English translations of Zehn Lieder, opus 1

by Ernst Frank (1847 - 1889)

1. Todtenopfer  [sung text not yet checked]
by Ernst Frank (1847 - 1889), "Todtenopfer", op. 1 (Zehn Lieder) no. 1, published 1871 [ voice and piano ], Wien, Gotthard
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Kein Rosenschimmer leuchtet dem Tag zur Ruh'!
Der Abendnebel schwillt am Gestad' empor,
Wo durch verdorrte Felsengräser
Sterbender Lüfte Gesäusel wandelt.

Nicht schwermuthsvoller [bebte]1 des Herbstes Wehn
Durchs todte Gras am sinkenden Rasenmal,
Wo meines Jugendlieblings Asche
Unter [der trauernden Weide]2 schlummert.

Ihm Thränen opfern werd' ich beim Blätterfall,
Ihm, wenn das Mailaub wieder den Hain umrauscht,
Bis mir, vom schönern Stern, die Erde
Freundlich im Reigen der Welten schimmert.

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Confirmed with Gedichte von Friedrich von Matthisson. Erster Theil. Tübingen, bei Cotta, 1811, page 290, and with Friedrich von Matthisson, Gedichte, fünfzehnte Auflage, Zurich: Orell, Füssli & Co., 1851, page 227.

First published in Der Neue Teutsche Merkur vom Jahre 1794. Herausgegeben von C. M. Wieland. Erster Band. Weimar 1794. 4. Stück. April 1794, page 318.

Note: Matthisson changed the title into Todtenopfer in the 1811 and subsequent editions.

1 Schubert (Neue Gesamtausgabe): "tönte"
2 Schubert: "den trauernden Weiden"

by Friedrich von Matthisson (1761 - 1831)
1. Remembrance
Language: English 
No rosy gleam shines the day to rest!
Evening mists surge upon the shore
where, among dried-up rock grass,
the whispers of dying breezes waft.

Autumn's wind did not shake with more melancholy
through the dead grass on the sinking turf
where the ashes of my youthful beloved
slumbered under the weeping willows.

To him I will offer tears when the leaves begin to fall -
to him, when May's foliage again rustles in the grove;
until, from a fairer star, the earth
glimmers kindly in the dance of worlds.

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: 89

Translation © by Emily Ezust
2. Mailied  [sung text not yet checked]
by Ernst Frank (1847 - 1889), "Mailied", op. 1 (Zehn Lieder) no. 2, published 1871 [ voice and piano ], Wien, Gotthard
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Zwischen Weizen und Korn,
Zwischen Hecken und Dorn,
Zwischen Bäumen und Gras,
Wo [gehts]1 Liebchen? 
Sag mir das.

  Fand mein Holdchen 
  Nicht daheim;
  Muß das Goldchen 
  Draußen sein.
  Grünt und blühet 
  Schön der Mai;
  Liebchen ziehet 
  Froh und frei.

An dem Felsen beim Fluß,
Wo sie reichte den Kuß,
Jenen ersten im Gras, 
Seh' ich etwas!
Ist sie das? --2

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Note: The modernized spelling of "Weizen" is "Waizen". See also this placeholder for songs with the title "Mailied" that might or might not refer to this poem.

1 Huberti: "geht das"
2 Several composers (not Huberti, Medtner) add: "Das ist sie, das!"

by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832)
2. May song
Language: English 
Between wheat and corn,
Between thicket and thorn,
Between trees and grass,
Where has my sweetheart gone? 
Tell me.

  I did not find my darling 
  At home.
  My treasure 
  Must be outside.
  May is blooming 
  Green and fair -
  My love must be wandering, 
  Happy and free.

At the cliffs by the river,
where she bestowed the kiss,
that first one in the grass - 
Do I see something?
Is it she?

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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Translations of titles
"Mailied" = "May song"



This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 18
Word count: 70

Translation © by Emily Ezust
3. Frühlingsglaube  [sung text not yet checked]
by Ernst Frank (1847 - 1889), "Frühlingsglaube", op. 1 (Zehn Lieder) no. 3, published 1871 [ voice and piano ], Wien, Gotthard
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Die [linden]1 Lüfte sind erwacht,
Sie [säuseln und weben]2 Tag und Nacht,
Sie [schaffen]3 an allen Enden.
O [frischer]4 Duft, o neuer Klang!
Nun armes Herze, sey nicht bang!
Nun muß sich [Alles, Alles]5 wenden.

Die Welt wird schöner [mit]5 jedem Tag,
Man weiß nicht, was noch [werden]6 mag,
Das Blühen [will]7 nicht enden.
Es blüht das fernste, [tiefste]8 Thal.
Nun armes [Herz]9, vergiß [der]10 Qual!
Nun muß sich [Alles, Alles]11 wenden.

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Confirmed with Deutscher Dichterwald. von Justinus Kerner, Friedrich Baron de la Motte Fouqué, Ludwig Uhland und Andern. Tübingen in der J. F. Heerbrandt'schen Buchhandlung. 1813, page 5; and with Gedichte von Ludwig Uhland. Stuttgart und Tübingen in der J. G. Cotta'schen Buchhandlung. 1815, page 54.

Note: some editions have a typo in stanza 1, line 2: word 4 is "wehen". Lachner's score also has this typo.

1 Klein: "lauen"
2 Kittl: "säuseln, weben"
3 Hanslick: "schaff'n"
4 Kittl, Unger: "süßer"
5 Kittl, Hanslick: "Alles"
6 Goetz: "kommen"
7 Goetz: "es will"
8 Kittl: "stillste"
9 Goetz: "Herze"
10 Kittl: "die"
11 Hanslick: "Alles"

by Johann Ludwig Uhland (1787 - 1862)
3.
Language: English 
Balmy breezes are awakened,
They whisper and move day and night,
And everywhere creative.
O fresh scent, o new sound!
Now, poor heart, don't be afraid.
Now all, all must change.

With each day the world grows fairer,
One cannot know what is still to come,
The flowering refuses to cease.
Even the deepest, most distant valley is in flower.
Now, poor heart, forget your torment.
Now all, all must change.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by David Gordon, (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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Translation of title "Frühlingsglaube" = "Spring faith"


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 71

Translation © by David Gordon
4. Winterreise  [sung text not yet checked]
by Ernst Frank (1847 - 1889), "Winterreise", op. 1 (Zehn Lieder) no. 4, published 1871 [ voice and piano ], Wien, Gotthard
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Bei diesem kalten Wehen 
Sind alle Strassen leer,
Die Wasser stille stehen; 
Ich aber [schweif umher]1,

Die Sonne scheint so trübe, 
Muss früh hinuntergehn,
Erloschen ist die Liebe,
Die Lust kann [nicht]2 bestehn.

[ Nun geht der Wald zu Ende,
Im Dorfe mach ich halt,
Da wärm ich meine Hände,]3
Bleibt auch das Herze kalt.

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1 R. Strauss: "schweif' einher"
2 R. Strauss: "nie"
3 R. Strauss: "Nun ist der Wald zu Ende, / Am Dorfe mach' ich Halt, / Und wärm' mir meine Hände"

by Johann Ludwig Uhland (1787 - 1862)
4. Winter journey
Language: English 
When the wind blows this coldly
All the streets are empty,
The waters stand still;
But I rove about,

The sun shines so blearily,
Early it must sink,
Love has been extinguished,
Joy [cannot]1 persist.

Now the forest [almost]2 lies behind me,
I stop in the village,
[There]3 I warm my hands,
Even though my heart remains cold.

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:
"Winterreise" = "Winter journey"
"Die Winterreise" = "The winter journey"
"Bei diesem kalten Wehen" = "When the wind blows this coldly"
"Wanderlied im Winter" = "Winter wandering song"
"Das verwaiste Kind" = "The orphaned child"

1 R. Strauss: "can never"
2 omitted by R. Strauss
3 R. Strauss: "And"


This text was added to the website: 2014-03-25
Line count: 12
Word count: 61

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
5. Sehnsucht
by Ernst Frank (1847 - 1889), "Sehnsucht", op. 1 (Zehn Lieder) no. 5, published 1871 [ voice and piano ], Wien, Gotthard
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Über den Frühlingsblumen funkelt
 . . . . . . . . . .

— The rest of this text is not
currently in the database but will be
added as soon as we obtain it. —

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  • by Anonymous / Unidentified Author

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by Anonymous / Unidentified Author
5.
[Translation not yet available]
6. Die blauen Frühlingsaugen  [sung text not yet checked]
by Ernst Frank (1847 - 1889), "Die blauen Frühlingsaugen", op. 1 (Zehn Lieder) no. 6, published 1871 [ voice and piano ], Wien, Gotthard
Language: German (Deutsch) 
  Die blauen Frühlingsaugen
Schau'n aus dem Gras [hervor]1;
Das sind die [lieben]2 Veilchen,
Die ich zum Strauß erkor.

  Ich pflücke sie und denke,
Und die Gedanken all,
Die mir im Herzen seufzen,
Singt laut die Nachtigall.

  [Ja,]3 was ich denke, singt sie
[Lautschmetternd]4, daß es schallt;
Mein zärtliches Geheimnis
Weiß schon der ganze Wald.

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Confirmed with: Heinrich Heine’s sämtliche Werke in vier Bänden, herausgegeben von Otto F. Lachmann, Erster Band, Leipzig: Druck und Verlag von Philipp Reclam jun, [1887], page 243

1 Decker: "empor"
2 Methfessel: "blauen"
3 Decker: "Und"
4 Methfessel, Thuille: "Und schmettert"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
6. The blue eyes of spring
Language: English 
  The blue eyes of spring 
Peep [forth]1 from the grass;
Those are the [dear]2 violets
That I chose for a bouquet.

  I pick them and I ponder,
And all of the thoughts
That are sighing within my heart,
The nightingale sings them loudly.

  [Yes,]3 what I'm thinking, [the nightingale] sings
[Like a loud]4 clarion, so that it resounds;
My most tender secret
Is already known to the whole wood.

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.
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Translations of title(s):
"Frühlingslied II" = "Spring song II"
"Schubert" = "Schubert"
"Im Frühling" = "In spring"
"Verratene Liebe" = "Revealed love"
"Das verrathene Geheimniss" = "The revealed secret"
"Frühlingslied" = "Spring song"
"Neuer Frühling" = "New spring"
"Die blauen Frühlingsaugen schau'n aus dem Gras hervor" = "The blue eyes of spring peep forth from the grass"
"Lautes Geheimnis" = "Open secret"
"Verratene Liebe: Duett" = "Revealed love: duet"
"Das Veilchen" = "The violet"
"Die blauen Frühlingsaugen" = "The blue eyes of spring"
"Frühlingsaugen" = "Eyes of spring"
"Duett" = "Duet"

1 von Decker "up"
2 Methfessel "blue"
3 von Decker "And"
4 Methfessel "And like a"


This text was added to the website: 2018-04-16
Line count: 12
Word count: 74

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
7. Lebensabend  [sung text not yet checked]
by Ernst Frank (1847 - 1889), "Lebensabend", op. 1 (Zehn Lieder) no. 7, published 1871 [ voice and piano ], Wien, Gotthard
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Der Tod, das ist die kühle Nacht,
Das Leben ist der schwüle Tag.
Es dunkelt schon, mich schläfert,
Der Tag hat mich müd gemacht.

Über mein Bett erhebt sich ein Baum,
Drin singt die junge Nachtigall;
Sie singt von lauter Liebe -
Ich hör es sogar im Traum.

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by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
7. Death is the cool night
Language: English 
Death is the cool night;
Life is the sultry day.
It is growing dark already, and I feel drowsy, 
The day has made me weary.

Above my bed stands a tree
In which the young nightingale sings;
It sings of sonorous love -
And I even hear it in my dreams.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2019 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: 8
Word count: 50

Translation © by Emily Ezust
8. Der Schalk  [sung text not yet checked]
by Ernst Frank (1847 - 1889), "Der Schalk", op. 1 (Zehn Lieder) no. 8, published 1871 [ voice and piano ], Wien, Gotthard
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Läuten kaum die Maienglocken,
Leise durch den lauen Wind,
Hebt ein Knabe froh erschrocken,
Aus dem Grase sich geschwind.
Schüttelt in den Blütenflocken,
Seine feinen blonden Locken,
Schelmisch sinnend wie ein Kind.

Und nun wehen Lerchenlieder
Und es schlägt die Nachtigall,
Von den Bergen rauschend wieder
Kommt der kühle Wasserfall.
Rings im Walde bunt Gefieder,
Frühling, Frühling ist es wieder
Und ein Jauchzen überall.

Und den Knaben hört man schwirren,
Goldne Fäden, zart und lind,
Durch die Lüfte künstlich wirren,
Und ein süsser Krieg beginnt.
Suchen, fliehen, schmachtend irren,
Bis sich Alle hold verwirren.
O besel'gend Labyrinth!

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by Joseph Karl Benedikt, Freiherr von Eichendorff (1788 - 1857)
8.
Language: English 
Hardly do the lilies-of-the-valley ring
faintly in the gentle wind,
than a boy starts gaily
and quickly from the grass.
In the blossoms he shakes
his fine blond locks,
with roguish feeling, like a child.

And now the lark songs can be heard,
and the nightingale sings;
from the mountains roars again
the sound of the cool waterfall.
Around the forest are bright feathers;
It is Spring again
and there is rejoicing everywhere.

And one hears the boy twanging;
golden threads, delicate and gentle, 
stir the air in a synthetic commotion,
and a sweet war begins.
There is searching, fleeing, languishing yearning,
until everything tangles itself sweetly.
O blissful labyrinth!

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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Translations of titles:
"Maienlied" = "May Song"


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 21
Word count: 110

Translation © by Emily Ezust
9. Mein Herz ist schwer  [sung text not yet checked]
by Ernst Frank (1847 - 1889), "Mein Herz ist schwer", op. 1 (Zehn Lieder) no. 9, published 1871 [ voice and piano ], Wien, Gotthard
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Mein Herz ist schwer, Gott sei's geklagt,
Mein Herz ist schwer für Einen.
O Gott, eine lange Winternacht
Könnt' wachen ich für Einen!
O Leid, für Einen!
O Freud', für Einen!
Die ganze Welt könnt' ich durchziehn für Einen!

Ihr Mächte, reiner Liebe hold,
O lächelt mild auf Einen!
Schützt vor Gefahr ihn, bringt gesund
Zurück mir meinen Einen!
O Leid, für Einen!
O Freud', für Einen!
Ich tät' - o Gott, was tät' ich nicht für Einen?

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Confirmed with Gedichte von Ferdinand Freiligrath, 7. Aufl., Stuttgart und Tübingen, 1844.


by Ferdinand Freiligrath (1810 - 1876)
9.
Language: English 
My heart is worried, God it laments,
My heart is worried for the One.
O God, through a long winter’s night
I would keep watch for the One!
O sorrow, for the One!
O joy, for the One!
I could withstand the whole earth for the One!

You powers, pure love so kind,
O, smile gently upon the One!
Shield him from danger; Bring, healthy,
My One back to me!
O sorrow, for the One!
O joy, for the One!
I would… O God, what wouldn’t I do for the One?

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: 2022-07-12
Line count: 14
Word count: 91

Translation © by Michael P Rosewall
10. Liebespredigt  [sung text not yet checked]
by Ernst Frank (1847 - 1889), "Liebespredigt", op. 1 (Zehn Lieder) no. 10, published 1871 [ voice and piano ], Wien, Gotthard
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Was [singt ihr und]1 sagt ihr mir, Vögelein,
Von Liebe?
Was klingt ihr und klagt ihr ins Herz mir hinein
Von Liebe?
Ihr habt mir gesagt und gesungen genug,
Ich hab' euch gehört und verstanden genug
Von Liebe,
Von Liebe, von Liebe.

O singt nun, o sagt nun dem Mägdelein
Von Liebe!
O klingt nun, o klagt nun ins Herz ihr hinein
Von Liebe!
Und wenn ihr [des Mägdeleins]2 Herz mir ersingt,
Dann ewig, o Vögelein, sagt mir und singt
Von Liebe,
Von Liebe, von Liebe!

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1 Kjerulf: "singet und"; Radecke: "singt und"; further changes may exist not noted above.
2 Mendel: "der Lieblichen"

by Friedrich Rückert (1788 - 1866)
10. Love sermon
Language: English 
What do you sing and tell me, little birds,
About love?
What do you twitter and sob into my heart
About love?
You have sung and told me enough,
I have heard and grasped enough from you
About love,
About love, about love.

O sing now, O tell the maiden
About love!
O twitter now, O sob into her heart
About love!
And if your singing might win me the [maiden’s]1 heart,
Then forever, O little birds, tell me and sing
About love,
About love, about love!

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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Translations of titles
"Liebespredigt" = "Love sermon"
"Jugendliebe" = "Youthful love"

1 Mendel: "lovely one's"


This text was added to the website: 2022-07-12
Line count: 16
Word count: 88

Translation © by Michael P Rosewall