commissioned by Sun Min Lee for the Westminster Chapel Choir
Himmelsknabe is an arrangement of the traditional German Christmas carol Schlaf wohl, du Himmelsknabe. It is intended for a larger choir and included some divisi. In the middle section, a verse from the Latin hymn Corde natus ex parentis soars over the texture, emphasizing the divinity of the Christ child.
Sung in German and Latin.
Himmelsknabe
2009 • 5min • SSAA+harp
Schlaf wohl, du Himmelsknabe by C.F. Daniel Schubart (1739–1791)
Corde natus ex parentis by Prudentuis (c. 348–415)
Schlaf wohl du Himmelsknabe du,
schlaf wohl du süßes Kind,
dich fächeln Engelein in Ruh,
mit sanftem Himmelswind.
Wir armen Hirten singen dir
ein herzig’s Wiegenleidchen für:
Schlafe, schlafe,
Himmelssöhnchen, schlafe!
Maria hat mit Mutterblick
dich leise zugedeckt.
Die Schäflein die im Stalle sind
verstummen vor dir Himmelskind.
Schlafe, schlafe,
Himmelssöhnchen, schlafe!
Psallat altitudo caeli,
psallite omnes angeli,
quidquid est virtutis usquam
psallat in laudem Dei,
nulla linguarum silescat,
vox et omnis consonet.
Saeculorum saeculis.
Hab immer deine Äuglein zu,
Denn du bedarfst der süssen Ruh’.
So schlummert in der Mutter Schoß
noch manches Kindlein ein,
doch wird das arme Kindlein groß,
so hat es Angst und Pein.
Oh Jesulein, durch deine Huld
hilfs ihnen tragen mit Geduld.
Schlafe, schlafe,
Himmelssöhnchen, schlafe!
Himmelsknabe
German translation by Charles Macpherson (1870–1927)
Latin translation by John Mason Neale (1818–1866)
O sleep, thou heaven-born Treasure, thou
Sleep sound, thou dearest child;
White angel wings shall fan thy brow
With breezes soft and mild.
We shepherds poor are here to sing
A simple lullay to our King:
Lullaby, Lullaby, sleep softly, lullaby.
Mary has, with mother’s love,
A bed for thee outspread.
The Lambs within the stall so nigh,
That thou mayst sleep, have hushed their cry.
Lullaby, Lullaby, sleep softly, lullaby.
O ye heights of heaven adore Him;
Angel hosts, His praises sing;
Powers, dominions, bow before Him,
And extol our God and King!
Let no tongue on earth be silent,
Every voice in concert sing,
Evermore and evermore!
Sleep, my Baby, whilst thou may,
‘Twill give thee rest against that day.
On mother’s knee doth man repose,
While he a child remains:
But when the child to manhood grows,
Then knows he woes and pains.
O holy Child, give grace to all,
That we endure whate’er befall.
Lullaby, Lullaby, sleep softly, lullaby.
Child of Heaven
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