A Song of the Day... for Tree Huggers

Ruhe, meine Seele (Rest, my Soul)

Not a breath stirs,
the wood rests in gentle sleep;
through the leaves' dark veil
bright sunshine steals.

Rest, rest my soul,
wild have been your storms,
you have raged and quivered
like the swelling breakers.

These times are violent,
causing heart and mind distress -
rest, rest my soul,
and forget what threatens you!


Strauss set his song to this text by Karl Henckell, and Adrianne Pieczonka sung it beautifully at her recital in Toronto this spring.