“Irrlicht” is German for “The Will’o’The Wi… Read Full Bio ↴Germany (2002 - present)
“Irrlicht” is German for “The Will’o’The Wisp”. This mythical creature was known to the old Romans as „Ignis Fatuus“ or the light of fate. According to legend, they led nocturnal wanderers astray, if not to their deaths.
These modern-day “Die Irrlichter” entrance their audience and lure them with music from days gone by and worlds far far away. The band excites listeners both at their live performances and on four released
albums, with their foot-stomping dances, tragic ballads, saucy ditties and own compositions of fairy-tale stories. Their harmonised vocals and part singing are accompanied by reproductions of historic instruments such as bass lute, harp, renaissance recorders, nyckelharpa, davul, shaume and bagpipes.
Live performances get their special touch and atmosphere through the lively commentary, the large variety of instruments and the even larger repertoire of music. What is already a feast for your ears turns into a feast for your eyes through supporting acts of juggling and the themed costumes worn by the musicians.
The debut album Koboldtanz (Goblin’s Dance) was released in 2002 and met with thrilled listeners everywhere. May 2004 saw the release of the second album Elfenhain (Elven Wood), which is especially renowned for its merry and sometimes saucy tunes. The album Angelus ad Virginem (From The Angel To The Virgin), released in autumn 2005, had a wintery and christmasy theme and showed “Die Irrlichter” from their quieter, romantic side. Contrasting this, the current album Aventiure (Adventure) from 2006 leads into a world of adventurers, cutpurses and witches. The current album Goldstück (released in autumn 2008) leads you to the dark side of fairy tale.
Current line-up:
Brigitta Jaroschek ("Ilara die Vielsaitige") - vocals, bass lute, six-string and 12-string guitars, cittern, mandoline, harp, Jew's harp
Stephanie Keup ("Ioana die Liederliche") - vocals, flutes, rauschpfeife, chalumeau, nyckelharpa, hammer and anvil
Jutta Simon-Alt ("Die Eifelflamme") - vocals, bagpipes, shawm, flutes
Jutta Tiedge ("Hayat - tanzt an der Trommel") - davul, lance-knight drum, darabuka, cymbals, percussion
Daniela Heiderich ("Ela Engelhaar") - flutes, rauschpfeife, shawm, bagpipes, harp, crumhorn
Former Members:
Anna Karin ("Das Tanzweib Lacrima") - vocals, davul, percussion, lute, cymbals, dance
Ulla Kramer ("Die gurrende Geigerin") - violin, viola
Christine Krull-Kosubek ("Das schöne Wib") - vocals, bagpipes (galician gaita, Hümmelchen), gemshorn, flutes, jingles
Ulrike Endesfelder ("Linja") - vocals, flutes, rauschpfeife, violin, percussion
Christoph Danielec ("Meister Argyll") - vocals, shawm, rauschpfeife, flutes, bagpipes, war horn
Edwin Meißner ("Der Teufelsgeiger") - violin
Maria durch ein Dornwald ging
Die Irrlichter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Maria durch ein Dornwald ging,
der hat in sieben Jahren kein Laub getragen
Jesus und Maria
Was trug Maria unter ihrem Herzen, Kyrieleison
ein kleines Kindlein ohne Schmerzen,
das trug Maria unter ihrem Herzen
Da haben die Dornen Rosen getragen, Kyrieleison
als das Kindlein durch den Wald getragen,
da haben die Dornen Rosen getragen
Jesus und Maria
The song "Maria durch ein Dornwald ging" by Die Irrlichter is a German traditional Christmas carol that dates back to the 19th century. The song tells the story of Mary walking through a thorn forest while carrying baby Jesus in her womb. The first verse of the song sets the scene, describing the thorny path that Mary had to take. It also emphasizes the miraculous nature of the journey, as the thorn forest had not borne any leaves for seven years.
The second verse focuses on Mary's pregnancy, describing the child she was carrying without any pain. This emphasizes the religious significance of the event, as it highlights the divine nature of Jesus's birth.
The final verse describes the way in which the thorns in the forest transformed into roses as Mary and Jesus passed through. This is an important symbolic element in the story, as it represents the transformative nature of Jesus's birth and the idea that he brings light and beauty to the world.
Overall, the song tells a powerful and emotive story that celebrates the miraculous nature of Jesus's birth and the enduring power of faith.
Line by Line Meaning
Maria durch ein Dornwald ging, Kyrieleison
Maria walked through a thorn forest, singing Kyrie Eleison
Maria durch ein Dornwald ging, der hat in sieben Jahren kein Laub getragen, Jesus und Maria
Maria walked through a forest of thorns where no leaves grew for seven years, with Jesus and Mary
Was trug Maria unter ihrem Herzen, Kyrieleison
What did Mary carry in her heart, singing Kyrie Eleison
ein kleines Kindlein ohne Schmerzen, das trug Maria unter ihrem Herzen, Jesus und Maria
A little child without pain, whom Mary carried in her heart, with Jesus and Mary
Da haben die Dornen Rosen getragen, Kyrieleison
Then the thorns bore roses, singing Kyrie Eleison
als das Kindlein durch den Wald getragen, da haben die Dornen Rosen getragen, Jesus und Maria
When the child was carried through the forest, the thorns bore roses, with Jesus and Mary
Contributed by Jayden A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.