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| The moon seen near Cascade Lake, above Lake Tahoe, California (AWM) |
My translation of a nineteenth-century German poem by Matthäus von Collin (“Nacht und Träume”), which was later adapted and set to music by Franz Schubert (“Heil'ge Nacht”). Though there are a few English translations online, my version (of Schubert’s text) preserves the rhythm and rhyme scheme, and so it can be sung to Schubert’s score. The German original follows my translation.
To match the melody of the sung version, in the second and last lines, the word “dreams” must be extended over two syllables (i.e., “dre-ams” for “Träu-me”.) In the fourth line, “silent” must be repeated three times (as is “stille” in Schubert’s version.)
Night and Dreams
Holy night, thou sinkest downward;
Downward also cascade dreams—
As through evening air flow moonbeams—
Through each sleeper’s silent breast.
Thee they harken and feel blessed;
Crying, when waked by dawn’s light,
Return once more, holy night!
Dearest dreams, return once more!
Nacht und Träume
Heil’ge Nacht, du sinkest nieder;
Nieder wallen auch die Träume,
Wie dein Mondlicht durch die Räume,
Durch der Menschen stille Brust.
Die belauschen sie mit Lust;
Rufen, wenn der Tag erwacht:
Kehre wieder, heil’ge Nacht!
Holde Träume, kehret wieder!