Ex. 1-6: Mutter, o sing’ mich zur Ruh’!

From Robert Franz's 6 Gesänge (Op. 10), published in 1850. The German text is by Ferdinand von Freiligrath (1810–1876), translated from an English poem by Felicia Hemans (1793–1835), a widely read poet in 19th-century Britain.

The same poem was also translated into Russian and set to music by Tchaikovsky.

The title means "Mother, oh sing me to rest!" — a weary soul asks his/her mother for a lullaby. The plea to be "sung to rest" can also be read as a longing for final peace.

Fanny Mendelssohn also composed a setting of the same poem.

Track 19 from the album Robert Franz, Lieder by Yves Saelens and Jan Vermeulen (2002)
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