English translations of Acht Gesänge, opus 12

by Robert Emmerich (1836 - 1891)

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1. Frühlingsahnung  [sung text not yet checked]
by Robert Emmerich (1836 - 1891), "Frühlingsahnung", op. 12 (Acht Gesänge) no. 1, published 1866 [ voice and piano ], Offenbach, André
Language: German (Deutsch) 
[Frühling]1 läßt sein blaues Band
Wieder flattern durch die Lüfte;
Süße, wohlbekannte Düfte
Streifen ahnungsvoll das Land.
Veilchen träumen schon,
Wollen balde kommen.
-- Horch, [von fern ein leiser]2 Harfenton!
Frühling, ja du bist's!
Dich hab' ich vernommen!

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Confirmed with Eduard Mörike, Gedichte, Dramatisches, Erzählendes, Zweite, erweiterte Auflage, Stuttgart: J.G. Cotta'sche Buchhandlung Nachf., 1961, page 42.

1 Eitner: "Der Frühling"; further changes may exist not shown above.
2 Louis Ferdinand: "von fern her leiser"; Schumann: "ein"

by Eduard Mörike (1804 - 1875)
1.
Language: English 
Spring lets its blue ribbon
flutter again in the breeze;
a sweet, familiar scent
sweeps with promise through the land.
Violets are already dreaming,
and will soon arrive.
Hark! In the distance - a soft harp tone!
Spring, yes it is you!
It is you that I have heard!

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: 9
Word count: 48

Translation © by Emily Ezust
2. Märzveilchen  [sung text not yet checked]
by Robert Emmerich (1836 - 1891), "Märzveilchen", op. 12 (Acht Gesänge) no. 2, published 1866 [ voice and piano ], Offenbach, André
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Der Himmel wölbt sich [rein]1 und blau,
Der Reif stellt Blumen [aus]2 zur Schau.

Am Fenster [prangt ein flimmernder Flor]3.
Ein Jüngling [steht, ihn betrachtend, davor]4.

Und hinter den Blumen [blühet]5 noch gar
Ein blaues, ein lächelndes Augenpaar.

Märzveilchen, [wie jener noch keine gesehn!
Der Reif wird angehaucht zergehn]6.

Eisblumen fangen zu schmelzen an,
[Und]7 Gott sei gnädig dem jungen Mann!

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1 Gade: "so rein"
2 Gade: "von Eis"
3 Gade: "pranget der Winterflor"
4 Gade: "steht und sinnt davor"
5 Gade: "blüht"
6 Gade: "wie sie da blühend stehn,/ so hat man Veilchen noch nie gesehn."
7 omitted by Gade.

by Adelbert von Chamisso (1781 - 1838)
2. March violets
Language: English 
The heavens arch above, [pure]1 and blue,
and the frost exhibits its [flowers]2.

The window is sparkling with [shimmering]3 flora.
A young man is standing in front, [gazing]4 intently.
 
And behind the flowers there blossoms
a pair of laughing blue eyes.

March violets, [like nothing ever seen before!
The frost will dissolve with one breath!]5
 
Frosted flowers now begin to melt,
[and]6 God, be lenient with this young man.

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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Note: changed second line on Sep 8, 2018 thanks to a suggestion by Richard Mix.

1 Gade: "so pure"
2 Gade: "flowers of ice"
3 Gade: "winter"
4 Gade: "thinking"
5 Gade: "as they flourish there, nobody has ever yet seen such violets."
6 omitted by Gade.


This text was added to the website: 2003-11-20
Line count: 10
Word count: 76

Translation © by Emily Ezust
3. Intermezzo  [sung text not yet checked]
by Robert Emmerich (1836 - 1891), "Intermezzo", op. 12 (Acht Gesänge) no. 3, published 1866 [ voice and piano ], Offenbach, André
Language: German (Deutsch) 
In meiner Erinnrung erblühen
Die Bilder, die längst verwittert -
Was ist in deiner Stimme,
Das mich so tief erschüttert?

Sag nicht, daß du mich liebst!
Ich weiß, das Schönste auf Erden,
Der Frühling und die Liebe,
Es muß zuschanden werden.

Sag nicht, daß du mich liebst!
Und küsse nur und schweige,
Und lächle, wenn ich dir morgen
Die welken Rosen zeige.

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by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
3. In my memory
Language: English 
In my memory, images yet bloom
That have long since weathered away --
What is it in your voice
That stirs me so deeply?

Do not say that you love me!
I know the most beautiful things on earth,
Spring and Love,
Must eventually come to naught.

Do not say that you love me!
And just kiss and remain silent,
And smile, when tomorrow
I show you the wilted roses.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2011 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: 2011-01-21
Line count: 12
Word count: 69

Translation © by Michael P Rosewall
4. Rosenzeit, wie schnell vorbei  [sung text not yet checked]
by Robert Emmerich (1836 - 1891), "Rosenzeit, wie schnell vorbei", op. 12 (Acht Gesänge) no. 4, published 1866 [ voice and piano ], Offenbach, André
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Rosenzeit! wie [schnell]1 vorbei,
    Schnell vorbei 
Bist du doch gegangen!
Wär' mein Lieb' nur blieben treu,
    Blieben treu,
Sollte mir nicht bangen.

Um die Ernte wohlgemut,
    Wohlgemut
Schnitterrinnen singen.
Aber, ach! mir [kranken]2 Blut,
    Mir [kranken]2 Blut
Will nichts mehr gelingen.

Schleiche so durch's Wiesental,
    So durch's Tal,
Als im Traum verloren,
Nach dem Berg, da tausendmal,
    Tausendmal,
Er mir Treu' geschworen.

Oben auf des Hügels Rand, 
    Abgewandt,
Wein' ich bei der Linde;
An dem Hut mein Rosenband, 
    Von seiner Hand,
Spielet in dem Winde.

Text Authorship:

  • by Eduard Mörike (1804 - 1875), "Agnes", written 1831, first published 1838

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Confirmed with Eduard Mörike, Gedichte, Dramatisches, Erzählendes, Zweite, erweiterte Auflage, Stuttgart: J.G. Cotta'sche Buchhandlung Nachf., 1961, page 62.

Note: written for the novel Maler Nolten, in which it had the title "Refrain-Liedchen"
1 Wöbbe: "bald"; further changes may exist not shown above.
2 1877 version, also used by Kahn, E. Kauffmann, and Wetzel: "krankem"

by Eduard Mörike (1804 - 1875)
4. Time of roses! How quickly past
Language: English 
Time of roses! How quickly past,
Quickly past 
have you gone!
Had my sweetheart only remained true,
remained true,
Then I should fear nothing.

At the harvest, cheerfully,
Cheerfully 
the reaping women sing.
But ah! poor me, 
poor me,
I can no longer do anything right.

I creep so through the meadow valley,
Through the meadow valley, 
as if lost in a dream,
To the mountain, where a thousand times,
a thousand times,
he swore he would be true.

Above on the edge of the hill, 
turning away,
I weep by the linden tree;
On my hat, the wreath of roses 
that he made for me 
Blows in the wind.

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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Note: updated 2014-03-25 after a kind suggestion by Lau Kanen.



This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 24
Word count: 110

Translation © by Emily Ezust
5. Das verlassene Mägdlein  [sung text not yet checked]
by Robert Emmerich (1836 - 1891), "Das verlassene Mägdlein", op. 12 (Acht Gesänge) no. 5, published 1866 [ voice and piano ], Offenbach, André
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)
5. The abandoned maiden
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
6. So wundersüss hab' ich geträumt  [sung text not yet checked]
by Robert Emmerich (1836 - 1891), "So wundersüss hab' ich geträumt", op. 12 (Acht Gesänge) no. 6, published 1866 [ voice and piano ], Offenbach, André
Language: German (Deutsch) 
So wundersüß hab' ich geträumt zur Nacht,
Und kann mich doch des Traums nicht mehr entsinnen;
Doch fühl' ich noch erwacht
Ein sanftes Feuer durch die Brust mir rinnen,
Das fröhlich mich zu jedem Werke macht.
Gewiß, das ist dein lieber Wille,
Das ist dein Gruß, du hast aus deiner Stille
In roter Frühe zu mir hergedacht.

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by Emanuel von Geibel (1815 - 1884)
6.
[Translation not yet available]
7. Der Jäger
by Robert Emmerich (1836 - 1891), "Der Jäger", op. 12 (Acht Gesänge) no. 7, published 1866 [ voice and piano ], Offenbach, André
Language: German (Deutsch) 
— This text is not currently
in the database but will be added
as soon as we obtain it. —

Text Authorship:

  • by Anonymous / Unidentified Author

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by Anonymous / Unidentified Author
7.
[Translation not yet available]
8. Weisst du noch?  [sung text not yet checked]
by Robert Emmerich (1836 - 1891), "Weisst du noch?", op. 12 (Acht Gesänge) no. 8, published 1866 [ voice and piano ], Offenbach, André
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Weißt du noch, wie ich am [Felsen]1
Bei den Veilchen dich belauschte?
Weißt du noch den Fliederstrauch,
Wo der Strom vorüber rauschte?
Weißt du noch den Bergespfad,
Wo ich um den Strauß dich bat,
  Weißt du noch?

Ach, es war ein süßes Bild,
Als du da errötend standest
Und zur Erde all die Blumen
Fielen, die zum Strauß du [wandest]2!
Deine liebe kleine Hand
Spielte mit dem blauen Band,
  Weißt du noch?

Und es sahen Fels und Strom
Dein Erröten und dein Beben,
Sahen auch den ersten Kuß,
Halb genommen, halb gegeben!
Und des Himmels goldner Strahl
Ueberflog Gebirg und Thal;
  Weißt du noch?

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Confirmed with Otto Roquette, Liederbuch, Stuttgart und Tübingen: J.G. Cotta’scher Verlag, 1852, pages 57-58

1 Abt, Fischer, Fischhof, Lammers, Pauls: "Fels" (according to Hofmeister) ; further changes may exist not shown above.
2 Blumenthal: "bandest"

by Otto Roquette (1824 - 1896)
8.
Language: English 
Do you still remember, how at the rock
By the violets I eavesdropped on you?
Do you still remember the lilac bush
Where the river rushed past?
Do you still remember the mountain path
Where I asked you for your bouquet,
  Do you still remember?

Ah, it was a sweet image
When you stood there blushing
And all the flowers fell to earth,
[The flowers] that you were [twining]1 into a bouquet!
Your dear little hand
Played with the blue ribbon,
  Do you still remember?

And the rocks and river saw
Your blushing and your trembling,
Saw, too, the first kiss,
Half taken, half given!
And the golden beam from heaven
Skimmed over mountain and valley;
  Do you still remember?

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2018 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.
    Contact: 

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Translations of title(s):
"Weißt du noch?" = "Do you still remember?"
"Weisst du noch wie ich am Fels" = "Do you still remember, how I at the rock"
"Weisst du noch, wie ich am Felsen" = "Do you still remember, how I at the rock"

1 Blumenthal: "binding"


This text was added to the website: 2018-02-01
Line count: 21
Word count: 121

Translation © by Sharon Krebs