# Schlaf, Kindlein, Schlaf

"Schlaf, Kindlein, schlaf" is one of Germany's oldest and best-loved lullabies, its first verse recorded in 1611 and spread by the famous folk-song collection "Des Knaben Wunderhorn" in 1808.

## At a glance

| | |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Germany |
| Sung in | German |
| Words by | Traditional |
| First known | first verse 1611 |
| Best for ages | 2–7 |
| Mood | lullaby |
| Page | https://littlesongbook.com/songs/schlaf-kindlein-schlaf/ |

## Lyrics

### Verse 1 (de)

Schlaf, Kindlein, schlaf!
Der Vater hüt' die Schaf,
die Mutter schüttelt's Bäumelein,
da fällt herab ein Träumelein.
Schlaf, Kindlein, schlaf!

### English translation (en)

Sleep, little child, sleep!
Your father tends the sheep,
your mother shakes the little tree,
and down there falls a little dream.
Sleep, little child, sleep!

## Common questions

**What does "Schlaf, Kindlein, schlaf" say?**

It is a soft pastoral lullaby: sleep, little child, sleep — your father is minding the sheep, your mother shakes the little tree, and down falls a little dream. The images of a shepherd father and a dream shaken from a tree make it one of the tenderest of German cradle songs.

**How old is "Schlaf, Kindlein, Schlaf"?**

Very old. The first verse was already written down in 1611 by the composer Melchior Franck. The lullaby became widely known when Clemens Brentano included it, with added verses, in the celebrated folk-song collection "Des Knaben Wunderhorn" in 1808.

**Where does the melody come from?**

The tune usually sung today was written by Johann Friedrich Reichardt in 1781. He used the same melody for another German children's song, "Maikäfer flieg", so the two share a tune.

## Sources

- [Wikipedia (German) — Schlaf, Kindlein, schlaf](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schlaf,_Kindlein,_schlaf)
- https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1269427