English translation of Schilflieder

by Heinrich Sutermeister (1910 - 1995), "Schilflieder", copyright © 1968 [ TTBB chorus a cappella ], from Zwei Männerchöre, no. 1, Schott

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

Drüben [geht]1 die Sonne scheiden,
Und der müde Tag entschlief.
[Niederhangen]2 hier die Weiden
In den Teich, so [still, so]3 tief.

[Und]4 ich muß mein Liebstes meiden:
Quill, o Thräne, quill hervor!
Traurig [säuseln]5 hier die Weiden,
Und im Winde bebt das Rohr.

[In mein stilles, tiefes Leiden]6
[Strahlst du, Ferne! hell und mild]7,
[Wie durch Binsen hier und Weiden
Strahlt des Abendsternes Bild.]8

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Confirmed with Nicolaus Lenau’s sämtliche Werke, herausgegeben von G. Emil Barthel, Leipzig: Druck und Verlag von Philipp Reclam jun., [no year], page 13.

1 Marteau: "ging"
2 Moór: "Niederhängen"
3 Sutermeister: "still und"
4 Sutermeister: "Ach,"
5 Sutermeister: "flüstern"
6 Bochkoltz-Falconi: "In mein tiefes, stilles Leiden"; Lang: "Wie durch Binsen hier und Weiden"
7 Lang: "Strahlt des Abendsternes Bild"; Moór: "Strahltest du, Ferne! hell und mild"
8 Lang: "In mein stilles, tiefes Leiden/ Strahlst du, Ferne! hell und mild."; Sutermeister: "Wie durch Schildfrohr hier und Weiden/ Strahlt des Abendsternes Bild."

Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Jakob Kellner , Sharon Krebs [Senior Associate Editor], Johann Winkler 
[Trübe]1 wird's, die Wolken jagen,
Und der Regen niederbricht,
Und die lauten Winde klagen:
Teich, wo ist dein Sternenlicht?

Suchen den erloschnen Schimmer
Tief im aufgewühlten See.
Deine Liebe lächelt nimmer
Nieder in mein tiefes Weh!

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1 Riemann: "Frühe"; further changes may exist not shown above.

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Sonnenuntergang;
Schwarze Wolken zieh'n,
O wie schwül und bang
Alle Winde flieh'n!

Durch den Himmel wild
Jagen Blitze bleich;
Ihr vergänglich Bild
Wandelt durch den Teich.

[Wie Gewitter klar]1
Mein' ich Dich zu seh'n,
Und dein langes Haar
Frei im Sturme weh'n!

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1 Edelmann: "Wie gewitterklar"; Végh: "O wie gewitterklar"

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[ ... ]

[Und ich mein', ich]1 höre wehen
Leise deiner Stimme Klang,
Und im Weiher untergehen
Deinen lieblichen Gesang.

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1 Sutermeister: "Stiller wird's. Ich"

Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
Auf dem [Teich, dem Regungslosen,
Weilt]1 des Mondes holder Glanz,
Flechtend seine bleichen Rosen
In des Schilfes grünen Kranz.

[ ... ]

[Weinend muß]3 mein Blick sich senken;
Durch die tiefste Seele geht
Mir ein süßes Deingedenken,
Wie ein stilles Nachtgebet.

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1 Sutermeister: "See, dem regungslosen,/ Ruht"
2 Mendelssohn: "durch"
3 Sutermeister: "Friedvoll darf"

Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Johann Winkler
Author(s): Nikolaus Lenau (1802 - 1850)
The sun is sinking over there,
and the weary day has fallen asleep.
The willows here hang down
into the pond, so still, so deep.

And I must part from my dearest;
well up, 0 tears, well up within me!
The willows rustle mournfully here,
and the reed trembles in the wind.

Into my silent, deep sorrow,
Shine, distance! bright and mild -
just as, through weeds and willows here,
the evening star's image shines.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Emily Ezust

    Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:

    Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
    from the LiederNet Archive

    For any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.


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 It grows dark, the clouds are racing,
 and the rain breaks down,
 and the noisy winds lament:
 pond, where is your starlight?

 They seek the extinguished sheen
 deep in the turbulent water.
 Your love will never smile down at me
 in my profound woe!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Emily Ezust

    Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:

    Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
    from the LiederNet Archive

    For any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.


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Down the sun disc goes,
darkling clouds appear,
oh, how stifling close
winds depart in fear.

Through the heavens fierce
drives the lightning's spear;
its reflections pierce
sauntering the mere.

Clear in thunder's flare
see your image flow,
and your lofty hair
in the tempest blow!

Text Authorship:

  • Singable translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2008 by Walter A. Aue, (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.

    Walter A. Aue.  Contact: waue (AT) dal (DOT) ca

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Along a secret forest path
I like to creep in the evening light;
I go to the desolate, reedy banks,
and think, my maiden, of you!

As the bushes grow dark,
the reeds hiss mysteriously,
and lament and whisper,
and thus I have to weep and weep.

And I think that I hear wafting
the gentle sound of your voice,
and down into the pond sinks
your lovely song.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Emily Ezust

    Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:

    Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
    from the LiederNet Archive

    For any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.


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Translation of title "Schilflied" = "Reed song"


 On the pond, the motionless one,
 rests the moon's lovely gleam,
 weaving its pale roses
 into a green garland of reeds.
 
 Deer wander there on the hill,
 gazing up through the night;
 often, winged things stir
 dreamily in the tall reeds.
 
 Weeping, I must lower my gaze;
 through the depths of my soul pass
 sweet thoughts of you,
 like a quiet night prayer.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Emily Ezust

    Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:

    Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
    from the LiederNet Archive

    For any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.


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Translation © by Walter A. Aue, Emily Ezust