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Home / Poetry R. M. Rilke / Poetry / Wanderers Nachtlied II

Goethe – Nachtwanderers Lied II

(put to music by Franz Schubert, Op. 96 No. 3, D. 768)

Über allen Gipfeln
Ist Ruh,
In allen Wipfeln
Spürest du
Kaum einen Hauch;
Die Vögelein schweigen im Walde.
Warte nur, balde
Ruhest du auch.

Nightsong II

Above all mountain crests
is peace,
all treetops rest,
you scarcely feel
a breath, a breeze.
Small birds are silent in the trees.
Wait now, be blest
for soon you too shall rest.

translated by A de Zayas

another possible translation

The wanderer’s Night song II

Above all mountain tops
is peace,
in all the treetops
scarcely breath or breeze.
The small birds in the trees
are hushed beneath the moon.
Wait now, for soon
you too shall be at peace.