Still, Still, Still

Still, Still, Still is an Austrian Christmas carol and lullaby.  In German its first line is “Still, still, still, weil’s Kindlein schlafen will!” (Hush, hush, hush, for the little child wants to sleep!)  The melody is a folk tune from the Salzburg, about 1865.  The words, which run to six verses in German, describe the peace of the infant Jesus and his mother as they sleep.  There are numerous English translations.

In the following 6-minute video, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra At Temple Square perform Still, Still, Still in a lovely arrangement by Mack Wilberg.

Following this, the nativity story from Luke Chapter 2 is read with delightful inflection by the famed Welsh bass-baritone, Bryn Terfel.  This recording is from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir’s 2003 Christmas concert.

Following is one of the various English translations of “Still, Still, Still”:

1. Still, still, still
One can hear the falling snow.
For all is hushed,
The world is sleeping,
Holy Star its vigil keeping.
Still, still, still,
One can hear the falling snow.

2. Sleep, sleep, sleep,
‘Tis the eve of our Saviour’s birth.
The night is peaceful all around you,
Close your eyes,
Let sleep surround you.
Sleep, sleep, sleep
‘Tis the eve of our Saviour’s birth.

3. Dream, dream, dream,
Of the joyous day to come.
While guardian angels without number
Watch you as you sweetly slumber.
Dream, dream, dream,
Of the joyous day to come.

This article originally appeared in The Arrow Is Flown - A Tristan Baier weblog