English translation of Winterseufzer

by Josephine Lang (1815 - 1880), "Winterseufzer", op. 25 (Sechs Lieder) no. 2 (1838), published 1860 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig: Friedrich Kistner; title in English: "Winter sighs"; title in French: "Soupirs d'hiver"

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Der Himmel ist so hell und blau,
O wäre 
wär' die Erde grün!
Der Wind ist 
weht scharf, o wär' er lau!
Es schimmert der Schnee, o wär' es Thau!
O wäre 
wär' die Erde grün!

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Confirmed with Gesammelte Werke des Grafen August von Platen, Stuttgart und Tübingen: J.G. Cotta'schen Verlag, 1839, page 17.


Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor] 
Wie ist der Tag so frostig klar,
O schien die Sonne warm!
Der eisige Nord, wär's Zephirluft!
Der Nebelhauch, wär's Blütenduft!
O schien die Sonne warm!

Es schläft das Tal im Feierkleid,
O wann erwacht der Lenz?
Der See ist erstarrt, o spielt' die Well'!
Der Vogel verstummt, o säng' er hell!
Wann wird die Erde grün!

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  • by Anonymous / Unidentified Author

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Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]
Author(s): Anonymous/Unidentified Artist , August von Platen-Hallermünde (1796 - 1835)
The sky is so bright and blue;
Oh, if the earth were green!
The wind blows so sharply; oh, if it were blowing mildly!
The snow is shimmering; oh, if it were dew!
Oh, if the earth were green!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2006 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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How frostily clear is the day;
Oh, if the sun were shining warmly!
The icy north wind, if it were but a zephyr!
The breath of fog, if it were the scent of flowers!
Oh, if the sun were shining warmly!

The valley is sleeping in a fancy dress.
Oh, when shall spring awaken?
The lake is frozen; oh, if but the wave were playing!
The bird has fallen silent; oh, if it were but singing brightly!
Oh, when shall spring awaken? When will the earth become green?

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2006 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