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In stiller Nacht, zur ersten Wacht, ein Stimm' begunnt zu klagen, der nächt'ge Wind hat süß und lind zu mir den Klang getragen. Von herbem Leid und Traurigkeit ist mir das Herz zerflossen, die Blümelein, mit Tränen rein hab' ich sie all' begossen. Der schöne [Mond will untergahn]1, für Leid nicht mehr mag scheinen, die Sterne lan ihr Glitzen stahn, mit mir sie wollen weinen. Kein Vogelsang noch Freudenklang man höret in den Lüften, die wilden Tier' trauern auch mit mir in Steinen und in Klüften.
About the headline (FAQ)
View original text (without footnotes)1 In Brahms' WoO 33: "Mon will untergon"
The text shown is a variant of another text. [ View differences ]
It is based on
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Friedrich Spee von Langenfeld (1591 - 1635), "Travvr-Gesang von der noth Christi am Oelberg in dem Garten", appears in Trutznachtigall
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), "In stiller Nacht", WoO. 33 no. 42, published [1894], from Deutsche Volkslieder, no. 42, Berlin, N. Simrock [sung text checked 1 time]
- by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), "Totenklage", WoO. posth. 36 no. 1 (1859-62) [ SSAA chorus a cappella ], from Acht Deutsche Volkslieder, no. 1 [sung text checked 1 time]
- by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), "In stiller Nacht", WoO. 34 (Vierzehn deutsche Volkslieder) no. 8, published 1895 [ SATB chorus ], from Deutsche Volkslieder für gemischten Chor, no. 8, Winterthur, Rieter-Biedermann [sung text checked 1 time]
Settings in other languages, adaptations, or excerpts:
- Also set in German (Deutsch), adapted by Anonymous/Unidentified Artist [an adaptation] ; composed by Gerard Bunk.
- Go to the text. [Note: the text is not in the database yet.]
- Go to the text. [Note: the text is not in the database yet.]
Other available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , copyright © 2022, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- DUT Dutch (Nederlands) (Wim Reedijk) , "Een nacht, heel stil", copyright ©, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- DUT Dutch (Nederlands) [singable] (Lau Kanen) , copyright © 2015, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (Emily Ezust) , copyright © 2006
- ENG English [singable] (W. G. Rothery ) , "In silent night"
- FIN Finnish (Suomi) (Milla Valkeasuo) , "Hiljaisessa yössä, ensimmäisenä", copyright © 2008, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "Dans la nuit tranquille, à la première veille", copyright © 2013, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Research team for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 16
Word count: 86
In stille nacht, bij d’ eerste wacht Begon een stem te klagen, De wind, die nacht, heeft zoet en zacht, Naar mij de klank gedragen. Van bitterheid en treurigheid Ging mij het hart vervloeien, De bloempjes klein, met tranen rein Moest alle ik besproeien. De mooie maan wil ondergaan, Is haast van smart verdwenen, De sterren, zij zijn uit aan ‘t gaan, Zij willen met mij wenen. Geen vogelzang noch blij gedrang Klinkt in de lucht hierboven, Het wild, gedwee, treurt met mij mee Op rotsen en in kloven.
About the headline (FAQ)
Translation of title "In stiller Nacht" = "In stille nacht"Authorship:
- Singable translation from German (Deutsch) to Dutch (Nederlands) copyright © 2015 by Lau Kanen, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., please ask the copyright-holder(s) directly.
Lau Kanen.  Contact: boudewijnkanen (AT) gmail (DOT) com
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Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Not Applicable [an adaptation]
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Friedrich Spee von Langenfeld (1591 - 1635), "Travvr-Gesang von der noth Christi am Oelberg in dem Garten", appears in Trutznachtigall
This text was added to the website: 2015-03-20
Line count: 16
Word count: 89