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Schlaf sanft und wohl, schlaf, liebes Kind, Dieweil die Engel bei dir sind; Sie sehen Gottes Angesicht; Sie wachen hier und schlummern nicht. Du schläfst und liegest weich dabei; Dein Heiland lag auf Stroh und Heu, Im finstern Stall, auf Holz und Stein; Du liegst in deinem Wiegelein. Dir störet niemand Schlaf und Ruh; Ihm setzten tausend Feinde zu. Du lebst ohn einigen Verdruß, Da er das Elend leiden muß. Gott segue deiner Mutter Schooß; Nimm zu, gedeih und werde groß, Fromm und an deiner Seelen reich, An Weisheit deinem Jesu gleich. Gott fülle dich mit Gnad und Licht, Daß durch dich andern wohl geschicht, Und werd ein Baum, der Schatten giebt, Du Pflänzlein, treu von Gott geliebt. Gott ist ein wahrer Kinderfreund, Wenn sie der Weisheit Schüler seynd, So wohl, als sein Sohn Jesus Christ Die Kinder segnet, herzt und küßt. Sey, wie das traute Jesuskind, Gerecht, getreu und fromm gesinnt; Dies Kindlein gieng die Tugendbahn Und war den Ältern unterthan. Dein Gott verkläre für und für Sein liebes Jesuskind in dir; Daß deine Seel erkennt und faßt, Was du am Kindlein Jesu hast. Was Jesus ist und heißt und thut, Das ist und thut er dir zu gut; Dein großes Elend macht allein, Daß er ein Kind, wie du, mußt' seyn. Wer es mit diesem Kinde hält, Für diesen ist das Reich bestellt, Der nimmt, er sey klein oder groß, Mit ihm dort gleiches Erb und Loos. Wie bald ist auf der Welt verricht't, Wozu uns unser Gott verpflicht't; Es ist noch um ein kurzes Nun Und um den letzten Schlaf zu thun. Bald weckt uns der Posaunen Ton, Bald steiget Christus auf den Thron Und wer mit ihm hier in Gefahr, Verachtet, arm und elend war. Schlaf, liebes Kind, schlaf unbetrübt; Wenn Gott Verstand und Jahre giebt, So wachs im Geiste Tag und Nacht, Bis dich Gott ewig selig macht.
W. Goethe sets stanza 1
Confirmed with Sammlung Geistlicher Lieder. Nebst einem Anhang von Gebeten, Basel: bei C.F. Spittler, 1831, pages 277-278.
Text Authorship:
- by Anonymous / Unidentified Author, "Wiegenlied" [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- [ None yet in the database ]
The text above (or a part of it) is used in the following settings:
- by Walter von Goethe (1817 - 1885), "Wiegenlied im Kahn", op. 5 (Vier Gesänge) no. 4, published 1840 [ voice and piano ], Hannover: Nagel
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "Lullaby", copyright © 2025, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs [Senior Associate Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2025-12-04
Line count: 52
Word count: 314
Sleep softly and well, my dear child, Since the angels are with you; They see the face of God; They keep watch here and do not slumber. You sleep and lie upon a soft bed the while; Your Saviour lay upon straw and hay, In a dark stable, upon wood and stone; You lie in your little cradle. No one disturbs your sleep and rest; He was plagued by a thousand foes. You live without a single vexation, While He suffered misery. May God bless your mother's womb; Increase, flourish, and grow to be big, Devout and rich in your soul, And like your Jesus in wisdom. May God fill you with grace and light, That you may be a blessing to others, And become a tree that bestows shade, You little plant, faithfully loved by God. God is a true friend of children When they are students of His wisdom, Just as is His Son Jesus Christ, Who blesses, caresses and kisses the children. Be, like the dear child Jesus, Righteous, faithful and devout in spirit; This little child walked the path of virtue And was subservient to His elders. May your God glorify in you Forever and ever His dear Christ-child; So that your soul recognizes and comprehends What a treasure you have in the little child Jesus. What Jesus is and is called and does He is and is does for your benefit; Your great misery was the sole reason That He had to become a child like you. For those who keep faith with this Child, The kingdom is prepared, There, be they little children or adults, with Him They shall share the same birthright and destiny. On earth, how soon are the duties Imposed by our God accomplished; Only a brief "Now" remains, And the final sleep. Soon we shall be wakened by the last trumpet, Soon Christ shall ascend to the throne As shall everyone who here was united with Him In danger, was scorned, poor and miserable. Sleep, dear child, sleep untroubled; Should God give you wisdom and years, Then grow in spirit day and night, Until God finally gives you eternal joy.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2025 by Sharon Krebs, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
Contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Anonymous/Unidentified Artist , "Wiegenlied"
This text was added to the website: 2025-12-08
Line count: 52
Word count: 361