Texts & Translations

Terms and conditions of use

We hope you find our song texts & translations interesting and useful. If you wish to use these texts for anything other than online browsing and personal study, please respect the rights of our authors and translators by carefully following these terms and conditions...


To reproduce our texts and translations in anything other than a printed concert programme (e.g. a book or CD booklet):

Please click here to request permission (we will usually put you directly in touch with the translator). We do not grant permission for reproduction of our texts and translations online, other than for digital concert programmes that are available for a limited time, and must still follow the concert programme guidelines below.

To reproduce our texts and translations in a printed concert programme:

If you are a student organising a free event as part of your studies:

  • Oxford International Song Festival grants permission for you to reproduce our texts and translations in your printed concert programme using the appropriate credit (please see below), free of charge.
  • Please complete this online form to inform us which songs you are using and for what purpose.
  • Donations are very much appreciated where possible - please see below to make a donation. 


If you are a small-scale concert promoter, run by volunteers (e.g. a small music society):

  • Oxford International Song Festival automatically grants permission for you to reproduce our texts and translations in your printed concert programme for up to three individual songs only, and as long as they appear with the appropriate credit (please see below).
  • We ask for a suggested donation of £5 per song where possible - (please see below to make a donation - the exact amount can be edited at the final payment screen).
  • You must also complete this online form to inform us of the songs you are using and for what purpose.
  • If you are using more than three songs in your printed concert programme, you must contact Oxford International Song Festival for permission and for a suggested donation. We will aim to respond within two working days.

If you are a professional promoter:

  • Oxford International Song Festival automatically grants permission for you to reproduce our texts and translations in your printed concert programme for up to three individual songs only, and as long as they appear with the appropriate credit (please see below).
  • We ask for a fee of £5 per song - (please see below to make a payment via the Donation link - the exact amount can be edited at the final payment screen).
  • You must also complete this online form to inform us of the songs you are using and for what purpose.
  • Where you are using more than three songs in a printed concert programme, please contact Oxford International Song Festival for permission and for a reproduction fee quotation. We will aim to respond within two working days.

Credits for translators/authors 

Please use the following credits as applicable, exactly as they appear below:

For translations by Richard Stokes:
German song texts: Translation © Richard Stokes, author of: The Book of Lieder (Faber); The Complete Songs of Hugo Wolf (Faber), provided via Oxford International Song Festival (www.oxfordsong.org).

French song texts: Translation © Richard Stokes, author of A French Song Companion (Oxford University Press), provided via Oxford International Song Festival (www.oxfordsong.org).

Spanish song texts: Translation © Richard Stokes, author ofThe Spanish Song Companion (Scarecrow Press), provided via Oxford International Song Festival (www.oxfordsong.org).

Bach Cantatas: Translation © Richard Stokes, author of J.S. Bach: The Complete Cantatas (Scarecrow Press), provided via Oxford International Song Festival (www.oxfordsong.org).

For translations by Richard Wigmore:
Translation © Richard Wigmore, author of Schubert: The Complete Song Texts (Schirmer Books), provided via Oxford International Song Festival (www.oxfordsong.org).

For other translations:
Translation © [insert name of translator], provided via Oxford International Song Festival (www.oxfordsong.org).

For source texts:
Text © [insert name of author], provided via Oxford International Song Festival (www.oxfordsong.org).

Get in touch

If you have any questions about our terms & conditions, please contact us here.

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