Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Weinachtslieder: The Ones I Didn't Know II

Another German carol with which I was not familiar was Leis Rieselt der Schnee.

A soloist sang the first three lines, and the congregation sang the final line, which was the same text in each verse.

Leise rieselt der Schnee,
Still und starr ruht der See,
Weihnachtlich glänzet der Wald,
Freue Dich, Christkind kommt bald.

Softly the snow trickles,
The lake rests silent and glassy,
the forest shines Christmas-like,
Rejoice, Christchild is coming soon.

Where "Ich Steh an Deiner Krippe Hier" has a very churchly melody (both tunes fall under the Lutheran chorale umbrella), "Leise Rieselt der Schnee" has a very folksy melody. Yet both are more introspective than objective. Yes, folks, Lutherans do get touchy-feely from time to time!


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