The birth of our Lord has inspired countless works of art, but this one is unique: a 16th-century painting of the sleeping Jesus by Francesco Albani inspired a 19th-century poem by Eduard Mörike which in turn inspired a 19th-century song by Hugo Wolf which was sung by the 20th-century soprano Kathleen Battle: Schlafendes Jesuskind (or, the Sleeping Christ-child). You can listen to it here for free (press the purple play next to the title, then the yellow player at the bottom) or buy it on iTunes (it’s the second song on the album). Although German Lieder is normally sung with just piano and voice, here it is transcribed for orchestra. It is marvelous, wonderful, and majestic – but to appreciate it fully you must listen to and understand the words. I’ve included the original poem and translation:
Sohn der Jungfrau, Himmelskind! am Boden,
Auf dem Holz der Schmerzen eingeschlafen,
Das der fromme Meister, sinnvoll spielend,
Deinen leichten Träumen unterlegte;
Blume du, noch in der Knospe dämmernd
Eingehüllt die Herrlichkeit des Vaters!
O wer sehen könnte, welche Bilder
Hinter dieser Stirne, diesen schwarzen
Wimpern sich in sanftem Wechsel malen!
Sohn der Jungfrau, Himmelskind!
Son of the Virgin, child of Heaven, lying on the ground
asleep on the wood of suffering
that the pious Master has placed -
an act full of meaning – under your light dreams;
You flower, even in the bud, darkling and sheathed,
still the glory of God the Father!
O, who could see,
behind this brow, these dark lashes,
what softly-changing pictures are being painted!
Son of the Virgin, child of Heaven!
If you’re interested, here is a history and interpretation of this most unique song. And here is a setting with only piano sung by the great baritone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau; it gives you a sense of how Wolf originally envisioned it.
What I find so moving is the image of the small Jesus lying in the rough, wooden manger that would also be the rough, wooden cross upon which He would one day be crucified. The German alludes to God the Father as the real painter of the scene, knowing full well the destiny of this little child who would change the world’s course, so weak and so powerful. There is much that could be written here, but perhaps it is best just to listen and imagine. Words cannot do it justice.
May the advent of our Lord fill you with great wonder and awe.
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“He left Heaven,
Knowing His destiny,
There at lonely Golgotha,
He laid down His life for me.
“If that isn’t love, then the there’s no star in the sky,
………………. ? ? ? ?
And the sparrow won’t fly,
If that isn’t love.
(Written by Dottie Rambo at the tender age of 8 when sitting by a creek one mile from home)
Jim