from Volkslieder (Folksongs)
Translation © by Emily Ezust

Ich ging mit Lust durch einen grünen Wald
 (Sung text for setting by G. Mahler)
 See original
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Our translations:  CAT ENG FRE
Ich ging mit Lust durch einen grünen Wald,
Ich hört' die Vöglein singen,
Sie sangen so jung, sie sangen so alt,
Die kleinen Waldvögelein im grünen Wald,
Wie gern hört' ich sie singen.

Nun sing, nun sing, Frau Nachtigall,
Sing du's bei meinem Feinsliebchen:
„Komm schier, komm schier, wenn's finster ist,
Wenn niemand auf der Gassen ist,
Dann komm zu mir!
Herein will ich dich lassen.”

Der Tag verging, die Nacht brach an,
Er kam zu Feinsliebchen gegangen.
Er klopft so leis wohl an den Ring,
Ei schläfst du, oder wachst du, mein Kind?
Ich hab' so lang gestanden. 
Es schaut der Mond durchs Fensterlein 
zum holden, süßen Lieben,
Die Nachtigall sang die ganze Nacht.
Du schlafselig Mägdelein, nimm dich in Acht!
Wo ist dein Herzliebster geblieben?

 ...

Note: the text above is taken from stanzas 1-3 of the original text.

Composition:

    Set to music by Gustav Mahler (1860 - 1911), "Ich ging mit Lust durch einen grünen Wald", c1880-83, published 1892, stanzas 1-3 [ voice and piano ], Mainz, Schott

Text Authorship:

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

  • CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , "Caminava amb joia per un verd boscatge", copyright © 2021, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • ENG English (Emily Ezust) , no title, copyright ©
  • FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission


Researcher for this page: Jakob Kellner

This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 25
Word count: 155

I walked with joy through a green wood
 (Sung text translation for setting by G. Mahler)
 See original
Language: English  after the German (Deutsch) 
I walked with joy through a green wood;
I heard the birds singing.
they sang so youthfully, they sang so maturely,
those small birds in the green wood!
How gladly I listened to their singing!

Now sing, now sing, Lady Nightingale!
sing by my sweetheart's house:
"Just come when it's dark,
when no one is on the street/, then come to me!
I will let you in."

The day was gone, night fell;
he went to his sweetheart.
He knocks so softly on the ring:
Eh, are you sleeping or are you awake, my dear?
I have been standing here so long!
The moon gazes through the little window,
at this tender, sweet love;
the nightingale sang the whole night.
You sleeply maiden, stay alert!
Where was your beloved staying?"

 ...

Note: the text above is taken from stanzas 1-3 of the original text.

Translations of titles
"Waldvögelein" = "Little woodland bird"
"Ich ging mit Lust durch einen grünen Wald" = "I walked with joy through a green wood"

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:

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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 25
Word count: 159