by Adelheid (Humperdinck) Wette (1858 - 1916)
Translation Singable translation by John Bernhoff (flourished 1890-1912)

Weihnachten
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Our translations:  ENG
 Leise weht's durch alle Lande
 wie ein Gruss vom Sternenzeit,
 schlinget neue Liebesbande
 um die ganze weite Welt.
  
 Jedes Herz mit starkem Triebe
 ist zu Opfern froh bereit,
 denn es naht das Fest der Liebe,
 denn es naht die Weihnachtszeit.
  
 Und schon hat mit tausend Sternen
 sich des Himmels Glanz entfacht,
 leise tönt aus Himmelsfernen
 Weihgesang der heil'gen Nacht.
  
 Hell aus jedem Fenster strahlet
 wundersam des Chritsbaums Licht,
 und der Freude schimmer malet
 sich auf jedem Angesicht.
  
 Lichte Himmelsboten schweben
 ungeseh'n von Haus zu Haus;
 selig Nehmen, selig Geben
 geht von ihrer Mitte aus.
  
 O willkommen, Weihnachtsabend,
 allen Menschen, gross und klein!
 Friedebringend, froh und labend
 mögst du allen Herzen sein!

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):

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

  • ENG English (Linda Godry) , title 1: "Christmas Eve", copyright © 2005, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • ENG English [singable] (John Bernhoff) , title 1: "Christmas"


Researcher for this page: Barbara Miller

This text was added to the website: 2004-12-20
Line count: 24
Word count: 112

Christmas
Language: English  after the German (Deutsch) 
Hark! The herald host is singing
Thro' the silent holy night,
Tidings of great joy they're bringing,
From yon starry, azure height.

And each heart is filled with gladness
At the message which they bring:
"Christ is born, forget all sadness,
Trust in Him, your Saviour King!"

And behold the stars bright glowing
Shed o'er earth their radiant light,
While from Angel's lips are flowing
Anthems thro' the Holy Night.

Bright each window now is glowing,
Lighted by the Christmas tree:
And each cheek with joy is glowing,
And each heart is filled with glee.

Soft the messengers from Heaven
Wing their flight from home to home,
Bringing blessings God hath given
Unto all on earth that roam.

"Welcome, welcome, Christmas evening,
Bringing peace and love to earth!"
Show your gratitude, believing,
Christians, in your Saviour's birth!

From the Humperdinck score.

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: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]

This text was added to the website: 2009-07-10
Line count: 24
Word count: 137