English translations of Fünf Lieder für Mezzo-Sopran (oder Bariton) mit Pianoforte, opus 18

by (Adolf) Emil Büchner (1826 - 1908)

1. Sehnsucht  [sung text not yet checked]
by (Adolf) Emil Büchner (1826 - 1908), "Sehnsucht", op. 18 (Fünf Lieder für Mezzo-Sopran (oder Bariton) mit Pianoforte) no. 1, published 1858 [ mezzo-soprano or baritone and piano ], Nürnberg, Schmid
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich blick' in mein Herz und ich blick' in die Welt,
Bis [vom Auge die brennende]1 [Thräne mir fällt]2,
Wohl leuchtet die Ferne [mit goldenem]3 Licht,
Doch hält mich der Nord -- ich erreiche sie nicht --
O die Schranken so eng, und die Welt so weit,
Und so flüchtig die Zeit!

Ich weiß ein Land, wo [aus]4 sonnigem Grün
Um versunkene Tempel die Trauben [glühn]5,
Wo die purpurne Woge das Ufer beschäumt,
[Und]6 von kommenden Sängern der Lorbeer träumt;
Fern lockt es und winkt dem verlangenden Sinn,
Und ich kann nicht hin.

[Und]7 hätt' ich Flügel, durch's Blau der Luft
Wie wollt' ich baden im Sonnenduft!
Doch umsonst! Und Stunde auf Stunde entflieht --
Vertraure die Jugend -- begrabe das Lied --
O die Schranken so eng, und die Welt so weit,
Und so flüchtig die Zeit!

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Confirmed with Gedichte von Emanuel Geibel, Neununddreißigste Auflage, Berlin, Verlag von Alexander Duncker, 1855, page 26. Note: modern German spelling would change "Thräne" to "Träne"

1 Schumann, Spohr: "von schwimmenden Auge die"; Walter: "vom schwimmenden Auge die"
2 Schnorr von Carolsfeld: "Träne fällt"
3 Schnorr von Carolsfeld: "im goldenen"
4 Schnorr von Carolsfeld: "in"
5 Schnorr von Carolsfeld, Walter: "blüh'n"
6 Schnorr von Carolsfeld: "Wo"
7 Schumann, Spohr, Walter: "O"

by Emanuel von Geibel (1815 - 1884)
1. I look in my heart and I look at the world
Language: English 
I look in my heart and I look at the world
Till out of my [burning]1 eyes a tear falls.
Though the distance glows with golden light,
The north wind tells me I shall not reach it.
Ah! How narrow our confines, how wide the world, 
And how fleeting is time!

I know a land where in sun-filled greenery
Grapes gleam among sunken temples,
Where the purple wave covers the shore with foam
And laurels dream of singers to come.
It lures from afar and beckons my longing soul,
And I cannot go there!

If I had wings to fly through the blue
How I would wish to bathe in sun's fragrance!
But in vain! Hour flees upon hour;
Pass your youth in mourning, bury your song.
Ah! How narrow our confines, how wide the world
And how fleeting is time!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2002 by Allen Shearer, (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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1 Schumann and Spohr versions: "clouded"


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 18
Word count: 142

Translation © by Allen Shearer
2. An einem lichten Morgen  [sung text not yet checked]
by (Adolf) Emil Büchner (1826 - 1908), "An einem lichten Morgen", op. 18 (Fünf Lieder für Mezzo-Sopran (oder Bariton) mit Pianoforte) no. 2, published 1858 [ mezzo-soprano or baritone and piano ], Nürnberg, Schmid
Language: German (Deutsch) 
[An]1 einem lichten Morgen,
  Da klingt es hell im Thal:
Wach' auf, du liebe Blume,
  Ich bin der Sonnenstral!

Erschließe mit Vertrauen
  Dein Blütenkämmerlein
Und laß die heiße Liebe
  Ins Heiligtum hinein.

Ich will ja nichts verlangen
  Als liegen dir im Schoos,
Und deine Blüte küssen --
  Eh sie verwelkt im Moos.

Ich will ja nichts begehren,
  Als ruhn an deiner Brust,
Und dich dafür verklären
  Mit sonnenheller Lust!

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Confirmed with Frische Lieder von Hermann Rollett, Zweite vermehrte Auflage, Ulm, Stettin'sche Verlags-Buchhandlung, 1850, pages 19-20.

Note: modern spelling would change the following words: Thal -> Tal, Sonnenstral -> Sonnenstrahl, Schoos -> Schoß
1 Erlanger: "Aus"; further changes may exist not shown above.

by Hermann Rollett (1819 - 1904)
2. On morning bright and shining
Language: English 
 On morning bright and shining,
 there rings clear through the vale,
 "Wake up, beloved flower,
 I am the ray of sun!
 
 "Now open confidently
 your little blossom heart
 and let my burning love-beams
 into your holy shrine.
 
 "I nothing more require
 than to lie upon your chest
 and on your bloom lay kisses
 'till in the moss you droop.
 
 "I nothing more desire
 than to sleep up on your breast
 and thus I will transform you
 with sunshine's shining joy."

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 1996 by David Kenneth Smith, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., please ask the copyright-holder(s) directly.

    David Kenneth Smith.  Contact: dksmith (AT) geneva.edu


    If the copyright-holder(s) are unreachable for three business days, please write to:


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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 16
Word count: 81

Translation © by David Kenneth Smith
3. Ich sah den Wald sich färben  [sung text not yet checked]
by (Adolf) Emil Büchner (1826 - 1908), "Ich sah den Wald sich färben", op. 18 (Fünf Lieder für Mezzo-Sopran (oder Bariton) mit Pianoforte) no. 3, published 1858 [ mezzo-soprano or baritone and piano ], Nürnberg, Schmid
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich sah den Wald sich färben,
Die Luft war grau und stumm;
Mir war betrübt zum Sterben,
Und wußt' es kaum, warum.

 Durchs Feld vom Herbstgestäude
Hertrieb das dürre Laub;
Da dacht' ich: Deine Freude
Ward so des Windes Raub.

Dein Lenz, der blütenvolle,
Dein reicher Sommer schwand;
An die gefrorne Scholle
Bist du nun festgebannt.

Da plötzlich floß ein klares
Getön in Lüften hoch:
Ein [Wandervogel]1 war es,
Der nach dem Süden zog.

Ach, wie der Schlag der Schwingen,
Das Lied ins Ohr mir kam,
Fühlt' ich's wie Trost mir dringen
Zum Herzen wundersam.

Es mahnt' aus [heller Kehle]2
Mich ja der flücht'ge Gast:
Vergiß, o Menschenseele,
Nicht, daß du Flügel hast!

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1 Schnaubelt: "Wundervogel"
2 Schnaubelt: "hellen Kehlen"

by Emanuel von Geibel (1815 - 1884)
3. I saw the woods change color
Language: English 
I saw the woods change color,
The sky was gray and mute;
I was as sad as death,
And scarcely knew why. 

Through fields of autumn shrubbery
Dry leaves were blown; 
And I thought: You were robbed of joy
By the wind.

Your Springtime, so full of blooms,
Your lush Summertime has died away;
To this frozen patch
You are now bound.

Then suddenly, a clear tone
Flew high on the breezes:
It was a migrating bird
Flying southward.

Ah, like the beating of its wings
Its song reached my ear,
I felt it as comfort
Wondrously piercing my heart.

With its bright call
The fleeing guest exhorted me:
Do not forget, O soul of man,
That you have wings!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2025 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 titles:
"Herbstlied" = "Autumn Song"
"Ich sah den Wald sich färben" = "I saw the woods change color"
"Wandervogel" = "Migrating Bird"

1 Schnaubelt: "Wondrous Bird"
2 Schnaubelt: "bright throat"


This text was added to the website: 2025-12-08
Line count: 24
Word count: 120

Translation © by Michael P Rosewall
4. Nachtgesang  [sung text not yet checked]
by (Adolf) Emil Büchner (1826 - 1908), "Nachtgesang", op. 18 (Fünf Lieder für Mezzo-Sopran (oder Bariton) mit Pianoforte) no. 4, published 1858 [ mezzo-soprano or baritone and piano ], Nürnberg, Schmid
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Die Sterne leuchten am Himmel,
Es blinken die Wellen im See;
Es lockt und es grüßt aus der Tiefe,
Es grüßt und es winkt aus der Höh'.

Und leise flüstern die Lüfte,
Da schauert in Wonne der See;
Rings heilige, selige Liebe,
Nur mir in dem Herzen das Weh'.

Die Sterne sie wandeln am Himmel,
Die Wellen sie ziehn durch den See;
Was kümmert es sie, ob auf Erden
Ein Herz in Liebe vergeh'!

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by Robert Reinick (1805 - 1852)
4. Night Song
Language: English 
The stars shine in the heavens,
The waves glisten on the lake;
Beckoning and greeting from the depths,
Greeting and winking from the heights.

And the breezes whisper softly,
The lake trembles with pleasure;
All around – holy, sacred love,
Only within my heart is woe.

The stars, they wander across the heavens,
The waves, they undulate through the lake;
Why would they be concerned if, on earth,
A heart were to perish for love!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2023 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 Sterne leuchten am Himmel " = "The stars shine in the heavens"
"Nachtgesang" = "Night Song"



This text was added to the website: 2023-10-10
Line count: 12
Word count: 75

Translation © by Michael P Rosewall
5. Die stille Wasserrose  [sung text not yet checked]
by (Adolf) Emil Büchner (1826 - 1908), "Die stille Wasserrose", op. 18 (Fünf Lieder für Mezzo-Sopran (oder Bariton) mit Pianoforte) no. 5, published 1858 [ mezzo-soprano or baritone and piano ], Nürnberg, Schmid
Language: German (Deutsch) 
[Die stille Wasserrose]1
Steigt aus dem blauen See,
[Die Blätter flimmern und blitzen]2,
Der Kelch ist weiß wie Schnee.

Da gießt der Mond vom Himmel
All' seinen gold'nen Schein,
Gießt alle seine [Strahlen]3
In ihren Schooß hinein.

Im Wasser um die Blume
Kreiset ein weißer Schwan,
Er [singt]4 so süß, so leise
Und schaut die Blume an.

Er singt so süß, so leise
Und will im Singen vergehn --
O Blume, weiße Blume,
Kannst du das Lied verstehn?

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Confirmed with Emanuel Geibel, Gedichte, Vierte Auflage, Berlin: Verlag von Alexander Duncker, 1845, page 63.

1 Köllner: "Die weisse Wasserrose"; Franz, C. Schumann: "Die stille Lotosblume"
2 Lachner, Wegener-Koopman: "Die feuchten Blätter zittern"
3 Rheinberger: "Flammen"
4 Kücken: "singet"

by Emanuel von Geibel (1815 - 1884)
5. The quiet lotus-blossom/water-rose
Language: English 
The quiet lotus blossom
sprouts from the pond so blue,
its leaves all glimmer and sparkle,
its bud is white as snow.

The moon pours down from heaven
all of its golden shine,
pours all its golden moonbeams
into her blossom heart.

In water 'round the blossom
circles the whitest swan
it sings so sweet, so softly
and gazes on the bloom.

It sings so sweet, so softly
and would but perish in song.
O blossom, whitest blossom,
can you conceive the song?

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 1996 by David Kenneth Smith, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., please ask the copyright-holder(s) directly.

    David Kenneth Smith.  Contact: dksmith (AT) geneva.edu


    If the copyright-holder(s) are unreachable for three business days, please write to:


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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 16
Word count: 83

Translation © by David Kenneth Smith