Wiegenlied or cradle song was composed by Johannes Brahms in 1868. It became famous as Brahm’s Lullaby over the years. You would have heard multiple versions with different lyrics.
The original consisted of a single verse. It was dedicated to Bertha Faber, Brahm’s friend. He gifted the song to her on the birth of her second son. But do you know it has a counter-melody of a tune Bretha Faber used to sing for Brahms?
Read on to find the German and English lyrics of Brahms’s Lullaby. We have shared an upgraded and popular version of the song.
Written Lyrics
Lullaby and goodnight, with roses bedight
With lilies o'er spread is baby's wee bed
Lay thee down now and rest, may thy slumber be blessed
Lay thee down now and rest, may thy slumber be blessed
Lullaby and goodnight, thy mother's delight
Bright angels beside my darling abide
They will guard thee at rest, thou shalt wake on my breast
They will guard thee at rest, thou shalt wake on my breast
(German)
Guten Abend, gute Nacht, Mit Rosen bedacht,
Mit Naeglein besteckt, schlupf unter die Deck'
Morgen frueh, wenn Gott will, wirst du wieder geweckt
Morgen frueh, wenn Gott will, wirst du wieder geweckt
Guten Abend, gute Nacht, Von Englein bewacht
Die zeigen im Traum, dir Christkindleins Baum
Schlaf nun selig und suess, Schau im Traum's Paradies
Schlaf nun selig und suess, Schau im Traum's Paradies
Printable Lyrics
You can download the printable PDF copy of the lyrics here. This soothing lullaby will make your little one drift into a peaceful sleep (PDF attached).
Photo Lyrics
Click on the image to save the lyrics.
Video Links
We’ve got a couple of links for you. The first video matches the above lyrics. The next video is for Céline Dion’s version of the lullaby.
Lullaby:
Céline Dion:
Origins and History
Johannes Brahms started composing when he was eleven years old. He composed the Cradle Song (Brahms’s Lullaby) after he became a successful music composer. Brahms also sent a letter to Bertha Faber’s husband.
He wrote that the lady 'will realize the song is for her little one'. He added that when she’s singing the song, she will notice that a ‘love song is being sung to her’. Brahms was confident that she would recognize the hidden counter-melody of the song she sang for him in their earlier days together.
Brahms’s Lullaby was first published in November 1868 and publicly performed a year later in December 1869 in Vienna. Luise Dustmann, a German opera singer, performed the song with Clara Schumann on the piano. Clara Schumann and Brahms shared a good friendship during their younger days.
Wiegenlied or Cradle Song has been recorded various times over the years. A majority of the recordings happened in the 20th century. The latest recording was in 2013 by Bernarda Fink (singer) with Roger Vignoles on the piano.
The lyrics talk about a mother’s love for the child and the fear of death (the infant death rate was high back then). The newer version of the lyrics is more assuring and positive.
FAQs
Brahms got inspired by Des Knaben Wunderhorn (a collection of German folk poems) for the first version of the lyrics. He then adapted the second verse for the lullaby from Georg Scherer’s poem written in 1849.
Yes, it is. In fact, Johannes Brahms was so particular that he would destroy all copies of his works and retain only the final and best version. Ironically, we have many versions of his lullaby today.
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