Johannes Brahms' "Wiegenlied: Guten Abend, gute Nacht" ("Lullaby: Good Evening, Good Night"), Op. 49, No. 4, was published in 1868. It's commonly called "Brahms' Lullaby" in English.

Notes

English Lyrics: Anonymous
1st Published by Fritz Simrock (1837 - 1901)

Here's a translation by Kristina Powers, sent to us with the following note:

"My name is Kristina Powers, and I am a classical singer who was alerted of your website by musical colleagues. About a year ago, at the urging of a German family who alerted me that the original religious symbolism was absent from the English translation of Brahms Lullaby, I set out to make my own translation with the help of German speaking friends and colleagues, and my colleagues suggested I submit it to you. Although not 100% literal due to rhyming needs, I sought to both keep the warm feel and spirituality. Here it is:"

Lullaby and goodnight,
Draped in roses and starlight
Robed in comfort from above
Rests my darling clothed in love!
Close thy eyes, now and sleep;
May The Lord His watch keep.
Close thy eyes, now and sleep,
May The Lord His watch keep.

Lullaby and goodnight,
Infant Jesus be thy light.
Round thy cradle angels shine,
Cloaking thee in dreams divine.
With a sweet, gentle kiss,
May thee behold Heaven's bliss.
With a sweet, gentle kiss,
May thee behold heaven's bliss.

"I have successfully sung it both in concert and to my own students/young children that I have watched." -Kristina

Comments

"I was never happy with these old standbys, so I 'fixed' them." -Barbara D. Martin

Lullaby, and good night
With roses bedight
With lilies o're spread is Baby's wee bed
Close your eyes now and rest,
May your slumber be blest,
Go to sleep now and rest
May your slumber be blest.

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Many thanks to F.S. for the lovely recording!

Thanks and Acknowledgements

Illustration: Walter Satterlee

Thanks to Kristina Powers for sending her English version of Brahms' Lullaby! Thanks to Barbara D. Martin for sharing her version.