Glow worms are also called fireflies and lightning bugs, 1902.
English words by Lilla Cayley Robinson in 1910
music by Paul Lincke
Original was in German: Gluhwurmchen, Idyll for Orchestra from the 1902 operetta “Lysistrata”.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment track:
Lyrics
- When the night falls silently
The night falls silently on forests dreaming
Lovers wander forth to see
They wander forth to see the bright stars gleaming
And lest they should lose their way
Lest they should lose their way, the glow-worms nightly
Light their tiny lanterns gay
Their tiny lanterns gay and twinkle brightly
Here and there, and everywhere, from mossy dell and hollow
Floating, gliding through the air, they call on us to follow
Chorus
Shine, little glow-worm, glimmer
Shine, little glow-worm, glimmer
Lead us, lest too far we wander
Love’s sweet voice is calling yonder
Shine, little glow-worm, glimmer
Shine, little glow-worm, glimmer
Light the path, below, above, and lead us on to Love
- “Little glow-worm, tell me pray
Oh glow-worm, tell me pray, how did you kindle
Lamps that by the break of day
That by the break of day, must fade and dwindle”
“Ah, this secret, by your leave
This secret, by your leave, is worth the learning
When true lovers come at eve
True lovers come at eve, their hearts are burning
Glowing cheeks and lips betray, how sweet the kisses tasted
Till we steal the fire away, for fear lest it be wasted”
Sung here by Fred Feild accompanied by Paul Lincke conducting the orchestra: