English translations of Vier Lieder für 1 Singstimme mit Pianoforte, opus 1

by Paul Umlauft (1853 - 1934)

1. Mein Herz ist wie die dunkle Nacht
 (Sung text)
by Paul Umlauft (1853 - 1934), "Mein Herz ist wie die dunkle Nacht", op. 1 (Vier Lieder für 1 Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 1, published 1879 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Breitkopf & Härtel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Mein Herz ist wie die dunkle Nacht,
Wenn alle Wipfel rauschen;
Da steigt der Mond in voller Pracht
Aus Wolken sacht --
Und sieh, der Wald verstummt in tiefem Lauschen.

Der Mond, der helle Mond bist du;
Aus deiner Liebesfülle
Wirf einen, einen Blick mir zu 
Voll Himmelsruh --
Und sieh, dies ungestüme Herz wird stille.

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by Emanuel von Geibel (1815 - 1884)
1. My heart is like the dark night
Language: English 
My heart is like the dark night,
when all the treetops rustle;
There rises the moon in full splendour
from among clouds softly,
and behold, the forest grows silent in deep listening.

The moon, the bright moon are you:
In your abundance of love
cast a glance to me
full of heavenly peace,
and behold, this unquiet heart becomes still.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2003 by Carl Johengen, (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: 2004-01-26
Line count: 10
Word count: 60

Translation © by Carl Johengen
2. Goldne Brücken seien alle Lieder mir
 (Sung text)
by Paul Umlauft (1853 - 1934), "Goldne Brücken seien alle Lieder mir", op. 1 (Vier Lieder für 1 Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 2, published 1879 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Breitkopf & Härtel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Goldne Brücken seien
Alle Lieder mir,
Drauf die Liebe wandelt,
Süßes Kind, zu dir!

Und des Traumes Flügel
Soll in Lust und Schmerz,
Jede Nacht mich tragen
An dein treues Herz.

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Bruch: "trautes, trautes"
by Emanuel von Geibel (1815 - 1884)
2.
[Translation not yet available]
3. Siehst du das Meer
 (Sung text)
by Paul Umlauft (1853 - 1934), "Siehst du das Meer", op. 1 (Vier Lieder für 1 Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 3, published 1879 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Breitkopf & Härtel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Siehst du das Meer? Es glänzt auf seiner Fluth
Der Sonne Pracht;
Doch in der Tiefe, wo die Perle ruht,
Ist finstre Nacht.

Das Meer bin ich. In stolzen Wogen rollt
Mein wilder Sinn,
Und meine Lieder ziehn wie Sonnengold
Darüber hin.

Sie flimmern oft von zauberhafter Lust,
Von Lieb' und Scherz;
Doch schweigend blutet in verborg'ner Brust
Mein dunkles Herz.

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by Emanuel von Geibel (1815 - 1884)
3.
Language: English 
Do you see the ocean? Upon its waters shines
The splendour of the sun;
But in the depths where the pearl rests,
It is dark night.

I am the ocean. In proud waves my wild
Spirit rolls,
And my songs pass like the gold of the sun
Over it and away.

They often flicker with magical joy,
With love and jesting;
But, concealed in my bosom, silently bleeds
My dark heart.

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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Translations of titles:
"Am Meere" = "By the sea"
"Siehst du das Meer?" = "Do you see the ocean?"
"Siehst du das Meer? Es glänzt auf seiner Flut" = "Do you see the ocean? Upon its waters shines"



This text was added to the website: 2025-08-20
Line count: 12
Word count: 71

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
4. Nachtlied
 (Sung text)
by Paul Umlauft (1853 - 1934), "Nachtlied", op. 1 (Vier Lieder für 1 Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 4, published 1879 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Breitkopf & Härtel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Der Mond kommt still gegangen
Mit seinem goldnen Schein,
Da schläft in holdem Prangen 
Die müde Erde ein.

Im Traum die Wipfel weben,
Die Quellen rauschen sacht;
Singende Engel durchschweben
Die blaue Sternennacht

Und auf den Lüften schwanken
Aus manchem treuen Sinn
Viel tausend Liebesgedanken
Über die Schläfer hin.

Und drunten im Tal, da funkeln
Die Fenster von Liebchens Haus;
Ich aber blicke im Dunkeln
Still in die Nacht hinaus.

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Note: in Lachner's score, the first word of stanza 4 is "Da" but becomes "Und" in the repetition.

by Emanuel von Geibel (1815 - 1884)
4. The moon so peaceful rises
Language: English 
The moon so peaceful rises
with all its golden shine,
here sleeps in lovely glitter
the weary earth below.

[...
...
...
...]

And on the breezes waft down
from many faithful hearts
true loving thoughts by the thousand
upon the sleeping ones.

And down in the valley, there twinkle
the lights from my lover's house;
but I in darkness still look out -
silent - into the world.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 1996 by David Kenneth Smith, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., please ask the copyright-holder(s) directly.

    David Kenneth Smith.  Contact: dksmith (AT) geneva.edu


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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 16
Word count: 63

Translation © by David Kenneth Smith