Geistliches Wiegenlied
Die ihr schwebet
Um diese Palmen
In Nacht und Wind,
Ihr heil'gen Engel,
Stillet die Wipfel!
Es schlummert mein Kind.
Um diese Palmen
In Nacht und Wind,
Ihr heil'gen Engel,
Stillet die Wipfel!
Es schlummert mein Kind.
You who hover
around these palms
in night and wind,
you holy angels,
still the treetops!
My child is sleeping.
around these palms
in night and wind,
you holy angels,
still the treetops!
My child is sleeping.
Ihr Palmen von Bethlehem
Im Windesbrausen,
Wie mögt ihr heute
So zornig sausen!
O rauscht nicht also!
Schweiget, neiget
Euch leis' und lind;
Stillet die Wipfel!
Es schlummert mein Kind.
Im Windesbrausen,
Wie mögt ihr heute
So zornig sausen!
O rauscht nicht also!
Schweiget, neiget
Euch leis' und lind;
Stillet die Wipfel!
Es schlummert mein Kind.
You palms of Bethlehem
in the roaring wind,
why must you
rush so angrily today!
Oh, do not rustle so!
Be silent, bow
softly and gently;
still the treetops!
My child is sleeping.
in the roaring wind,
why must you
rush so angrily today!
Oh, do not rustle so!
Be silent, bow
softly and gently;
still the treetops!
My child is sleeping.
Der Himmelsknabe
Duldet Beschwerde,
Ach, wie so müd' er ward
Vom Leid der Erde.
Ach nun im Schlaf ihm
Leise gesänftigt
Die Qual zerrinnt,
Stillet die Wipfel!
Es schlummert mein Kind.
Duldet Beschwerde,
Ach, wie so müd' er ward
Vom Leid der Erde.
Ach nun im Schlaf ihm
Leise gesänftigt
Die Qual zerrinnt,
Stillet die Wipfel!
Es schlummert mein Kind.
The heavenly boy
bears hardship;
ah, how weary he has grown
from the sorrow of the earth.
Ah, now in sleep,
softly soothed,
his torment melts away;
still the treetops!
My child is sleeping.
bears hardship;
ah, how weary he has grown
from the sorrow of the earth.
Ah, now in sleep,
softly soothed,
his torment melts away;
still the treetops!
My child is sleeping.
Grimmige Kälte
Sauset hernieder,
Womit nur deck' ich
Des Kindleins Glieder!
O all ihr Engel,
Die ihr geflügelt
Wandelt im Wind,
Stillet die Wipfel!
Es schlummert mein Kind.
Sauset hernieder,
Womit nur deck' ich
Des Kindleins Glieder!
O all ihr Engel,
Die ihr geflügelt
Wandelt im Wind,
Stillet die Wipfel!
Es schlummert mein Kind.
Bitter cold
comes rushing down;
with what can I cover
the little child's limbs!
Oh, all you angels
who on wings
go about in the wind,
still the treetops!
My child is sleeping.
comes rushing down;
with what can I cover
the little child's limbs!
Oh, all you angels
who on wings
go about in the wind,
still the treetops!
My child is sleeping.
About the song. Brahms wrote it for his friends Joseph and Amalie Joachim, a violinist and a contralto, when their first son was born; the viola part quotes the old German carol 'Joseph, lieber Joseph mein', whose words are printed in the score but not sung. Mary asks the angels to still the palm trees so that the child can sleep. 'Beschwerde' is hardship and burden, not a complaint.
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Translation © Art Song Translations. You may print it free of charge in concert and recital programs with the credit "Translation: Art Song Translations". The German text is in the public domain; repetitions made by the composer are not printed.
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