Hugo Wolf (March 13, 1860 – February 22, 1903) was an Austrian composer of … Read Full Bio ↴Hugo Wolf (March 13, 1860 – February 22, 1903) was an Austrian composer of Slovene origin, particularly noted for his art songs, or Lieder. He brought to this form a concentrated expressive intensity which was unique in late Romantic music, somewhat related to that of the Second Viennese School in concision but utterly unrelated in technique.

Though he had several bursts of extraordinary productivity, particularly in 1888 and 1889, depression frequently interrupted his creative periods, and his last composition was written in 1898, before he died of syphilis.

Spanisches Liederbuch Geistliche Lieder: No. 3 Nun wandre Maria
Hugo Wolf Lyrics

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HUGO WOLF (1860-1903)

(aus dem spanischen Liederbuch)

Nun wandre, Maria

Ocaña, übersetzt von Paul Heyse

Der Heilige Joseph singt:

Nun wandre, Maria,
Nun wandre nur fort.
Schon krähen die Hähne,
Und nah ist der Ort.
Nun wandre, Geliebte,
Du Kleinod mein,
Und balde wir werden
In Bethlehem sein.
Dann ruhest du fein
Und schlummerst dort.
Schon krähen die Hähne
Und nah ist der Ort.
Wohl seh ich, Herrin,
Die Kraft dir schwinden;
Kann deine Schmerzen,
cch, kaum verwinden.
Getrost! Wohl finden
Wir Herberg dort.
Schon krähen die Hähne
Und nah ist der Ort.
Wär erst bestanden
Dein Stündlein, Marie,
Die gute Botschaft,
Gut lohnt ich sie.
Das Eselein hie
Gäb ich drum fort!

Schon krähen die Hähne
Und nah ist der Ort.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Hugo Wolf's song "Nun wandre, Maria" from the Spanisches Liederbuch (Spanish Songbook) are a dialogue between Saint Joseph and the Virgin Mary. Saint Joseph tells Mary to continue her journey towards Bethlehem, as the roosters are crowing, indicating that daybreak is approaching and their destination is near. He reassures Mary that soon they will find a place to rest and sleep peacefully. However, Saint Joseph also notices that Mary is becoming weak and can hardly bear her pains. He encourages her to stay strong and assures her that they will find a dwelling soon. He even mentions that he would gladly offer the donkey they are traveling with if it would make her feel more comfortable. The song highlights the journey and the physical and emotional challenges that Mary and Joseph face as they make their way towards Bethlehem.

Line by Line Meaning

Nun wandre, Maria
Now, Mary, go on a journey

Nun wandre nur fort.
Now just keep walking.

Schon krähen die Hähne,
The roosters are already crowing

Und nah ist der Ort.
And the place is close.

Nun wandre, Geliebte,
Now walk, beloved

Du Kleinod mein,
You, my precious jewel,

Und balde wir werden
And soon we will become

In Bethlehem sein.
In Bethlehem.

Dann ruhest du fein
Then you will rest peacefully

Und schlummerst dort.
And sleep there.

Schon krähen die Hähne
The roosters are already crowing