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Song cycle for bass voice

Song Cycle by Carl Loewe (1796 - 1869)

View original-language texts alone: Liederkranz für die Bassstimme

1. Meeresleuchten

(Sung text)

Language: German (Deutsch)

Wieviel Sonnenstrahlen fielen goldenschwer, 
fielen feurig glühend in des ew'ge Meer! 
Und die Woge sog sie tief in sich hinab, 
und die Woge ward ihr wild lebendig Grab. 
Nur in stiller Nächte heilger Feierstund' 
sprühen diese Strahlen aus des Meeres Grund. 
Leuchtend roll'n die Wogen durch die dunkle Nacht 
wunderbar durchglüht sie funkensprüh'nde Pracht.

Text Authorship:

by Carl Siebel (1836 - 1868)

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by Carl Siebel (1836 - 1868)

1. Ocean lights

Language: English

How many sunbeams have fallen heavy as gold
Fallen glowing like fire into the eternal sea!
And the waves have sucked them into the depths
And the waves have become their wildly living tomb
Only in the holy twilight hour of quiet nights
These rays sparkle up from the sea's depths.
The waves roll glowing through the dark night;
Marvellously the gleaming beauty glows through them

Text Authorship:

Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Maggie Evans, (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: licenses@email.lieder.example.net

Based on:

a text in German (Deutsch) by Carl Siebel (1836 - 1868)
- Go to the text page.

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Note from translator: the lights are the phosphorescent lights that come off the algae on the sea surface.

This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 8
Word count: 66

Translation © by Maggie Evans

2. Der Feind

(Sung text)

Language: German (Deutsch)

Der Adler lauscht auf seinem Horst;
der Keiler rauscht zur Kesselforst;
das Kätzlein klinkt am Ast sich fest;
der Wolf, er hinkt zum Felsennest;
das Dammwild streicht zum Dickicht ein;
der Fuchs still schleicht zum Bau hinein;
aufstutzt, hinflitzt das scheue Reh; 
die Löffel spitzt der Has' im Klee;
die Ente duckt im düstern Rohr,
das Fischlein guckt nicht mehr hervor;
und Alles schweigt im Hinterhalt!
Der Mensch sich zeigt, geht durch den Wald.

Text Authorship:

by Ernst Scherenberg (1839 - 1905)

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by Ernst Scherenberg (1839 - 1905)

2. The predator

Language: English

The eagle listens in its aerie
the boar crashes towards his woodland hollow
the young cat  clings firmly to the branch
the wolf, he limps to his rocky lair
the deer move into the thicket
the  fox slinks into his den
alerted, the shy doe flits away
the hare lifts his  ears in the clover
the duck seeks cover in the gloomy reeds
the little fish doesn't peek anymore
and everything is silent, hiding, and waiting
Man appears, goes through the wood.

Text Authorship:

Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2005 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.
Contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net

Based on:

a text in German (Deutsch) by Ernst Scherenberg (1839 - 1905)
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Go to the general single-text view

This text was added to the website: 2005-03-16
Line count: 12
Word count: 82

Translation © by Knut W. Barde

3. Im Sturme

(Sung text)

Language: German (Deutsch)

Bangt dir, mein Lieb? -- Ich bin ja bei dir!
Es braust das Meer und der Himmel ist dunkel. 
Siehst du des Leuchtthurms magisch Gefunkel? 
Bangt dir, mein Lieb? 

Bangt dir, mein Lieb? -- Du bist ja bei mir!
Die Wogen donnern, der Himmel erzittert! 
Ärmlicher Nachen! bist balde zersplittert! --
Bangt dir, mein Lieb? -- 
                        "Du bist ja bei mir!"

Text Authorship:

by Carl Siebel (1836 - 1868), "Im Sturme", appears in Arabesken, Iserlohn, Julius Bädeker, first published 1861

See other settings of this text.

by Carl Siebel (1836 - 1868)

3. In a storm

Language: English

Are you afraid, my love? I am with you!
The sea roars and the sky is dark
Do you see [the glow of the lighthouse]¹?
Are you afraid, my love? 

Are you afraid, my love? [I am with you!]²
The waves thunder, the sky trembles!
Wretched skiff soon to be splintered! --
Are you afraid, my love? --
                           "You are here with me!"

Text Authorship:

Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Maggie Evans, (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: licenses@email.lieder.example.net

Based on:

a text in German (Deutsch) by Carl Siebel (1836 - 1868), "Im Sturme", appears in Arabesken, Iserlohn, Julius Bädeker, first published 1861
- Go to the text page.

Go to the general single-text view

View original text (without footnotes)
¹ Loewe: "the lighthouse, its magic glow?"
² Loewe: "You are here with me!"

This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 9
Word count: 63

Translation © by Maggie Evans

4. Heimlichkeit

(Sung text)

Language: German (Deutsch)

Mein Herz, o schließ dich ein! Es nahn die Weihestunden! 
Nur im Alleinesein hast du dich selbst gefunden.
Knospe der Frühlingszeit! verhüllt von weichem Mose ! 
Es blüht aus Heimlichkeit die allerschönste Rose!

Text Authorship:

by Carl Siebel (1836 - 1868)

Go to the general single-text view

by Carl Siebel (1836 - 1868)

4. Secrecy

Language: English

 My heart, o lock yourself up! The solemn hours approach!
 Only in solitude have you found yourself
 Springtime bud! covered in soft moss!
 The fairest of all roses blooms in secrecy

Text Authorship:

Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Maggie Evans, (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: licenses@email.lieder.example.net

Based on:

a text in German (Deutsch) by Carl Siebel (1836 - 1868)
- Go to the text page.

Go to the general single-text view

This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 4
Word count: 32

5. Reiterlied

(Sung text)

Language: German (Deutsch)

Der Wald ist schwarz, die Luft ist klar, 
  Im Frühlicht glüht das Thal. 
Der Morgenduft netzt Bart und Haar, 
  Die Perle rinnt am Stahl. 
    Mein Rößlein fromm, 
    Mein Rößlein komm, 
  Wir reiten, wir reiten!

Du Vater und du Mutter mein, 
  Du Freundschaft allzumal!
Ihr dürft um mich nicht traurig sein, 
  'S ist einmal meine Wahl. 
       Ich geb' mein Blut,
   Ich geb' mein Gut, 
  Um's Reiten, um's Reiten.

 ... 

Bin gar ein stürmischer Gesell', 
  Der Reiter ist der Wind;
Und wo ein Röslein blüht zur Stell', 
  Da wird er warm und lind, 
    Küßt sein Gesicht, 
    Ob's will, ob nicht, 
  Im Reiten, im Reiten.

"Gehab' dich wohl, lieb Röselein,
  Hab' Dank für deinen Kuß ! 
Weil ich nun wieder Sturmwind sein, 
  Und Eichen fällen muß. 
    Mir läßt der Streit 
    Zur Lieb' nicht Zeit, 
  Muß reiten, muß reiten!"

Text Authorship:

by Oscar von Redwitz-Schmölz (1823 - 1891), "Reiterlied", appears in Amaranth

See other settings of this text.

by Oscar von Redwitz-Schmölz (1823 - 1891)

5. Song of the rider

Language: English

The forest is black, the sky is bright,
  in Spring the valley gleams
The morning dew dampens beard and hair,
  and pearls run from the steel
    My brave little horse, 
    come o my little horse, 
  we'll ride out.

O my father, o my mother, 
  o all my friends!
Do not be sad for my sake, 
  this is the choice I have made.
    I'd give my blood, 
    I'd give my all, 
  to go out riding. 

[ ... ]

Fare you well, sweet little rose, 
  and thank you for your kiss!
For I am once again the stormy wind 
  and must fell oaks
    I have no time 
    for love's quarrels, 
  I must ride on.

Text Authorship:

Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Maggie Evans, (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: licenses@email.lieder.example.net

Based on:

a text in German (Deutsch) by Oscar von Redwitz-Schmölz (1823 - 1891), "Reiterlied", appears in Amaranth
- Go to the text page.

Go to the general single-text view

This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 28
Word count: 144