English translations of 5 Songs, opus 4

by Robert Freund (1852 - 1936)

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1. Der schwere Abend  [sung text not yet checked]
by Robert Freund (1852 - 1936), "Der schwere Abend", op. 4 (5 Songs) no. 1
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Die [dunklen]1 Wolken hingen
Herab so bang und schwer,
Wir beide traurig gingen
Im Garten hin und her.

So [heiß und]2 stumm, so trübe
[Und]3 sternlos war die Nacht,
So ganz, wie unsre Liebe,
Zu Tränen nur gemacht.

Und als ich mußte scheiden
Und gute Nacht [dir]4 bot,
Wünscht' ich bekümmert beiden
Im Herzen uns den Tod.

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Confirmed with Gedichte von Nicolaus Lenau, Stuttgart, Karl Göpel's Verlag, Cotta'scher Druck, 1869, page 182.

1 Bolko von Hochberg, Rübner: "dunkeln"; Horn: "trüben"; Schleuning: "schweren"; further changes may exist not shown above.
2 Bolko von Hochberg: "heiß, so"
3 Bolko von Hochberg, Thuille: "So"
4 Thuille: "ihr"

by Nikolaus Lenau (1802 - 1850)
1. The oppressive evening
Language: English 
The dark clouds were hanging down
So forebodingly and heavily.
We two walked sadly to and fro
In the garden.

So hot and silent, so dreary
And starless was the night --
Just like our love,
Created only for tears.

And when I had to depart
And wished you good night,
In my sorrowing heart
I sadly wished death for us both.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2008 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: 2008-01-09
Line count: 12
Word count: 61

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
2. Nun die Schatten dunkeln  [sung text not yet checked]
by Robert Freund (1852 - 1936), "Nun die Schatten dunkeln", op. 4 (5 Songs) no. 2
Language: German (Deutsch) 
[Nun]1 die Schatten dunkeln,
Stern [an]2 Stern erwacht:
Welch ein Hauch der Sehnsucht
Flutet [in der]3 Nacht!

Durch das [Meer]4 der Träume
Steuert ohne Ruh',
[Steuert]5 meine Seele
Deiner Seele zu.

Die sich dir ergeben,
Nimm sie ganz dahin!
Ach, du weißt, daß nimmer
Ich [mein]6 eigen bin.

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Confirmed with Emanuel Geibel, Juniuslieder, Stuttgart und Tübingen: J.G. Cotta'scher Verlag, 1848, page 34.

1 Lewy: "Wenn"; further changes may exist not shown above.
2 Bolko von Hochberg: "bei"
3 Bolko von Hochberg, Hermann, Rubinstein, Schachner, Zumpe: "durch die"
4 Bolko von Hochberg: "Reich"
5 Hermann: "Sehnend"
6 Schachner: "mir"

by Emanuel von Geibel (1815 - 1884)
2. Now the shadows are darkening
Language: English 
Now the shadows are darkening
star after star is waking up:
what a breath of longing
is flooding through the night!

Across the sea of dreams,
steering ceaselessly
my soul is steering
towards your soul.

Anything that surrenders to you
is to be taken completely.
Oh, you know, that I am no longer
my own.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2005 by Malcolm Wren, (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: 2005-04-11
Line count: 12
Word count: 55

Translation © by Malcolm Wren
3. Viel Vögel sind geflogen  [sung text not yet checked]
by Robert Freund (1852 - 1936), "Viel Vögel sind geflogen", op. 4 (5 Songs) no. 3
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Viel [Vögel]1 sind geflogen,
  Viel Blumen sind verblüht,
Viel Wolken sind gezogen,
  Viel Sterne sind verglüht;
Vom Fels aus Waldesbronnen
  Sind Wasser viel geschäumt:
Viel Träume sind zerronnen,
  Die du, mein Herz, geträumt.

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1 Könitz: "Vöglein"; further changes may exist not shown above.

by Robert Hamerling (1830 - 1889)
3.
Language: English 
Many birds have flown,
Many flowers have bloomed,
Many clouds have passed,
Many stars have gleamed;
Out of the stony spring in the wood
Many waters have foamed:
Many dreams have melted away,
That you, my heart, once dreamed.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2022 by Michael P Rosewall, (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: 2022-07-01
Line count: 8
Word count: 39

Translation © by Michael P Rosewall
4. Frage nicht  [sung text not yet checked]
by Robert Freund (1852 - 1936), "Frage nicht", op. 4 (5 Songs) no. 4
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wie sehr ich dein, soll ich dir sagen?
Ich weiß es nicht und will nicht fragen:
Mein Herz behalte seine Kunde,
Wie [tief]1 es dein im Grunde.

O still! ich möchte sonst erschrecken,
Könnt' ich die Stelle nicht entdecken,
Die unzerstört für Gott verbliebe
Beim Tode deiner Liebe.

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1 Franz: "sehr"

by Nikolaus Lenau (1802 - 1850)
4. Do not ask
Language: English 
How very much I am yours - should I tell you?
I do not know and do not even wish to ask:
My heart guards the secret
Of just how deep its love is for you.

Oh hush! for I would be terrified
If I could not find a place [in my heart]
That would remain intact for God alone,
If your own love were to die.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2015 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 "Frage nicht" = "Do not ask"


This text was added to the website: 2015-11-29
Line count: 8
Word count: 66

Translation © by Emily Ezust
5. Blick in den Strom  [sung text not yet checked]
by Robert Freund (1852 - 1936), "Blick in den Strom", op. 4 (5 Songs) no. 5
Language: German (Deutsch) 
[Sahst]1 du ein Glück [vorübergehn]2,
Das nie sich wiederfindet,
Ist's gut in einen Strom zu sehn,
Wo Alles wogt und schwindet.

O, starre nur hinein, hinein,
Du wirst es leichter missen,
Was dir, und soll's dein Liebstes seyn,
Vom Herzen ward gerissen.

Blick' unverwandt hinab zum Fluß,
Bis deine Tränen fallen,
Und sieh durch ihren warmen Guß
Die Flut hinunterwallen.

Hinträumend wird Vergessenheit
Des Herzens Wunde schließen;
Die Seele sieht mit ihrem Leid
Sich selbst vorüberfließen.

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Confirmed with Nicolaus Lenau, Sämmliche Gedichte, herausgegeben von Anastasius Grün, vierter Band, Stuttgart und Augsburg, J. G. Cotta Verlag, 1855, page 355.

1 Mettenheimer: "Sieh'st"; further changes may exist not shown above.
2 Flügel: "vorüberziehn"; further changes may exist not shown above.

by Nikolaus Lenau (1802 - 1850)
5. Gaze into the river
Language: English 
If you [saw]1 a happiness pass by
That shall never be found again,
It is good to look into a river
Where everything surges and disappears.

Oh, only gaze into it, [gaze] into it,
You shall less sorely miss
That -- and though it were your dearest [treasure] --
Which was torn from your heart.

Gaze steadfastly down to the river
Until your tears fall,
And through their warm outpouring see
The river surging onward.

As if in a dream, oblivion
Shall close the wound of your heart;
With its sorrow the soul sees
Itself flowing past.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2024 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):
"An den Strom" = "To the river"
"Blick in den Strom" = "Gaze into the river"
"Der Strom" = "The river"
"Letzter Lebensblick" = "Last gaze of life"
"Sahst du ein Glück vorübergehn" = "If you saw a happiness pass by"

1 Mettenheimer: "see"; further changes may exist not shown above.


This text was added to the website: 2024-02-07
Line count: 16
Word count: 96

Translation © by Sharon Krebs