English translations of Zwei Gesänge für 1 mittlere Singstimme mit Pianofortebegleitung, opus 5

by Felix Gotthelf (1857 - 1930)

1. Scheiden und Meiden  [sung text not yet checked]
by Felix Gotthelf (1857 - 1930), "Scheiden und Meiden", op. 5 (Zwei Gesänge für 1 mittlere Singstimme mit Pianofortebegleitung) no. 1, published 1891 [ medium voice and piano ], Berlin, Fr. Luckhardt
Language: German (Deutsch) 
[So soll]1 ich [dich nun]2 meiden,
Du meines Lebens Lust!
Du küssest mich zum Scheiden,
Ich drücke dich an die Brust!

Ach, Liebchen, heißt das meiden,
Wenn man sich herzt und küßt?
Ach, Liebchen, heißt das scheiden,
Wenn man sich fest umschließt?

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1 Hirsch: "Soll"; further changes may exist not shown above.
2 Dressler, Gotthelf: "nun dich"; further changes may exist not shown above.

by Johann Ludwig Uhland (1787 - 1862)
1. Parting and separation
Language: English 
So now I must shun you,
You, my heart's joy!
You kiss me in parting,
I press you to my breast!

Ah, my love, is this called shunning,
When one embraces and kisses the other?
Ah, my love, is this called separation,
When one clings so firmly?

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: 47

Translation © by Emily Ezust
2. Frage  [sung text not yet checked]
by Felix Gotthelf (1857 - 1930), "Frage", op. 5 (Zwei Gesänge für 1 mittlere Singstimme mit Pianofortebegleitung) no. 2, published 1891 [ medium voice and piano ], Berlin, Fr. Luckhardt
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Eine Rose gepflückt! sie duftete ja
So süß und hold mir entgegen;
Als ich die blühende Rose sah,
Mußt' ich ans Herz mir sie legen.
Ist das denn Sünde?

Einen Kuß mir geraubt! der schwellende Mund,
Er lächelte Freuden und Liebe,
Als thät' er des Lebens Weisheit kund,
Da ward ich an ihm zum Diebe.
Ist das denn Sünde?

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by Julius Wolff (1834 - 1910)
2. Question
Language: English 
A rose picked! it wafted its scent
So sweetly and beautifully towards me;
When I saw the blooming rose,
I had to press it to my heart.
Is that a sin?

A stolen kiss!  the swelling lips
Smiled, betokening joys and love,
As if they proclaimed life's wisdom;
Thus I became a thief [of kisses].
Is that a sin?

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:
"Frage" = "Question"
"Ist das denn Sünde?" = "Can that be sin?"
"Eine Rose gepflückt" = "A rose picked"


This text was added to the website: 2014-05-23
Line count: 10
Word count: 59

Translation © by Sharon Krebs