Die Blümelein sie schlafen facts for kids
"Die Blümelein sie schlafen" is a lovely German lullaby. It is also known as "Sandmännchen" (which means Sandman). The famous composer Johannes Brahms wrote this song. He also created other well-known lullabies, like his famous "Wiegenlied".
What is "Sandmännchen"?
"Sandmännchen" is the fourth song in a collection called "Fifteen Folk Songs for Children" by Johannes Brahms. These songs were originally part of an older songbook.
In German and other European folk tales, the sandman is a magical fairy. This fairy sprinkles special sand into children's eyes at night. This sand makes them feel sleepy and helps them drift off to sleep.
After the composer Robert Schumann passed away in 1856, Brahms gave this songbook, "Fifteen Folk Songs for Children," to Schumann's children as a special gift.
The Words of the Song
The song "Sandmännchen" has four parts, called stanzas. Here is the first stanza in both German and English:
| Original German Text | English Translation |
|---|---|
|
Sandmännchen |
Sandman |
Around the World
This sweet lullaby is sung in many different countries. People sing it in its original German, and also in various translated versions.
A Christmas Connection
The music from "Sandmännchen" is also used for a German Christmas carol called "Zu Bethlehem geboren" (Born in Bethlehem). This Christmas song was first printed in 1837 and was composed by the German poet, Friedrich Spee.
