Translation Help Please

[Sharon Allen]

Hello. I'm hoping someone may be able to help. As a four you old child I remember my German Grandfather (his mother was Danish & his father was German) always saying something to us in German before our bedtime. I think I found what it online, but can't seem to translate it in the online translators. I'm not sure if it is actually German or Danish or a mix. Maybe someone can help?

It's called "Zur Guten Nacht" and can be found in a book at the following link: 

https://books.google.com/books?id=a4xdAAAAcAAJ&pg=PR6&dq=deutsche+volkslieder:+Sammlung&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi2g7nHyIzfAhVMIDQIHafyCZMQ6AEIPTAC#v=onepage&q=zur%20guten%20nacht&f=false

It is number 1042.

Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you.

Sharon

[Helle Jespersen]

Yes it is German, but a kind of local dialect from the northern part of Germany. I'll try to translate it, but i'm not that familiar to the old local German dialects. But when reading it a few times I think it will make sence, it is only a few words which I'll have to try to find out.

[Sharon Allen]

That is very kind of you. I look forward to seeing the translation. Thank you!

[Ole Westermann]

Hi Sharon

From http://gutenberg.spiegel.de/buch/-8605/5

Zur Guten Nacht.
   Holstein.

To Bett, to Bett,
De'n Leevsten hett.
De kenen hett,
Mutt ock to Bett

Guden Abend gode Nacht!
Mit Rosen bedacht,
Mit Nêgelken bestêken
Kruup ünner de Dêken!

Morgen frö, wills Gott, wölln wi uns wedder sprêken.
  -------------------------------------------------------------------
It is in Low German language (Plattdeutsch), but I could not find all words in the Low German dictionary.
I have tried my best to translate - but something is still in Low German - and I am not sure everything is correct.

Wish you good night.
   Holstein.

To bed, to bed
to have a Leevsten
the kenen hett,
Must also to bed

Good evening good night!
Covered with roses,
strewed with pink
put you under the eiderdown!

Tomorrow morning, if God will, we will talk again.

mvh Ole

[Meinrat Andreae]

Here is a full translation:

To bed, to bed
Who has a Darling.
Who doesn't have one,
Must also to bed.

Good evening, good night,
Bedecked with roses,
Adorned with carnations,
Slip under the covers.

[Inger Toudal]

Suggestion partly based on https://volksmusik-forschung.de/datenbank/lied.html?id=229017

1(b). Soldaten müssen schlafen gehn und nicht mehr länger bei Mädchen stehn. Zu Bett, zu Bett, zu Bett!

1(a). Zu Bett, zu Bett, wern Liebchen hätt, wer keines hat, muß auch zu Bett, zu Bett, zu Bett, zu Bett!

WISHING GOOD NIGHT.

Holstein.

To bed, to bed,  
if you have a darling.
Those who haven't
must also go to bed.

Good evening, good night!
Covered with roses,
sprinkled with carnations,
creep under the covers.

Tomorrow morning, God willing,
we shall talk again.

Venlig hilsen
Inger Toudal

[Helle Jespersen]

In german:
Zu Bett, zu Bett,
der/die einen Liebsten (Freund) hat
Der keinen (Liebsten) hat,
muss auch zu Bett.
Guten Abend, gute Nacht,
mit Rosen bedacht,
mit Nelken bedeckt,
komm unter die Decke.
Morgen Früh, wenn Gott will,
sprechen wir uns wieder.

[Helle Jespersen]

In english
To bed, to bed,
the one who has a loved one (friend)
Who has no (sweetheart),
also has to go to bed.
Good evening Good Night,
thought of roses,
covered with cloves,
come under the blanket.
Tomorrow morning, if God wills,
Let's talk again

[Sharon Allen]

Thanks to all of you!

Sharon

[Christina Kaul]

Sharon,

it actually is a dialect version of Brahms Lullaby.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiegenlied_(Brahms)

The first stanza seems a local text version, the second stanza is the first stanza of the Brahms song - based on an old collection of German folk poems called 'Des Knaben Wunderhorn'.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Des_Knaben_Wunderhorn

Here you can listen to it (although the second stanza is a Christmas variation)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrwrXPEe9YA

Regards,

Christina