Waltz Songs on Tuscan Folk Lyrics by Ferdinand Gregorovius

Song Cycle by Alexander Zemlinsky (1871 - 1942)

View original-language texts alone: Walzer Gesänge nach toskanischen Volksliedern von Ferdinand Gregorovius

1. Liebe Schwalbe
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Liebe Schwalbe, kleine Schwalbe,
Du fliegst auf und singst so früh,
Streuest durch die Himmelsbläue
Deine süße Melodie.

Die da schlafen noch am Morgen,
Alle Liebende in Ruh',
Mit dem zwitschernden Gesange
Die Versunk'nen weckest du.

Auf! nun auf! ihr Liebesschläfer,
Weil die Morgenschwalbe rief;
Denn die Nacht wird den betrügen,
Der den hellen Tag verschlief.

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by Ferdinand Gregorovius (1821 - 1891)
1. Dear swallow
Language: English 
 Dear swallow, small swallow,
 you fly up and sing so early,
 strewing through the blue heavens
 your sweet melody.
 
 Those who still are sleeping in the morning,
 all lovers at rest,
 with your twittering songs
 you awaken them from their slumber.
 
 Up! get up! you sleeping lovers -
 the morning swallow is calling:
 for the night will cheat
 those who sleep away the bright day.

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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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 64

Translation © by Emily Ezust
2. Klagen ist der Mond gekommen
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Klagen ist der Mond gekommen
Vor der Sonne Angesicht,
Soll ihm noch der Himmel frommen,
Da du Glanz ihm nahmst und Licht?

Seine Sterne ging er zählen,
Und er will vor Leid vergehn:
Zwei der schönsten Sterne fehlen,
Die in Deinem Antlitz stehn.

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by Ferdinand Gregorovius (1821 - 1891)
2. The moon has come lamenting
Language: English 
 The moon has come lamenting
 before the gaze of the sun:
 What use to her1 are the heavens
 if you have taken away her radiance and light? 
 
 She went to count her stars,
 and she will die for sorrow:
 two of the fairest stars are missing -
 those that belong to your face.

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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View original text (without footnotes)
1 in German, the moon is masculine, but in English poetic tradition (and French), the moon is feminine.


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 8
Word count: 52

Translation © by Emily Ezust
3. Fensterlein, nachts bist du zu
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Fensterlein, nachts bist du zu,
Tust auf dich am Tag mir zu Leide:
Mit Nelken umringelt bist du;
O öffne dich, Augenweide!

Fenster aus köstlichen Stein,
Drinnen die Sonne, die Sterne da draußen,
O Fensterlein heimlich und klein,
Sonne da drinnen und Rosen da draußen.

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by Ferdinand Gregorovius (1821 - 1891)
3. Little window, by night you are shut
Language: English 
 Little window, by night you are shut,
 and by day, to my sorrow, you are open:
 you are framed with carnations;
 If you were to open, it would be a welcome sight!
 
 Window of precious stone,
 within - sunlight; without - stars;
 O little window, secret and small,
 sun within and roses without.

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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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 8
Word count: 51

Translation © by Emily Ezust
4. Ich gehe des Nachts
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich gehe des Nachts, wie der Mond thut geh'n,
Ich suche, wo den Geliebten sie haben;
Da hab' ich den Tod, den finstern, geseh'n.
Er sprach: such' nicht, ich hab' ihn begraben.

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by Ferdinand Gregorovius (1821 - 1891)
4. I walk at night
Language: English 
 I walk at night, following the moon;
 I search for where they have taken my sweetheart.
 But then I saw death, the Dark One.
 He said: "Search no longer - I have buried him."

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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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 4
Word count: 33

Translation © by Emily Ezust
5. Blaues Sternlein
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Blaues Sternlein, du sollst schweigen,
Das Geheimnis gib nicht kund,
Sollst nicht allen Leuten zeigen
Unsern stillen Herzensbund.

Mögen and're stehn in Schmerzen,
Jeder sage, was er will;
Sind zufrieden unsre Herzen,
Sind wir beide gerne still.

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by Ferdinand Gregorovius (1821 - 1891)
5. Blue little star
Language: English 
 Blue little star, be silent -
 do not reveal the secret.
 Do not show everyone
 the silent bond between our hearts.
 
 Others may stand their sorrows -
 let them say what they will;
 Our hearts are satisfied,
 and we happily keep silent.

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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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 8
Word count: 40

Translation © by Emily Ezust
6. Briefchen schrieb ich
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Briefchen schrieb und warf in den Wind ich,
Sie fielen ins Meer, und sie fielen auf Sand.
Ketten von Schnee und von Eise, die bind' ich,
Die Sonne zerschmilzt sie in meiner Hand.

Maria, Maria, du sollst es dir merken:
Am Ende gewinnt, wer dauert im Streit,
Maria, Maria, das sollst du bedenken:
Es siegt, wer dauert in Ewigkeit.

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by Ferdinand Gregorovius (1821 - 1891)
6. I wrote little letters
Language: English 
 I wrote little letters and threw them into the wind;
 they fell into the sea, and they fell onto the sand.
 Into chains of snow and ice, I wind them,
 and the sun melts them in my hands.
 
 Maria, Maria, you must notice:
 he who endures the struggle wins in the end;
 Maria, Maria, you must understand:
 he who endures in eternity is victorious.

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.


Based on:

Based on:

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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 8
Word count: 64

Translation © by Emily Ezust