Johannes Brahms (7th May 1833–3rd April 1897) was a composer of the Romanti… Read Full Bio ↴Johannes Brahms (7th May 1833–3rd April 1897) was a composer of the Romantic period. Born in Hamburg, Germany, he eventually settled in Vienna, Austria.
Brahms wrote a number of major works for orchestra, including two serenades, four symphonies, two piano concertos, a Violin Concerto, a Double Concerto for violin and cello, and a pair of orchestral overtures, the Academic Festival Overture and the Tragic Overture.
His large choral work Ein deutsches Requiem ("A German Requiem") is not a traditional, liturgical requiem (Missa pro defunctis), but a setting of texts which Brahms selected from the Lutheran Bible. The work was composed in three major periods of his life. An earlier version of the second movement was first composed in 1854, not long after Robert Schumann's attempted suicide, and was later finished and used in his first piano concerto. The majority of the Requiem was composed after his mother's death in 1865. The fifth movement was later added after the official premiere in 1868. The complete work was then published in 1869.
Brahms's works in variation form include the Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Handel and the Paganini Variations, both for solo piano, and the Variations on a Theme by Joseph Haydn in versions for two pianos and for orchestra. The final movement of the Fourth Symphony (Op. 98) is also formally a set of variations.

His chamber works include three string quartets, two string quintets and two string sextets, as well as a clarinet quintet, a clarinet trio, a horn trio, a piano quintet, three piano quartets and three piano trios. He composed several instrumental sonatas with piano, including three for violin, two for cello and two for clarinet (which were subsequently arranged for viola by the composer). His solo piano works range from his early piano sonatas and ballades to his late sets of character pieces. Brahms also wrote about 200 songs and is considered among the greatest of Lieder composers (with Schubert and Schumann). His chorale preludes for organ, which he wrote shortly before his death, have become an important part of the organist's repertoire.

Brahms never wrote an opera, nor did he ever write in the characteristic late-19th-century form of the tone poem, strongly preferring to compose absolute music that does not refer to an explicit scene or narrative.

Despite his reputation as a serious composer of large, complex musical designs, some of Brahms's most widely known and commercially successful compositions during his life were aimed at the thriving contemporary market for domestic music-making, and are small-scale and popular in intention. These included his arrangements of popular dances, in Hungarian Dances, the Waltzes Op. 39 for piano duet, the Liebeslieder Waltzes for vocal quartet and piano, and some of his many songs, notably the Wiegenlied, Op. 49 No 4 (published in 1868). This last item was written (to a folk text) to celebrate the birth of a son to Brahms's friend Bertha Faber, and is universally known as Brahms' Lullaby.

Lullaby.
Johannes Brahms Lyrics

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Guten cbend, gut' Nacht
Mit Rosen bedacht
Mit Näglein besteckt
Schlüpf unter die Deck'
Morgen früh, wenn Gott will
Wirst du wieder geweckt
Morgen früh, wenn Gott will
Wirst du wieder geweckt

Guten cbend, 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
Guten cbend, gut' Nacht
Mit Rosen bedacht
Mit Näglein besteckt
Schlüpf unter die Deck'
Morgen früh, wenn Gott will
Wirst du wieder geweckt

Morgen früh, wenn Gott will
Wirst du wieder geweckt

Overall Meaning

These lyrics are from a German lullaby called "Guten Abend, gut' Nacht" which translates to "Good evening, good night." The song is commonly referred to as "Brahms' Lullaby" as it was composed by Johannes Brahms and is one of his most well-known works.

The first verse of the song describes the act of getting ready for bed. The lines "Mit Rosen bedacht, Mit Näglein besteckt" translate to "Covered with roses, adorned with small nails." These phrases symbolize the loving care and attention given to the child before they go to sleep. The next two lines, "Schlüpf unter die Deck', Morgen früh, wenn Gott will, Wirst du wieder geweckt" translate to "Slip under the covers, you will be woken up again tomorrow morning, if God wills." This expresses the hope and assurance of a peaceful night's sleep, with the belief that the child will be safely awakened in the morning.

The second verse adds a more mystical and angelic element to the lullaby. It mentions being watched over by angels and the dream of seeing the "Christkindlein's Baum," which means "the little Christ Child's tree" in German. This line implies that the child will have pleasant dreams about the magical and joyous atmosphere of Christmas, specifically the decorated Christmas tree.

The third and final verse repeats the same phrases as the first verse, reinforcing the themes of preparing for sleep and the belief in being awakened again in the morning. The repeated lines "Guten cbend, gut' Nacht" and "Schlüpf unter die Deck'" serve as a soothing and comforting refrain, emphasizing the familiar routine of nighttime rituals.

Overall, these lyrics convey a sense of warmth, love, and security that a lullaby aims to provide. Through its gentle melody and simple yet meaningful words, the song reassures a child that they are cared for and protected, creating a calming and peaceful atmosphere before they drift off to sleep.

Lullaby.Johannes Brahms Lyrics

Lullaby.
Johannes Brahms Lyrics