English translations of Duette für Bariton & Bass mit Begleitung des Pianoforte, opus 7

by Wilhelm Goldner (1839 - 1907)

1. Wehmut  [sung text not yet checked]
by Wilhelm Goldner (1839 - 1907), "Wehmut", op. 7 (Duette für Bariton & Bass mit Begleitung des Pianoforte) no. 1, published 1858 [ duet for baritone and bass with piano ], Hamburg : Fritz Schuberth
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich kann wohl manchmal singen,
Als ob ich fröhlich sei,
Doch heimlich Tränen dringen,
Da wird das Herz mir frei.

[Es]1 lassen Nachtigallen,
Spielt draußen Frühlingsluft,
Der Sehnsucht Lied erschallen
Aus ihres [Kerkers]2 Gruft.

[Da]3 lauschen alle Herzen,
Und alles ist erfreut,
Doch keiner [fühlt]3 die Schmerzen,
Im Lied das tiefe Leid.

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1 Blodek, Hensel, Jensen, Schoeck, Széchényi: "So"
2 Blodek, Jensen, Schoeck, Széchényi: "Käfigs"
3 Barth, Hensel: "Es"
4 Hensel: "ahnt"

by Joseph Karl Benedikt, Freiherr von Eichendorff (1788 - 1857)
1. Melancholy
Language: English 
Sometimes I can sing
as if I were happy,
but secretly tears well up
and free my heart.

The nightingales, 
when spring breezes play, let
their songs of yearning resound
from the depths of their dungeons.

Then all hearts listen
and everyone rejoices;
yet no one truly feels the anguish
of the song's deep sorrow.

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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Translation of title "Wehmut" = "Melancholy"


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 55

Translation © by Emily Ezust
2. Lebewohl  [sung text not yet checked]
by Wilhelm Goldner (1839 - 1907), "Lebewohl", op. 7 (Duette für Bariton & Bass mit Begleitung des Pianoforte) no. 2, published 1858 [ duet for baritone and bass with piano ], Hamburg : Fritz Schuberth
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Morgen muß ich [weg]1 von hier
Und muß Abschied nehmen;
O du [allerhöchste]2 Zier,
Scheiden das bringt Grämen.
Da ich dich so treu geliebt
Über alle Maßen,
Soll ich dich verlassen. 

Wenn zwei gute Freunde sind, 
Die einander kennen,
Sonn' und Mond bewegen sich,
Ehe sie sich trennen.
Noch viel größer ist der Schmerz,
Wenn ein treu [verliebtes]3 Herz  
In die Fremde ziehet. 

Dort auf jener grünen Au
Steht mein jung, frisch Leben,
Soll ich dann mein Lebelang
In der Fremde schweben?
Hab' ich dir was Leids getan, 
Bitt' dich, woll's vergessen,
Denn es geht zu Ende.

Küsset dir ein Lüftelein
Wangen oder Hände,
Denke, daß es Seufzer sein,
Die ich zu dir sende:
Tausend schick' ich täglich aus,
Die da wehen um dein Haus,
Weil ich dein gedenke.

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Confirmed with Achim von Arnims Werke, dritter Band, ed. by Reinhold Steig, Leipzig: Erschienen im Insel-Verlage, 1911. Appears in Des Knaben Wunderhorn, pages 356 - 357; and confirmed with Des Knaben Wunderhorn: alte deutsche Lieder gesammelt von L. A. v. Arnim und Clemens Brentano, Drei Teile in einem Bande, ed. by Eduard Grisebach, Leipzig: Max Hesses Verlag, 1806. This edition is then re-issued from Heidelberg: bey Mohr und Zimmer, and Frankfurt am Main: J. C. B. Mohr, 1808. Appears in dritter Teil, page 670 - 671.

See also this text, that quotes the first stanza; and this text, whose first stanza resembles the fourth stanza above.

1 Brahms: "fort"
2 Brahms, Silcher: "allerschönste"
3 Brahms: "geliebtes"

from Volkslieder (Folksongs)
2. Farewell
Language: English 
Tomorrow I must leave this place
And must take farewell;
Oh you [highest]1 adornment of all,
Parting brings grief.
Since I loved you so faithfully
Beyond all measure,
I am to leave you.

When two are good friends
Who know each other,
Sun and moon shall move from their positions
Before they part from one another.
The pain is much greater yet
When a faithfully [loving]2 heart
Travels off into strange lands.

There upon yonder green meadow
My young, brisk life stands;
Am I then to drift about in foreign
Lands my whole life long?
If I hurt you in any way,
I beg you, forget it,
For it is coming to an end.

When a little breezes kisses
Your cheeks or your hands,
Think that it is the sighs
That I send to you:
I send out a thousand every day,
They waft about your house
Because I am thinking of you.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2020 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 title(s):
"Altes Handwerksburschenlied" = "Old song of the apprentices"
"Lebewohl" = "Farewell"
"Morgen muß ich fort von hier" = "Tomorrow I must leave this place"

1 Brahms, Silcher: "loveliest"
2 Brahms: "beloved"


This text was added to the website: 2020-10-20
Line count: 28
Word count: 155

Translation © by Sharon Krebs