English translation of Lied der Abelone

by Bernd Alois Zimmermann (1918 - 1970), "Lied der Abelone", 1939 [ mezzo-soprano and piano ], Schott

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

Du, der ichs nicht sage, daß ich bei Nacht
weinend liege,
deren Wesen mich müde macht
wie eine Wiege.
Du, die mir nicht sagt, wenn sie wacht
Meinetwillen:
wie, wenn wir diese Pracht
ohne zu stillen
in uns ertrügen?

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Confirmed with Rainer Maria Rilke, rilke.de/gedichte/lied.htm, Note: Die Aufzeichnungen des Malte Laurids Brigge


Research team for this page: Jeroen Scholten , Joost van der Linden [Guest Editor] 
Sieh dir die Liebenden an,
wenn erst das Bekennen begann,
wie bald sie lügen.

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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
Du machst mich allein. Dich einzig kann ich vertauschen.
Eine Weile bist du's, dann wieder ist es das Rauschen,
oder es ist ein Duft ohne Rest.
Ach, in den Armen hab ich sie alle verloren,
du nur, du wirst immer wieder geboren:
weil ich niemals dich anhielt, halt ich dich fest.

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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
Author(s): Rainer Maria Rilke (1875 - 1926)
You, whom I am not telling that I lie
Crying at night,
Whose being tires me
Like a cradle.
You, who does not tell me when she stays awake
On my account:
What if we endured this richness
Without dissipation,
Only within ourselves?

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Knut W. Barde, (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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Look at the lovers,
Once confessing became their game,
How soon they start lying.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2003 by Knut W. Barde, (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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You make me alone.  Only you can I recast:
sometimes you're you, then later the rush of wind,
or a fragrance that does not last.
Ah, in my arms I have lost them all.
But you, you are forever reborn;
because I never have held you, I hold you fast.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2008 by T. P. (Peter) Perrin, (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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Translation © by Knut W. Barde, T. P. (Peter) Perrin