English translations of Fünf Lieder für eine Singstimme mit Pianoforte, opus 2

by Louis Ehlert (1825 - 1884)

1. Ade
by Louis Ehlert (1825 - 1884), "Ade", op. 2 (Fünf Lieder für eine Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 1, published 1847 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Guttentag
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Es ist schon späte Mitternacht
 . . . . . . . . . .

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by Friedrich Stoltze (1816 - 1891)
1.
[Translation not yet available]
2. Die Nacht  [sung text not yet checked]
by Louis Ehlert (1825 - 1884), "Die Nacht", op. 2 (Fünf Lieder für eine Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 2, published 1847 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Guttentag
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Auf dem Teich, dem Regungslosen,
Weilt des Mondes holder Glanz,
Flechtend seine bleichen Rosen
In des Schilfes grünen Kranz.

Hirsche wandeln dort am Hügel,
Blicken [in]1 die Nacht empor;
Manchmal regt sich das Geflügel
Träumerisch im tiefen Rohr.

Weinend muß mein Blick sich senken;
Durch die tiefste Seele geht
Mir ein süßes Deingedenken,
Wie ein stilles Nachtgebet.

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1 Mendelssohn: "durch"

by Nikolaus Lenau (1802 - 1850)
2. On the pond, the motionless one
Language: English 
 On the pond, the motionless one,
 rests the moon's lovely gleam,
 weaving its pale roses
 into a green garland of reeds.
 
 Deer wander there on the hill,
 gazing up through the night;
 often, winged things stir
 dreamily in the tall reeds.
 
 Weeping, I must lower my gaze;
 through the depths of my soul pass
 sweet thoughts of you,
 like a quiet night prayer.

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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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 64

Translation © by Emily Ezust
3. Der Wassermann
 (Sung text)
by Louis Ehlert (1825 - 1884), "Der Wassermann", op. 2 (Fünf Lieder für eine Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 3, published 1847 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Guttentag
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Es war in des Maien lindem Glanz,
Da hielten die Jungfern von Tübingen Tanz.

Sie tanzten und tanzten wohl allzumal
Um eine Linde im grünen Tal.

Ein fremder Jüngling, im stolzen Kleid,
Sich wendete bald zu der schönsten Maid;

Er reichet die Hände ihr dar zum Tanz,
und setzt ihr auf's Haar einen meergrünen Kranz.

"O Jüngling! warum ist so kalt dein Arm?"
"In Neckars Tiefen da ist's nicht warm."

"O Jüngling! warum ist so bleich deine Hand?"
"Ins Wasser dringt nicht der Sonne Brand!"

Er tanzt mit ihr von der Linde weit:
"Lass', Jüngling! horch, die Mutter mir schreit!"

Er tanzt mit ihr den Neckar entlang:
"Lass', Jüngling! weh! mir wird so bang!"

Er fasst sie fest um den schlanken Leib:
"Schön' Maid, du bist des Wassermann's Weib!"

Er tanzt mit ihr in die Wellen hinein:
"O Vater und du, o Mutter mein!"

Er führt sie in seinen krystallenen Saal:
"Ade, ihr Schwestern im grünen Tal!"

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by Justinus (Andreas Christian) Kerner (1786 - 1862)
3. The waterman
Language: English 
Once in the mild brightness of May,
The young maidens of Tübingen had a dance.

They danced and danced all together
About a lime tree in the green valley.

A stranger, a lad in a proud garment,
Soon attached himself to the most beautiful maiden;

He stretched out his hands to lead her into the dance,
He placed a sea-green wreath upon her hair.

"Oh young man, why are your arms so cold?"
"In the depths of the Neckar (river) it is not warm."

"Oh young man, why are your hands so pale?"
"The burning rays of the sun do not penetrate into the water."

He dances away with her, far from the lime tree:
"Stop, young man!  Listen, my mother is calling me!"

He dances away with her along the banks of the Neckar (River):
"Stop, young man!  Woe, I am becoming so frightened!"

He seizes her tightly about her slender body:
"Lovely maiden, you are the waterman's bride!"

He dances away with her right into the waves:
"Oh father, and you, oh mother mine!"

He leads her into his crystal hall:
"Adieu, to you, my sisters all!"

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2009 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: 2009-09-21
Line count: 22
Word count: 189

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
4. Am Feuer  [sung text not yet checked]
by Louis Ehlert (1825 - 1884), "Am Feuer", op. 2 (Fünf Lieder für eine Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 4, published 1847 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Guttentag
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)
4.
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
5. Es war ein alter König  [sung text not yet checked]
by Louis Ehlert (1825 - 1884), "Es war ein alter König", op. 2 (Fünf Lieder für eine Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 5, published 1847 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Guttentag
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Es war ein alter König,
sein Herz war schwer, sein [Haupt]1 war grau;
der arme alte König,
er nahm eine junge Frau.

Es war ein [schöner]2 Page,
blond war sein [Haupt]3, leicht war sein Sinn;
er trug die [seid'ne]4 Schleppe
der jungen Königin.

Kennst du das alte Liedchen?
Es klingt so süß, es klingt so trüb!
Sie mußten beide sterben,
sie hatten sich viel zu lieb.

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Confirmed with Neue Gedichte von H. Heine, Zweite Auflage, Hamburg, bei Hoffmann und Campe, 1844, page 28.

1 Diepenbrock: "Haar"
2 Schnorr von Carolsfeld, Zemlinsky: "junger"
3 Wolfrum: "Haar"
4 Goldschmidt: "seidene"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
5. There was an old king
Language: English 
 There was an old king,
 his heart was heavy, his head was gray;
 the poor, old king,
 he took a young wife.
 
 There was a handsome pageboy,
 blond was his hair, light was his manner;
 he carried the silk train
 of the young queen.
 
 Do you know this old song?
 It sounds so sweet, it sounds so troubled!
 They both had to die,
 for they loved each other too much.

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: 12
Word count: 71

Translation © by Emily Ezust