Songs

Licht in der Nacht (1915)

Part of a series or song cycle:

Licht in der Nacht

Otto Julius Bierbaum

Ringsum dunkle Nacht

Hüllt in Schwarz mich ein.

Zage flimmert gelb

Ferneher ein Schein.

Ist als wie ein Trost,

Eine Stimme still,

Die dein Herz aufruft,

Das verzagen will.

Kleines, gelbes Licht,

Bist mir wie der Stern

Überm Hause einst

Jesuchrists des Herrn.

Und da löscht es aus.

Und die Nacht wird schwer.

Schlafe, Herz, du hörst

Keine Stimme mehr.

A nocturnal light

English Translation © Richard Stokes

Dark night all around

Envelops me in black.

A hesitant yellow glow

Shimmers from afar.

As though bringing solace,

Like a tranquil voice

Summoning your heart,

When in despair.

Little yellow light,

You are like the star to me

That once shone above the house

Of our Lord Jesus Christ.

And now it is extinguished.

And the night grows heavy.

Sleep, o heart, you shall not hear

A voice again.

Composer

Alma Maria Mahler Gropius Werfel (born Alma Margaretha Maria Schindler; 31 August 1879 – 11 December 1964) was a Viennese-born composer, author, editor and socialite. She composed at least 17 songs for voice and piano. She was married to Gustav Mahler.

Read her full Wikipedia article here.

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