English translations of Buch der Lieder : von Heinrich Heine, opus 12

by Apolinary Scheluta (1884 - 1966)

1. Die Blume  [sung text not yet checked]
by Apolinary Scheluta (1884 - 1966), "Die Blume", op. 12 no. 1
Language: German (Deutsch) 
  Du bist wie eine [Blume]1
[So hold und schön und rein;]2
Ich [schau']3 dich an, und Wehmut
Schleicht mir ins Herz hinein.

  Mir ist, als [ob ich]4 die Hände
Aufs Haupt [dir]5 legen sollt',
[Betend]6, daß [Gott dich]7 erhalte
[So rein und schön und hold]8.

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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 136.

1 Hamma: "Blüthe"
2 Ander: "So schön, so rein und hold"; Chadwick: "So schön, so hold, so rein"; Mayer: "So hold, so schön und rein"; Becker, Thuille: "So hold, so schön, so rein"; Unger: "So rein so schön und hold"; Schleinizt: "So schön und hold und rein"
3 Becker: "seh'"
4 Hinrichs: "ob"
5 Hinrichs: "ich dir"
6 Dreyschock: "und beten"
7 Liszt: "dich Gott"
8 Ander: "So hold und schön und rein"; Chadwick, Thuille: "So schön, so hold, so rein"; Mayer: "So rein, so schön und hold"; Becker: "So rein, so schön, so hold"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
1. Thou art, as is a flower
Language: English 
Thou art, as is a flower,
so meek and pure and fine,
I look at thee and sadness
steals o'er the heart of mine.

I feel that both my hands softly
thy hair, thy head should seek,
praying that God may preserve thee
so pure and fine and meek.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2009 by Bertram Kottmann, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you must ask the copyright-holder(s) directly for permission. If you receive no response, you must consider it a refusal.

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This text was added to the website: 2009-08-10
Line count: 8
Word count: 49

Translation © by Bertram Kottmann
2. Es liegt der heiße Sommer  [sung text not yet checked]
by Apolinary Scheluta (1884 - 1966), "Es liegt der heiße Sommer", op. 12 no. 2, published 1909?
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Es liegt der heiße Sommer
Auf deinen Wängelein;
Es liegt der Winter, der kalte,
In deinem Herzchen klein.

Das wird sich bei dir ändern,
Du Vielgeliebte mein!
Der Winter wird auf den Wangen,
Der Sommer im Herzen sein.

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Confirmed with Heinrich Heine, Buch der Lieder, Hoffmann und Campe, Hamburg, 1827, page 153.


by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
2.
[Translation not yet available]
3. Aus meinen Tränen sprießen  [sung text not yet checked]
by Apolinary Scheluta (1884 - 1966), "Aus meinen Tränen sprießen", op. 12 no. 3, published 1909?
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Aus meinen Tränen sprießen
Viel blühende Blumen hervor,
Und meine Seufzer werden
Ein Nachtigallenchor.

Und wenn du mich lieb hast, Kindchen,
Schenk' ich dir die Blumen all',
Und vor deinem Fenster soll klingen
Das Lied der Nachtigall.

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Confirmed with Heinrich Heine, Buch der Lieder, Hoffmann und Campe, Hamburg, 1827, page 113.


by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
3. From my tears sprout forth
Language: English 
From my tears sprout forth
Many blooming flowers,
And my sighing become joined with
The chorus of the nightingales.

And if you love me, dear child,
I will send you so many flowers;
And before your window should sound
The song of the nightingale.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Paul Hindemith, (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: 8
Word count: 44

Translation © by Paul Hindemith
4. Die Mitternacht  [sung text not yet checked]
by Apolinary Scheluta (1884 - 1966), "Die Mitternacht", op. 12 no. 4, published 1909?
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Die Mitternacht war [kalt]1 und stumm;
Ich irrte klagend im Wald herum.
Ich habe die [Bäum']2 aus dem Schlaf gerüttelt;
Sie haben mitleidig die Köpfe geschüttelt.

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Confirmed with Heinrich Heine, Buch der Lieder, Hoffmann und Campe, Hamburg, 1827, page 165.

1 Gus: "so kalt"; further changes may exist not shown above.
2 Lachner: "Bäume"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
4. Midnight
Language: English 
Midnight was cold and silent;
I wandered, sobbing, through the forest.
I disturbed the trees from their slumber;
They shook their heads in pity.

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 title(s):
"Die Mitternacht" = "Midnight"
"Die Mitternacht war kalt" = "The Midnight Was Cold"
"Die Mitternacht war kalt: Duett" = "The Midnight Was Cold: Duet"
"Die Mitternacht war kalt und stumm" = "Midnight was cold and silent"
"Mitternacht" = "Midnight"
"Traumbild" = "Dream Image"
"Um Mitternacht" = "At Midnight"



This text was added to the website: 2022-12-22
Line count: 4
Word count: 24

Translation © by Michael P Rosewall
5. Der Tod  [sung text not yet checked]
by Apolinary Scheluta (1884 - 1966), "Der Tod", op. 12 no. 5
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)
5. 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
6. Die Nacht  [sung text not yet checked]
by Apolinary Scheluta (1884 - 1966), "Die Nacht", op. 12 no. 6, published 1909?
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wo ich bin, mich rings umdunkelt
Finsterniß so dumpf und dicht,
Seit mir nicht mehr leuchtend funkelt,
Liebste, deiner Augen Licht.

[Mir]1 erloschen ist der süßen
Liebessterne goldne Pracht,
Abgrund gähnt zu meinen Füßen.
Nimm mich auf, uralte Nacht.

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Confirmed with Heinrich Heine, Buch der Lieder, Hoffmann und Campe, Hamburg, 1827, page 166.

1 Strauss: "Wie"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
6.
Language: English 
Where I am, all around me
there is darkness, gloomy and dense,
because the light of your eyes, dearest, 
no longer sparkles before me.

Extinct for me is the golden splendour
of  those sweet stars of love.
An abyss gapes at my feet.
Receive me, ancient night.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2008 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: 2008-04-26
Line count: 8
Word count: 47

Translation © by Emily Ezust
7. Dein Angesicht  [sung text not yet checked]
by Apolinary Scheluta (1884 - 1966), "Dein Angesicht", op. 12 no. 8, published 1909?
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Dein Angesicht so lieb und schön,
Das hab' ich jüngst im Traum gesehn,
Es ist so mild und engelgleich,
Und doch so bleich, so [schmerzenbleich]1.

Und nur die Lippen, die sind rot;
Bald aber küßt sie bleich der Tod.
Erlöschen wird das Himmelslicht,
Das aus den frommen Augen bricht.

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Confirmed with Heinrich Heine, Buch der Lieder, Hoffmann und Campe, Hamburg, 1827, page 114.

1 Schumann: "schmerzenreich"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
7. Your face
Language: English 
Your face so lovable and fair:
I saw it recently in a dream.
It is so mild and angelic,
and yet so pale, so [pale with]1 pain!

And only your lips are red;
but soon Death will kiss them pale.
Out will go the heavenly light
that reflects out from your innocent eyes.

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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1 Schumann: "full of"

Translations of titles
"Dein Angesicht" = "Your face"
"Dein Angesicht so lieb und schön" = "Your face so lovable and fair"
"Im Traumbild" = "In a dream image"
"Liebchens Angesicht" = "Darling's face"


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 8
Word count: 54

Translation © by Emily Ezust
8. Liebessehnen  [sung text not yet checked]
by Apolinary Scheluta (1884 - 1966), "Liebessehnen", op. 12 no. 9, published 1909?
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Lehn deine Wang' an meine Wang',
Dann fliessen die Tränen zusammen;
Und an mein Herz drück fest dein Herz,
Dann schlagen zusammen die Flammen!

Und wenn in die große Flamme fliesst
Der Strom von [unsern]1 Tränen,
Und wenn [dich mein Arm]2 gewaltig umschließt -
Sterb' ich vor Liebessehnen!

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Confirmed with Heinrich Heine, Buch der Lieder, Hoffmann und Campe, Hamburg, 1827, page 115.

1 Zenger: "unsren"
2 Jensen: "mein Arm dich"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
8. Lay your cheek against my cheek
Language: English 
Lay your cheek against my cheek,
 Then our tears will flow together;
 And against my heart press firmly your heart,
 Then their flames will leap together!

 And when, into the great flame, flows
 The stream of our tears,
 And when my arm embraces you powerfully -
 I shall die of love's yearning!

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:

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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 8
Word count: 51

Translation © by Emily Ezust