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Six Songs
Translations © by David Kenneth Smith
Song Cycle by Clara Schumann, née Wieck (1819 - 1896)
View original-language texts alone: Sechs Lieder
Ich stand in [dunkeln]1 Träumen Und [starrte]2 ihr Bildniß an, Und das geliebte Antlitz Heimlich zu leben begann. Um ihre Lippen zog sich Ein Lächeln wunderbar, Und wie von Wehmuthsthränen [Erglänzte]3 [ihr]4 Augenpaar. Auch meine Thränen flossen Mir von [den Wangen]5 herab -- Und ach, ich [kann es]6 nicht glauben, Daß ich Dich verloren hab'!
Authorship:
- by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856), no title, written 1823-24, appears in Buch der Lieder, in Die Heimkehr, no. 23, first published 1826
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , "Estava immers en obscures vagueries", copyright © 2013, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- DUT Dutch (Nederlands) [singable] (Lau Kanen) , copyright © 2005, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (Emily Ezust) , no title, copyright © 1996
- ENG English (Emma Lazarus) , appears in Poems and Ballads of Heinrich Heine, first published 1881
- ENG English (David Kenneth Smith) , copyright © 1996, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FIN Finnish (Suomi) (Erkki Pullinen) , "Hänen kuvansa", copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FIN Finnish (Suomi) (Erkki Pullinen) , copyright © 2016, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , "Dans des rêves sombres", copyright © 2008, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "J'étais plongé en de sombres rêveries", copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- GRE Greek (Ελληνικά) (Athanasios Papaisiou) , copyright © 2020, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ITA Italian (Italiano) (Amelia Maria Imbarrato) , "Immagine di lei", copyright © 2005, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- KOR Korean (한국어/조선말) [singable] (곽명규 Myung-Kew Kwack) , "그녀 모습", copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- LIT Lithuanian (Lietuvių kalba) (Giedrius Prunskus) , copyright © 2022, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- NOR Norwegian (Bokmål) (Marianne Beate Kielland) , copyright © 2008, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- SPA Spanish (Español) (Saúl Botero Restrepo) , copyright © 2015, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Confirmed with Buch der Lieder von H. Heine. Hamburg bei Hoffmann und Campe. 1827, page 201; and with Reisebilder von H. Heine. Erster Theil. Hamburg, bey Hoffmann und Campe. 1826, page 27.
1 Mendel and others: "dunklen"2 Beach, Grieg, Schubert: "starrt'"
3 Hinrichs "das"
4 Voss "erglänzt"
5 Voss "der Wang' "
6 Grieg, Hinrichs, Mendel, Schumann, Voss: "kann's"
Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor] , Peter Rastl [Guest Editor] , Johann Winkler
I stood in darkened daydreams and stared at her portrait long as that beloved face was secretly coming to life. Around her lips there blossomed a wondrous laughing smile, and melancholy teardrops - they glittered in her fair eyes. Likewise my teardrops welled up and flowed down mournful cheeks alas, I can't believe it, that I am deprived of you!
Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 1996 by David Kenneth Smith, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., please ask the copyright-holder(s) directly.
David Kenneth Smith.  Contact: dksmith (AT) geneva.edu
If the copyright-holder(s) are unreachable for three business days, please write to: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856), no title, written 1823-24, appears in Buch der Lieder, in Die Heimkehr, no. 23, first published 1826
Go to the single-text view
This text was added to the website: 2024-03-09
Line count: 12
Word count: 60
Sie liebten sich beide, doch keiner Wollt' es dem andern gestehn; Sie sahen sich an so feindlich, Und wollten vor Liebe vergehn. Sie trennten sich endlich und [sahn]1 sich Nur noch zuweilen im Traum; Sie waren [längst]2 gestorben Und wußten es selber kaum.
Authorship:
- by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856), no title, appears in Buch der Lieder, in Die Heimkehr, no. 33
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , copyright © 2015, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- DUT Dutch (Nederlands) [singable] (Lau Kanen) , "Verliefd waren beiden", copyright © 2016, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (David Kenneth Smith) , "They once loved each other", copyright © 1996, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (Emma Lazarus) , appears in Poems and Ballads of Heinrich Heine, first published 1881
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , "Ils s'aimaient tous les deux", copyright © 2008, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "Tous deux s'aimaient, pourtant aucun", copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ITA Italian (Italiano) (Amelia Maria Imbarrato) , "Si amavano entrambi", copyright © 2006, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Confirmed with: Heinrich Heine’s sämtliche Werke in vier Bänden, herausgegeben von Otto F. Lachmann, Erster Band, Leipzig: Druck und Verlag von Philipp Reclam jun, [1887], page 131.
1 Backer-Grøndahl, White: "sahen"2 Backer-Grøndahl: "schon längst"
Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]
They once loved each other, but neither would to the other confess; they saw each other as hostile, yet wanted to perish from love. They finally parted and sometimes sighted the other in dreams; they had been dead so long now and hardly known it themselves.
Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 1996 by David Kenneth Smith, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., please ask the copyright-holder(s) directly.
David Kenneth Smith.  Contact: dksmith (AT) geneva.edu
If the copyright-holder(s) are unreachable for three business days, please write to: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856), no title, appears in Buch der Lieder, in Die Heimkehr, no. 33
Go to the single-text view
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 8
Word count: 46
Die Liebe saß als Nachtigall Im Rosenbusch und sang, Es flog der wundersüße Schall Den grünen Wald entlang. Und wie er klang, da stieg im Kreis Aus tausend Kelchen Duft, Und alle Wipfel rauschten leis', Und [leise]1 ging die Luft; Die Bäche schwiegen, die noch kaum Geplätschert von den Höh'n, Die Rehlein standen wie im Traum Und lauschten dem Getön. Und hell und immer heller floß Der Sonne Glanz herein, Um Blumen, Wald und Schlucht ergoß Sich [goldig rother]2 Schein. Ich aber zog den Weg entlang Und hörte auch den Schall -- Ach, was seit jener Stund' ich sang, War nur sein Wiederhall.
Authorship:
- by Emanuel von Geibel (1815 - 1884), no title, appears in Jugendgedichte, in 1. Erstes Buch, in Lieder als Intermezzo, no. 17
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , copyright © 2015, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- DUT Dutch (Nederlands) [singable] (Lau Kanen) , copyright © 2016, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (David Kenneth Smith) , no title, copyright © 1996, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FIN Finnish (Suomi) (Erkki Pullinen) , "Rakkauden taikaa", copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , "Magie de l'amour", copyright © 2008, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Confirmed with Emanuel Geibel, Gedichte, Vierte Auflage, Berlin: Verlag von Alexander Duncker, 1845, page 72.
1 C. Schumann: "leiser"2 Backer-Grøndahl: "goldigrother"
Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]
Now Love once like a nightingale in rosebush perched and sang; with sweetest wonder flew the sound along the woodland green. And as it rang, there rose a scent from ring of thousand buds, and all the treetops rustled soft, and softer blew the air; The brooklets silenced, scarcely come by splashing from the heights, the fawns stood still as if in dream and listened to the tone. And bright and ever brighter flowed the sunbeams down inside, 'round blossoms, wood and gorge it gushed with golden red sunshine. I walked along the path that day and also heard that sound. Alas! what ever since I've sung was just its echo faint.
Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 1996 by David Kenneth Smith, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., please ask the copyright-holder(s) directly.
David Kenneth Smith.  Contact: dksmith (AT) geneva.edu
If the copyright-holder(s) are unreachable for three business days, please write to: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Emanuel von Geibel (1815 - 1884), no title, appears in Jugendgedichte, in 1. Erstes Buch, in Lieder als Intermezzo, no. 17
Go to the single-text view
Title "Waldesgesang" = "Forest song"This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 20
Word count: 112
Der Mond kommt still gegangen
Mit seinem [goldnen Schein]1,
Da schläft [in]2 holdem Prangen
Die müde Erde ein.
[ ... ]
Und auf den Lüften schwanken
Aus manchem treuen Sinn
Viel tausend Liebesgedanken
Über die Schläfer hin.
[Und]3 drunten im [Thale, da funkeln]4
Die Fenster von Liebchens Haus;
Ich aber [blicke]5 im Dunkeln
Still in die Welt hinaus.
Authorship:
- by Emanuel von Geibel (1815 - 1884), "Nachtlied", appears in Jugendgedichte, in 1. Erstes Buch, in Lübeck und Bonn
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , copyright © 2015, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- DUT Dutch (Nederlands) [singable] (Lau Kanen) , "De maan komt stil gevaren", copyright © 2016, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (David Kenneth Smith) , "The moon so peaceful rises", copyright © 1996, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English [singable] (Anonymous/Unidentified Artist)
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "Night song", copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FIN Finnish (Suomi) (Erkki Pullinen) , "Kuu kohoaa hiljaa esiin", copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , "La lune vient doucement", copyright © 2018, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- GER German (Deutsch) (Dr Huaixing Wang) , copyright © 2024, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Confirmed with Emanuel Geibel, Gedichte, vierte Auflage, Berlin: Verlag von Alexander Duncker, 1845, page 18.
1 Bernoully: "holden Schein"; Thuille: "Silberschein"2 Grimm: "mit"
3 Lachner: "Da" (only the first time; "Und" when repeated)
4 Kinkel: "Thale funkeln"
5 Thuille: "blick'"
Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor] , Johann Winkler
The moon so peaceful rises
with all its golden shine,
here sleeps in lovely glitter
the weary earth below.
[ ... ]
And down in the valley, there twinkle
the lights from my lover's house;
but I in darkness still look out -
silent - into the world.
Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 1996 by David Kenneth Smith, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., please ask the copyright-holder(s) directly.
David Kenneth Smith.  Contact: dksmith (AT) geneva.edu
If the copyright-holder(s) are unreachable for three business days, please write to: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Emanuel von Geibel (1815 - 1884), "Nachtlied", appears in Jugendgedichte, in 1. Erstes Buch, in Lübeck und Bonn
Go to the single-text view
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 65
Ich hab' in deinem Auge den Strahl Der ewigen Liebe gesehen, Ich sah auf deinen Wangen einmal Die Rosen des Himmels [stehen]1. Und wie der Strahl im Aug' erlischt, Und wie die Rosen zerstieben, Ihr Abglanz, ewig neu erfrischt, Ist mir im Herzen geblieben. Und niemals werd' ich die Wangen sehn Und nie in's Auge dir blicken, So werden sie mir in Rosen stehn Und es den Strahl mir schicken.
Authorship:
- by Friedrich Rückert (1788 - 1866), no title, appears in Lyrische Gedichte, in 3. Liebesfrühling, in 1. Erster Strauß. Erwacht, no. 67
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , "En els teus ulls ", copyright © 2015, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- DUT Dutch (Nederlands) [singable] (Lau Kanen) , "Ik zag ooit in jouw ogen", copyright © 2016, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English [singable] (David Kenneth Smith) , "I once into your eyes looked", copyright © 1996, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "In your eyes I have seen", copyright © 2020, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , "Dans tes yeux je vois", copyright © 2008, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
1 C. Schumann: "stehn"
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
I once into your eyes looked, the flash of unfading love I beheld there, I once upon your cheeks saw the bloom of roses from heaven fair. And though the flash of eye may fade and though the roses may wither, their splendor ever new refreshed, is how my heart will remember. And never will I behold your cheeks and in your eyes ne'er be gazing, without those roses that I saw bloom and with that flash be blazing.
Authorship:
- Singable translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 1996 by David Kenneth Smith, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., please ask the copyright-holder(s) directly.
David Kenneth Smith.  Contact: dksmith (AT) geneva.edu
If the copyright-holder(s) are unreachable for three business days, please write to: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Friedrich Rückert (1788 - 1866), no title, appears in Lyrische Gedichte, in 3. Liebesfrühling, in 1. Erster Strauß. Erwacht, no. 67
Go to the single-text view
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 79
[Die stille Wasserrose]1 Steigt aus dem blauen See, [Die Blätter flimmern und blitzen]2, Der Kelch ist weiß wie Schnee. Da gießt der Mond vom Himmel All' seinen gold'nen Schein, Gießt alle seine Strahlen In ihren Schooß hinein. Im Wasser um die Blume Kreiset ein weißer Schwan, Er [singt]3 so süß, so leise Und schaut die Blume an. Er singt so süß, so leise Und will im Singen vergehn -- O Blume, weiße Blume, Kannst du das Lied verstehn?
Authorship:
- by Emanuel von Geibel (1815 - 1884), no title, appears in Jugendgedichte, in 1. Erstes Buch, in Lieder als Intermezzo, no. 9
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , copyright © 2015, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- DUT Dutch (Nederlands) (Wijtse Rodenburg) , "De stille waterlelie", copyright © 2003, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- DUT Dutch (Nederlands) [singable] (Lau Kanen) , copyright © 2016, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (David Kenneth Smith) , "The quiet lotus-blossom/water-rose", copyright © 1996, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , "La fleur de lotus immobile", copyright © 2008, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- SPA Spanish (Español) (Elisa Rapado) , copyright © 2020, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Confirmed with Emanuel Geibel, Gedichte, Vierte Auflage, Berlin: Verlag von Alexander Duncker, 1845, page 63.
1 C. Schumann: "Die stille Lotusblume" or "Die stille Lotosblume"2 Lachner, Wegener-Koopman: "Die feuchten Blätter zittern"
3 Kücken: "singet"
Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]
The quiet lotus blossom sprouts from the pond so blue, its leaves all glimmer and sparkle, its bud is white as snow. The moon pours down from heaven all of its golden shine, pours all its golden moonbeams into her blossom heart. In water 'round the blossom circles the whitest swan it sings so sweet, so softly and gazes on the bloom. It sings so sweet, so softly and would but perish in song. O blossom, whitest blossom, can you conceive the song?
Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 1996 by David Kenneth Smith, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., please ask the copyright-holder(s) directly.
David Kenneth Smith.  Contact: dksmith (AT) geneva.edu
If the copyright-holder(s) are unreachable for three business days, please write to: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Emanuel von Geibel (1815 - 1884), no title, appears in Jugendgedichte, in 1. Erstes Buch, in Lieder als Intermezzo, no. 9
Go to the single-text view
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 16
Word count: 83