In reply to Janet Hyde's query about Brahms's first ballade, here's a
rather ungainly stab at translating Herder's 'Edward'. You should try
to get the Scottish original, but here is what Brahms read:
Why is your sword so red with blood,
Edward, Edward!
Why is your sword so red with blood,
And you walk so sadly by? - O!
O I have slain my falcon, [I assume 'Geierfalke', a gyrfalcon, is meant
here; 'Geier' is literally 'vulture' which would be a very odd hunting bird
for Edward to keep. But it is more fitting to the gory subject of the
ballade,
so you decide]
Mother, mother!
O I etc
and have none like like him any more, O!
Your falcon's blood isn't as red,
Edward, Edward!
Your falcon's etc,
My son, confess it openly - O!
O I have slain my russet horse,
Mother, mother!
O I etc
And it was so noble and true - O!
Your horse was old and you didn't need to,
Edward, Edward!
Your horse etc
You're carrying another burden - O!
O I have slain my father,
Mother, mother!
O I etc
And sore, sore is my heart - O!
And what shall be your penance,
Edward, Edward!
And what etc
My son, confide it all - O!
My foot shall no longer rest on land,
Mother, mother!
My foot etc
I'll go far out to sea - O!
And what shall come of your house and estate?
Edward, Edward!
And what etc
That was so splendrous and beautiful - O!
I'll let it decay till it sinks and falls,
Mother, mother!
I'll let etc
I never want to see it again - O!
And what shall come of your wife and child?
Edward! Edward!
And what etc
When you go out to sea? - O!
The world is wide, let them go beg in it,
Mother, mother!
The world etc
I'll never see them again - O!
And what will you leave your mother dear?
Edward, Edward!
And what etc
My son, tell me that - O!
Infamy and the fire of hell,
Mother, mother!
Infamy etc
For you, you told me to do it!
Best of luck for your exam!
Felix Delbruck
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