possibly by Christian Friedrich Daniel Schubart (1739 - 1791)
Translation © by Emily Ezust

Wiegenlied zu Weihnachten
 (Sung text for setting by Anonymous)
 See original
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Our translations:  CAT ENG FRE
Schlaf wohl, du Himmelsknabe du,
  Schlaf wohl, du süßes Kind! 
Dich fächeln Engelein in Ruh
  Mit sanftem Himmelswind. 
Wir arme Hirten singen dir 
Ein herzigs Wiegenliedlein für.
    Schlafe! 
  Himmelssöhnchen, schlafe! 

Maria hat mit Mutterlieb' 
  Dich leise zugedeckt;
Und Joseph hält den Hauch zurück, 
  Daß er dich nicht weckt.
Die Schäflein, die im Stalle sind,
Verstummen vor dir Himmelskind.
     Schlafe! 
  Himmelssöhnchen, schlafe! 

Und wirst du groß, dann fließt dein Blut 
  Von Golgatha herab; 
Ans Kreuz schlägt dich der Menschen Wuth,
  Dann legt man dich ins Grab. 
Hab immer deine Äuglein zu,
Denn du bedarfst der süßen Ruh.
    Schlafe!
  Himmelssöhnchen, schlafe!

 ...

Note: the text above is taken from stanzas 1-3 of the original text.

Note: this poem is found in Schubart's writings but marked as a "Geistliches Volkslied aus Schlesien", which may mean it is a folk text.

Composition:

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

  • CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , copyright © 2020, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • ENG English (Emily Ezust) , "Sleep well, you child of heaven", copyright ©
  • FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission


Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 32
Word count: 141

Sleep well, you child of heaven
 (Sung text translation for setting by Anonymous)
 See original
Language: English  after the German (Deutsch) 
Sleep well, you child of heaven,
sleep well, you sweet child;
little angels fan you calmly
with the gentle breeze of Heaven.
We poor shepherds sing for you
a little heartfelt lullaby;
sleep, little child of heaven, sleep.

Mary has, with a mother's love,
covered you gently
and Joseph almost holds his breath
so as not to awaken you.
The lambs that are in the stalls
are silent before you, child of heaven;
sleep, sleep, little son of heaven, sleep.

Note: the text above is taken from stanzas 1-3 of the original text.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Emily Ezust

    Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:

    Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
    from the LiederNet Archive

    For any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.


Based on:

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This text was added to the website: 2006-02-06
Line count: 14
Word count: 80