For the first little granddaughter | Sleep, my little chickie! Only slumber gently!

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by Josephine Lang (1815 - 1880)

Translation © by Sharon Krebs

Der ersten kleinen Enkelin

Language: German (Deutsch)

Our translations: ENG

Schlaf mein klein Kikiken! Schlummre nur lind!
Du kleines Mietziken, bist mein lieb Kind!
Vögelein zwitschern und singen dir zu!
Mein liebes Veilchen im März das bist du!

Väterchen liebend dich wieget im Arm
Mütterchen küsset in Liebe dich warm.
Drum mein lieb Blümlein, die Äuglein schließ zu!
Und werd' wie das Veilchen bescheiden auch du!

Auf's Bettchen Großmutter dir legt diesen Satz,
Dann bist du für immer auch ihr lieber Schatz!
O du mein Mitziken, klein Mitzi mein!
Mußt eben wie Dickÿ und Mitziken sein

O du klein Mitziken, wenn auch so klein!
Mußt stets nur wie Dickÿ und Mietziken[sic] sein!

Text Authorship:

by Josephine Lang (1815 - 1880), "Der ersten kleinen Enkelin", written 1872

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):

by Josephine Lang (1815 - 1880), "Der ersten kleinen Enkelin", 1872 [ voice and piano ], unpublished [sung text checked 1 time]

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

ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "For the first little granddaughter", copyright © 2023, (re)printed on this website with kind permission

Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]

This text was added to the website: 2023-04-18
Line count: 14
Word count: 102

For the first little granddaughter

Language: English after the German (Deutsch)

Sleep, my little chickie! Only slumber gently!
You little kitten, you are my dear child!
Little birds twitter and sing to you!
My dear little violet in March, that’s what you are!

Your dear father lovingly rocks you in his arms,
Your dear mother kisses you warmly with love.
Therefore, my little flower, close your eyes!
And you, too, become as modest as the violet!

On your little bed, Grandmother places this saying,
Then you will forever be her dear treasure, too!
Oh you my kitten, little kitty of mine!
You must just be like Dicky and Kitty

Oh you little Kitty, even if so small!
You must always be just like Dicky and Kitty!

Translator's note: Throughout the poem the words Mitzi, Mitziken, and Mietziken were all translated as kitty or kitten. They were also the nickname of Lang's youngest daughter, Maria (the mother who is mentioned in this text). Maria had another boy instead of a girl, so Lang was unable to use this song as a gift.

Text Authorship:

Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2023 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 Josephine Lang (1815 - 1880), "Der ersten kleinen Enkelin", written 1872
- Go to the text page.

This text was added to the website: 2023-04-18
Line count: 14
Word count: 115