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Five songs
Translations © by David McCleery
Song Cycle by Jean Sibelius (1865 - 1957)
View original-language texts alone: Fem sånger
1. Den första kyssen
Language: Swedish (Svenska)
På silvermolnets kant satt aftonstjärnan, Från lundens skymning frågte henne tärnan: Säg, aftonstjärna, vad i himlen tänkes, När första kyssen åt en älskling skänkes? Och himlens blyga dotter hördes svara: På jorden blickar ljusets änglaskara, Och ser sin egen sällhet speglad åter; Blott döden vänder ögat bort -- och gråter.
Text Authorship:
- by Johan Ludvig Runeberg (1804 - 1877), "Den första kyssen", appears in Lyriska dikter II
See other settings of this text.
by Johan Ludvig Runeberg (1804 - 1877)
1. The first kiss
Language: English
As the evening star sat on the edge of the silver-lined cloud The maiden asked her from the twilit grove: "Tell me, evening star, what do they think in heaven When a lover receives her first kiss?" And heaven’s bashful daughter replied: "The angels look to earth And see the reflection of their bliss. Only death turns away, and weeps."
Text Authorship:
- Translation from Swedish (Svenska) to English copyright © 2018 by David McCleery, (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.
Contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in Swedish (Svenska) by Johan Ludvig Runeberg (1804 - 1877), "Den första kyssen", appears in Lyriska dikter II
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website: 2018-01-21
Line count: 8
Word count: 60
Translation © by David McCleery
2. Lasse liten
Language: Swedish (Svenska)
Världen är så stor, så stor, Lasse, Lasse liten! Större än du nånsin tror, Lasse, Lasse liten! Det är hett och det är kallt, Lasse, Lasse liten! Men Gud råder överallt, Lasse, Lasse liten! Många mänskor leva där, Lasse, Lasse liten! Lycklig den som Gud har kär, Lasse, Lasse liten! När Guds ängel med dig går, Lasse, Lasse liten! Ingen orm dig bita få, Lasse, Lasse liten! Säg, var trives du nu mest, Lasse, Lasse liten? Borta bra men hemma bäst, Lasse, Lasse liten!
by Zachris Topelius (1818 - 1898)
2. Little Lasse
Language: English
The world is so big, so big Lasse, little Lasse! Bigger than you’d ever think Lasse, little Lasse! It’s hot and it’s cold Lasse, little Lasse! But God takes care of it all Lasse, little Lasse! Lots of people live there Lasse, little Lasse! And happy are those whom God loves Lasse, little Lasse! When God’s angels are by your side Lasse, little Lasse! No snake will poison you with its bite Lasse, little Lasse! So, where do you like most to be Lasse, little Lasse! Away is good, but home’s best for me Lasse, little Lasse!
Text Authorship:
- Translation from Swedish (Svenska) to English copyright © 2018 by David McCleery, (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.
Contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in Swedish (Svenska) by Zachris Topelius (1818 - 1898)
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website: 2018-01-21
Line count: 20
Word count: 97
Translation © by David McCleery
3. Soluppgång
Language: Swedish (Svenska)
Under himlens purpurbrand Ligga tysta sjö och land, Det är gryningsstunden. Snöig gren och frostvit kvist Tecka sig så segervisst Mot den röda grunden. Riddarn står vid fönsterkarm, Lyssnar efter stridens larm, Trampar golvets tilja. Men en smal och snövit hand Kyler milt hans pannas brand, Böjer mjukt hans vilja.tenderly Riddarn sätter horn till mun, Blåser vilt I gryningsstund, Över nejd som tiger. Tonen klingar, klar och spröd, Branden slocknar, gyllenröd, Solen sakta stiger.
by Tor Hedberg (1862 - 1931)
3. Sunrise
Language: English
Beneath the purple sky Lie silent seas and lands, Day is breaking. Snowy branches and frosty twigs Cast their patterns victoriously Over the red earth. The knight stands by the window, Listens for the call to arms, Paces the room, back and forth. But a small, snow white hand Cools his fiery brow, Gently calms his will. The knight puts his bugle to his lips, Blows wildly into the morning light Towards the silent land. The sound rings out, bright and clear. The golden fire of dawn retreats And the sun slowly rises.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from Swedish (Svenska) to English copyright © 2018 by David McCleery, (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.
Contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in Swedish (Svenska) by Tor Hedberg (1862 - 1931)
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website: 2018-01-21
Line count: 18
Word count: 93
Translation © by David McCleery
4. Var det en dröm?
Language: Swedish (Svenska)
Var det en dröm, att ljuvt en gång jag var ditt hjärtas vän? Jag minns det som en tystnad sång, då strängen darrar än. Jag minns en törnros av dig skänkt, en blick så blyg och öm; jag minns en avskedstår, som blänkt. Var allt, var allt en dröm? En dröm lik sippans liv så kort uti en vårgrön ängd, vars fägring hastigt vissnar bort för nya blommors mängd. Men mången natt jag hör en röst vid bittra tårars ström: göm djupt dess minne i ditt bröst, det var din bästa dröm!
by Josef Julius Wecksell (1838 - 1907)
4. Was it a dream?
Language: English
Was it a dream, that once upon a blissful time I was your heart’s friend? I remember it like a silent song Whose melody still lingers on. I remember you gave me a rose With a look so shy and tender, I remember the glistening of a parting tear. Was it all just a dream? A dream like a wildflower's life, So brief in the verdant meadow, Whose beauty quickly withers away Within an ocean of new flowers But on many a night I hear a voice Through a stream of bitter tears. Hide this memory deep in your heart For this was your best dream.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from Swedish (Svenska) to English copyright © 2018 by David McCleery, (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.
Contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in Swedish (Svenska) by Josef Julius Wecksell (1838 - 1907)
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website: 2018-01-21
Line count: 16
Word count: 106
Translation © by David McCleery
5. Flickan kom ifrån sin älsklings möte
Language: Swedish (Svenska)
Flickan kom ifrån sin älsklings möte, kom med röda händer. Modern sade: "Varav rodna dina händer, flicka?" Flickan sade: "Jag har plockat rosor och på törnen stungit mina händer." Åter kom hon från sin älsklings möte, kom med röda läppar. Modern sade: "Varav rodna dina läppar, flicka?" Flickan sade: "Jag har ätit hallon och med saften målat mina läppar." Åter kom hon från sin älsklings möte, kom med bleka kinder. Modern sade: "Varav blekna dina kinder, flicka?" Flickan sade: "Red en grav, o moder! Göm mig där och ställ ett kors däröver, och på korset rista, som jag säger: En gång kom hon hem med röda händer, ty de rodnat mellan älskarns händer. En gång kom hon hem med röda läppar, ty de rodnat under älskarns läppar. Senast kom hon hem med bleka kinder, ty de bleknat genom älskarns otro."
Text Authorship:
- by Johan Ludvig Runeberg (1804 - 1877), no title, appears in Lyriska dikter II, in Idyll och epigram, no. 1
See other settings of this text.
by Johan Ludvig Runeberg (1804 - 1877)
5. The girl returned from meeting her love
Language: English
The girl returned from meeting her love Returned with red hands. Her mother asked: "Why are your hands red, daughter?" The girl said "I was picking roses And the thorns pricked my hands." Once more she returned from meeting her love Returned with red lips. Her mother asked: "Why are your lips red, daughter?" The girl said "I was eating berries And the juice stained my lips." Once more she returned from meeting her love Returned with pale cheeks. Her mother asked: "Why are your cheeks pale, daughter?" The girl said "Dig me a grave, mother, Hide me there and place a cross on top, And engrave the cross with these words: ‘Once she returned with red hands, Red from being held between her lover’s hands. Once she returned with red lips, Red from being caressed by her lover’s lips. Finally she returned with pale cheeks Pale from her lover's betrayal.’ "
Text Authorship:
- Translation from Swedish (Svenska) to English copyright © 2018 by David McCleery, (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.
Contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in Swedish (Svenska) by Johan Ludvig Runeberg (1804 - 1877), no title, appears in Lyriska dikter II, in Idyll och epigram, no. 1
Go to the general single-text view
Translation of title "Flickan kom ifrån sin älsklings möte" = "The girl returned from meeting her love"This text was added to the website: 2018-01-21
Line count: 22
Word count: 152
Translation © by David McCleery