The tune appeared for the first time in 1865 in a folksong collection of Vinzenz Maria Süß [de] (1802–1868), founder of the Salzburg Museum.
The words describe the peace of the infant Jesus and his mother as the baby is sung to sleep.
They have changed slightly over the years, but the modern Standard German version remains attributed to Georg Götsch [de] (1895–1956).
Die Englein tun schön musizieren, vor dem Kripplein jubilieren.
Fallet Jesum all' zu Füßen, weil er für uns d'Sünd tut büßen!