English translations of Vom Tode, opus 8

by Karl Horwitz, né Curt Horwitz (1884 - 1925)

1. Der Feind  [sung text not yet checked]
by Karl Horwitz, né Curt Horwitz (1884 - 1925), "Der Feind", op. 8 (Vom Tode) no. 1, published 1922 [ baritone and large orchestra ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Einen kenne ich,
Wir lieben ihn nicht;
Einen nenne ich,
Der die Schwerter zerbricht!
Weh! Sein Haupt steht in der Mitternacht,
Sein Fuß in [der Erde]1 Staub;
Vor ihm weht das Laub
Zur dunkeln Erde hernieder.
Ohne Erbarmen
In den Armen
Trägt er die [kindische]2,
Taumelnde Welt:
Tod -- so heißt er!
Und die Geister
Beben vor ihm, den schrecklichen Held!

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Note: this is the second version of a poem that first appeared in Kantate auf den Tod Ihrer Königlichen Majestät, Louise von Preußen (1810)
1 Trunk, Pepping: "dem"
2 Trunk: "kindlich", Pepping: "kindisch"

by Clemens Maria Wenzeslaus von Brentano (1778 - 1842)
1.
[Translation not yet available]
2. Der Tod  [sung text not yet checked]
by Karl Horwitz, né Curt Horwitz (1884 - 1925), "Der Tod", op. 8 (Vom Tode) no. 2, published 1922 [ baritone and large orchestra ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ach, es ist so dunkel in des Todes Kammer,
  Tönt so traurig, wenn er sich bewegt
Und nun aufhebt seinen schweren Hammer,
  Und die Stunde schlägt.

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Confirmed with Matthias Claudius, Werke. Dritter Band. Vierte Auflage. ASMUS omnia sua SECUM portans, oder Sämmtliche Werke des Wandsbecker Bothen, Sechster Theil, Cannstatt, C. F. Richter, 1835, page 85.


by Matthias Claudius (1740 - 1815)
2. Ah, it is so dark in Death's chamber
Language: English 
 Ah, it is so dark in Death's chamber,
 sounds so sad when he moves about
 and now lifts up his heavy hammer
 and strikes the hour.

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  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2000 by John Glenn Paton, (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 between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 4
Word count: 27

Translation © by John Glenn Paton
3. Zur Ruh  [sung text not yet checked]
by Karl Horwitz, né Curt Horwitz (1884 - 1925), "Zur Ruh", op. 8 (Vom Tode) no. 3, published 1922 [ baritone and large orchestra ]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Zur Ruh', zur Ruh', 
Ihr müden Glieder!
Schließt fest euch zu, 
Ihr Augenlider!

Ich bin allein,
Fort ist die Erde;
Nacht muß es sein,
Daß Licht mir werde;

O führt mich ganz,
Ihr innern Mächte!
Hin zu dem Glanz
Der tiefsten Nächte.

Fort aus dem Raum
Der Erdenschmerzen
Durch Nacht und Traum
Zum Mutterherzen!

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by Justinus (Andreas Christian) Kerner (1786 - 1862)
3. To sleep, too sleep
Language: English 
 To sleep, too sleep, you exhausted limbs!
 Close fast, you eyelids!
 I am alone, the world has gone on without me;
 It must be night that becomes my lantern;
 O guide me well, inner powers!
 to the splendour of deepest night -
 out of the realm of earthly pain
 through night and dream to the heart of life!

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: 8
Word count: 58

Translation © by Emily Ezust