Die Nacht ist niedergangen,
Die schwarzen Schleier hangen
Nun über Busch und Haus.
Leis rauscht es in den Buchen,
Die letzten Winde suchen
Die vollsten Wipfel sich zum Neste aus.
Noch einmal leis ein Wehen,
Dann bleibt der Atem stehen
Der müden, müden Welt.
Nur noch ein zages Beben
Fühl durch die Nacht ich schweben,
Auf die der Friede seine Hände hält.
Text Authorship:
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Heinrich, Freiherr von Bach (1835 - 1915), as Heinrich Molbe, "Abendlied", op. 108 (Sechs Lieder von Otto Julius Bierbaum für eine Singstimme mit Klavierbegleitung) no. 3, published 1903 [ voice and piano ], Wien, Rudolf C. Lindner & Rörich [sung text not yet checked]
- by Hans Hermann (1870 - 1931), "Abendlied", op. 2 (Duette für zwei Singstimmen mit Pianoforte) no. 1, published 1897 [ vocal duet with piano ], Magdeburg, Heinrichshofen Verlag, also set in English [sung text not yet checked]
- by Henri Marteau (1874 - 1934), "Abendlied", op. 28 (Acht Gesänge) no. 3, published 1923 [ voice and piano ] [sung text not yet checked]
- by Johanna Müller-Hermann (1878 - 1941), "Abendlied", op. 15 (Zwei Duette) no. 1 (1917), first performed 1918 [ 2 sopranos, viola and piano ] [sung text checked 1 time]
- by Felix vom Rath (1866 - 1905), "Abendlied", op. 5 (Drei Lieder für 1 Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 3, published 1901 [ voice and piano ], München, Bauer [sung text not yet checked]
- by Alfred von Sponer (1870 - 1945), "Abendlied", op. 13 no. 4 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Berlin, Wien : Verlag der Musik-Woche [sung text not yet checked]
Settings in other languages, adaptations, or excerpts:
- Also set in English, a translation by John Bernhoff (flourished 1890-1912) ; composed by Hans Hermann.
Other available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "Evening song", copyright © 2015, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "Chanson du soir", copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Research team for this page: Ferdinando Albeggiani , Johann Winkler
This text was added to the website: 2008-04-09
Line count: 12
Word count: 62
Night has fallen,
The black veils hang
Now over bush and house.
There is a quiet murmuring in the beeches,
The last winds are choosing
The most luxuriant treetops for their nest.
Quietly once more a wafting,
Then the breath
Of the tired, tired world ceases.
Floating through the night I feel
Only a hesitant trembling still,
Upon which Peace lays its hands.