by Kate Freiligrath Kroeker (1845 - 1904)
Translation © by Sharon Krebs

Lieb Kindchen, schau' nicht
Language: German (Deutsch)  after the English 
Our translations:  ENG
Lieb Kindchen, schau' nicht 
  In die Sonne hinein,
Sie blendet deine Äuglein 
  Mit feurigem Schein;

Es blüh'n diese Blumen 
  Mit goldigem Schein,
Die blenden nicht die Äuglein,
  Da [sieh']1 lieber hinein!2

Available sung texts: (what is this?)

•   E. Frank 

About the headline (FAQ)

View original text (without footnotes)

Confirmed with Am Fenster in Bildern und Versen von Kate Greenaway, der deutsche Text von Käthe Freiligrath-Kroeker, München: Theodor Stroefers Kunstverlag, [1880], page 27.

1 Frank: "schau' "
2 Frank adds: 
Nun schließe die Augen,
  Lieb Kindchen, schlaf' ein;
Noch schützet dich die Mutter,
  Noch wartet sie dein.

Einst weilt sie dir ferne,
  Dann stehst du allein,
Dann möge Gottes Liebe 
  Deine Hüterin sein!

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):

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

  • ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "Dear little child, do not look into the sun", copyright © 2024, (re)printed on this website with kind permission


Research team for this page: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor] , Johann Winkler

This text was added to the website: 2020-05-31
Line count: 8
Word count: 33

Dear little child, do not look into the sun
Language: English  after the German (Deutsch) 
Dear little child, do not
  Look into the sun,
It bedazzles your little eyes
  With a fiery radiance;

These flowers here bloom
  With a golden brilliancy,
They do not bedazzle your eyes,
  Look into those instead!1

View original text (without footnotes)
1 Frank adds: 
Now close your eyes,
  Dear little child, go to sleep;
Your mother still protects you,
  She still looks after you.

Someday she shall be far from you,
  Then you shall be alone,
May God’s love then
  Be your protection!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2024 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.
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Based on:

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This text was added to the website: 2024-09-28
Line count: 8
Word count: 37