Songs

Bertas Lied in der Nacht

by Franz Schubert

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Text & Translation

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Bertas Lied in der Nacht
German source: Franz Grillparzer

Nacht umhüllt
Mit wehendem Flügel 
Täler und Hügel 
Ladend zur Ruh’.

Und dem Schlummer 
Dem lieblichen Kinde, 
Leise und linde 
Flüstert sie zu:

„Weisst du ein Auge, 
Wachend im Kummer, 
Lieblicher Schlummer, 
Drücke mir’s zu!“

Fühlst du sein Nahen?
Ahnest du Ruh?
Alles deckt der Schlummer, 
Schlumm’re du, schlumm’re auch du. 

Bertha's Nocturnal Song
German translation © Richard Wigmore

With fluttering wings 
night envelops
alley and hill, 
bidding them rest.

And to Sleep, 
that sweet child, 
she whispers 
softly and gently:

‘If you know of an eye 
that stays awake, grieving, 
sweet Sleep,
close it for me!’

Do you feel him draw near?
Do you have a presentiment of peace? 
Sleep makes all things well;
then sleep also.

Bertas Lied in der Nacht
German source: Franz Grillparzer

Bertha's Nocturnal Song
German source: Richard Wigmore

Nacht umhüllt
With fluttering wings 
Mit wehendem Flügel 
night envelops
Täler und Hügel 
alley and hill, 
Ladend zur Ruh’.
bidding them rest.

Und dem Schlummer 
And to Sleep, 
Dem lieblichen Kinde, 
that sweet child, 
Leise und linde 
she whispers 
Flüstert sie zu:
softly and gently:

„Weisst du ein Auge, 
‘If you know of an eye 
Wachend im Kummer, 
that stays awake, grieving, 
Lieblicher Schlummer, 
sweet Sleep,
Drücke mir’s zu!“
close it for me!’

Fühlst du sein Nahen?
Do you feel him draw near?
Ahnest du Ruh?
Do you have a presentiment of peace? 
Alles deckt der Schlummer, 
Sleep makes all things well;
Schlumm’re du, schlumm’re auch du. 
then sleep also.

Composer

Franz Schubert

Franz Peter Schubert was an late Classical and early Romantic composer. He produced a vast oeuvre during his short life, composing more the 600 vocal works (largely Lieder), and well as several symphonies, operas, and a large body of piano music. He…

Poet

Franz Grillparzer

Franz Grillparzer was one of Schubert's most famous and celebrated contemporaries. His plays still hold the stage, particularly in his native Austria. Like Schubert, he was born in Vienna, but unlike the composer he moved in a milieu of…

Performances

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