Lenten hymn: "Bey stiller nacht"

A beautiful hymn, sung in Holland based on a German text by Friedrich Spee von Langenfeld (1591 - 1635), titled : "Travvr-Gesang von der noth Christi am Oelberg in dem Garten".

Translation of the German text:

In the quiet night, at the first watch,
a voice began to lament;
sweetly and gently, the night wind
carried to me its sound.

And from such bitter sorrow and grief
my heart has melted.
The little flowers - with my pure tears
I have watered them all.

The beautiful moon wishes to set
out of pain, and never shine again;
the stars will let fade their gleam
for they wish to weep with me.

Neither bird-song nor sound of joy
can one hear in the air;
the wild animals grieve with me as well,
upon the rocks and in the ravines.

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First you hear a very quiet intro that leads into a calm bicinium where the melody is introduced. Then follow the 4 verses and finally a soft and sober ending.

Played on the big Marcussen at Rotterdam, that also can sound pretty intimate, I think.

Enjoy!
Marco