The Friends

Translations © by Emily Ezust

Song Cycle by Anton von Webern (1883 - 1945)

View original-language texts alone: Die Freunde

1. Wie bin ich froh!
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wie bin ich froh!
noch einmal wird mir alles grün und leuchtet so!
noch überblühn die Blumen mir die Welt!
noch einmal bin ich ganz ins Werden hingestellt
und bin auf Erden.

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Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada, but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.

by Hildegard Jone (1891 - 1963)
1. How happy I am!
Language: English 
How happy I am!
Once again everything is green before me, gleaming so!
once again the flowers of the world are blossoming for me!
once again I have found myself entirely surrounded by Becoming,
for I am on the earth.

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: 5
Word count: 40

Translation © by Emily Ezust
2. Des Herzens Purpurvogel
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Des Herzens Purpurvogel fliegt durch die Nacht.
Der Augen Falter, die im Hellen gaukeln,
sind ihm voraus, wenn sie im Tage schaukeln.
Und doch ist er's, der sie ans Ziel gebracht.
Sie ruhen oft,
die bald sich neu erheben zu neuem Flug.
Doch rastet endlich er am Ast des Todes,
müd' und flügelschwer,
dann müssen sie zum letzten Blick verbeben.

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Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada, but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.

by Hildegard Jone (1891 - 1963)
2. The purple bird of the heart
Language: English 
 The purple bird of the heart flies through the night.
 The butterflies of the eyes flutter in the brightness
 ahead of it, when they swing about in the daylight.
 And yet it is [the purple bird] that brings them to the goal.
 They rest often
 but soon lift themselves up fresh for a new flight.
 But when finally [the purple bird] rests upon a bough of Death,
 weary and with heavy wings,
 then they must take their last look around before they dyingly tremble.

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: 9
Word count: 84

Translation © by Emily Ezust
3. Sterne, Ihr silbernen Bienen
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Sterne, Ihr silbernen Bienen
der Nacht um die Blume der Liebe!
Wahrlich der Honig aus ihr 
hängt schimmernd an Euch.
Lasset ihn tropfen ins Herz, 
in die goldene Wabe,
füllet sie an bis zum Rand.
Ach schon tropfet sie über,
selig und bis ans Ende mit 
ewiger Süße durchtränkt.

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada, but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.

by Hildegard Jone (1891 - 1963)
3. Stars, you silvery bees
Language: English 
 Stars, you silvery bees
 of night, arrayed about the flowers of love!
 Truly, your honey
 hangs shimmering on you.
 Let it drop into your heart, 
 into that golden honeycomb;
 fill it to the brim.
 It has already spilled over,
 blissful and to the end,
 eternally saturated with sweetness.

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:

Go to the general single-text view


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 10
Word count: 48

Translation © by Emily Ezust