🌙 Brahms' Lullaby (Wiegenlied)

Lullaby and good night, with roses bedight
With lilies o'er spread is baby's wee bed
Lay thee down now and rest, may thy slumber be blessed
Lay thee down now and rest, may thy slumber be blessed

Lullaby and good night, thy mother's delight
Bright angels beside, my darling abide
They will guard thee at rest, thou shalt wake on my breast
They will guard thee at rest, thou shalt wake on my breast

✨ Alternate Version

These modern verses are inspired by the original German lyrics and include gentle spiritual imagery, often found in older lullabies.

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.

These alternate lyrics were written by Kristina Powers to more closely reflect the original German text, preserving its religious symbolism while keeping a rhyming, soothing tone.

Original German Version

Guten Abend, gut’ Nacht, Mit Rosen bedacht,
Mit Näglein besteckt, schlupf unter die Deck'
Morgen früh, wenn Gott will, wirst du wieder geweckt
Morgen früh, wenn Gott will, wirst du wieder geweckt

Guten Abend, gut’ Nacht, Von Englein bewacht
Die zeigen im Traum, dir Christkindleins Baum
Schlaf nun selig und süss, Schau im Traum's Paradies
Schlaf nun selig und süss, Schau im Traum's Paradies

The Story Behind Brahms Lullaby

Brahms' Lullaby—known in German as Wiegenlied: Guten Abend, gute Nacht—was composed by Johannes Brahms in 1868 as a gift for his dear friend Bertha Faber on the birth of her second son.

It’s said that Brahms had been quietly in love with Bertha since their youth, and the lullaby’s gentle melody is believed to subtly reference a song she once sang to him.

The piece was first performed publicly in December 1869, and has since become one of the most beloved lullabies in the world—passed down through generations as a comforting bedtime song.