Leise rieselt der Schnee facts for kids
Leise rieselt der Schnee is a very famous German Christmas song. It means "Softly falls the snow." This beautiful song was written in 1895 by a pastor named Eduard Ebel (1839-1905). He first published it in a book of his poems, and he called it Weihnachtsgruß, which means "Christmas Greeting."
Many people believe Eduard Ebel also wrote the melody for the song. However, it's not completely certain. Some think the tune might be an old folk song that Ebel used for his lyrics. Others suggest it might be based on a piece of music from 1792 by a composer named Daniel Gottlob Türk. But the melodies are only similar for a very short part. No matter who wrote the melody, the song has become a beloved part of Christmas traditions in Germany.
The Melody of the Song
The melody of "Leise rieselt der Schnee" is simple and peaceful, making it easy to learn and sing. Here's how the music looks: <score %vorbis="1"%%T257066%> \relative c { \key g \major \time 6/8 \autoBeamOff b4 b8 a b a | g4.~ g4 r8 g4 e8 g fis e | d4.~ d4 r8 a'8 gis a c b a | g4.~ g4 r8 a8. e16 e8 fis e fis | g4.~ g4 r8 \bar "|."
} \addlyrics { Lei -- se rie -- selt der | Schnee, still und starr liegt der | See, weih -- nacht -- lich glän -- zet der | Wald: Freu -- e dich, Christ -- kind kommt bald.
} </score>
The Lyrics of the Song
The words of "Leise rieselt der Schnee" paint a picture of a quiet, snowy Christmas Eve. They talk about the peacefulness of winter and the joy of the upcoming Christmas.
Here are the lyrics:
Leise rieselt der Schnee,
Still und starr liegt der See,
Weihnachtlich glänzet der Wald:
Freue Dich, Christkind kommt bald.
In den Herzen ist’s warm,
Still schweigt Kummer und Harm,
Sorge des Lebens verhallt:
Freue Dich, Christkind kommt bald.
Bald ist heilige Nacht;
Chor der Engel erwacht;
Horch’ nur, wie lieblich es schallt:
Freue Dich, Christkind kommt bald.
