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After more than a year in development, I'm thrilled to announce that we've finally implemented the ability to view "sung texts" with all the modifications by a given composer already applied. Over 10,000 pages will benefit from this improvement. It should especially benefit those of you who need accurate texts for concert programs and CD booklets.

I'm excited to share this new feature with all of you and hope that it enhances your experience on the LiederNet Archive. Take some time to explore and enjoy! — Emily

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by Clemens Maria Wenzeslaus von Brentano (1778 - 1842)
Translation © by John Glenn Paton

Heilige Nacht! Heilige Nacht!
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Our translations:  CAT DUT ENG FRE
Heilige Nacht! Heilige Nacht!
Sterngeschloßner Himmelsfrieden!
Alles, was das Licht geschieden,
Ist verbunden,
Alle Wunden
Bluten süß im Abendrot.

Bjelbogs Speer, Bjelbogs Speer
Sinkt ins Herz der trunknen Erde,
Die mit seliger Gebärde
Eine Rose
In dem Schoße
Dunkler [Lüste]1 niedertaucht.

[Züchtige]2 Braut, züchtige Braut!
Deine süße Schmach verhülle,
Wenn des Hochzeitsbechers Fülle
Sich ergießet;
Also fließet
In die brünstige Nacht der Tag!

Available sung texts: (what is this?)

•   R. Strauss 

About the headline (FAQ)

View original text (without footnotes)

Note: Bjelbog is a Slavic god of light.
1 Strauss: "Lüfte"
2 Strauss: "Heilige Nacht! Züchtige"

Text Authorship:

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):

Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

  • CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • DUT Dutch (Nederlands) [singable] (Lau Kanen) , copyright © 2018, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • ENG English (John Glenn Paton) , no title, copyright © 2002, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission


Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 18
Word count: 63

Holy night! Holy night!
Language: English  after the German (Deutsch) 
Holy night! Holy night!
Star-enclosed sky-peace!
Everything that light divided
is connected;
all wounds
bleed sweetly in evening's red glow.

Bjelbog's spear, Bjelbog's spear
sinks into the heart of the drunken Earth,
which, with a blissful gesture,
dips a rose
in the womb
of dark [desires]1.

[Demure]2 bride, demure bride!
Hide your sweet shame
when the wedding goblet's fullness
is poured out;
thus flows,
into the lustful night, day!

About the headline (FAQ)

View original text (without footnotes)
Translation of title "An die Nacht" = "To the Night"
1 Strauss: "breezes"
2 Strauss: "Holy night! Demure"

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2002 by John Glenn Paton, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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Based on:

 

This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 18
Word count: 69