English translation of Lied

by Robert Schumann (1810 - 1856), "Lied", op. 101 no. 1 (1849), published 1852 [ tenor and piano ], from Minnespiel, no. 1, Leipzig, Whistling

Note: this is a translation of one multi-text setting.

Meine Töne still und heiter,
  Zu der Liebsten steigt hinan!
  O daß ich auf eurer Leiter
  Zu ihr auf nicht steigen kann.

Leget, o ihr süßen Töne,
  An die Brust ihr meinen Schmerz,
  Weil nicht will die strenge Schöne,
  Daß ich ihr mich leg ans Herz.

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Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor] 
Die Liebste hat mit Schweigen
Das Fenster aufgetan,
Sich lächelnd vor zu neigen,
Daß meine Blick' es sahn,

Wie mit dem wolkenlosen
Blick einen Gruß sie beut,
Da hat sie lauter Rosen
Auf mich herab gestreut

Sie lächelt mit dem Munde
Und mit den Wangen auch;
Da blüht die Welt zur Stunde
Mir wie ein Rosenstrauch.

Sie lächelt Rosen nieder,
Sie lächelt über mich
Und schließt das Fenster wieder,
Und lächelt still in sich.

Sie lächelt in die Kammer
Mit ihrem Rosenschein;
Ich aber darf, o Jammer,
Darin bei ihr nicht sein.

O dürft' ich mit ihr kosen
Im Kämmerchen ein Jahr!
Sie hat es wohl voll Rosen
Gelächelt ganz und gar!

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Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]
Author(s): Friedrich Rückert (1788 - 1866)
[You] my notes, quiet and serene,
  Ascend to my beloved!
  Oh, that I upon your ladder
  Could not also ascend to her!

Place, oh you sweet notes,
  My pain upon her breast,
  Since the stern beautiful one does not wish
  That I myself rest upon her heart.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2009 by Sharon Krebs, (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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In silence, my beloved
Has opened her window
In order to lean forth smilingly
So that my gaze would fall upon her.

As she with unclouded eyes
Offered me a greeting,
She scattered many roses
Down upon me.

When with her lips she smiles
And also with her cheeks;
At once the world blossoms
Like a rosebush for me.

She smiles roses down [upon me],
She smiles above me
And closes the window again,
And smiles quietly within herself.

She smiles into the chamber
With her rosy radiance;
But I, oh misery, am not permitted
To dwell in there with her.

Oh if I could dally with her
A whole year in that chamber!
Through her smiles she has
Completely filled it with roses!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2009 by Sharon Krebs, (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: 

Based on:

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Translation © by Sharon Krebs