Attention! Some of this material is not in the public domain.
It is illegal to copy and distribute our copyright-protected material without permission. It is also illegal to reprint copyright texts or translations without the name of the author or translator.
To inquire about permissions and rates, contact Emily Ezust at
If you wish to reprint translations, please make sure you include the names of the translators in your email. They are below each translation.
Note: You must use the copyright symbol © when you reprint copyright-protected material.
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 the quiet night, at the first watch, a voice began to lament; sweetly and gently, the night wind carried to me its sound. And from such bitter sorrow and grief my heart has melted. The little flowers - with my pure tears I have watered them all. The beautiful moon wishes to set out of pain, and never shine again; the stars will let fade their gleam for they wish to weep with me. Neither bird-song nor sound of joy can one hear in the air; the wild animals grieve with me as well, upon the rocks and in the ravines.
About the headline (FAQ)
Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2006 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 -- https://www.lieder.net/For any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.
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: 2006-01-03
Line count: 16
Word count: 102