Song from the earth

Translations © by Emily Ezust

Song Cycle by Gustav Mahler (1860 - 1911)

View original-language texts alone: Das Lied von der Erde

1. Das Trinklied vom Jammer der Erde
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Schon winkt der Wein im goldnen Pokale,
Doch trinkt noch nicht, erst sing ich euch ein Lied!
Das Lied vom Kummer soll auflachend
in die Seele euch klingen. Wenn der Kummer naht,
liegen wüst die Gärten der Seele,
Welkt hin und stirbt die Freude, der Gesang.
Dunkel ist das Leben, ist der Tod.

Herr dieses Hauses!
Dein Keller birgt die Fülle des goldenen Weins!
Hier, diese Laute nenn' ich mein!
Die Laute schlagen und die Gläser leeren,
Das sind die Dinge, die zusammen passen.
Ein voller Becher Weins zur rechten Zeit
Ist mehr wert als alle Reiche dieser Erde!
Dunkel is das Leben, ist der Tod.

Das Firmament blaut ewig und die Erde
Wird lange fest stehen und aufblühn im Lenz.
Du aber, Mensch, wie lang lebst denn du?
Nicht hundert Jahre darfst du dich ergötzen
An all dem morschen Tande dieser Erde!

Seht dort hinab! Im Mondschein auf den Gräbern 
hockt eine wildgespenstische Gestalt - 
Ein Aff ist's! Hört ihr, wie sein Heulen hinausgellt
in den süßen Duft des Lebens!
Jetzt nehm den Wein! Jetzt ist es Zeit, Genossen!
Leert eure goldnen Becher zu Grund!
Dunkel ist das Leben, ist der Tod!

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1. Drinking Song of the sorrow of the Earth
Language: English 
The wine is already beckoning in the golden goblet,
but do not drink yet - first, I will sing you a song!
The Song of Sorrow shall resound 
laughingly in your soul. When sorrow draws near,
the gardens of the soul lie desolate;
joy and song wilt away and die.
Dark is life, dark is death.

Lord of this house!
Your cellar holds an abundance of golden wine!
Here, this lute I call my own!
Strumming on the lute and emptying glasses -
these are the things that go together.
A full glass of wine at the proper moment
is worth more than all the kingdoms of the world!
Dark is life, [dark] is death.

The heavens are forever blue and the earth
Will stand firm for a long time and bloom in spring.
But you, Man, how long will you live then?
Not a hundred years are you allowed to enjoy
in all the rotten triviality of this earth!

Look down there! In the moonlight, on the graves
crouches a wild, ghostly figure - 
It is an ape! Hear how its howls shrill out 
into the sweet fragrance of life!
Now take the wine! Now is the time, comrades!
Empty the golden goblet to the bottom!
Dark is life, [dark] is death!

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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Changed 2014-08-11 with thanks to Dr. Harald Krebs for his kind suggestions.



This text was added to the website: 2004-01-16
Line count: 27
Word count: 210

Translation © by Emily Ezust
2. Der Einsame im Herbst
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Herbstnebel wallen bläulich überm See;
Vom Reif bezogen stehen alle Gräser;
Man meint', ein Künstler habe Staub vom Jade
Über die feinen Blüten ausgestreut.

Der süße Duft der Blumen is verflogen;
Ein kalter Wind beugt ihre Stengel nieder.
Bald werden die verwelkten, goldnen Blätter
Der Lotosblüten auf dem Wasser ziehn.

Mein Herz ist müde. Meine kleine Lampe
Erlosch mit Knistern;
es gemahnt mich an den Schlaf.
Ich komm zu dir, traute Ruhestätte!
Ja, gib mir Ruh, ich hab Erquickung not!

Ich weine viel in meinen Einsamkeiten.
Der Herbst in meinem Herzen währt zu lange.
Sonne der Liebe, willst du nie mehr scheinen,
Um meine bittern Tränen mild aufzutrocknen?

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2. The lonely man in autumn
Language: English 
Blue autumn mists undulate over the lake;
the grass stands stiff with frost;
One might think an artist had strewn jade dust
over all the fine blossoms.

The sweet fragrance of flowers has flown away;
a cold wind forces them to bow their stems low.
Soon the wilted golden leaves
of lotus flowers will drift upon the water.

My heart is weary. My small lamp
has gone out with a sputter;
it urges me to sleep.
I am coming to you, familiar place of rest!
Yes, give me rest - I have need of comfort.

I weep much in my solitudes.
The autumn in my heart is lasting too long.
Sun of love, will you never shine again,
gently to dry my bitter tears?

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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Changed 2014-08-11 with thanks to Dr. Harald Krebs for his kind suggestions.



This text was added to the website: 2004-01-16
Line count: 17
Word count: 123

Translation © by Emily Ezust
3. Von der Jugend
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Mitten in dem kleinen Teiche
Steht ein Pavillon aus grünem
Und aus weißem Porzellan.

Wie der Rücken eines Tigers
Wölbt die Brücke sich aus Jade
Zu dem Pavillon hinüber.

In dem Häuschen sitzen Freunde,
Schön gekleidet, trinken, plaudern,
Manche schreiben Verse nieder.

Ihre seidnen Ärmel gleiten
Rückwärts, ihre seidnen Mützen
Hocken lustig tief im Nacken.

Auf des kleinen Teiches stiller
Wasserfläche zeigt sich alles
Wunderlich im Spiegelbilde,

Alles auf dem Kopfe stehend
In dem Pavillon aus grünem
Und aus weißem Porzellan;

Wie ein Halbmond steht die Brücke,
Umgekehrt der Bogen. Freunde,
Schön gekleidet, trinken, plaudern.

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3. Of youth
Language: English 
In the middle of the small pond
stands a pavilion of green
and white porcelain.

Like the back of a tiger
the jade bridge arches
across toward the pavilion.

In the small house sit friends,
finely dressed; they drink, chat,
and some write down verses.

Their silk sleeves slide back, 
their silk caps
perch jauntily far back on their necks.

On the small pond's still
surface, all things appear
strangely mirrored.

Everything is standing on its head
in the pavilion of green
and white porcelain.

The bridge looks like a half-moon,
its arch inverted. Friends,
finely dressed, are drinking and chatting.

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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Changed 2014-08-11 with thanks to Dr. Harald Krebs for his kind suggestions.



This text was added to the website: 2004-01-16
Line count: 21
Word count: 101

Translation © by Emily Ezust
4. Von der Schönheit
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Junge Mädchen pflücken Blumen,
Pflücken Lotosblumen an dem Uferrande.
Zwischen Büschen und Blättern sitzen sie,
Sammeln Blüten in den Schoß und rufen
Sich einander Neckereien zu.

Goldne Sonne webt um die Gestalten,
Spiegelt sie im blanken Wasser wider.
Sonne spiegelt ihre schlanken Glieder,
Ihre süßen Augen wider,
Und der Zephyr hebt mit Schmeichelkosen das Gewebe
Ihrer Ärmel auf, führt den Zauber
Ihrer Wohlgerüche durch die Luft.

O sieh, was tummeln sich für schöne Knaben
Dort an dem Uferrand auf mut'gen Rossen,
Weithin glänzend wie die Sonnenstrahlen;
Schon zwischen dem Geäst der grünen Weiden
Trabt das jungfrische Volk einher!
Das Roß des einen wiehert fröhlich auf
Und scheut und saust dahin;
Über Blumen, Gräser, wanken hin die Hufe,
Sie zerstampfen jäh im Sturm die hingesunknen Blüten.
Hei! Wie flattern im Taumel seine Mähnen,
Dampfen heiß die Nüstern!
Goldne Sonne webt um die Gestalten,
Spiegelt sie im blanken Wasser wider.

Und die schönste von den Jungfraun sendet
Lange Blicke ihm der Sehnsucht nach.
Ihre stolze Haltung is nur Verstellung.
In dem Funkeln ihrer großen Augen,
In dem Dunkel ihres heißen Blicks
Schwingt klagend noch die Erregung ihres Herzens nach.

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4. Of beauty
Language: English 
Young maidens pick flowers,
pick lotus flowers at the water's edge.
Among bushes and leaves they sit,
Gathering blossoms in their laps and calling
to one another teasingly.

Golden sunlight weaves about the figures,
mirroring them in the shiny water.
The sun reflects their slender limbs,
their sweet eyes,
and the zephyr lifts caressingly
the fabric of their sleeves, wafting the magic
of their lovely fragrance through the air.

Oh see what handsome young men disport themselves
there along the shore on their lively horses,
glittering out into the distance like sunbeams;
already among the branches of the green willows,
the fresh-faced young men are approaching at a trot!
The horse of one whinnies merrily
and shies and rushes away;
over flowers and grass, its hooves fly,
trampling fallen blossoms in its stormy flight.
Ah, how wildly its mane flutters in its frenzy,
how hotly its nostrils steam!
The golden sun weaves about the figures,
mirroring them in the shiny water.

And the fairest of the maidens sends
long, yearning glances after him.
Her proud demeanour is mere pretense.
In the flash of her large eyes,
in the darkness of her ardent gaze,
the agitation of her heart lingers, lamenting.

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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Changed 2014-08-11 with thanks to Dr. Harald Krebs for his kind suggestions.



This text was added to the website: 2004-01-16
Line count: 31
Word count: 200

Translation © by Emily Ezust
5. Der Trunkene im Frühling
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wenn nur ein Traum das Leben ist,
Warum denn Müh und Plag?
Ich trinke, bis ich nicht mehr kann,
Den ganzen, lieben Tag!

Und wenn ich nicht mehr trinken kann,
Weil Kehl und Seele voll,
So tauml' ich bis zu meiner Tür
Und schlafe wundervoll!

Was hör ich beim Erwachen? Horch!
Ein Vogel singt im Baum.
Ich frag ihn, ob schon Frühling sei,
Mir ist als wie im Traum.

Der Vogel zwitschert: "Ja! Der Lenz
Ist da, sei kommen über Nacht!"
Aus tiefstem Schauen lausch ich auf,
Der Vogel singt und lacht!

Ich fülle mir den Becher neu
Und leer ihn bis zum Grund
Und singe, bis der Mond erglänzt
Am schwarzen Firmament!

Und wenn ich nicht mehr singen kann,
So schlaf ich wieder ein,
Was geht mich denn der Frühling an!?
Laßt mich betrunken sein!

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by Hans Bethge (1876 - 1946)
5. The drunkard in Spring
Language: English 
If life is only a dream,
why then the misery and torment?
I drink until I can drink no more,
the whole, dear day!

And when I can drink no more,
because my stomach and soul are full,
I stagger to my door
and sleep very well!

What do I hear when I awaken? Listen!
A bird singing in the tree.
I ask him whether it is already spring -
it's like a dream to me.

The bird twitters, "Yes! Spring
is here, it has come overnight!"
With deep concentration I listen,
and the bird sings and laughs!

I fill my goblet afresh
and drain it to the bottom
and sing, until the moon shines
in the dark firmament!

And when I can sing no more,
I fall asleep again,
for what is springtime to me? --
Let me be drunk!

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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Note: this is a translation of Mahler's version of the text.


This text was added to the website: 2004-01-16
Line count: 24
Word count: 139

Translation © by Emily Ezust

 (The following is a multi-text setting.)

6. Der Abschied 
Die Sonne scheidet hinter dem Gebirge.
In allen Tälern steigt der Abend nieder
Mit seinen Schatten, die voll Kühlung sind.
O sieh! Wie eine Silberbarke schwebt
Der Mond am blauen Himmelssee herauf.
Ich spüre eines feinen Windes Wehn
Hinter den dunklen Fichten!

Der Bach singt voller Wohllaut durch das Dunkel.
Die Blumen blassen im Dämmerschein.
Die Erde atmet voll von Ruh und Schlaf,
Alle Sehnsucht will nun träumen.
Die müden Menschen gehn heimwärts,
Um im Schlaf vergeßnes Glück
Und Jugend neu zu lernen!
Die Vögel hocken still in ihren Zweigen.
Die Welt schläft ein!

Es wehet kühl im Schatten meiner Fichten.
Ich stehe hier und harre meines Freundes;
Ich harre sein zum letzten Lebewohl.
Ich sehne mich, o Freund, an deiner Seite
Die Schönheit dieses Abends zu genießen.
Wo bleibst du? Du läßt mich lang allein!
Ich wandle auf und nieder mit meiner Laute
Auf Wegen, die vom weichen Grase schwellen.
O Schönheit! O ewigen Liebens - Lebenstrunkne Welt!

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Er stieg vom Pferd und reichte ihm den Trunk
Des Abschieds dar. Er fragte ihn, wohin
Er führe und auch warum es müßte sein.
Er sprach, seine Stimme war umflort: Du, mein Freund,
Mir war auf dieser Welt das Glück nicht hold!
Wohin ich geh? Ich geh, ich wandre in die Berge.
Ich suche Ruhe für mein einsam Herz.
Ich wandle nach der Heimat, meiner Stätte.
Ich werde niemals in die Ferne schweifen.
Still ist mein Herz und harret seiner Stunde!

Die liebe Erde allüberall
Blüht auf im Lenz und grünt
Aufs neu! Allüberall und ewig
Blauen licht die Fernen!
Ewig... ewig...

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Author(s): [More than can fit here]
6. The farewell
The sun departs behind the mountains.
Into all the valleys, evening descends
with its cooling shadows.
O look! Like a silver boat,
the moon floats on the blue sky-lake above.
I feel the fine wind wafting
behind the dark spruces.

The brook sings loudly through the darkness.
The flowers stand out palely in the twilight.
The earth breathes, full of peace and sleep,
and all yearning wishes to dream now.
Weary men go home,
to learn in sleep 
forgotten happiness and youth.
The birds crouch silently in their branches.
The world is asleep!

It blows coolly in the shadows of my spruce.
I stand here and wait for my friend;
I wait to bid him a last farewell.
I yearn, my friend, at your side
to enjoy the beauty of this evening.
Where do you tarry? You leave me alone for so long!
I wander up and down with my lute,
on paths swelling with soft grass.
O beauty! O eternal love - eternal, life-intoxicated world!

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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He dismounted and handed him the drink
of parting. He asked him where
he would go, and also why it must be.
He spoke, his voice was choked: My friend,
on this earth, fortune has not been kind to me!
Where do I go? I will go, wander in the mountains.
I seek peace for my lonely heart.
I wander to find my homeland, my home.
I will never stray to foreign lands.
Quiet is my heart, waiting for its hour!

The dear earth everywhere
blooms in spring and grows green
afresh! Everywhere and eternally,
distant places grow blue and bright!
Eternally... eternally...

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2008 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 © by Emily Ezust