Ludwig Tieck: “Rest, my Love, in the Shade”

By Johann Ludwig Tieck (1773-1853), from Liebesgeschichte der schönen Magelone und des Grafen Peter von Provence.

Set by Johannes Brahms (1833-1897), “Ruhe, Süßliebchen, im Schatten”, op. 33 no. 9, from Romanzen aus L. Tieck’s Magelone, no. 9.  Translation © Emily Ezust, Lied & Art Song Texts Page.

Ruhe, Süßliebchen, im Schatten

 Rest, my love, in the shade

Of green, darkening night;

The grass rustles on the meadow,

The shadows fan and cool thee

And true love is awake.

Sleep, go to sleep!

Gently rustles the grove,

Eternally am I thine.

Hush, you hidden songs,

And disturb not her sweetest repose!

The flock of birds listens,

Stilled are their noisy songs.

Close thine eyes, my darling,

Sleep, go to sleep;

In the twilight

I will watch over thee.

Murmur on, you melodies,

Rush on, you quiet stream.

Lovely fantasies of love

do these melodies evoke:

Tender dreams swim after them.

Through the whispering grove

Swarm tiny golden bees

which hum thee to sleep.