Brahms' Lullaby
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Please help improve this article or section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. (January 2007) |
Brahms' Lullaby is the common name for a number of children's lullabies with similar lyrics and the same melody, the original of which was Johannes Brahms' Wiegenlied: Guten Abend, gute Nacht, Op. 49, No. 4.
Contents |
[edit] Wiegenlied
Johannes Brahms' original version was composed in German:
- Guten Abend, gute Nacht, mit Rosen bedacht,
- Mit Näglein besteckt, schlüpf unter die Deck!'
- Morgen früh, wenn Gott will, wirst du wieder geweckt
- Morgen früh, wenn Gott will, wirst du wieder geweckt
- Guten Abend, gute Nacht, von Englein bewacht
- Die zeigen im Traum, dir Christkindleins Baum
- Schlaf nun selig und süß, schau im Traum 's Paradies
- Schlaf nun selig und süß, schau im Traum 's Paradies
A close English translation of which is:
- Good evening, and good night, with roses adorned,
- With carnations covered, slip under the covers.
- Early tomorrow, if God wills, you will wake once again.
- Early tomorrow, if God wills, you will wake once again.
- Good evening, and good night. By angels watched,
- Who show you in your dream the Christ-child's tree.
- Sleep now peacefully and sweetly, see the paradise in your dream.
- Sleep now peacefully and sweetly, see the paradise in your dream.
[edit] Versions
The most common English version is as follows:
- Lullaby and good night, with roses bedight
- With lilies o'er spread is baby's wee bed
- Lay thee down now and rest, may thy slumber be blessed
- Lay thee down now and rest, may thy slumber be blessed
- Lullaby and good night, thy mother's delight
- Bright angels beside my darling abide
- They will guard thee at rest, thou shalt wake on my breast
- They will guard thee at rest, thou shalt wake on my breast
Further verses from various sources may be added to lengthen the lullaby:
- Sleepyhead, close your eyes, mother's right here beside you.
- I'll protect you from harm, you will wake in my arms.
- Guardian angels are near, so sleep on, with no fear.
- Guardian angels are near, so sleep on, with no fear.
- Lullaby, and sleep tight, hush! My darling is sleeping,
- On his sheets white as cream, with his head full of dreams.
- When the sky's bright with dawn, he will wake in the morning.
- When noontide warms the world, he will frolic in the sun.