Spanish Liederspiel

Song Cycle by Robert Schumann (1810 - 1856)

View original-language texts alone: Spanisches Liederspiel

1. Erste Begegnung
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Von dem Rosenbusch, o Mutter,
von den Rosen komm ich.
An den Ufern jenes Wassers
sah ich Rosen stehn und Knospen;
von den Rosen komm ich.
An den Ufern jenes Flusses
sah ich Rosen stehn in Blüte,
von den Rosen komm ich, von den Rosen,
sah ich Rosen stehn in Blüte,
Brach mit Seufzen mir die Rosen.

Und am Rosenbusch, o Mutter,
Einen Jüngling sah ich,
An den Ufern jenes Wassers
Einen schlanken Jüngling sah ich,
Einen Jüngling sah ich.
An den Ufern jenes Flusses
Sucht nach Rosen auch der Jüngling,
Viele Rosen pflückt er, viele Rosen.
Und mit Lächeln brach die schönste er,
Gab mit Seufzen mir die Rose.

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by Robert Schumann (1810 - 1856)
1. From the rosebush, o Mother
Language: English 
From the rosebush, O mother,
from the roses I come.
On the bank of that water
I saw roses and buds;
from the roses I come.
On the bank of that river
I saw roses in bloom;
with sighs I picked the roses.

And at the rosebush, O mother,
I saw a youth,
On the bank of that water
I saw a slim youth,
I saw a youth.
On the bank of that river
the youth was also looking for roses,
many roses he plucked, many roses,
and with a smile he picked the most beautiful,
with a sigh he gave me the rose.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by David K. Smythe, (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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This text was added to the website: 2003-11-18
Line count: 18
Word count: 104

Translation © by David K. Smythe
2. Intermezzo
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Und schläfst du, mein Mädchen,
Auf, öffne du mir;
Denn die Stund' ist gekommen,
Da wir wandern von hier.

Und bist ohne Sohlen,
Leg' keine dir an;
Durch reisende Wasser
Geht unsere Bahn.

Durch die tief tiefen Wasser
Des Guadalquivir;
Denn die Stund' ist gekommen,
Da wir wandern von hier.
Auf, öffne du mir!

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by Emanuel von Geibel (1815 - 1884)
2. And are you sleeping, my girl?
Language: English 
And are you sleeping, my girl?
Up! Open the door for me,
For the hour has come,
When we get away from here.

And you are without shoes,
Put nothing on,
Through raging water
Goes our path.

Through the deep, deep water
Of the Guadalquivir;
For the hour has come,
When we get away from here.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by David K. Smythe, (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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This text was added to the website: 2003-11-19
Line count: 12
Word count: 56

Translation © by David K. Smythe
3. Liebesgram
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Dereinst, dereinst,
O Gedanke mein,
Wirst ruhig sein.

Läßt Liebesglut
Dich still nicht werden,
In kühler Erden,
Da schläfst du gut,
 ... 
und ohne Pein
Wirst ruhig sein.

Was du im Leben
Nicht hast gefunden,
Wenn es entschwunden,
Wird dir's gegeben,
Dann ohne Wunden
 ... 
Wirst ruhig sein.

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by Emanuel von Geibel (1815 - 1884)
3. One day, o my mind
Language: English 
One day, one day, 
O my mind,
You will be at peace.

Love's ardour 
will not leave you alone,
In the cool earth, 
There you sleep well

and without suffering;
You will be at peace:

What you have not 
found in life,
When it has vanished,
Will be given to you;
Then without wounds
and without pain
you will be at peace.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by David K. Smythe, (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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This text was added to the website: 2003-11-07
Line count: 16
Word count: 62

Translation © by David K. Smythe
4. In der Nacht
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Alle gingen, Herz, zur Ruh,
alle schlafen, nur nicht du.
Denn der hoffnungslose Kummer
scheucht von deinem Bett den Schlummer,
und dein Sinnen schweift in stummer 
Sorge seiner Liebe zu.

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by Emanuel von Geibel (1815 - 1884)
4.
Language: English 
Everyone has gone, Heart, to their rest;
Everyone sleeps but you,
For affliction without hope
Makes slumber stay away from your bed,
And your thoughts stray in silent
Grief to their Love.

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: 2015-01-20
Line count: 6
Word count: 32

Translation © by Emily Ezust
5. Es ist verraten
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Daß ihr steht in Liebesglut,
Schlaue, laßt sich leicht gewahren;
Denn die Wangen offenbaren,
Was geheim im Herzen ruht.
Stets an Seufzern sich zu weiden,
Stets zu weinen statt zu singen,
Wach die Nächte hinzubringen
Und den süßen Schlaf zu meiden:
Das sind Zeichen jener Glut,
Die dein Antlitz läßt gewahren;
Und die Wangen offenbaren,
Was geheim im Herzen ruht.

Daß ihr steht in Liebesglut,
Schlaue, laßt sich leicht gewahren;
Denn die Wangen offenbaren,
Was geheim im Herzen ruht.
Liebe, Geld und Kummer halt' ich
Für am schwersten zu verhehlen;
Denn auch bei den strengsten Seelen
Drängen sie sich vor gewaltig.
Jener unruhvolle Mut
Läßt zu deutlich sie gewahren,
Und die Wangen offenbaren,
Was geheim im Herzen ruht.

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by Emanuel von Geibel (1815 - 1884)
5. It has been revealed
Language: English 
That [you]1 stand ablaze with love,
[Ines]2, it is easy to discern;
For your cheeks reveal
What resides secretly within your heart.
Always to wallow in sighs,
Always to weep instead of singing,
To spend the nights lying awake
And to eschew sweet sleep:
Those are the signs of that blazing
That your face lets us discern;
For your cheeks reveal
What resides secretly within your heart.

That [you]1 stand ablaze with love,
[Ines]2, it is easy to discern;
For your cheeks reveal
What resides secretly within your heart.
I consider [thoughts of] love, money and sorrow
To be the most difficult to conceal;
For even among souls that are the sternest with themselves
These burst forth mightily.
That tumultuous mood
Lets them be discerned only too well,
And your cheeks reveal
What resides secretly within your heart.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2013 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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1 Plural "you" in Schumann"
2 Schumann: "Clever ones"
3 Schumann: "And"


This text was added to the website: 2013-06-15
Line count: 24
Word count: 144

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
6. Melancholie
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wann, wann erscheint der Morgen,
Wann denn, wann denn,
Der mein Leben löst
    Aus diesen Banden!

    Ihr Augen, vom Leide 
    So trübe, so trübe!
Saht nur Qual für Liebe,
Saht nicht Eine Freude;
Saht nur Wunde auf Wunde,
Schmerz auf Schmerz mir geben,
Und im langen Leben
Keine frohe Stunde.
Wenn es endlich doch,
Endlich doch geschähe,
Daß ich säh' die Stunde,
Wo ich nimmer sähe!

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by Emanuel von Geibel (1815 - 1884)
6. Melancholy
Language: English 
When, when will the morning come,
when, then,
will my life be released 
from these bonds?

You my eyes, 
so clouded by sorrow!
You saw only torment instead of love,
saw not one joy;
saw only wounds upon wounds,
agony upon agony inflicted on me;
and in my long life,
not one cheerful hour.
If it would only finally, 
finally happen
that I would see the hour arrive
when I could no longer see!

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 "Melancholie" = "Melancholy"

Last updated May 19, 2022.



This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 16
Word count: 74

Translation © by Emily Ezust
7. Geständnis
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Also lieb' ich Euch, Geliebte,
Daß mein Herz es nicht mag wagen,
Irgend einen Wunsch zu tragen,
Also lieb' ich Euch!

Denn wenn ich zu wünschen wagte,
Hoffen würd' ich auch zugleich;
Wenn ich nicht zu hoffen zagte,
Weiß ich wohl, erzürnt' ich Euch.

Darum ruf' ich ganz alleine
Nur dem Tod, daß er erscheine,
Weil mein Herz es nicht mag wagen,
Einen andern Wunsch zu tragen,
Also lieb' ich Euch!

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Note: Schumann repeats every last verse, and after the very last one inserts "Also lieb' ich Euch!" again.

by Emanuel von Geibel (1815 - 1884)
7. Confession
Language: English 
So do I love you, beloved,
that my heart does not dare
to cherish any desire at all -
so do I love you!

If I dared to wish,
I might also hope as well;
and if I did not hesitate to hope,
I know well I would anger you.

So I call only 
for Death, that he might appear,
because my heart cannot dare
cherish another wish:
so do I love you!

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: 13
Word count: 72

Translation © by Emily Ezust
8. Botschaft
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Nelken wind' ich und Jasmin,
Und es denkt mein Herz an ihn.
 
Nelken all', ihr flammenroten,
Die der Morgen mir beschert,
Zu ihm send' ich euch als Boten
Jener Glut, die mich verzehrt;
Und ihr weißen Blüten wert,
Sanft mit Düften grüßet ihn,
Sagt ihm, daß ich bleich vor Sehnen,
Daß ich auf ihn harr' in Tränen --
Nelken wind' ich und Jasmin.
Und es denkt mein Herz an ihn.
 
Tausend Blumen, tauumflossen,
Find' ich neu im Tal erwacht;
Alle sind erst heut' entsprossen;
Aber hin ist ihre Pracht,
Wenn der nächste Morgen lacht.
Sprich, du duftiger Jasmin,
Sprecht, ihr flammenroten Nelken,
Kann so schnell auch Liebe welken?
Ach, es denkt mein Herz an ihn!

Nelken wind' ich und Jasmin,
Und es denkt mein Herz an ihn.

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by Emanuel von Geibel (1815 - 1884)
8.
Language: English 
I wind a wreath of carnations and jasmine,
And my heart thinks of him.

Carnations all, you flame-red ones,
Which the morning has given to me,
I send you to him as messengers
Of that fervour that consumes me;
And you white, precious blossoms,
Greet him gently with your scents,
Tell him that I am pale with longing,
That I wait for him in tears --
I wind a wreath of carnations and jasmine.

A thousand flowers, engulfed in dew,
I find newly awakened in the valley;
All of them have only blossomed today;
But their splendour is gone
When the next morning smiles.
Tell me, you scented jasmine,
Speak, you flame-red carnations,
Can love wither so quickly?
Ah, my heart thinks of him.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2013 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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Translated titles:
"Nelken wind ich" = "I wind [a wreath of] carnations"
"Nelken wind ich und Jasmin" = "I wind [a wreath of] carnations and jasmine"
"Duett" = "Message"


This text was added to the website: 2013-06-15
Line count: 20
Word count: 123

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
9. Ich bin geliebt
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Mögen alle bösen Zungen
Immer sprechen, was beliebt:
Wer mich liebt, den lieb' ich wieder,
Und ich weiss, ich bin geliebt.

Schlimme, schlimme Reden flüstern
eure Zungen schonungslos,
doch ich weiß es, sie sind lüstern
nach unschuld'gem Blute bloß.
Nimmer soll es mich bekümmern,
schwatzt so viel es euch beliebt;
wer mich liebt, den lieb' ich wieder,
und ich weiss, ich bin geliebt.

Zur Verleumdung sich verstehet 
Nur, wem Lieb' und Gunst gebrach,
Weil's ihm selber elend gehet,
Und ihn niemand nimmt und mag.
Darum denk' ich, daß die Liebe, 
Drum sie schmähn, mir Ehre giebt;
Wer mich liebt, den lieb' ich wieder,
Und ich weiss, ich bin geliebt.

Wenn ich wär' aus Stein und Eisen,
Möchtet ihr darauf bestehn,
Daß ich sollte von mir weisen
Liebesgruß und Liebesflehn.
Doch mein Herzlein ist nun leider
Weich, wie's Gott uns Menschen giebt;
Wer mich liebt, den lieb' ich wieder,
Und ich weiss, ich bin geliebt.

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by Emanuel von Geibel (1815 - 1884)
9. I am loved
Language: English 
May all evil tongues
Speak ever what they wish:
Whoever loves me, I love in return,
And I [love and]1 am loved.
 
Evil, evil gossip is mercilessly
Whispered by your tongues,
But I know that they are only
Craving the blood of the guiltless.
It shall never trouble me,
Gossip as much as you please;
Whoever loves me, I love in return,
And I [love and]1 am loved.
 
Slander is understood [and practised]
Only by those who are lacking in love and favour,
Because they themselves are miserable,
And no one [loves]2 or likes them.
Therefore I think that the love
For which they revile [me], gives me honour;
Whoever loves me, I love in return,
And I [love and]1 am loved.
 
If I were made of stone and iron,
You could insist
That I should spurn
Love’s greetings and pleadings.
But my heart is unfortunately
Soft, the way God gives them to us [maidens]3;
Whoever loves me, I love in return,
And I [love and]1 am loved.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 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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View original text (without footnotes)
Translated titles:
"Böse Zungen" = "Evil tongues"
"Mögen alle bösen Zungen" = "May all evil tongues"
"Ich bin geliebt" = "I am loved"
1 Schumann: "know that I"
2 Schumann: "chooses"
3 Schumann: "people"


This text was added to the website: 2015-12-11
Line count: 28
Word count: 174

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
10. Der Contrabandiste
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich bin der Contrabandiste,
Weiß wohl Respekt mir zu schaffen.
Allen zu trotzen, ich weiß es,
Furcht nur, die hab' ich vor keinem.
Drum nur lustig, nur lustig!

Wer kauft Seide, Tabak!
Ja wahrlich, mein Rößlein ist müde,
Ich eil', ich eile, ja eile,
Sonst faßt mich noch gar die Runde,
Los geht der Spektakel dann.
Lauf nur zu, o mein Pferdchen,
Lauf zu, mein lustiges Pferdchen.
Ach, mein liebes, gutes Pferdchen,
Weißt ja davon, mich zu tragen!

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by Emanuel von Geibel (1815 - 1884)
10. The smuggler
Language: English 
I am the smuggler,
and know well how to inspire respect;
I know how to defy everyone,
and I fear no one.
So let us be merry!

Who shall buy my silk and tobacco?
Truly, my pony is tired,
I hurry, yes, hurry,
otherwise the patrol will catch me,
and then things will go very badly!
Just run, o my horse,
Run, my merry horse,
ah, my dear, good steed,
you know well how to carry me!

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: 14
Word count: 77

Translation © by Emily Ezust