Lieb Nachtigall wach auf,
Wach auf du schönes Vögelein
Auf jenen grünen Zweigelein,
Wach Hurtig ohn Verschnauf!
Dem Kindelein,
Auserkoren,
Heut geboren,
Halb erfroren,
sing, sing, sing!
dem zarten Jesulein!
Flieg her zum Kripplein klein,
Flieg her gefieder Schwesterlein,
Lass tonen hold dein Schnabelein,
Sing, Nachtigall gar fein!
Dem Kindelein,
Frohlich singe,
Lieblich klinge,
Fluglein schwinge,
sing, sing, sing!
dem zarten Jesulein!
English translation
The Christmas Nightingale
1. Sweet nightingale awake; Awake, you beautiful little bird
On those green sprigs, awake briskly without a breath!
To the little child, chosen one, born today, half frozen,
Sing! Sing! Sing! Sing! to the delicate little Jesus!
2.Fly hither to the small manger, fly hither feathered little sister,
Let your beak chirp gracefully, sing nightingale how fine!
To the little child, joyously sing, sound sweetly, swing little wings,
Sing! Sing! Sing! Sing! To the delicate little Jesus!