Über allen Gipfeln

poem by Goethe

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July 16, 2026

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"Über allen Gipfeln" is a short poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, written in 1780. It is one of his most famous works and is also known as "Wandrers Nachtlied II" (Wanderer's Night Song II).1

The poem captures a moment of profound peace and stillness as night falls over a mountain landscape. It describes the quiet that settles over the peaks, the trees, and the world, bringing a sense of calm and rest. The final lines suggest that all suffering will soon cease, and the soul will find peace.1

Goethe, a towering figure in German literature, wrote this poem during a period of personal reflection and official duties in Weimar. The poem is celebrated for its simple yet evocative imagery and its universal theme of finding solace in nature.21

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Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
First Weimar period (1776–86) of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
…Songs”), the second of which—“Über allen Gipfeln” (“Over All the Peaks”), written in 1780—is probably the best-known of all his poems.
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…Songs”), the second of which—“Über allen Gipfeln” (“Over All the Peaks”), written in 1780—is probably the best-known of all his poems.
Read More