Gypsy Songs

Translations © by Grant Hicks

Song Cycle by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897)

View original-language texts alone: Zigeunerlieder

1.
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
He, Zigeuner, greife in die Saiten ein!
Spiel das Lied vom ungetreuen Mägdelein!
Laß die Saiten weinen, klagen, traurig bange,
Bis die heiße Träne netzet diese Wange!

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by Hugo Conrat (1845 - 1906)
1.
Language: English 
Hey, gypsy, engage your strings!
Play the song of the faithless maiden!
Let the strings weep and wail sorrowfully,
Until hot tears moisten these cheeks!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2023 by Grant Hicks, (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:
"He, he Zigeuner" = "Hey, Gypsy"
"Hé, Zigeuner!" = "Hey, Gypsy"



This text was added to the website: 2025-07-14
Line count: 4
Word count: 25

Translation © by Grant Hicks
2.
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Hochgetürmte Rimaflut,
Wie bist du so trüb;
An dem Ufer klag ich
Laut nach dir, mein Lieb!

Wellen fliehen, Wellen strömen,
Rauschen an dem Strand heran zu mir.
An dem Rimaufer laß mich
Ewig weinen nach ihr!

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by Hugo Conrat (1845 - 1906)
2.
Language: English 
Towering waters of the Rima,
How murky you are;
On the shore I lament 
Loudly over you, my love!

Waves flee, waves flow by,
Roar toward me on the shore.
On the bank of the Rima let me 
Forever weep over you!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2023 by Grant Hicks, (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:
"Hochgethürmte Rimaflut" = "Towering waters of the Rima"
"Hochgetürmte Rimaflut" = "Towering waters of the Rima"



This text was added to the website: 2025-07-14
Line count: 8
Word count: 42

Translation © by Grant Hicks
3.
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wißt ihr, wenn mein Kindchen am allerschönsten ist?
Wenn ihr süßes Mündchen scherzt und lacht und küßt. 
Mägdelein, du bist mein, inniglich küß ich dich,
Dich erschuf der liebe Himmel einzig nur für mich!

Wißt ihr, wenn mein Liebster am besten mir gefällt?
Wenn in seinen Armen er mich umschlungen hält.
Schätzelein, du bist mein, inniglich küß ich dich,
Dich erschuf der liebe Himmel einzig nur für mich!

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by Hugo Conrat (1845 - 1906)
3.
Language: English 
Do you know when my little one is most beautiful of all?
When her sweet little mouth jokes and laughs and kisses.
Little maiden, you are mine, tenderly I kiss you.
Dear Heaven created you for me alone!

Do you know when my beloved pleases me best?
When in his arms he holds me in a tight embrace.
Little treasure, you are mine, tenderly I kiss you.
Dear Heaven created you for me alone!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2023 by Grant Hicks, (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:
"Wißt ihr" = "Do you know"
"Wisst ihr, wann" = "Do you know when"



This text was added to the website: 2025-07-14
Line count: 8
Word count: 74

Translation © by Grant Hicks
4.
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Lieber Gott, du weißt, wie oft bereut ich hab,
Daß ich meinem Liebsten einst ein Küßchen gab.
Herz gebot, daß ich ihn küssen muß,
Denk, solang ich leb, an diesen ersten Kuß.

Lieber Gott, du weißt, wie oft in stiller Nacht
Ich in Lust und Leid an meinen Schatz gedacht.
Lieb ist süß, wenn bitter auch die Reu,
Armes Herze bleibt ihm ewig, ewig treu.

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by Hugo Conrat (1845 - 1906)
4. Dear God, you know
Language: English 
Dear God, you know how often I have regretted 
That I once gave my beloved a little kiss.
My heart demanded that I kiss him,
I'll think of that first kiss as long as I live.

Dear God, you know how often in still of night 
I have thought of my treasure in joy and in sorrow.
Love is sweet, even if regret is bitter;
My poor heart will remain forever true to him.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2023 by Grant Hicks, (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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This text was added to the website: 2025-07-14
Line count: 8
Word count: 74

Translation © by Grant Hicks
5.
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Brauner Bursche führt zum Tanze
Sein blauäugig schönes Kind;
Schlägt die Sporen keck zusammen,
Csardasmelodie beginnt.

Küßt und herzt sein süßes Täubchen,
Dreht sie, führt sie, jauchzt und springt;
Wirft drei blanke Silbergulden
Auf das Zimbal, daß es klingt.

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by Hugo Conrat (1845 - 1906)
5. Swarthy fellow
Language: English 
A swarthy fellow leads to the dance 
His beautiful blue-eyed girl,
Boldly strikes his spurs together,
The csárdás melody begins.

He hugs and kisses his sweet little dove,
Turns her, leads her, exults and leaps;
Tosses three shining silver florins 
On the cimbalom, making it ring.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2023 by Grant Hicks, (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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This text was added to the website: 2025-07-14
Line count: 8
Word count: 46

Translation © by Grant Hicks
6.
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Röslein dreie in der Reihe blühn so rot,
Daß der Bursch zum Mädel gehe, ist kein Verbot!
Lieber Gott, wenn das verboten wär,
Ständ die schöne weite Welt schon längst nicht mehr;
Ledig bleiben Sünde wär!

Schönstes Städtchen in Alföld ist Ketschkemet,
Dort gibt es gar viele Mädchen schmuck und nett!
Freunde, sucht euch dort ein Bräutchen aus,
Freit um ihre Hand und gründet euer Haus,
Freudenbecher leeret aus.

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by Hugo Conrat (1845 - 1906)
6. Three little roses
Language: English 
Three little roses in a row bloom so red
That it is not forbidden for a fellow to court a girl!
Dear God, if it were forbidden,
The beautiful wide world would long since be no more,
It would be a sin to stay single!

The most beautiful town on the Hungarian plain is Kecskemét,
There are quite a few smart and pretty girls there!
Friends, choose your little bride there,
Ask for her hand and set up your house,
Drain the cup of joy!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2023 by Grant Hicks, (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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This text was added to the website: 2025-07-14
Line count: 10
Word count: 85

Translation © by Grant Hicks
7.
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Kommt dir manchmal in den Sinn, mein süßes Lieb,
Was du einst mit heil'gem Eide mir gelobt?
Täusch mich nicht, verlaß mich nicht,
Du weißt nicht, wie lieb ich dich hab,
Lieb du mich, wie ich dich,
Dann strömt Gottes Huld auf dich herab!

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by Hugo Conrat (1845 - 1906)
7. Do you sometimes remember
Language: English 
Do you sometimes remember, my sweet love,
What you once promised me with a holy vow?
Do not deceive me, do not desert me,
You do not know how much I love you,
Love me as I love you,
Then God's grace will flow down upon you!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2023 by Grant Hicks, (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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This text was added to the website: 2025-07-14
Line count: 6
Word count: 47

Translation © by Grant Hicks
8.
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Horch, der Wind klagt in den Zweigen traurig sacht;
süßes Lieb, wir müssen Scheiden: gute Nacht.
Ach wie gern in deinen Armen ruhte ich,
doch die Trennungsstunde naht, Gott schütze dich.

Dunkel ist die Nacht, kein Sternlein spendet Licht;
süßes Lieb vertrau auf Gott und weine nicht;
führt der liebe Gott mich einst zu dir zurück,
bleiben ewig wir vereint in Liebesglück.

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by Hugo Conrat (1845 - 1906)
8.
Language: English 
Hark! The wind moans in the branches, soft and sorrowful;
Sweet love, we must part: good night.
Ah! How willingly would I rest in your arms,
But the time of parting approaches, may God protect you.

The night is dark; no star casts its light;
Sweet love, trust in God and do not weep;
Dear God will someday lead me back to you,
We will remain forever united in the happiness of love.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2023 by Grant Hicks, (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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This text was added to the website: 2025-07-14
Line count: 8
Word count: 73

Translation © by Grant Hicks
9.
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Weit und breit schaut niemand mich an,
und wenn sie mich hassen, was liegt mir dran?
Nur mein Schatz der soll mich lieben allezeit,
soll mich küssen, umarmen und herzen in Ewigkeit.

Kein Stern blickt in finsterer Nacht;
keine Blum mir strahlt in duftiger Pracht.
Deine Augen sind mir Blumen Sternenschein,
die mir leuchten so freundlich, die blühen nur mir allein.

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by Hugo Conrat (1845 - 1906)
9.
Language: English 
Far and wide no one looks at me,
And if they hate me, what does it matter to me?
Only my treasure, who will love me always,
Will kiss, embrace and hug me forever.

No star peeks through the gloomy night;
No flower shines for me in dainty splendor.
Your eyes are my flowers, my starlight,
That shine for me so fondly, that bloom for me alone.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2023 by Grant Hicks, (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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This text was added to the website: 2025-07-14
Line count: 8
Word count: 67

Translation © by Grant Hicks
10.
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Mond verhüllt sein Angesicht,
süßes Lieb, ich zürne dir nicht.
Wollt ich zürnend dich betrüben, sprich
wie könnt ich dich dann lieben?

Heiß für dich mein Herz entbrennt,
keine Zunge dir's bekennt.
Bald in Liebesrausch unsinnig,
bald wie Täubchen sanft und innig.

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by Hugo Conrat (1845 - 1906)
10.
Language: English 
The moon veils her face,
Sweet love, I am not angry with you.
If I were to distress you in my anger,
Tell me, how then could I love you?

My heart burns with passion for you,
No tongue confesses it to you,
One moment madly drunk with love,
The next soft and tender like a little dove.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2023 by Grant Hicks, (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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This text was added to the website: 2025-07-14
Line count: 8
Word count: 58

Translation © by Grant Hicks
11.
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Rote Abendwolken ziehn am Firmament,
Sehnsuchtsvoll nach dir,
Mein Lieb, das Herze brennt,
Himmel strahlt in glühnder Pracht,
Und ich träum bei Tag und Nacht
Nur allein von dem süßen Liebchen mein.

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by Hugo Conrat (1845 - 1906)
11. Red evening clouds
Language: English 
Red evening clouds drift in the sky,
My heart burns with longing 
For you, my love.
Heaven shines with glowing splendor,
And I dream both day and night 
Only of my sweet beloved.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2023 by Grant Hicks, (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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This text was added to the website: 2025-07-14
Line count: 6
Word count: 33

Translation © by Grant Hicks