Translation Singable translation by John Bernhoff (flourished 1890-1912)
Der Stern von Bethlehem
Language: German (Deutsch)
Ein Sternlein funkelt am Himmelszeit, das Fürte drei Weise zum Herrn der Weit. Hoch über der Krippe ganz fest es stand; Christ ward gefunden, der Stern verschwand. "Was ward aus dem Sternlein?" thut's Büblein fragen. Büblein, höre nur, das will ich dir sagen; Nun leuchtet und funkelt in weiter Fern' an Gottes Throne der holde Stern. Doch einmal im Jahre erglüht er mit Macht den seligen Engeln in heiliger Nacht. Dran zündet das Christkind viel Lichterchen an, die bringt uns am Christbaum der Weihnachtsmann. Drum strahlen sie helle wie Himmelsschein in alle Herzen beglückend hinein. In ihrem Glanze verstummt jedes Leid. O fröhliche, selige Weihnachtszeit! O sel'ge Weihnachtszeit!
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 Engelbert Humperdinck (1854 - 1921), "Der Stern von Bethlehem", 1900, from Weihnachtslieder, no. 2. [text verified 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English [singable] (John Bernhoff) , title 1: "The Star of Bethlehem"
Researcher for this page: Barbara Miller
This text was added to the website: 2004-12-20
Line count: 17
Word count: 108
The Star of Bethlehem
Language: English  after the German (Deutsch)
A star shone brightly in azure height. Three Magi they followed that Star's bright light. It rose o'er a manger and there it shone; Jesus was found there - the star was gone. "And where did the Star go? Mother dear, tell me!" Listen, baby-boy, and mother will tell thee: In realms of bright splendor, in regions far O'er God's High Throne gleams that golden Star. But once every year from yon deep azure height Its light guides the Angels to earth thro' the night. By that Star Infant Jesus lights those candles you see, Which Old Father Christmas then puts on the Tree. And that's why they glow as with Heavenly light, And make all hearts to rejoice with delight. Where they shed their brightness no grief can abide. O joy-bringing, bliss-bringing Christmastide! O merry Christmastide!
From the Humperdinck score.
Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]
Authorship:
- Singable translation by John Bernhoff (flourished 1890-1912), "The Star of Bethlehem" [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Hedwig Humperdinck
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: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2009-07-10
Line count: 17
Word count: 137