1944), "Nein!", op. 1 (Vier Orchesterlieder) no. 2
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Pfeift der Sturm?
Keift ein Wurm?
Heulen 
Eulen
hoch vom Turm?

Nein!

Es war des Galgenstrickes 
dickes 
Ende, welches ächzte,
so als ob 
im Galopp 
eine müdgehetzte Mähre
nach dem nächsten Brunnen lechzte,
(der vielleicht noch ferne wäre).

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by Christian Morgenstern (1871 - 1914)
2. No!
Language: English 
Does the storm whistle?
Does a little mite nag?
Do the hoots 
of owls 
resound from high in the tower?

No!

It is the end of the gallows' 
thick noose,
groaning, 
as if it were 
in the middle of a gallop,
an exhausted mare, parched with thirst,
headed toward the nearest trough
(which might be quite far away).

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2005 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:

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This text was added to the website: 2005-09-12
Line count: 14
Word count: 58

Translation © by Emily Ezust
3. Der Seufzer  [sung text not yet checked]
by Hans Krása (1899 - 1944), "Der Seufzer", op. 1 (Vier Orchesterlieder) no. 3
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ein Seufzer lief Schlittschuh auf nächtlichem Eis
  und träumte von Liebe und Freude.
Es war an dem Stadtwall und Schneeweiß
  glänzten die Stadtwallgebäude

Der Seufzer dacht' an ein Maidelein
  und blieb erglühend stehen.
Da schmolz die Eisbahn unter ihm --
  und er sank -- und ward nimmer gesehen!

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by Christian Morgenstern (1871 - 1914)
3. The sigh
Language: English 
A sigh was skating on the evening ice,
and dreamed of love and joy.
It was on town's embankment, and snow white
gleamed the embankment's houses.

The sigh thought of a lovely girl
and stood aflame with passion.
Then ice rink melted under it,
And it sank - and was never seen again.

Text Authorship:

  • by Gary Bachlund (b. 1947), "The sigh", copyright © 2008, (re)printed on this website with kind permission

Based on:

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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website: 2009-03-13
Line count: 8
Word count: 52

Translation © by Gary Bachlund (b. 1947)
4. Galgenbruders Lied an Sophie, die Henkersmaid  [sung text not yet checked]
by Hans Krása (1899 - 1944), "Galgenbruders Lied an Sophie, die Henkersmaid", op. 1 (Vier Orchesterlieder) no. 4
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Sophie, mein Henkersmädel,
komm, küsse mir den Schädel!
Zwar ist mein Mund
ein schwarzer Schlund -
doch du bist gut und edel!

Sophie, mein Henkersmädel,
komm, streichle mir den Schädel!
Zwar ist mein Haupt
des Haars beraubt -
doch du bist gut und edel!

Sophe, mein Henkersmädel,
komm, schau mir in den Schädel!
Die Augen zwar,
sie fraß der Aar -
doch du bist gut und edel!

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by Christian Morgenstern (1871 - 1914)
4.
[Translation not yet available]