Kinderwacht
German source:
Melchior von Diepenbrock
An ihrem Bett zwei Englein stehn,
Decken sie zu, decken sie auf,
Haben ein liebendes Auge drauf.
Wenn aber auf die Kindlein stehn,
Die beiden Engel schlafen gehn,
Reicht nun nicht mehr der Englein Macht,
Der liebe Gott hält selbst die Wacht.
Watching over children
English translation ©
Richard Stokes
Two little angels stand by their beds,
They tuck them in and tuck them up,
And keep a loving eye on them.
But when the children get up,
Both the angels go to sleep,
If the angels’ strength is now not enough,
The good Lord himself keeps watch.
Translations by Richard Stokes, author of The Book of Lieder (Faber, 2005)
Kinderwacht
German source:
Melchior von Diepenbrock
Watching over children
English source:
Richard Stokes
Wenn fromme Kindlein schlafen gehn,
When good children go to sleep,
An ihrem Bett zwei Englein stehn,
Two little angels stand by their beds,
Decken sie zu, decken sie auf,
They tuck them in and tuck them up,
Haben ein liebendes Auge drauf.
And keep a loving eye on them.
Wenn aber auf die Kindlein stehn,
But when the children get up,
Die beiden Engel schlafen gehn,
Both the angels go to sleep,
Reicht nun nicht mehr der Englein Macht,
If the angels’ strength is now not enough,
Der liebe Gott hält selbst die Wacht.
The good Lord himself keeps watch.
Composer
Robert Schumann
Robert Schumann was a German composer and influential music critic. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest composers of the Romantic era. Schumann left the study of law, intending to pursue a career as a virtuoso pianist. He had been assured…
Poet
Melchior von Diepenbrock
Melchior, Freiherr von Diepenbrock was a German Catholic Prince-Bishop of Breslau and Cardinal. He attended the military academy at Bonn and took part in the campaign against France in 1815 as an officer of the militia. Upon his return he was much…