by Vítězslav Hálek (1835 - 1874)
Translation by Paul Selver (1888 - 1970)

Vše na světě teď usnulo
Language: Czech (Čeština) 
Vše na světě teď usnulo,
až na to srdce v těle.
Bůh sám ví, že to srdce jen
si nikdy neustele.

V tom božím světě zmlklo vše,
až na zvuk srdce hravý.
Bůh sám ví, že to srdce jen
se nikdy neunaví.

Myšlenku spánek přemáhá,
noc se dnem se v bdění střídá --
jen srdce v prsou stále bdí
a tam si lásku hlídá.

About the headline (FAQ)

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):

    [ None yet in the database ]

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

  • ENG English (Paul Selver) , no title, first published 1912


Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website: 2011-01-08
Line count: 12
Word count: 63

Now all is sleeping in the world
Language: English  after the Czech (Čeština) 
Now all is sleeping in the world,
Save the heart within my breast;
God knows, it is the heart alone
That ne'er lies down to rest.

Upon God's earth, all now is mute,
But the heart its song desires;
God knows, it is the heart alone
That never, never tires.

Thought is by slumber overcome,
Night changes place with day;
The heart keeps watch, aye in the breast,
And there o'er love holds sway.

About the headline (FAQ)

Confirmed with An Anthology of Modern Bohemian Poetry, translated by Paul Selver, London, H.J. Drane, 1912, pages 71-72. Appears in Songs of Evening.


Text Authorship:

Based on:

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

    [ None yet in the database ]


Researcher for this page: Andrew Schneider [Guest Editor]

This text was added to the website: 2019-07-14
Line count: 12
Word count: 74