Christmas Day - The Virgin’s Slumber Song (Max Reger)
Some songs written especially for Christmas become so well known that they eventually are thought of as folk songs. The Virgin’s Slumber Song (Maria Wiegenlied) is an example of just the opposite turn of events. Originally a folk-song melody to the words Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mild, this graceful air was taken by the German composer Max Reger and transformed in 1912 into an art song, Maria Wiegenlied. Edward Teschemacher supplied an English translation of this lovely song, which echoes part of Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mild: the Virgin Mary singing to her Baby while He sleeps. The rhythm of both melody and accompaniment suggests the cradle gently rocking. (notes from William L. Simon, Reader’s Digest Merry Christmas Songbook)
Maria sitzt im Rosenhag
Dear Mary sits in rosy bow'r
Und wiegt ihr Jesuskind
And rocks the Jesus child
Durch die Blätter leise
Softly through the golden leaves
Weht der warme Sommerwind
Drifts a breezes so gentle and mild.
Zu ihren Füßen
At her feet
Singt ein buntes Vögelein
Sings a bird all gold and bright
Schlaf, Kindlein, süße
Sleep, dear One, sweet, sweet one
Schlaf nun ein!
Sleep good night!
Hold ist dein Lächeln
Lovely is your gentle smile
Holder deines Schlummers Lust
Telling of your slumber blessed
Leg dein müdes Köpfchen
Lay your tired head so close
Fest an deiner Mutter Brust!
Lay it on your mother's breast!
Schlaf, Kindlein, süße
Sleep, dear One, sweet, sweet one
Schlaf nun ein!
Sleep good night!
The Virgin’s Slumber Song - Sissel Kyrkjebø, soprano
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