English translations of Fünf Lieder von H. Heine, opus 4

by Julius Becker (1811 - 1859)

1. Es ragt ins Meer der Runenstein  [sung text not yet checked]
by Julius Becker (1811 - 1859), "Es ragt ins Meer der Runenstein", op. 4 (Fünf Lieder von H. Heine) no. 1
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Es ragt ins Meer der Runenstein,
da sitz' ich mit meinen Träumen.
Es pfeift der Wind, die Möwen schrein,
die Wellen, die wandern und schäumen.

Ich habe geliebt manch schönes Kind
und manchen guten Gesellen -
Wo sind [sie]1 hin? Es pfeift der Wind,
es schäumen und wandern die Wellen.

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1 Bretan: "die"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
1. The runestone juts into the sea
Language: English 
 The runestone juts into the sea,
 and I sit there with my dreams.
 The wind whistles and the seagulls shriek;
 and the waves, they wander and foam.
 
 I have loved many a fair girl
 and made many good friends -
 where have they gone? The wind whistles,
 and the waves foam and wander.

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: 53

Translation © by Emily Ezust
2. Das Meer hat seine Perlen  [sung text not yet checked]
by Julius Becker (1811 - 1859), "Das Meer hat seine Perlen", op. 4 (Fünf Lieder von H. Heine) no. 2
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)
2. 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
3. Mein Liebchen, wir saßen beisammen  [sung text not yet checked]
by Julius Becker (1811 - 1859), "Mein Liebchen, wir saßen beisammen", op. 4 (Fünf Lieder von H. Heine) no. 3
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Mein Liebchen, wir sassen beisammen,
Traulich im leichten Kahn.
Die Nacht war still, und wir schwammen
Auf weiter Wasserbahn.

Die Geisterinsel, die schöne,
Lag dämm'rig im Mondenglanz;
Dort klangen liebe Töne,
Dort wogte der Nebeltanz.

Dort klang es lieb und lieber,
Und wogt' es hin und her;
Wir aber schwammen vorüber,
Trostlos auf weitem Meer.

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Confirmed with Heinrich Heine, Buch der Lieder, Hoffmann und Campe, Hamburg, 1827, page 147.


by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
3. My darling, we sat together
Language: English 
My darling, we sat together,
Comfortably in the light little boat;
The night was still, and we floated
on the broad watery road.

The ghostly island, the lovely one,
lay duskily in the moonlight;
there rang out lovely tones,
there the dancing mists waved.

The sounds there grew lovelier and lovelier,
and the dance surged back and forth;
but we floated past,
Comfortless on the wide sea.

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: 2003-10-13
Line count: 12
Word count: 67

Translation © by Emily Ezust
4. Mit schwarzen Segeln segelt mein Schiff  [sung text not yet checked]
by Julius Becker (1811 - 1859), "Mit schwarzen Segeln segelt mein Schiff", op. 4 (Fünf Lieder von H. Heine) no. 4
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Mit schwarzen Segeln segelt mein Schiff
wohl über das wilde Meer;
du weißt, wie sehr ich traurig bin,
und kränkst mich [noch]1 so schwer.

Dein Herz ist treulos wie der Wind
und flattert hin und her;
mit schwarzen Segeln segelt mein Schiff
wohl über das wilde Meer.

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1 Griffes: "doch"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
4. With black sails my ship plows
Language: English 
 With black sails my ship plows
 across the wild ocean;
 you know how very sad I am,
 and yet you hurt me all the more.
 
 Your heart is perfidious like the wind
 and flutters back and forth;
 with black sails my ship plows
 across the wild ocean.

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: 48

Translation © by Emily Ezust
5. Am Meer  [sung text not yet checked]
by Julius Becker (1811 - 1859), "Am Meer", op. 4 (Fünf Lieder von H. Heine) no. 5
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Das ist eine weiße Möwe,
Die ich dort flattern seh
Wohl über die dunklen Fluten;
Der Mond steht hoch in der Höh.

Der Haifisch und der Roche,
Die schnappen hervor aus der See,
Es hebt sich, es senkt sich die Möwe;
Der Mond steht hoch in der Höh.

Oh, liebe, flüchtige Seele,
Dir ist so bang und weh!
Zu nah ist dir das Wasser,
Der Mond steht hoch in der Höh.

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by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
5.
[Translation not yet available]