Songs

Schlaflied ‘Schlummerlied’

by Franz Schubert

If you would like to use our texts and translations, please click here for more information.

Text & Translation

View IPA

Schlaflied ‘Schlummerlied’
German source: Johann Mayrhofer

Es mahnt der Wald, es ruft der Strom:
„Du liebes Bübchen, zu uns komm!“
Der Knabe kommt, und staunend weilt,
Und ist von jedem Schmerz geheilt.

Aus Büschen flötet Wachtelschlag,
Mit ihren Farben spielt der Tag;
Auf Blümchen rot, auf Blümchen blau
Erglänzt des Himmels feuchter Tau.

Ins frische Gras legt er sich hin,
Lässt über sich die Wolken ziehn,
An seine Mutter angeschmiegt,
Hat ihn der Traumgott eingewiegt.

Sleep Song 'Slumber Song'
English translation © Richard Wigmore

The woods exhort, the river cries out:
‘Sweet boy, come to us!’
The boy approaches, marvels and tarries,
and is healed of all pain.

The quail’s song echoes from the bushes,
the day makes play with shimmering colours;
on flowers red and blue
the moist dew of heaven glistens.

He lies down in the cool grass
and lets the clouds drift above him;
nestling close to his mother
he is lulled to sleep by the god of dreams.

Translations by Richard Wigmore first published by Gollancz and reprinted in the Hyperion Schubert Song Edition

Schlaflied ‘Schlummerlied’
German source: Johann Mayrhofer

Sleep Song 'Slumber Song'
English source: Richard Wigmore

Es mahnt der Wald, es ruft der Strom:
The woods exhort, the river cries out:
„Du liebes Bübchen, zu uns komm!“
‘Sweet boy, come to us!’
Der Knabe kommt, und staunend weilt,
The boy approaches, marvels and tarries,
Und ist von jedem Schmerz geheilt.
and is healed of all pain.

Aus Büschen flötet Wachtelschlag,
The quail’s song echoes from the bushes,
Mit ihren Farben spielt der Tag;
the day makes play with shimmering colours;
Auf Blümchen rot, auf Blümchen blau
on flowers red and blue
Erglänzt des Himmels feuchter Tau.
the moist dew of heaven glistens.

Ins frische Gras legt er sich hin,
He lies down in the cool grass
Lässt über sich die Wolken ziehn,
and lets the clouds drift above him;
An seine Mutter angeschmiegt,
nestling close to his mother
Hat ihn der Traumgott eingewiegt.
he is lulled to sleep by the god of dreams.

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

Johann Mayrhofer

Johann Baptist Mayrhofer , was an Austrian poet and librettist. He is best known for his close friendship with the composer Franz Schubert. Mayrhofer was born in Steyr, educated and Novitiate in St. Florian's Priory Upper Austria. In 1810 he began…

Performances

Previously performed at:

Help us with a Donation

Enjoying our texts and translations? Help us continue to offer this service to all.

Make a Donation

Select Tickets