Weißt du, wie viel Sternlein stehen facts for kids
"Weißt du, wie viel Sternlein stehen" is a famous German song. Its name means "Do you know how many stars there are?" It's a popular lullaby, which is a calming song sung to help children sleep. People also sing it as an evening song.
The words for this song were written by a German pastor and poet named Wilhelm Hey (1789–1854). He first shared the lyrics in 1837. The tune for the song is even older, going back to 1818. An English version of some of the verses was created by Henry William Dulcken (1832–1894).
This song is so well-known that it was included in the Evangelisches Gesangbuch, which is a collection of hymns and songs used in Protestant churches. It's found in the part about "Natur und Jahreszeiten," meaning "nature and seasons."
Song Lyrics
This song has beautiful lyrics in both German and English. They talk about how God knows and cares for everything in the world, from the stars in the sky to the smallest insects and even every child.
Weißt du, wie viel Sternlein stehen
an dem blauen Himmelszelt?
Weißt du, wie viel Wolken gehen
weithin über alle Welt?
Gott der Herr hat sie gezählet,
dass ihm auch nicht eines fehlet
an der ganzen großen Zahl.
Weißt du, wie viel Mücklein spielen
in der heißen: Sonnenglut,
wie viel Fischlein auch sich kühlen
in der hellen Wasserflut?
Gott der Herr rief sie mit Namen,
dass sie all' ins Leben kamen,
dass sie nun so fröhlich sind.
Weißt du, wie viel Kinder frühe
stehn aus ihrem: Bettlein auf,
dass sie ohne Sorg' und Mühe
fröhlich sind im Tageslauf?
Gott im Himmel hat an allen
seine Lust, sein Wohlgefallen;
kennt auch dich und hat dich lieb.
Can you count the stars that brightly
twinkle in the midnight sky?
Can you count the clouds, so lightly
o'er the meadows floating by?
God, the Lord, doth mark their number,
with His eyes that never slumber;
He hath made them everyone.
Can you count the wings now flashing
in the sunshine's golden light?
Can you count the fish splashing
in the cooling waters bright?
God, the Lord, a name hath given,
to all creatures under Heaven;
He hath named them everyone.
Do you know how many children
rise each morning blithe and gay?
Can you count their jolly voices,
singing sweetly day by day?
God hears all the happy voices,
in their merry songs rejoices;
and He loves them, every one.
Song History
Wilhelm Hey first published the words to "Weißt du, wie viel Sternlein stehen" in 1837. It was part of a special section in his second collection of stories for children. This collection was called Funfzig neue Fabeln (Fifty New Fables). The publisher, Friedrich Christoph Perthes, first released it without Hey's name on it. However, it became very popular and was printed many times throughout the 1800s. Another well-known Christmas song, "Alle Jahre wieder" (Every Year Again), also comes from this same collection.
See also
