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Solitude
by Wilhelm Müller (1794-1827)
translated from German by Joseph David Greene
As when a cloud is darkened
And drifts through sunlit sky,
While through the many treetops
An icy breeze does fly:
As such I make my journey
I trek with weary feet,
All round me life is cheerful,
But I’ve no friends to greet.
Alas, the air’s so peaceful!
Alas, the world’s so bright!
When storms would rage and thunder,
My torment had less bite.
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Serenade
by Ludwig Rellstab (1799-1860) | from German by Joseph Greene
Lightly singing, softly pleading
Through the night to thee;
In the silent grove proceeding,
Dearest, come to me!
Slender treetops gently swaying
In the soft moonlight;
Of the bitter fiend betraying
Dear, be not affright.
Nightingales are sweetly singing
Ah! They beg of thee,
With their pleading music ringing
They implore for me.
They have known the inner yearning,
Known the lover’s grief,
Now their melodies returning
Bring the heart relief.
Let thy heart be moved to passion,
Dearest, hear my plea!
Trembling I await my dear one!
Come bring peace to me!
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Original German
Einsamkeitby Wilhelm Müller
Wie eine trübe Wolke
Durch heitre Lüfte geht,
Wenn in der Tanne Wipfel
Ein mattes Lüftchen weht:
So zieh’ ich meine Straße
Dahin mit trägem Fuß,
Durch helles, frohes Leben,
Einsam und ohne Gruß.
Ach, dass die Luft so ruhig!
Ach, dass die Welt so licht!
Als noch die Stürme tobten,
War ich so elend nicht.
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Ständchenby Ludwig Rellstab
Leise flehen meine Lieder
Durch die Nacht zu Dir;
In den stillen Hain hernieder,
Liebchen, komm’ zu mir!
Flüsternd schlanke Wipfel rauschen
In des Mondes Licht;
Des Verräters feindlich Lauschen
Fürchte, Holde, nicht.
Hörst die Nachtigallen schlagen?
Ach! sie flehen Dich,
Mit der Töne süßen Klagen
Flehen sie für mich.
Sie verstehn des Busens Sehnen,
Kennen Liebesschmerz,
Rühren mit den Silbertönen
Jedes weiche Herz.
Lass auch Dir die Brust bewegen,
Liebchen, höre mich!
Bebend harr’ ich Dir entgegen!
Komm’, beglücke mich!
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Joseph Greene is a pianist, composer and poet who lives in Riverside, California. He is currently a freshman student at California Baptist University working towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Composition.
Those translations are great, Joseph.
‘Serenade’ carries the lyrical lilt of a song. As for ‘Solitude’, the imagery and tone are superb.
The Germans are often portrayed as staid and passion-challenged. You’ve shown this not to be true.
Thanks for the reads, Joseph.
I’m so glad you enjoyed them! The poems really has a wonderful sense of pathos to them, and I’m glad I’ve been able to capture it.
Your smoothly flowing English beautifully renders two voices singing in different styles, both expressing loneliness, but with very different outlooks.
Thank you! I really appreciate those kind words, and am glad that I have been able to bring out the beauty of the originals in English.
Two expressive German poems rendered beautifully as Lieder by Franz Schubert. “Standchen,” especially, is a song I’ve spent a lot of time with as a singer – but as I don’t speak German, I have had to resort to clunky literal translations to fit meaning to the German syllables. Your translation reveals the texts’ poetry vividly to me – and I think they would fit well as English lyrics to Schubert’s music.
Thank you! I specifically wrote them with the intention that they could be sung to Schubert’s musical settings, and I’m very glad you have enjoyed them!
Beautiful translations of some really fine German poems, thank you. These translations are almost as enjoyable to read as the originals, good job.
Thank you so much!
I find the final stanza of the first poem wonderful. Well done.
I’m glad you enjoyed them!