English translations of Drei Lieder für Tenor, opus 2

by Friedrich von Wickede (1834 - 1904)

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1. Nachts in der Kajüte  [sung text not yet checked]
by Friedrich von Wickede (1834 - 1904), "Nachts in der Kajüte", op. 2 (Drei Lieder für Tenor) no. 1, published 1871 [ tenor and piano ], Berlin, Bote und Bock
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Das Meer hat seine Perlen,
Der Himmel hat seine Sterne,
Aber mein Herz, mein Herz,
Mein Herz hat seine Liebe.

Groß ist das Meer und der Himmel,
Doch größer ist mein Herz,
Und schöner als Perlen und Sterne
Leuchtet und strahlt meine Liebe.

Du kleines, junges Mädchen,
Komm an mein großes Herz;
Mein Herz und das Meer und der Himmel
Vergehn vor lauter Liebe.

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by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
1. By the sea
Language: English 
The sea has its pearls
the sky [has] its stars
but my heart, my heart
my heart has its love.

The sea and the sky are big
but my heart is even bigger
and my heart twinkles and shines
more beautifully than pearls and stars.

You small, young girl,
come to my big heart;
my heart, the sea and the sky
are dying of loud love.]

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2005 by Malcolm Wren, (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: 2005-04-11
Line count: 12
Word count: 66

Translation © by Malcolm Wren
2. O schwöre nicht und küsse  [sung text not yet checked]
by Friedrich von Wickede (1834 - 1904), "O schwöre nicht und küsse", op. 2 (Drei Lieder für Tenor) no. 2, published 1871 [ tenor and piano ], Berlin, Bote und Bock
Language: German (Deutsch) 
O schwöre nicht und küsse nur,
Ich glaube keinem Weiberschwur!
Dein Wort ist süß, doch süßer ist
Der Kuß, den ich dir abgeküßt!
Den hab ich, und dran glaub ich auch,
Das Wort ist eitel Dunst und Hauch.

O schwöre, Liebchen, immerfort,
Ich glaube dir aufs bloße Wort!
An [deinen]1 Busen sink ich hin,
Und glaube, daß ich selig bin;
Ich glaube, Liebchen, ewiglich,
Und noch viel länger, liebst du mich.

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Confirmed with Heinrich Heine, Buch der Lieder, Hoffmann und Campe, Hamburg, 1827, page 122.

1 Rufinatscha: "deinem"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
2.
Language: English 
Oh, do not swear, and only kiss,
I don’t believe any woman’s oaths!
Your word is sweet, but sweeter
Is the kiss I’ve kissed from you!
That I have, and so I believe in it;
The word is idle vapor and breath.

Oh, dearest, go ahead and swear!
I believe you word for word.
I sink down on your breast,
And believe that I am happy.
I believe, darling, that you’ll love me
Eternally, and far longer still!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2025 by Will Crutchfield, (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: 2025-05-02
Line count: 12
Word count: 78

Translation © by Will Crutchfield
3. Lehn deine Wang' an meine Wang'  [sung text not yet checked]
by Friedrich von Wickede (1834 - 1904), "Lehn deine Wang' an meine Wang'", op. 2 (Drei Lieder für Tenor) no. 3, published 1871 [ tenor and piano ], Berlin, Bote und Bock
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)
3. 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.


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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