English translations of Zehn Lieder zur Gitarre nach Gedichten von Justinus Kerner, opus 22

by Rudolf Leberl (1884 - 1952)

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1. Wandrer
 (Sung text)
by Rudolf Leberl (1884 - 1952), "Wandrer", op. 22 (Zehn Lieder zur Gitarre nach Gedichten von Justinus Kerner) no. 1 (1914), published 2006 [ voice and guitar ], Frankfurt am Main: Laurentius-Musikverlag
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Die Straßen, die ich gehe,
So oft ich um mich sehe,
Sie bleiben fremd doch mir.
Die Herberg, wo ich möcht' weilen,
Ich kann sie nicht ereilen,
weit ist sie von hier.

So fremd mir anzuschauen
Sind diese Städt' und Auen,
Die Burgen stumm und tot!
Doch fern Gebirge ragen,
Die meine Heimat tragen,
Ein ewig Morgenrot.

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Note: also published without a title in chapter 14 of Die Heimatlosen

by Justinus (Andreas Christian) Kerner (1786 - 1862)
1. The roadways which I wander
Language: English 
The roadways which I wander -
so oft I look around me -
still strange they seem to me.
Lodging, where I would shelter,
I can not quite arrive there,
far, far it is from here.

So alien they seem to me
these cities and these meadows,
 the castles mute and dead;
yet far the mountains tower
where lies my native homeland,
an endless rising sun.

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: 12
Word count: 64

Translation © by David Kenneth Smith
2. Klosterfräulein
 (Sung text)
by Rudolf Leberl (1884 - 1952), "Klosterfräulein", op. 22 (Zehn Lieder zur Gitarre nach Gedichten von Justinus Kerner) no. 2 (1923), published 2006 [ voice and guitar ], Frankfurt am Main: Laurentius-Musikverlag
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich armes Klosterfräulein!
O Mutter! was hast du gemacht!
Lenz ging am Gitter vorüber,
Hat mir kein Blümlein gebracht.

Ach, wie weit, weit dort unten
Zwei Schäflein gehen im Tal!
Viel Glück, ihr Schäflein, ihr seht ja
Den Frühling zum erstenmal!

Ach, wie weit, weit dort oben
Zwei Vöglein fliegen in Ruh'!
Viel Glück, ihr Vöglein, ihr flieget
Der besseren Heimat zu!

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by Justinus (Andreas Christian) Kerner (1786 - 1862)
2. The young nun
Language: English 
Ah, what a poor nun am I!
O  mother what have you done!
Spring passed by the bars
And brought me no flowers!

Ah, how far, how far below
Two lambs walk in the valley.
Good luck you lambs,
You've seen spring for the first time.

Ah, how far, how far above
Two birds fly in peace!
Good luck little birds,
You're flying to a better home.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Siân Goldthorpe and Christian Stein, (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: 2003-10-13
Line count: 12
Word count: 67

Translation © by Siân Goldthorpe, Christian Stein
3. Der Einsame
 (Sung text)
by Rudolf Leberl (1884 - 1952), "Der Einsame", op. 22 (Zehn Lieder zur Gitarre nach Gedichten von Justinus Kerner) no. 3 (1923), published 2006 [ voice and guitar ], Frankfurt am Main: Laurentius-Musikverlag
Language: German (Deutsch) 
In des Waldes Einsamkeit
Flieh' ich gern zu Baum und Kraut
Tief hinein, wo weit und breit
Mich kein Menschenauge schaut. 

Gehet auch ein Reh zum Born,
Kann mich das bekümmern nicht,
Sticht mich einer Rose Dorn,
Mir kein Mensch doch Dornen flicht.

Glücklich hat mich's nie gemacht,
Daß auf Menschen ich gehofft,
Frieden doch hat mir gebracht
Eine stille Blume oft.

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by Justinus (Andreas Christian) Kerner (1786 - 1862)
3. The solitary one
Language: English 
In the solitude of the forest
I gladly flee to tree and herb
Far into the forest, where far and wide
No human eye espies me.

Even if a deer goes to the water-spring,
That cannot vex me,
If I am pricked by the thorn of a rose,
No person weaves [a wreath] of thorns for me.

It has never made me happy
To have placed my hope in people,
Yet I have often been granted peace
By a silent flower.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2021 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: 2021-09-04
Line count: 12
Word count: 81

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
4. Verlassensein
 (Sung text)
by Rudolf Leberl (1884 - 1952), "Verlassensein", op. 22 (Zehn Lieder zur Gitarre nach Gedichten von Justinus Kerner) no. 4 (1925), published 2006 [ voice and guitar ], Frankfurt am Main: Laurentius-Musikverlag
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wie oft hab' ich mein Herz geleget,
Als ich noch jung war, an ihr Herz,
Als noch kein Schmerz mein Herz beweget,
Nur Liebe, Freude, muntrer Scherz.

Jetzt, wo mein Alter ist voll Kummer,
Wo sie tot ist, ich noch lebend bin,
Wo in den Nächten ohne Schlummer
Soll legen ich mein Herze noch hin?

 ... 
In tiefer Waldnacht ganz allein
Will ich mein heißes Herz mir legen
An einen kalten stummen Stein!

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by Justinus (Andreas Christian) Kerner (1786 - 1862)
4. Left all alone
Language: English 
How often have I lain my heart,
When I was still young, against her heart,
When no pain yet moved my heart,
Only love, joy, merry jesting.

Now that my old age is full of sorrow,
Now that she is dead, I still alive,
Where, in the sleepless nights,
Might I still lay my heart?

[There where no heart reciprocates my greeting,]1
All alone in the deep night of the forest,
I shall lay my fervent heart
Only against a cold, mute stone!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2021 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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1 omitted by Leberl


This text was added to the website: 2021-09-04
Line count: 12
Word count: 84

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
5. Wie dir, so mir
 (Sung text)
by Rudolf Leberl (1884 - 1952), "Wie dir, so mir", op. 22 (Zehn Lieder zur Gitarre nach Gedichten von Justinus Kerner) no. 5 (1925), published 2006 [ voice and guitar ], Frankfurt am Main: Laurentius-Musikverlag
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wie dir geschah, so soll's auch mir geschehn,
Nur wo du hinkamst, will ich auch hingehn:
Ich will ins Licht nur, wirst im Licht du sein,
Bist du in Nacht, so will ich in die Nacht,
Bist du in Pein, so will ich in die Pein.
Von dir getrennt hab' ich mich nie gedacht,
Zu dir, zu dir will ich allein!

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by Justinus (Andreas Christian) Kerner (1786 - 1862)
5. As you, thus I
Language: English 
As it happened to you, thus shall it also happen to me,
Only whither you went, shall I go:
I only wish to go into the light if you will be in the light,
If you are in night, then I wish to go into the night,
If you are in anguish, then I wish to be in anguish.
I have never imagined myself separated from you,
To you, to you I [solely, solely]1 wish to go.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2014 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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Translated titles:
"Wie dir geschah" = "As it happened to you"
"Wie dir, so mir" = "As you, thus I"
1 Leberl: "solely"


This text was added to the website: 2014-05-26
Line count: 7
Word count: 78

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
6. Letzte Bitte
 (Sung text)
by Rudolf Leberl (1884 - 1952), "Letzte Bitte", op. 22 (Zehn Lieder zur Gitarre nach Gedichten von Justinus Kerner) no. 6 (1925), published 2006 [ voice and guitar ], Frankfurt am Main: Laurentius-Musikverlag
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Tief in Waldeinsamkeit ein Grab! ein Grab!
Von allen Menschen ferne, ja! recht ferne!
Dann senkt den müden Sänger bald hinab,
Wann funkeln durchs Gezweig die Abendsterne.

Dann aber geht und laßt das Grab in Ruh'!
Verborgen und vergessen werd' die Stätte!
Efeu und Moos deck' ganz den Hügel zu,
Und nur das wunde Reh find' ihn zu Bette.

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by Justinus (Andreas Christian) Kerner (1786 - 1862)
6.
Language: English 
Deep in the solitude of the forest a grave! a grave!
Far from all people, yes! quite far!
There place the tired singer soon into the earth,
When the evening stars are twinkling through the branches.

But then go and leave the grave in peace!
May the spot become hidden and forgotten!
May ivy and moss completely cover the mound,
And [may] only the wounded deer find a bed there.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2013 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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English poem title: "Last plea"
English song title: "Deep in the solitude of the forest"


This text was added to the website: 2013-10-14
Line count: 8
Word count: 70

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
7. Das Gewicht
 (Sung text)
by Rudolf Leberl (1884 - 1952), "Das Gewicht", op. 22 (Zehn Lieder zur Gitarre nach Gedichten von Justinus Kerner) no. 7 (1925), published 2006 [ voice and guitar ], Frankfurt am Main: Laurentius-Musikverlag
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Was in stiller Mitternacht,
Wenn die Erde ringsum schlief,
Mir oft aus dem Herzen tief
Lieder hat hervorgebracht,
War des Lebens Schwere nur,
Die mir oft am Herze zieht,
Wie's Gewicht zieht an der Uhr,
Bis sie flötet laut ein Lied.

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by Justinus (Andreas Christian) Kerner (1786 - 1862)
7. The Weight
Language: English 
That which in the quiet midnight,
When round about the world was sleeping,
Often brought forth songs
From deep within my heart,
It was only life’s heaviness
That often pulls at my heart,
As the weight pulls on the clock
Until it loudly flutes forth a song.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2021 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: 2021-09-04
Line count: 8
Word count: 47

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
8. An die Wanduhr
 (Sung text)
by Rudolf Leberl (1884 - 1952), "An die Wanduhr", op. 22 (Zehn Lieder zur Gitarre nach Gedichten von Justinus Kerner) no. 8 (1925), published 2006 [ voice and guitar ], Frankfurt am Main: Laurentius-Musikverlag
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Alte Uhr! dein Zeiger geht
Wohl noch richtig seine Bahn,
Doch dein Schlagwerk stille steht,
Schlägt nicht mehr die Stunden an.

Alte Uhr! dich hat die Zeit
So wie mich verletzet schwer!
Geht auch noch mein Tagwerk heut',
Schlägt mein Herz doch fast nicht mehr.

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Confirmed with Justinus Kerners sämtliche poetische Werke in vier Bänden, herausgegeben von Dr. Josef Gaismaier, 1. Band, Leipzig: Max Hesses Verlag, 1880, page 235.


by Justinus (Andreas Christian) Kerner (1786 - 1862)
8. To the wall clock
Language: English 
Old clock! your hand moves
Correctly yet on its pathway,
But your mechanism is motionless,
It no longer chimes the hours.

Old clock! time has damaged
You severely, just as it has me!
Though my daily work still goes on,
My heart is hardly beating any more.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2021 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: 2021-09-04
Line count: 8
Word count: 47

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
9. Im Regen
 (Sung text)
by Rudolf Leberl (1884 - 1952), "Im Regen", op. 22 (Zehn Lieder zur Gitarre nach Gedichten von Justinus Kerner) no. 9 (1926), published 2006 [ voice and guitar ], Frankfurt am Main: Laurentius-Musikverlag
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Zählt man die Zeit im Jahr,
Drin freudvoll war ein Herz,
Sind's wen'ge Stunden nur,
Die andern trug es Schmerz.

Zählt man die Zeit im Jahr,
Drin blau der Himmel blieb,
Sind's wen'ge Tage nur,
Die andern waren trüb.

Drum, da der Himmel selbst
So oft in Tränen steht,
Klag' nimmer, Menschenherz,
Daß dir's nicht besser geht.

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by Justinus (Andreas Christian) Kerner (1786 - 1862)
9. In the rain
Language: English 
If one counts the time in a year
In which [one's] heart was full of joy,
It would only be a few [days]1,
During the rest it bore pain.

If one counts the time in a year
In which the sky remained blue,
It would only be a few days;
The others were dreary.

Thus, since the heavens themselves
So often stand in tears,
Do not lament, heart of man,
That you are no better off.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2013 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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1 "hours"


This text was added to the website: 2013-09-26
Line count: 12
Word count: 78

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
10. Sängers Trost
 (Sung text)
by Rudolf Leberl (1884 - 1952), "Sängers Trost", op. 22 (Zehn Lieder zur Gitarre nach Gedichten von Justinus Kerner) no. 10 (1926), published 2006 [ voice and guitar ], Frankfurt am Main: Laurentius-Musikverlag
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Weint auch einst kein Liebchen
Tränen auf mein Grab,
Träufeln doch die Blumen
Mir den Tau hinab;

Weilt an ihm kein Wandrer
Im Vorüberziehn,
Blickt auf seiner Reise
Doch der Mond dahin.

Denkt auf diesen Fluren
Bald kein Erdner,
Denkt doch mein die Aue
Und der stille Hain.

Blumen, Hain und Aue,
Stern und Mondenlicht,
Die ich sang, vergessen
Ihres Sängers nicht.

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by Justinus (Andreas Christian) Kerner (1786 - 1862)
10. Singer's [Poet's] comfort
Language: English 
Even if someday no beloved
Weeps tears onto my grave,
The flowers still drop down
Their [gentle dew]1.

Even if no wanderer
Lingers there while passing by,
The moon during its journey
Looks down upon that place.

Even if on these fields
Soon no earthling remembers me,
The meadow and the quiet grove
Do remember me.

Flowers, grove, and meadow,
Star- and moonlight,
Of whom I once sang [in my poems],
Do not forget their singer [poet].

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2006 by Sharon Krebs and Harald 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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1 Leberl: "dew for me"


This text was added to the website: 2006-11-21
Line count: 16
Word count: 79

Translation © by Sharon Krebs, Harald Krebs