Vienna Boys Choir: Strauss Forever Texts and Translations

TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS

JOHANN STRAUSS II
Tausend und eine Nacht, Op.346 [Ewald Seifert]	Thousand and One Nights
Im Zauberland des Orient, da werden Märchen erzählt. Scheherazade alle kennt, kein Geheimnis darin fehlt. Offenbar wird eine Macht; Musik erklinge weit in alle Welt. Was kann’s Schöneres geben, mit Musik zu leben, und beim Spiel der Geigen Wiener Charme zu zeigen, schöne Weise lieben, sich im Walzer wiegen, wie im Märchen Tausendundeine Nacht, Kommt und tanzt mit, wo’s Musik gibt, lasst die Sorgen bis auf Morgen, froh und heiter, so geht’s weiter, vieles wird dann anders sein. Ein Walzer von Strauss hat schon vieles gemacht, hat Menschen und Länder zusammen gebracht. Kommt, tanzt und dreht euch fein, so schön kann ein Walzer nur sein. Der Zauber der herrlichen Walzermusik verleiht uns im Leben das Schönste von Glück, die Zaubernacht. Seht, wie die Jugend sich dreht und im Walzertakt bewegt; also nur munter getanzt, so lang du immer kannst.	In the magical, mysterious orient, stories are being told. Scheherazade knows them all, she knows all mysteries. And you soon discover an overwhelming power: May music sound around the world. What could be better than to live with music, and when the violins sing, show Viennese charm, to love beautiful melodies, to dance a waltz, like in the tales of the Arabian Nights. Come and dance, where there is music, leave your worries until tomorrow, happy and cheerful, that is how we go on, much will have changed by the morning. A waltz by Strauss has accomplished many things, has brought people and countries together. Come on, dance and swirl about, only a waltz is like this.The magic of this music gives us the best part of happiness in life; a magic night. Look, how the young people are dancing, moving to the rhythm of the waltz; so, keep dancing happily, for as long as you can.
JOSEPH HAYDN
Insanae et vanae curae, Hob. XXI:1, 13c	Mad and useless worries
Insanae et vanae curae invadunt mentes nostras, saepe furore replent corda privata spe. Quid prodest o mortalis conari pro mundanis, si coelos negligas? Sunt fausta tibi cuncta, si Deus est pro te.	Mad and useless worries flood our minds, often fury fills the heart, robbed of hope. O mortal man, what good does it to strive for worldly things, if you neglect the heavens? All things work in your favor, with God on your side.
GIOVANNI BATTISTA PERGOLESI
“Fac ut ardeat cor meum” / “Quando corpus morietur”, from Stabat mater	“Ignite my heart with love” / “When the body will die”
Fac, ut ardeat cor meum in amando Christum Deum ut sibi complaceam. Quando corpus morietur, fac, ut animae donetur paradisi gloria.Amen.	Ignite my heart with love for Christ, my God, so that I may please him. When the body will die, make that my soul will be granted the glory of paradise.Amen.
WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART
Ave verum corpus [Anonymous prayer, attributed to Pope Innocent VI]	Hail, true body
Ave verum corpus Christi, natum ex Maria Virgine. vere passum, immolatum in cruce pro homine cuius latus perforatum fluxit et sanguine: esto nobis praegustatum in mortis examine.	Hail, true Body of Christ, born of the Virgin Mary, who has truly suffered, defiled on the cross for mankind, from whose pierced side flowed water and blood: be us a foretaste (of heaven) in the agony of death.
ANTON BRUCKNER
Virga Jesse floruit, WAB 52, [Isaiah 11:1]	The rod of Jesse has flowered
Virga Jesse floruit: Virgo Deum et hominem genuit: pacem Deus redidit, in se reconcilians imo summis. Alleluja.	The root of Jesse has blossomed: a virgin gave birth to God and man: God gave us peace, reconciling in himself the lowest with the highest. Alleluja.
LEONARD BERNSTEIN
“Adonai ro-i” / “Lama rag’shu goyim,” from Chichester Psalms [Psalm 23 and Psalm 2]
Adonai ro-i, lo eh. sar. Bin’ot deshe yarbitseini, Al mei m’nuh.ot y’nahaleini, Naf’shi y’shovev, Yan’h.eini b’ma’aglei tsedek, L’ma’an sh’mo. Gam ki eilech B’gei tsalmavet, Lo ira ra, Ki Atah imadi. Shiv’t’cha umishan’techa Hemah y’nah.amuni.	Solo and Choir/Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures, He leadeth me beside the still waters, He restoreth my soul, He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness, For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk Through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, For Thou art with me. Thy rod and Thy staff They comfort me.
Lamah rag’shu goyimUl’umim yeh’gu rik? Yit’yats’vu malchei erets, V’roznim nos’du yah.ad Al Adonai v’al m’shih.o. N’natkah et mos’roteimo, V’nashlichah mimenu avoteimo. Yoshev bashamayim Yis’h.ak, Adonai Yil’ag lamo!	Choir/Psalm 2 Why do the nations rage, And the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together Against the Lord and against His anointed. Saying, let us break their bands asunder, And cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the heavens Shall laugh, and the Lord Shall have them in derision!
Ta’aroch l’fanai shulh. anNeged tsor’rai Dishanta vashemen roshi Cosi r’vayah.	Chorus/Psalm 23 Thou preparest a table before me In the presence of my enemies, Thou anointest my head with oil, My cup runneth over.
Ach tov vah. esed Yird’funi kol y’mei h.ayai V’shav’ti b’veit Adonai L’orech yamim.	Solo—David/Psalm 23 Surely goodness and mercy Shall follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.
	TRADITIONAL
	Joshua
	Joshua fit de battle of Jericho Jericho, Jericho, Joshua fit de battle of Jericho, And de walls come tumbling down. You may talk about your king of Gideon; You may talk about your man of Saul; There’s none like good old Joshua At the battle of Jericho Chorus Up to the walls of Jericho He marched with spear in hand. “Go blow them ram-horns” Joshua cried, “Cause the battle is in my hand.” Chorus Then the lamb, ram, sheep, horns begin a blow; Trumpets begin a sound. Joshua commanded the children to shout, And the walls came tumbling down. Chorus
	DAVID FOSTER, CAROLE BAYER SAGER, ALBERTO TESTA, TONY RENIS
	“The Prayer,” from Quest for Camelot
	I pray you’ll be our eyes And watch us where we go And help us to be wise In times when we don’t know. Let this be our prayer When we lose our way Lead us to a place, Guide us with your grace To a place where we’ll be safe.
La luce che tu dai— nel cuore resterà— e ricordaci che— t’eterna stella sei nella mia preghiera— quanta fede c’è—	The light which you give— I pray we’ll find our way— may it stay in our hearts— And hold it in our hearts— and remind us— When stars go out each night— eternal star, be in my prayer— Let this be our prayer— how much faith there is— When shadows fill our day—
	Lead us to a place Guide us with your grace Give us faith so we’ll be safe
Sognamo un mondo senza più violenza— un mondo di giustizia e di speranza— ognuno dia la mano al suo vicino— simbolo di pace, di fraternità.	We dream of a world without violence— a world of justice and hope— everyone shall offer his hand to his neighbor— as a symbol of peace, of brotherhood.
La forza che ci dai— è il desiderio che— ognuno trovi amore— intorno e dentro sè.	The strength that you give us— We ask that life be kind is in the wish that— and watch us from above everyone will find love— around himself and within himself. We hope each soul will find
	Let this be our prayer Just like every child Needs to find a place Guide us with your grace Give us faith so we’ll be safe
E la fede che hai acceso in noi— sento che ci salverà.	And this faith which you have ignited in us— I feel it will save us.
JOHANN STRAUSS II
Tritsch Tratsch (Chitchat), Op. 214, [Tina Breckwoldt]
Er ist—man sagt (Ach, Klatsch—und Tratsch) Man hat sich schon beschwertEr fragt—man klagt (Wir sind—empört) Das ist doch unerhört. Er meint—es scheint (Nur Klatsch—und Tratsch) Er stellt sich gern zur SchauMan glaubt—man meint (Wie schön—ist das) Ich weiss es nicht genau. Gerüchte brodeln ganz ungeniert raffiniert, kommentiert auf einmal fühlt man sich exponiert wie es denn das nur passiert? Das hat man noch nie vernommen! Ist das schon mal vorgekommen? Wie sind wir hierher gekommen, hier an diesen Punkt? Das Gehirn geht im Kreis Der Verstand liegt auf Eis während sie die Mär verbreiten Wenn sie kleine Erbsen zählen Um die anderen zu quälen Zwischen Schwert und Worten wählen wollen sie nur zeigen dass sie tüchtig sind. Treiben sie es auf die Spitze, feixen, frozzeln, reissen Witze, reden sich in Dauerhitze, um sich zu beweisen, dass sie wichtig sind. Wir kommen jetzt so richtig erst in Fahrt Inzwischen geht es wirklich hart auf hart Wir streiten um des alten Kaisers Bart Ja, um des Kaisers Bart. Es ist ein Gerücht. Was weiss man denn? Man weiss doch nichts. Das weiss ich!	He is—they say (That’s gossip—more gossip) They have already complainedHe asks—they moan (We are—outraged) This is simply not on! He says—it seems (Just gossip—more gossip) He likes to show off and poseThey believe—they surmise (How nice—that is) I don’t exactly know. Rumors fly about shamelessly Tricky, annotated, And all of a sudden you feel utterly exposed How did that happen? This is totally unheard of Has something like this happened before How did we get here, To this point? The mind walks in circles Brain totally numb While they continue to spread tales Trio When they get worked up over peanuts, Just to torture others, Choose between sword and words, They only want to show How efficient they are. When they carry on Smirking, taunting, cracking jokes, Blathering on forever, They want to prove to themselves That they are important. We are just getting started Now we are really talking We fight over nothing, Yes, over nothing. Coda It is merely a rumor. What do you know? We know nothing. That I do know!
IRVING BERLIN
	“There’s No Business Like Show Business,” from Annie Get Your Gun
	There’s no business like show business Like no business I know Everything about it is appealing Everything the traffic will allow Nowhere could you get that happy feeling When you are stealing That extra bow There’s no people like show people They smile when they are low Yesterday they told you you would not go far That night you open and there you are Next day on your dressing room they’ve hung a star Let’s go on with the show The costumes, the scenery, the make-up, the props The audience that lifts you when you’re down The headaches, the heartaches, the backaches, the flops The sheriff who escorts you out of town The opening when your heart beats like a drum The closing when the customers won’t come There’s no business like show business Like no business I know You get word before the show has started That your favorite uncle died at dawn Top of that, your ma and pa have parted You’re broken-hearted But you go on There’s no people like show people They smile when they are low Even with a turkey that you know will fold You may be stranded out in the cold Still you wouldn’t change for a sack of gold Let’s go on with the show!
JACQUES OFFENBACH
Barcarole—“Belle nuit, ô nuit d’amour” (“Beautiful night, night of love”), from The Tales of Hoffmann [Jules Barbier]
Le temps fuit et sans retour emporte nos tendresses, loin de cet heureux séjour le temps fuit sans retour. Zéphirs embrassés versez-nous vos caresses, donnez-nous vos baisers. Belle nuit, nuit d’amour, souris à nos ivresses, nuit plus douce que le jour, belle nuit d’amour!	Time flies and without turning back, it takes away our tendernesses, far from that blissful moment, time flies without turning back. Kissing winds, bestow on us your caresses, give us your kisses. Beautiful night, night of love, smile on our bliss, night—much gentler than the day— beautiful night of love.
JOHANNES BRAHMS
Wiegenlied (Lullaby), Op. 49, No. 4 *[first verse from the 1806/08 poetry anthology Des Knaben Wunderhorn; additional verses by Georg Scherer]*
Guten Abend, gut’ Nacht, mit Rosen bedacht, mit Näglein besteckt, schlupf unter die Deck’: Morgen früh, wenn Gott will, wirst du wieder geweckt. Guten Abend, gut’ Nacht, von Englein bewacht, die zeigen im Traum dir Christkindleins Baum. Schlaf nun selig und süß, schau im Traum ‘s Paradies.	Good evening, good night, Sheltered under roses, Protected with cloves, Slip under the covers. Tomorrow morning, God willing, You will wake up again. Good evening, good night, Guarded by angels, Who show you in your dreams The Christ child’s tree. Sleep blissfully and sweetly, And dream of Paradise.
	Solo to be announced from the stage
Erzherzog Johann Jodler (Archduke Johann’s Yodel) [Anton Schosser]
Wo i geh und steh, tut ma’s Herz so weh, um mei Steiermark, ja glaubt ma’s g’wiß; wo das Büchserl knallt und da Gamsbock fallt, und mei liaba Herzog Johann ist. Ja, i sich mi scho’ ganz verzückt und froh mit mein’n Herzog auf der Alma gehn; mit an frischem Mut in mei’m Steirahut offen stolz am Kogel obmat stehn. Auf da Felsenwand, in am Steirag’wand, wenn i da mei lieba Herzog sich, wenn sei Büchserl knallt und da Gamsbock fallt, war’s a Wunda, wenn i’s Heimweh krieg’?	Wherever I go, my heart aches for my beloved Styria, rest assured; where the gunshot rings and the chamois falls, Where my dear Archduke Johann roams. Yes, I see myself climbing happily up the alpine meadow beside my Archduke; with a happy heart, wearing my Styrian hat openly and proudly on top of the mountain. There in the mountains, dressed in Styrian garb, when I watch my dear Archduke, when his gun rings out and the chamois falls, Is it any wonder that I am homesick?
ZOLTÁN KODÁLY
Túrot eszig a cigány (Chewing cheese curds)
Túrot eszig a cigány, duba Veszekedik azután, leba. Még azt mondja, pofon vág, duba. Vágja biz a nagyapját, leba.Turót! Duba! Leba!Csipkefa bimbója Kihajlott az útra, Rida rida bom bom bom. Arra ment Jánoska, szakajt egygyet rola.	The gypsy chews cheese, duba; Afterwards he begins picking quarrels and fights, leba. Says he’ll hit me; day after tomorrow, duba. I tell him, leba.Cheese! Cheese!Little bud of the rose bush, how it sways. Rida rida boom boom boom. Little Janosh sees it, breaks it off and runs away.
MYKOLA LEONTOVICH
Shchedryk (New Year’s Carol)
Shchedryk shchedryk, shchedrivochka, pryletila lastivochka, stala sobi shchebetaty, hospodarya vyklykaty:”Vyydy, vyydy, hospodaryu, podyvysya na kosharu, tam ovechky pokotylys’, a yahnychky narodylys’.V tebe tovar ves’ khoroshyy, budesh’ maty mirku hroshey, khoch ne hroshey, to polova: v tebe zhinka chornobrova.”Shchedryk shchedryk, shchedrivochka, pryletila lastivochka.	Shchedryk, shchedryk, a New Year’s carol, a small swallow flew into the house, it began to sing, to call the landlord:”Come out of the house, come, master, look at the sheep in their pen, the ewes are lying there, and the lambs have been born.Your livestock is thriving, you will be rich. If you have no money, you will have straw, and you have a wife with strong eyebrows.”Shchedryk, shchedryk, a New Year’s carol, a small swallow flew into the house.
	TRADITIONAL
	Oh, Shenandoah arr. Gerald Wirth
	Oh, Shenandoah, I long to see you, Away, you rolling river. Oh, Shenandoah, I long to see you Away, we’re bound away ‘cross the wide Missouri. Oh, Shenandoah, I love your daughter Across the rolling water. Oh Shenandoah, I love your daughter Away, we’re bound away ‘cross the wide Missouri. Oh, Shenandoah, I long to leave you, Oh, Shenandoah, I’ll not deceive you… Oh Shenandoah, I’m bound to leave you… Away, we’re bound away ‘cross the wide Missouri.
	ROLF LØVLAND
	You Raise Me Up [Brendan Graham (b. 1945)]
	When I am down and, oh, my soul, so weary. When troubles come and my heart burdened be. Then I am still and wait here in the silence. Until you come and sit awhile with me You raise me up so I can stand on mountains You raise me up to walk on stormy seas I am strong when I am on your shoulders You raise me up to more than I can be You raise me up to more than I can be…
	LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN / MERVYN WARREN
	“Joyful, Joyful (Ode to Joy),” from Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit arr. Roger Emerson
	Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee God of glory, Lord of love Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee Hail Thee as the sun above Melt the clouds of sin and sadness Drive the dark of doubt away Giver of immortal gladness Fill us with the light of day. Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee in my life I put none before Thee ‘Cuz since I was a youngster I came to know That you was the only way to go So I had to grow an’ come to an understandin’ That I’m down with the King so now I’m demandin’; That you tell me who you down with, see ‘Cuz all I know is that I’m down with G-O-D You down with G-O-D? (Yeah, you know me) Who’s down with G-O-D? Come and join the chorus The mighty, mighty chorus Which the morning stars begun The Father of love is reigning over us Right away What have you done for Him lately? Ooh, ooh, ooh yeah. He watches over everything. So we sing . . .
JOHANN STRAUSS II
An der schönen blauen Donau (Blue Danube Waltz), Op. 314 [Franz von Gernerth]
Donau so blau, durch Tal und Au Wogst ruhig du hin, Dich grüßt unser Wien, Dein silbernes Band Knüpft Land an Land, Und fröhliche Herzen schlagen An deinem schönen Strand. Weit vom Schwarzwald her eilst du hin zum Meer, spendest Segen allerwegen, ostwärts geht dein Lauf, nimmst viel Brüder auf: Bild der Einigkeit für alle Zeit. Alte Burgen seh’n nieder von den Höh’n, grüßen gerne dich von ferne, und der Berge Kranz, hell vom Morgenglanz spiegelt sich in deiner Wellen Tanz. Die Nixen auf dem Grund Die geben flüsternd kund Was alles du erschaut Seitdem über dir der Himmel blaut. Halt an deine Fluten bei Wien, es liebt dich ja so sehr, du findest wohin du magst ziehen ein zweites Wien nicht mehr. Du kennst wohl deinen Bruder, den Rhein, an seinen Ufern wächst herrlicher Wein, dort auch steht bei Tag und bei Nacht die feste, treue Wacht. Das Schifflein fährt auf den Wellen so sacht Still ist die Nacht, Liebe nur wacht, der Schiffer flüstert der Liebsten ins Ohr, dass längst schon sein Herz sie erkor. Nun singt ein fröhliches, seliges Lied, das wie Jauchzen die Lüfte durchzieht. Und zum Schluss bringt noch einen Gruß, unsrer Donau, dem herrlichen Fluss.	Danube, so blue, you meander calmly through vales and meadows, Our Vienna greets you, your silver ribbon links lands and cheerful hearts beat on your beautiful shores. From the Black Forest you rush towards the Black Sea, blessing everything on your way. You flow east, taking in many brothers: An eternal image of harmony. Old fortresses look down from their hills, they like to greet you from afar and the top of the mountains, bright in the morning light, are reflected in the dancing of your waves. The mermaids in the river bed whisper about everything you have seen since heaven began. Stop when you reach Vienna, it really adores you. Wherever you may wander, you will not find a second Vienna. You probably know your brother, the Rhine, lovely wine grows along its banks, and night and day it is flanked by faithful guardians. The little boat rides on the waves, the night is quiet, love is in the air, the skipper tells his beloved his heart had selected her long since. Now sing a happy, cheerful song, filling the air with joy, and, finally, give a special cheer for the Danube, our beautiful river.