English translations of [Neun] Lieder und Gesänge von Göthe, opus 18

by Ludwig Siegfried Meinardus (1827 - 1896)

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1. Rastlose Liebe  [sung text not yet checked]
by Ludwig Siegfried Meinardus (1827 - 1896), "Rastlose Liebe", op. 18 ([Neun] Lieder und Gesänge von Göthe), Heft 1 no. 1, published 1861 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Breitkopf und Härtel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
[Dem]1 Schnee, [dem]1 Regen,
Dem Wind entgegen,
Im Dampf der Klüfte,
Durch Nebeldüfte,
Immer zu! Immer zu!
Ohne Rast und Ruh!

Lieber durch Leiden
[Möcht']2 ich mich schlagen,
Als so viel Freuden
Des Lebens ertragen.
Alle das Neigen
[Von]3 Herzen zu Herzen,
Ach wie so eigen
Schaffet [das]4 Schmerzen!

Wie soll ich [fliehen?]5
Wälderwärts [ziehen?]6
[Alles]7 vergebens!
Krone des Lebens,
Glück ohne Ruh,
Liebe, bist du!

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Confirmed with Goethe's Werke, Vollständige Ausgabe letzter Hand, Erster Band, Stuttgart und Tübingen, in der J.G.Cottaschen Buchhandlung, 1827, page 93, and with Goethe's Schriften, Achter Band, Leipzig, bey Georg Joachim Göschen, 1789, pages 147-148.

1 Harder: "Durch"
2 Schubert (Alte Gesamtausgabe): "Wollt'"; Greger: "Will"
3 Reichardt: "Der"
4 Schubert (2nd version, and 1st version in Alte Gesamtausgabe): "es"
5 Reichardt, Schubert: "flieh'n"
6 Reichardt, Schubert: "zieh'n"
7 Schubert: "Alles, alles"

by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832)
1. Restless love
Language: English 
To the snow, to the rain
To the wind opposed,
In the mist of the ravines
Through the scent of fog,
Always on!  Always on!
Without rest and peace!

I would rather through suffering
Fight myself,
Than so many joys
Of life endure.

All the inclining
Of heart to heart,
Ah, how curiously
that creates pain!

Where shall I flee?
To the forest move?
All in vain!
Crown of life,
Happiness without peace,
Love, are you!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 1997 by Lynn Thompson, (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: 20
Word count: 76

Translation © by Lynn Thompson
2. Gefunden  [sung text not yet checked]
by Ludwig Siegfried Meinardus (1827 - 1896), "Gefunden", op. 18 ([Neun] Lieder und Gesänge von Göthe), Heft 1 no. 2, published 1861 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Breitkopf und Härtel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich ging im Walde
So für mich hin,
Und Nichts zu suchen,
Das war mein Sinn.

Im Schatten sah ich
Ein Blümchen stehn,
Wie Sterne leuchtend,
Wie Äuglein schön.

Ich wollt' es brechen,
Da sagt' es fein:
"Soll ich zum Welken
Gebrochen sein?"

Ich grub's mit allen
Den Würzlein aus,
Zum Garten trug ich's
Am hübschen Haus.

Und pflanzt' es wieder
Am stillen Ort;
Nun zweigt es immer
Und blüht so fort.

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by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832)
2. Found
Language: English 
I was walking in the woods
Just [enjoying] being there,
And seeking nothing [in particular] out,
That was my state of mind.

In the shade I saw
A little flower standing,
Shining like stars,
Like beautiful little eyes.

I wanted to pick it,
When it said sweetly:
“Shall I wither [after]
Being picked?”

I dug it all out [preserving]
Its little roots,
I carried it to the garden
Next to my pretty house.

And replanted it
In a silent place;
Now [new] sprigs appear
And bloom immediately.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2016 by Laura Prichard, (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 "Gefunden" = "Found"


This text was added to the website: 2016-04-04
Line count: 20
Word count: 87

Translation © by Laura Prichard
3. Nähe des Geliebten  [sung text not yet checked]
by Ludwig Siegfried Meinardus (1827 - 1896), "Nähe des Geliebten", op. 18 ([Neun] Lieder und Gesänge von Göthe), Heft 1 no. 3, published 1861 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Breitkopf und Härtel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich denke dein, wenn mir der Sonne Schimmer
[Vom Meere]1 strahlt;
Ich denke dein, wenn sich des Mondes [Flimmer]2
In Quellen mahlt.

Ich sehe dich, wenn auf dem fernen Wege
Der Staub sich hebt;
In tiefer Nacht, wenn auf dem schmalen [Stege]3
Der Wandrer bebt.4

Ich höre dich, wenn dort mit dumpfem Rauschen
Die Welle steigt.
Im [stillen]5 [Haine geh']6 ich oft [zu]7 lauschen,
Wenn alles schweigt.

Ich bin bei dir, du seyst auch noch so ferne,
Du bist mir nah!
Die [Sonne]8 sinkt, [bald]9 leuchten mir die Sterne.
O wärst du da!

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Confirmed with Goethe's Werke, Vollständige Ausgabe letzter Hand, Erster Band, Stuttgart und Tübingen, in der J.G.Cottaschen Buchhandlung, 1827, page 65, and with Musen-Almanach für das Jahr 1796, herausgegeben von Schiller. Neustrelitz, bei dem Hofbuchhändler Michaelis, page 5.

Note: Wilhelmj's score has a typo in stanza 1, line 3: word 5 is "dich" instead of "sich".

1 Beethoven: "Von Meeren"; Unger: "Von Neuem"
2 Schubert (Neue Gesamtausgabe): "Schimmer"
3 Schubert: "Wege"
4 Backer-Grøndahl adds "Ich sehe dich."
5 Lang (op. 5 only): "dunklen"
6 Schubert: "Hain, da geh"; Unger: "Hain gehe"
7 Lang (op. 5 only): "um zu"
8 Wolfrum: "Sonne, sie"
9 Schubert (Neue Gesamtausgabe): "es"

by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832)
3. Near the beloved
Language: English 
I think of you when the sunlight shimmers,
beaming from the sea1;
I think of you when the moon's gleam
paints the streams.

I see you when, on distant roads,
the dust rises up;
in deep night, when on the narrow bridge
a traveler quivers.

I hear you when there, with a muffled roar,
the waves rise.
In the still grove I go often to listen,
when everything is silent.

I am with you, even if you are so far away.
You are near me!
The sun sinks, and soon the stars will shine for me.
O, if only you were here!

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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Translation of title "Nähe des Geliebten" = "Near the beloved"

1 in Beethoven's version, "seas"


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 16
Word count: 103

Translation © by Emily Ezust
4. An den aufgehenden Vollmond  [sung text not yet checked]
by Ludwig Siegfried Meinardus (1827 - 1896), "An den aufgehenden Vollmond", op. 18 ([Neun] Lieder und Gesänge von Göthe), Heft 1 no. 4, published 1861 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Breitkopf und Härtel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Willst du mich [sogleich]1 verlassen?
Warst im Augenblick so nah!
Dich umfinstern Wolkenmassen
Und nun bist du gar nicht da.

Doch du [fühlst]2, wie ich betrübt bin,
Blickt dein Rand herauf als Stern!
Zeugest mir, daß ich geliebt bin,
Sei das Liebchen noch so fern.

So hinan denn! hell und heller,
Reiner Bahn, in voller Pracht!
Schlägt mein Herz auch schmerzlich schneller,
Überselig ist die Nacht.

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Confirmed with Goethes Werke. Vollständige Ausgabe, letzter Hand, Sieben und vierzigster Band, (Volume 47), Stuttgart und Tübingen, in der J. G. Cotta'schen Buchhandlung, 1833, page 66.

Note: in many older editions, the spelling of the capitalized word "über" becomes "Ueber", but this is often due to the printing process and not to rules of orthography, since the lower-case version is not "ueber", so we use "Über".

1 Stöhr: "so bald"
2 Stöhr: "siehst"

by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832)
4.
Language: English 
Do you want to leave me immediately?
A moment ago you were so close!
You are occluded by masses of clouds
And now you are no longer there.

But yet you can sense, how distressed I am,
Your edge emerges [and shines] upwards like a star!
You give me evidence that I am loved,
Even though [you, my] sweetheart are still so far away.

So rise then, bright and brighter,
On a clear course, in full splendor!
My heart beats painfully faster, [and]
Most blessed is the night.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2016 by Laura Prichard, (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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Translator's notes:
Line 1-3: comparing the beloved to a celestial object, like a moon or sun
Line 2-2: describes a small burst of light from the edge of a celestial body that peeks out from an eclipse or cloud.


This text was added to the website: 2016-04-10
Line count: 12
Word count: 88

Translation © by Laura Prichard
5. Schäfers Klagelied  [sung text not yet checked]
by Ludwig Siegfried Meinardus (1827 - 1896), "Schäfers Klagelied", op. 18 ([Neun] Lieder und Gesänge von Göthe), Heft 1 no. 5, published 1861 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Breitkopf und Härtel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Da droben auf jenem Berge,
Da steh' ich tausendmal,
An meinem Stabe [gebogen]1
Und [schaue]2 hinab in das Thal.

Dann folg' ich der weidenden Herde,
Mein Hündchen bewahret mir sie.
Ich bin herunter gekommen
Und weiß doch selber nicht wie.

Da [stehet]3 von schönen Blumen
[Die]4 ganze Wiese so voll.
Ich breche sie, ohne zu wissen,
Wem ich sie geben soll.

Und Regen, Sturm und Gewitter
[Verpass']5 ich unter dem Baum.
Die Thüre dort bleibet verschlossen;
[Doch]6 alles ist leider ein Traum.

Es stehet ein Regenbogen
Wohl über jenem Haus!
Sie aber ist [weggezogen]7,
[Und weit]8 in das Land hinaus.

Hinaus in das Land und weiter,
Vielleicht gar über die See.
Vorüber, ihr Schafe, [vorüber]9!
Dem Schäfer ist gar so weh.

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Confirmed with Goethe's Werke, Vollständige Ausgabe letzter Hand, Erster Band, Stuttgart und Tübingen, in der J.G.Cottaschen Buchhandlung, 1827, pages 94-95, and with Taschenbuch auf das Jahr 1804, Herausgegeben von Wieland und Goethe, Tübingen, in der Cotta'schen Buchhandlung, pages 113-114.

1 Schubert: "hingebogen"; Zelter: "bogen"
2 Schubert (only second version): "sehe"
3 Schubert (only second version): "steht"
4 Schubert: "Da steht die"
5 Zelter: "Vergeß'"
6 Schubert (only second version): "Und"
7 Schubert: "fortgezogen"; Zelter: "weg gezogen"
8 Schubert (only second version): "Gar weit"; Naumann: "Weit"
9 Schubert: "nur vorüber"

by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832)
5. High upon that mountain
Language: English 
High upon that mountain,
I have stood a thousand times,
bowed over my staff
and gazing down into the valley.

I have followed my grazing flock,
my hound standing guard for me.
I have come down somehow
and I do not myself know how.

Full of lovely flowers stands
the whole meadow.
I pick them without knowing
whom I should give them to.

And rain, storm and thunder -
beneath the tree I wait for it to pass.
The door there remains closed,
for all is unfortunately a dream.

There stands a rainbow
arching over that house!
But she has gone,
and far away to distant reaches.

To distant reaches and further,
perhaps even across the sea.
It's all over, my sheep, it is simply all over!
It is such woe for your shepherd.

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: 24
Word count: 133

Translation © by Emily Ezust
6. Frühzeitiger Frühling  [sung text not yet checked]
by Ludwig Siegfried Meinardus (1827 - 1896), "Frühzeitiger Frühling", op. 18 ([Neun] Lieder und Gesänge von Göthe), Heft 2 no. 6, published 1861 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Breitkopf und Härtel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Tage der Wonne
Kommt ihr so bald?
Schenkt mir die Sonne,
Hügel und Wald?
 
Reichlicher fließen
Bächlein zumal.
Sind es die Wiesen
Ist es das Thal?
 
[Blauliche]1 Frische!
Himmel und Höh!
Goldene Fische
Wimmeln im See.
 
Buntes Gefieder
Rauschet im Hain;
Himmlische Lieder
Schallen darein.
 
Unter des Grünen
Blühender Kraft,
Naschen die Bienen
Summend am Saft.
 
Leise Bewegung
Bebt in der Luft,
Reizende Regung,
Schläfernder Duft.
 
Mächtiger rühret
Bald sich ein Hauch,
Doch er verlieret
Gleich sich im Strauch.
 
Aber zum Busen
Kehrt er zurück.
Helfet, ihr Musen,
Tragen das Glück!
 
Saget seit gestern
Wie mir geschah?
Liebliche Schwestern,
Liebchen ist da!

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Confirmed with Goethe's Werke, Vollständige Ausgabe letzter Hand, Erster Band, Stuttgart und Tübingen, in der J. G. Cottaschen Buchhandlung, 1827, pages 90-91, and with Taschenbuch auf das Jahr 1804, Herausgegeben von Wieland und Goethe, Tübingen, in der Cotta'schen Buchhandlung, pages 107-109.

1 Hauptmann: "Bläuliche"

by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832)
6. Early spring
Language: English 
Days of joy,
Have you come so soon?
To give me the sun,
Hill and Forest?

Amply flow
the brooklets again,
Are those meadows?
Is this a valley?

Blue freshness!
Heaven and heights!
Golden fishes
Teeming in the sea.

Colorful plumage
Rustles in the grove,
Heavenly songs
Resound therein!

Under the greenery's
Blooming, thriving effort
The little bees dine,
Humming, on nectar. 

Gentle movements
shake in the fresh air,
the lovely stirring
Of sleepy fragrance.

Powerfully stirs
a breath of air,
Yet it loses
itself in a bush.

But to the bosom
It turns back,
Help [me], o Muses,
To bear [this] Happiness!

Tell me how, since yesterday,
it happened to me,
lovely sisters -
My sweetheart is there!

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: 36
Word count: 118

Translation © by Emily Ezust
7. Mailied  [sung text not yet checked]
by Ludwig Siegfried Meinardus (1827 - 1896), "Mailied", op. 18 ([Neun] Lieder und Gesänge von Göthe), Heft 2 no. 7, published 1861 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Breitkopf und Härtel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
  Wie herrlich leuchtet
Mir die Natur!
Wie glänzt die Sonne!
Wie lacht die Flur!

  Es dringen [Blühten]1
Aus jedem Zweig
Und tausend Stimmen
Aus dem Gesträuch,

  Und Freud und Wonne
Aus jeder Brust.
O Erd', o Sonne!
O Glück, o Lust!

  O [Lieb']2, o Liebe! 
So golden schön,
Wie Morgenwolken
Auf jenen Höhn!

  Du segnest herrlich
Das frische Feld,
Im Blütendampfe
Die [volle]3 Welt.

  O [Mädchen, Mädchen]4, 
Wie lieb ich dich!
Wie [blickt]5 dein Auge,
Wie liebst du mich!

  So liebt die Lerche
Gesang und Luft,
Und Morgenblumen
Den Himmelsduft.

  Wie ich dich liebe
Mit [warmem]6 Blut,
Die du mir Jugend
Und [Freud]7 und Mut

  [Zu]8 neuen Liedern
Und Tänzen gibst.
Sey ewig glücklich,
Wie du mich liebst!

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Confirmed with Goethe's Gedichte, Erster Theil, Neue Auflage, Stuttgart und Tübingen: in der J.G. Cotta'schen Buchhandlung, 1829, pages 46-47.

See also this placeholder for songs with the title "Mailied" that might or might not refer to this poem.

1 Bartók: "die Blüthen"
2 Lorenz: "Liebe"
3 Zilcher: "weite"
4 Zilcher: "Liebster, Liebster"
5 Lorenz: "glänzt"; Bartók, Mendelssohn-Hensel, Pfitzner: "blinkt"
6 Bartók: "warmen" (a grammatical error)
7 Bartók: "Freund" (an error)
8 Gabler: "in"

by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832)
7. How marvellously does Nature shine for me!
Language: English 
How marvellously 
does Nature shine for me!
How the sun gleams!
How the meadow laughs!

Blossoms burst forth 
From every branch
And a thousand voices
From the bushes!

And joy and bliss 
From every breast;
O Earth, o Sun, 
o Happiness, o Joy!

O love, o darling!
So golden fair,
As morning clouds
On yonder heights!

You bless marvellously
The fresh field,
In a mist of blossoms, 
The full world.

O maiden, maiden,
How I love you!
O how you gaze at me,
O how you love me!

The lark loves
Song and Breeze,
And morning flowers,
The dew of heaven,

As I love you 
With blood on fire,
You who give me youth
And joy and cheer

For new songs 
And new dances.
Be forever happy
In loving me so!

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: 36
Word count: 131

Translation © by Emily Ezust
8. Jägers Abendlied  [sung text not yet checked]
by Ludwig Siegfried Meinardus (1827 - 1896), "Jägers Abendlied", op. 18 ([Neun] Lieder und Gesänge von Göthe), Heft 2 no. 8, published 1861 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Breitkopf und Härtel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Im [Felde]1 [schleich']2 ich still und wild,
Gespannt mein Feuerrohr.
Da schwebt so licht dein liebes Bild
Dein süßes Bild mir vor.

Du wandelst jetzt wohl still und mild
[Durch Feld und liebes Thal]3,
Und ach mein schnell verrauschend Bild
Stellt [sich dir's]4 nicht einmal?

Des Menschen, der die Welt durchstreift
Voll Unmuth und Verdruß,
Nach Osten und nach Westen schweift,
Weil er dich lassen muß.

Mir ist es, denk' ich nur an dich,
Als in den Mond zu sehn;
Ein stiller Friede kommt auf mich,
Weiß nicht wie mir geschehn.

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Confirmed with Goethe's Werke, Vollständige Ausgabe letzter Hand, Erster Band, Stuttgart und Tübingen, in der J.G.Cottaschen Buchhandlung, 1827, page 110.

Note: the poem was published first anonymously in Christoph Martin Wieland's Der Teutsche Merkur vom Jahr 1776. Erstes Vierteljahr. Weimar, pages 8-9, with the title Jägers Nachtlied, see below.

1 Franke, Weber: "Walde"; further changes may exist not shown above
2 Andersch: "schweif'" ; Gompertz: "streich'" ; further changes may exist not shown above.
3 Dalberg: "Durchs Feld und liebe Thal"
4 Hensel: "sich's dir"

by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832)
8. In the fields/forests I creep, silent and wild
Language: English 
 In the fields I creep, silent and wild,
 my gun cocked.
 There floats so lightly your dear image,
 your sweet image before me.
 
 You wander now so mute and gentle
 through field and dear valley;
 and ah! my swiftly passing image,
 does it not once appear before you?
 
 ...the image of a man who prowls through the world,
 full of indignance and annoyance,
 wandering from east to west
 because he must leave you?
 
 If I only think of you, it seems to me
 that I'm looking at the moon:
 a still peace comes over me,
 and I do not know how it happens.

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: 16
Word count: 104

Translation © by Emily Ezust
9. An den Mond  [sung text not yet checked]
by Ludwig Siegfried Meinardus (1827 - 1896), "An den Mond", op. 18 ([Neun] Lieder und Gesänge von Göthe), Heft 2 no. 9, published 1861 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Breitkopf und Härtel
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Füllest wieder Busch und Thal
Still mit Nebelglanz,
Lösest endlich auch einmal
Meine Seele ganz;

Breitest über mein Gefild
Lindernd deinen Blick,
Wie des Freundes Auge mild
Über mein Geschick.

Jeden Nachklang fühlt mein Herz
Froh- und trüber Zeit,
Wandle zwischen Freud' und Schmerz
In der Einsamkeit.

Fließe, fließe, lieber Fluß!
Nimmer werd' ich froh,
So verrauschte Scherz und Kuß,
Und die Treue so.

Ich besaß es doch einmal,
Was so köstlich ist!
Daß man doch zu seiner Qual
Nimmer es vergißt!

Rausche, Fluß, das Thal entlang,
Ohne Rast [und]1 Ruh,
Rausche, flüstre meinem Sang
Melodien zu,

Wenn du in der Winternacht
Wüthend überschwillst,
Oder um die Frühlingspracht
Junger Knospen quillst.

Selig, wer sich vor der Welt
Ohne Haß verschließt,
Einen Freund am Busen hält
Und mit dem genießt,

Was, von Menschen nicht gewußt
Oder nicht bedacht,
Durch das Labyrinth der Brust
Wandelt in der Nacht.

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Confirmed with Goethe's Werke, Vollständige Ausgabe letzter Hand, Erster Band, Stuttgart und Tübingen, in der J.G.Cotta'schen Buchhandlung, 1827, pages 111-112; and with Goethe's Schriften, Achter Band, Leipzig, bey Georg Joachim Göschen, 1789, pages 153-154.

Note: The initial version of this poem, sent to Charlotte von Stein in March 1778, has not been published by Goethe (see below).

1 Schubert (D.296 only): "und ohne"

by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832)
9. You fill bush and valley again
Language: English 
You fill bush and valley again
quietly with a splendid mist
and finally set loose
entirely my soul.

You spread over my domain
gently your gaze,
as mildly as a friend's eye
over my fate.

Every echo my heart feels,
of happy and troubled times;
I alternate between joy and pain
in my solitude.

Flow, flow on, dear river!
Never shall I be cheerful,
so faded away have jokes and kisses become -
and faithfulness as well.

I possessed once
something so precious,
that, to my torment,
it can never be forgotten now.

Murmur, river, beside the valley,
without rest and calm;
murmur on, whispering for my song
your melodies,

whenever you, on winter nights,
ragingly flood over,
or, in the splendor of spring,
help swell young buds.

Blissful is he who, away from the world,
locks himself without hate,
holding to his heart one friend
and enjoying with him

that which is unknown to most men
or never contemplated,
and which, through the labyrinth of the heart,
wanders in the night.

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: 36
Word count: 171

Translation © by Emily Ezust