by Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty (1748 - 1776)
Translation © by Sharon Krebs

Tanzliedchen im Mai
 (Sung text for setting by M. Meyer-Olbersleben)
 See original
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Our translations:  ENG
  Tanzt dem schönen Mai entgegen,
Der, in seiner Herrlichkeit
Wiederkehrend, Reiz und Segen
Über Thal und Hügel streut!
 ... 

  Tanz, o Jüngling, tanz, o Schöne,
Die des Maien Hauch verschönt!
Menget Lieder ins Getöne,
Das sic die Morgenglocke tönt.
Singt ins Säuseln junger Blätter,
Und der jungen Nachtigall
Liebejauchzendes Geschmetter;
Und erweckt den Wiederhall!

  Irrt mit euren Sonnenhütchen
Auf die Frühlingsflur hinaus!
Singt ein fröhlich' Maienliedchen,
Pflücket einen Blumenstrauß!
Flieht der Stadt umwölkte Zinnen!
Hier, wo Mai und Lieb' euch ruft,
Atmet, schöne Städterinnen,
Atmet frische Maienluft!

  Schmückt mit Kirschenblütenzweigen
Euch den grünen Sonnenhut,
Schürzt das Röckchen, tanzet Reigen,
Wie die Schäferjugend thut!
 ...

Note: the text above is taken from stanzas 1(lines1-4),2-3,4 (lines1-4) of the original text.

Submitter's note regarding the Josephine Lang setting: There are four manuscripts of this unpublished song: one is for voice and piano, two are for mixed chorus, and one is the bass part of the mixed chorus version. The voice and piano manuscript and one of the mixed chorus manuscripts have no text. The other mixed chorus manuscript has only one strophe of text. The bass part has the 'complete' text, but the third strophe breaks off after “Singt ins”.

Composition:

    Set to music by Max Meyer-Olbersleben (1850 - 1927), "Tanzliedchen im Mai", op. 59 no. 3, stanzas 1(lines1-4),2-3,4 (lines1-4) [ three-part women's chorus and piano ]

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

  • ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , copyright © 2022, (re)printed on this website with kind permission


Research team for this page: Sharon Krebs [Senior Associate Editor], Johann Winkler

This text was added to the website: 2020-10-24
Line count: 32
Word count: 145

Language: English  after the German (Deutsch) 
  Dance to greet beautiful May,
Which, returning in its glory,
Strews enchantment and blessing
Over valley and hill!
 ... 

  Dance, oh young man, dance, oh lovely maiden
Who is beautified by the breath of May!
Blend songs into the resounding
Of the morning bell.
Sing into the rustling of young leaves,
And into the sound of the young nightingale’s
Noisy racket of rejoicing love;
And awaken the echoes!

  In your sun-hats
Wander out to the springtime meadow!
Sing a joyful May-song,
Pick a bouquet of flowers!
Flee from the city's beclouded parapets!
Here, where May and love calls you,
Breathe, lovely city girls,
Breathe in the fresh May air!

  Adorn your green sun-hat
With cherry blossom sprays,
Tie up your skirts, dance roundelays,
As the youthful shepherd-folk do!
 ...

Note: the text above is taken from stanzas 1(lines1-4),2-3,4 (lines1-4) of the original text.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2022 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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Based on:

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This text was added to the website: 2022-05-13
Line count: 32
Word count: 179