Amherst Requiem

Translations © by Bertram Kottmann

Song Cycle by Brian Holmes (b. 1946)

View original-language texts alone: Amherst Requiem

1. What inn is this
 (Sung text)
Language: English 
What inn is this
Where for the night
Peculiar traveller comes?
Who is the landlord?
Where the maids?
Behold, what curious rooms!
No ruddy fires on the hearth,
No brimming tankards flow.
Necromancer, landlord,
Who are these below?

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by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886)
1.
Language: German (Deutsch) 
In welchen Gast-
hof kehrt des Nachts
der seltsame Reisende ein?
Wer ist der Wirt wohl,
wo die Magd?
Zudem die Zimmer, schau!
Kein wärmend Feuer im Kamin,
kein Humpen, übervoll.
Geisterseher! Gastwirt! sagt, 
wer sind wohl die da drunt?

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from English to German (Deutsch) copyright © 2018 by Bertram Kottmann, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you must ask the copyright-holder(s) directly for permission. If you receive no response, you must consider it a refusal.

    Bertram Kottmann.  Contact: BKottmann (AT) t-online.de

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This text was added to the website: 2018-06-22
Line count: 10
Word count: 40

Translation © by Bertram Kottmann
2. Safe in their alabaster chambers
 (Sung text)
Language: English 
Safe in their alabaster chambers,
Untouched by morning and untouched by noon,
Sleep the meek members of the resurrection,
Rafter of satin, and roof of stone.

Light laughs the breeze in her castle of sunshine;
Babbles the bee in a stolid ear;
Pipe the sweet birds in ignorant cadence, -
Ah, what sagacity perished here!

Grand go the years in the crescent above them;
Worlds scoop their arcs, and firmaments row,
Diadems drop and Doges surrender,
Soundless as dots on a disk of snow.

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by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886)
2.
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Sicher in ihren Grabeskammern
- es strahlt kein Morgen, kein Mittag herein -
ruhn, die der Auferstehung duldsam harren,
Satin, das Sargtuch, das Dach aus Stein.

Licht lacht die Brise im Sonnenscheinschlosse;
brabbelt die Bien’ in ein stilles Ohr,
zwitschern die Vögel schlicht ihre Weisen,
ach, welch Erkennen sich hier verlor!

Groß ziehn die Jahre am Himmelsgewölbe,
Planeten ziehn und Sphären sich drehn,
fallende Kronen, abdankende Herrscher, 
kaum zu erkennen wie Pünktchen auf Schnee.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from English to German (Deutsch) copyright © 2018 by Bertram Kottmann, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you must ask the copyright-holder(s) directly for permission. If you receive no response, you must consider it a refusal.

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This text was added to the website: 2018-10-17
Line count: 12
Word count: 73

Translation © by Bertram Kottmann
3. I heard a fly buzz when I died  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English 
I heard a Fly buzz -- when I died -- 
The Stillness in the Room
Was like the Stillness in the Air -- 
Between the Heaves of Storm.

The Eyes around -- had wrung them dry -- 
And Breaths were gathering [sure]1
For that last Onset -- when the King
Be witnessed -- in the Room -- 

I willed my Keepsakes -- Signed away
What portion of me be
Assignable -- and then it was
There interposed a Fly -- 

With Blue -- uncertain stumbling Buzz -- 
Between the light -- and me -- 
And then the Windows failed -- and then
I could not see to see --

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1 Rusche: "firm"

by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886)
3.
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Da war ’ne Fliege, als ich starb,
ich hörte nur ihr Surr’n
im Zimmer, bleiern still - wie Luft
in Ruhe vor dem Sturm.

Die Augen um mich, leer geweint,
und für den letzten Schritt
ein Atem holen - wenn der Herr
ins Sterbezimmer tritt.

Vermacht war das, was übrig blieb
von meinem Erdensein,
da mischte vor dem letzten End
sich ein Fliege ein

mit blauem, unstetem Gebrumm
im Lichte mir zu stehn -
dann brach das Auge mir, und ich
konnt’ nicht mehr sehn, zu sehn.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from English to German (Deutsch) copyright © 2018 by Bertram Kottmann, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you must ask the copyright-holder(s) directly for permission. If you receive no response, you must consider it a refusal.

    Bertram Kottmann.  Contact: BKottmann (AT) t-online.de

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This text was added to the website: 2018-10-17
Line count: 16
Word count: 84

Translation © by Bertram Kottmann
4. Abraham to kill him
 (Sung text)
Language: English 
Abraham to kill him --
Was distinctly told --
Isaac was an Urchin --
Abraham was old --

Not a hesitation --
Abraham complied --
Flattered by Obeisance
Tyranny demurred --

Isaac -- to his children
Lived to tell the tale --
Moral -- with a Mastiff
Manners may prevail.

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by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886)
4.
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ihn umzubringen, ward
Abraham gesagt.
Isaak war ein Bengel,
Abraham betagt.

Ohne groß zu zögern,
willigte er ein.
Von Respekt geschmeichelt,
lenkte Jahwe ein.

Isaak gab den Kindern
weiter die Geschicht’.
Folgt draus - bei ’ner Dogge
lohnt Benehmen sich.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from English to German (Deutsch) copyright © 2018 by Bertram Kottmann, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you must ask the copyright-holder(s) directly for permission. If you receive no response, you must consider it a refusal.

    Bertram Kottmann.  Contact: BKottmann (AT) t-online.de

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This text was added to the website: 2018-10-17
Line count: 12
Word count: 39

Translation © by Bertram Kottmann
5. What is ‑‑ "Paradise"
 (Sung text)
Language: English 
What is -- "Paradise" --
Who live there --
Are they "Farmers" --
Do they "hoe" --
Do they know that this is "Amherst" --
And that I -- am coming -- too --

Do they wear "new shoes" -- in "Eden" --
Is it always pleasant -- there --
Won't they scold us -- when we're homesick --
Or tell God -- how cross we are --

You are sure there's such a person
As "a Father" -- in the sky --
So if I get lost -- there -- ever --
Or do what the Nurse calls "die" --
I shan't walk the "Jasper" -- barefoot --
Ransomed folks -- won't laugh at me --
Maybe -- "Eden" a'n't so lonesome
As New England used to be!

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Note provided by Bertram Kottmann for line 3-5: cf. Revelation 21:18

by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886)
5.
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Was ist - „Paradies“ -
wer lebt dort -
sind es „Bauern“ -
„hacken“ sie -
wissen sie etwas von „Amherst“
und dass ich - auch - kommen werd -

trägt man „neue Schuh“ in „Eden“ -
ist es stets erfreulich - dort -
schilt man uns ob unsres Heimwehs -
petzt man unsern Groll dem Herrn -

Du bist sicher, dass im Himmel
jemand namens „Vater“ ist -
Sollt ich mich dort je verirren -
oder tun, was „sterben“ heißt -,
ich nicht barfuß stoß an „Jaspis“ 
von Erlösten ausgelacht -
„Eden“ ist wohl nicht so einsam
wie Neuenland es einst war.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from English to German (Deutsch) copyright © 2017 by Bertram Kottmann, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you must ask the copyright-holder(s) directly for permission. If you receive no response, you must consider it a refusal.

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Translator's note for line 3-5: vgl. Offb 21,18



This text was added to the website: 2017-06-23
Line count: 18
Word count: 87

Translation © by Bertram Kottmann
6. Ample make this bed
 (Sung text)
Language: English 
Ample make this Bed --
Make this Bed with Awe --
In it wait till Judgment break
Excellent and Fair.

Be its Mattress straight --
Be its Pillow round --
Let no Sunrise' yellow noise
Interrupt this Ground --

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by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886)
6.
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Mach die Ruhstatt stattlich,
mach mit Ehrfurcht sie,
wart’ darin, bis das Gericht
hell und fair anbricht.

Die Matratze eben
und das Kissen rund.
Lass Auroras gelben Lärm
nicht in diesen Grund.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from English to German (Deutsch) copyright © 2018 by Bertram Kottmann, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you must ask the copyright-holder(s) directly for permission. If you receive no response, you must consider it a refusal.

    Bertram Kottmann.  Contact: BKottmann (AT) t-online.de

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Line count: 8
Word count: 32

Translation © by Bertram Kottmann
7. Behind Me ‑‑ dips Eternity
 (Sung text)
Language: English 
Behind Me -- dips Eternity --
Before Me -- Immortality --
Myself -- the Term between --
Death but the Drift of Eastern Gray,
Dissolving into Dawn away,
Before the West begin --

'Tis Kingdoms -- afterward -- they say --
In perfect -- pauseless Monarchy --
Whose Prince -- is Son of None --
Himself -- His Dateless Dynasty --
Himself -- Himself diversify --
In Duplicate divine --

'Tis Miracle before Me -- then --
'Tis Miracle behind -- between --
A Crescent in the Sea --
With Midnight to the North of Her --
And Midnight to the South of Her --
And Maelstrom -- in the Sky --

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by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886)
7.
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Hinter mir sinkt Ewigkeit -
vor mir liegt Unsterblichkeit -
ich - die Zwischenzeit.
Tod, bloß eine graue Drift aus Ost,
die sich im Morgenrot zerlöst,
noch eh die Nacht tritt ein.

’s gibt Reiche - nachher - sagen sie,
in bester, ew’ger Monarchie,
der’n Prinz ist niemands Sohn;
er selbst, endlose Dynastie,
er selbst hat sich gewandelt schon
in göttliche Dreieinigkeit.

Es liegt ein Wunder vor mir - dann -
eins hinter mir - und zwischendrin
ein Halbmond überm Meer,
mit Mitternacht nach Norden hin,
und Mitternacht nach Süden hin,
der Mahlstrom über ihm.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from English to German (Deutsch) copyright © 2018 by Bertram Kottmann, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you must ask the copyright-holder(s) directly for permission. If you receive no response, you must consider it a refusal.

    Bertram Kottmann.  Contact: BKottmann (AT) t-online.de

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This text was added to the website: 2018-10-17
Line count: 18
Word count: 87

Translation © by Bertram Kottmann
8. I shall keep singing!
 (Sung text)
Language: English 
I shall keep singing!
Birds will pass me
On their way to Yellower Climes --
Each -- with a Robin's expectation --
I -- with my Redbreast --
And my Rhymes --

Late -- when I take my place in summer --
But -- I shall bring a fuller tune --
Vespers -- are sweeter than Matins -- Signor --
Morning -- only the seed of Noon --

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by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886)
8.
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich sing und sing!
Über mir ziehn
Vögel in wärm’re Zonen hin,
ein jeder mit der Drossel Hoffen.
Ich, als Rotkehlchen
mit meinem Reim,

spät find ich mich im Sommer ein.
Doch mein Ton größ’re Fülle hat.
Herr Christ - Vesper tönt hehrer als Vigil -
der Morgen ist nur Mittags Saat.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from English to German (Deutsch) copyright © 2018 by Bertram Kottmann, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you must ask the copyright-holder(s) directly for permission. If you receive no response, you must consider it a refusal.

    Bertram Kottmann.  Contact: BKottmann (AT) t-online.de

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This text was added to the website: 2018-10-17
Line count: 10
Word count: 50

Translation © by Bertram Kottmann
9. Tie the strings to my life, my Lord  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English 
Tie the strings to my life, my Lord,
Then I am ready to go! 
Just a look at the horses -
Rapid! That will do! 

Put me in on the firmest side,
So I shall never fall;
For we must ride to the Judgment,
And it 's partly down hill. 

But never I mind the bridges,
And never I mind the sea;
Held fast in everlasting race
By my own choice and thee. 

Good-by to the life I used to live,
And the world I used to know;
And kiss the hills for me, just once;
Now I am ready to go!

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by Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886)
9.
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Spann meinen Lebenswagen an,
ich steh bereit, mein Gott!
Ein Blick noch auf die Pferde -
schleunig! Das genügt!

Setz auf die sichre Seite mich,
auf dass ich niemals fall’;
denn unsre Fahrt geht zum Gericht,
zuweilen geht’s bergab.

Was gehen mich die Brücken an,
das Meer, was sorgt es mich;
in ewges Rennen eingespannt
durch eigne Wahl und dich.

Lebwohl, all dem, was ich gewohnt,
lebwohl, Welt alter Zeit;
küsst mir die Hügel einmal noch;
zu gehn bin ich bereit!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from English to German (Deutsch) copyright © 2017 by Bertram Kottmann, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you must ask the copyright-holder(s) directly for permission. If you receive no response, you must consider it a refusal.

    Bertram Kottmann.  Contact: BKottmann (AT) t-online.de

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Based on:

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This text was added to the website: 2017-06-23
Line count: 16
Word count: 80

Translation © by Bertram Kottmann