Lyr Req: Baby sleeping in thy cradle (P Robeson)

Subject: Lyr Req: Baby sleeping in thy cradle
From: Wolfgang
Date: 23 Sep 08 - 12:16 PM

"Schlafe, holder süßer Knabe" is a German poem by Matthias Claudius that has been set to a tune by Schubert.

Robeson sings an English translation starting with the words in the thread title.

I'm looking for these lyrics or for another singable English translation of the song/poem.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Baby sleeping in thy cradle
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 24 Sep 08 - 07:52 PM

According to this Robeson discography the song he sang was called SLUMBERLAND. It appears on 2 CDs:
"Freedom Train" (1957, reissued 1998)
"Historic Paul Robeson" (1961, reissued 1990).

This discography lists a song called LULLABY (SLUMBERLAND). Under this title it appears on 4 albums:
"Sings 20 of His Favourite Songs/The Transatlantic Exchange Concert" Sain CD 2574, 2008.
"Live at Carnegie Hall: May 9, 1958" Vanguard CD 72020, 2005.
"Freedom Train and the Welsh Transatlantic Concert" Folk Era CD 1447, 2004.
"The Essential Paul Robeson" Vanguard LP VSD-57/58, 1987.

I have listened to several sound samples and was able to transcribe this much:


...swinging,
Rocking gently by thy mother's hand.
Peaceful slumber, rest is bringing.
Dreams shall waft thee on to Slumberland.


I was unable to find complete lyrics.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Baby sleeping in thy cradle
From: Wolfgang
Date: 25 Sep 08 - 08:15 AM

Once more you, Jim, thanks.

You have solved the main problem I had with the first verse: "waft thee". I could have listened a whole day without getting this.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Baby sleeping in thy cradle
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 28 Sep 08 - 07:49 PM

Found at The Lied and Art Song Texts Page:

"WIEGENLIED", D. 498 (1816), published 1829.
Words, anonymous*. Music, Franz Peter Schubert (1797-1828)

Schlafe, holder, süßer Knabe,
Leise wiegt dich deiner Mutter Hand;
Sanfte Ruhe, milde Labe
Bringt dir schwebend dieses Wiegenband.

Schlafe in dem süßen Grabe,
Noch beschützt dich deiner Mutter Arm,
Alle Wünsche, alle Habe
Faßt sie lieben, alle liebwarm.

Schlafe in der Flaumen Schoße,
Noch umtönt dich lauter Liebeston,
Eine Lilie, eine Rose,
Nach dem Schlafe werd' sie dir zum Lohn.

*According to Snyder's German Poetry in Song: An Index of Lieder, this poem is often misattributed to Claudius [Matthias Claudius (1740-1815)] but it is not to be found in his works. This may be due to the similarity of its first line with that of [another] poem.

Singable translation from German to English copyright © 2007 by Linda Godry:

Do sleep, do sleep, lovely, sweet boy,
To the gentle rocking of your mother's hand;
Peaceful sleep, and recreation
Does come floating with each gentle pull.

Do sleep, do sleep in your sweet berth,
Still protected by your mother's arm,
All her wishes, all your talents
Encompassing, in her steady love.

Do sleep, do sleep, in that downy embrace,
Still you only hear a gentle crooning,
Dewy flowers: lilies and roses,
After slumber they will be your prize.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Baby sleeping in thy cradle
From: Wolfgang
Date: 29 Sep 08 - 06:24 AM

That's a good start. Thanks, Jim.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Baby sleeping in thy cradle
From: Wolfgang
Date: 29 Sep 08 - 06:56 AM

Intriguing information about the German lyrics not being from Claudius. I'll look a bit more. The online information I usually trust most is the German Volkslederarchiv (folk song archive).

It has Matthias Clausius as the author:

Schlafe schlafe holder süßer Knabe (a four verses German version)

A near repetition of verse 3 is given there as verse 4:

Schlafe, schlafe in der Mutter Schoße,
Noch umtönt dich holder Liebeston,
Eine Lilie, eine Rose
Nach dem Schlafe wird sie dir zum Lohn.

I think this is the first time I have ever encountered the word "Labe" as a noun. Even as a verb it is now close to unknown in the young generation.

Wolfgang

Subject: Lyr Add: LULLABY (from Paul Robeson)
From: GUEST,George
Date: 18 Sep 11 - 05:28 AM

I googled the lyrics to the song, and this thread came up! I know it's super old, but for anyone else that might happen upon this thread in the future, here is what I was able to put together lyrics wise:


LULLABY
as sung by Paul Robeson on "Live at Carnegie Hall, 1958"

Baby sleeping, in thy cradle swinging,
Rocking gently by thy mother's hand.
Peaceful slumber, rest is bringing.
Dreams shall waft thee on to Slumberland.

Baby sleeping, thou my only treasure.
On thy pillow rest secure and warm.
All blessings, all thy pleasures
Shall be gathered in your mother's arms.

Schlafe, schlafe, holder, süßer Knabe,
Leise wiegt dich deiner Mutter Hand;
Sanfte Ruhe, milde Labe
Bringt dir schwebend dieses Wiegenband

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Baby sleeping in thy cradle (P Robeson)
From: GUEST,Joe Morrissey
Date: 05 Mar 12 - 10:59 PM

Peaceful slumber, rest is bringing
On thy pillow, rest secure and warm

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Baby sleeping in thy cradle (P Robeson)
From: GUEST,999
Date: 06 Mar 12 - 03:18 PM

Worth a look.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiegenlied,_D._498_(Schubert)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Baby sleeping in thy cradle (P Robeson)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 31 Jan 16 - 08:14 PM

I think a few people coming across this wonderful thread probably want the lyrics as sung by Paul Robeson. I have my first grandchild now, and I'm desperate!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Baby sleeping in thy cradle (P Robeson)
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Jan 16 - 09:20 PM

Try:

Sleep my child
Let peace attend thee
All through the night
Guardian Angels God will send thee
All through the night

Soft the drowsy hours are creeping
Hill and vale in slumber sleeping
I my loving vigil keeping
All through the night

There are more verses but it has been a LONG time since I sang them.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Baby sleeping in thy cradle (P Robeson)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 31 Jan 16 - 09:27 PM

It's the one by Guest George that I was after. I think I've got enough of it now (having spent all evening tearily looking up words and youtubes!) to serenade my new grandson with. Hope I don't ruin him for life!