Dr. Martin Luther's Deutsche Geistliche Lieder

The Hymns of Martin Luther

Set To Their Original Melodies

With an English Version Edited by Leonard Woolsey Bacon Assisted by Nathan H. Allen



CONTENTS

Introduction

Dr. Martin Luther's Preface to all good Hymn Books, 1543

FROM THE "EIGHT SONGS," Wittenberg, 1524.

I. - Nun freut euch, lieben Christen g'mein. (1523)

"A Song of Thanksgiving for the great Benefits which God in Christ has mainifested to us."

DEAR CHRISTIANS, ONE AND ALL REJOICE.

TRANSLATION in part from R. Massie.

FIRST MELODY, 1524. Harmony by H. Schein, 1627.

SECOND MELODY from Klug's Gesangbuch, 1543. Harmony by M. Praetorius, 1610. This choral is commonly known under the title, "Es ist gewisslich an der Zeit," and, in a modified form, in England and America, as "Luther's Judgment Hymn," from its association with a hymn of W. B. Collyer, partly derived from the German, and not written by Luther.

II. - Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh' darein.

PSALM XII - Salvum me fac, Domine.

LOOK DOWN, O LORD, FROM HEAVEN BEHOLD.

TRANSLATION chiefly from Frances Elizabeth Cox, in "Hymns from the German." FIRST MELODY, 1524, is the tune of the hymn of Paul Speratus, "Es ist das Heil uns kommen her," the singing of which under Luther's window at Wittenberg is related to have made so deep an impression on the Reformer. The anecdote is confirmed by the fact that in the "Eight Songs," Luther's three version of Psalms are all set to this tune.. Harmony by A. Haupt, 1869.

SECOND MELODY from Klug's Gesangbuch, 1543. Harmony by Haupt, 1869. This is the tune in common use with this psalm in northern Germany.

III. - Es spricht der Unweisen Mund wohl.

PSALM XIV.-"Dixit insipiens in corde."

THE MOUTH OF FOOLS DOTH GOD CONFESS.

TRANSLATION from R. Massie.

MELODY from Walter's Gesangbuch, 1525. Harmony by M. Praetorius, 1610.

IV. - Aus tiefer Noth schrei' ich zu dir.

PSALM CXXX. - "De profundis clamavi."

OUT OF THE DEEP I CRY TO THEE.

TRANSLATION by Arthur Tozer Russel.

FIRST MELODY from Walter's Gesangbuch, 1525. Harmony by John Sebastian Bach, about 1725.

SECOND MELODY in Wolfgang Koephl's Gesangbuch, 1537, and in George Rhau's, 1544. Harmony by A. Haupt, 1869.

FROM THE "ENCHIRIDION," Erfurt, 1524.

V. - Ein neues Lied wir heben an.

"A Song of the Two Christian Martyrs, burnt at Brussels by the Sophists of Louvain. Which took place in the year 1522." [The real date of the event was July 1, 1523; and the ballard gives every token of having been inspired by the first announcement of the story. The excellent translation of Mr. Massie has been conformed more closely to the original in the third and fourth stanzas; also, by a felicitous quatrain from the late Dr. C. T. Brooks, in the tenth stanza.]

BY HELP OF GOD I FAIN WOULD TELL.

TRANSLATION principally that of R. Massie.

MELODY in Walter's Gesangbuch, 1525. Harmony by M. Praetorius, 1610.

VI. - Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland.

From the Ambrosian Hymn, "Veni, Redemptor, gentium.)

SAVIOUR OF THE HEATHEN, KNOWN.

TRANSLATION in part from R. Massie.

MELODY derived from that of the Latin hymn, in Walter's Gesangbuch, 1525. Harmony from "The Choral Book for England," by Sterndale Bennett and Otto Goldschmidt, 1865.

VII. - Christum wir sollen loben schon.

(From the Latin hymn, "A solis ortus cardine.")

NOW PRAISE WE CHRIST, THE HOLY ONE.

TRANSLATION by R. Massie.

MELODY that of the Latin hymn. Harmony by M. Praetorius, 1609.

VIII. - Gelobet sei'st du, Jesu Christ.

ALL PRAISE TO JESUS' HALLOWED NAME.

TRANSLATION chiefly by R. Massie.

ANCIENT GERMAN CHURCH MELODY. Harmony by A. Haupt, 1869.

IX. - Christ lag in Todesbanden.

"Christ ist erstanden."-Gebessert.

CHRIST WAS LAID IN DEATH'S STRONG BANDS.

MELODY derived from that of the older German hymn. Harmony by Bennett and Goldschmitt, 1865.

X. - Komm, Gott Schoepfer, heiliger Geist.

From Veni, Creator Spiritus, ascribed to Charlemagne, 800.

COME, GOD CREATOR, HOLY GHOST.

MELODY of the eighth century. Harmony by John Sebastian Bach.

XI. - Jesus Christus unser Heiland.

JESUS CHRIST, WHO CAME TO SAVE.

MELODY first published by Klug, 1543, and Bapst, 1545. Harmony after John Sebastian Bach.

XII. - Komm, heiliger Geist, Herre Gott.

"Veni, Sancte Spiritus, gebessert durch D. Martin Luther." The first stanza translated from the Latin hymn ascribed to King Robert of France (A. D. 991), is traced to a service-book of the church in Basel, of the year 1514.

COME, HOLY SPIRIT, LORD OUR GOD.

TRANSLATION chiefly that of Arthur Tozer Russell.

ORIGINAL LATIN MELODY. Harmony after Erythraeus, 1609.

XIII. - Diess sind die heil'gen zehn Gebot'.

The Ten Commandments.

THAT MEN A GODLY LIFE MIGHT LIVE.

TRANSLATION chiefly by R. Massie.

XIV. - Jesus Christus unser Heiland.

Translated from "Jesus Christus, nostra salus," hymn of John Huss.

CHRIST, WHO FREED OUR SOULS FROM DANGER.

TRANSLATION by R. Massie.

MELODY in Walter, 1525. Harmony in Von Tucher, 1848.

XV. - Gott sei gelobet und gebenedeiet.

MAY GOD BE PRAISED HENCEFORTH AND BLEST FOREVER.

TRANSLATION by R. Massie, amended.

MELODY from some older one, 1525. Harmony by H. Schein, 1627.

XVI. - Es wollt' uns Gott genaedig sein.

Psalm LXVII. - Deus miseratur nostri.

MAY GOD UNTO US GRACIOUS BE.

TRANSLATION by Arthur Tozer Russell.

MELODY in Koephl, Strassburg, 1538. Harmony, by A. Haupt, 1869.

XVII. - Wohl dem, der in Gottesfurcht steht.

Psalm CXXVIII.- Beati omnes qui timent Dominum.

HAPPY THE MAN WHO FEARETH GOD.

TRANSLATION by R. Massie.

FIRST MELODY, of 1525. Harmony by Gesius, 1605.

SECOND MELODY, of 1537. Harmony by Landgraf Moritz, 1612.

XVIII. - Mitten wir im Leben sind.

The first stanza from Media vita in morte sumus. Notker, A.D. 912.

THOUGH IN MIDST OF LIFE WE BE.

TRANSLATION by R. Massie.

Melody (not from the Latin), 1525. Harmony by Erythraeus, 1608.

XIX. - Nun bitten wir den heiligen Geist.

The first stanza from an ancient German hymn.

NOW PRAY WE ALL GOD, THE COMFORTER.

TRANSLATION by Arthur Tozer Russell.

Melody, 1525. Harmony by A. Haupt, 1869.

XX. - Mit Fried' und Freud' ich fahr' dahin.

The Song Of Simeon: Nunc Dimittis.

IN PEACE AND JOY I NOW DEPART.

MELODY, 1525. Harmony by M. Praetorius, 1610.

XXI. - Mensch, willt du leben seliglich. The Ten Commandments, abridged.

WILT THOU, O MAN, LIVE HAPPILY.

TRANSLATION by R. Massie, adapted.

Melody, 1525. Harmony by H. Schein, 1627.

XXII. - Gott der Vater wohn' uns bei.

An ancient Litany-hymn of the German churches, much used in Passion-week and in the processions before Ascension-day by Luther "gebessert und christlich corrigyret."

GOD, THE FATHER, WITH US STAY.

ANCIENT GERMAN MELODY. Harmony by Landgraf Moritz, 1612.

XXIII. - Wir glauben All' an einen Gott.

The Creed. "Das deutsche patrem."

WE ALL BELIEVE IN ONE TRUE GOD.

MELODY, 1525. Harmony from an ancient source.

XXIV. - Waer' Gott nicht mit uns diese Zeit.

Psalm CXXIV. - Nisi quia Dominus.

HAD GOD NOT COME, MAY ISRAEL SAY.

TRANSLATION by R. Massie.

MELODY, 1525. Harmony by M. Praetorius, 1610.

FROM THE GERMAN MASS, 1526.

XXV. - Jesaia, dem Propheten, das geschah.

Isaiah VI, 1-4. The German Sanctus.

THESE THINGS THE SEER ISAIAH DID BEFALL

MELODY, 1526. Harmony by Erythraeus, 1608.

IN "FORM UND ORDNUNG GEISTLICHER GESANG," Augsburg, 1529.

XXVI. - Ein' feste Burg ist unser Gott.

Psalm XLVI. - Deus refugium noster et virtus.

-STRONG TOWER AND REFUGE IS OUR GOD.-

MELODY, 1529. Harmony by [nothing printed here].

IN A COLLECTION OF "GEISTLICHE LIEDER," Wittenberg, 1533.

XXVII. - Berleih' uns Frieden gnaediglich.

Da pacem Domine.

IN THESE OUR DAYS SO PERILOUS.

TRANSLATION by R. Massie, amended.

MELODY, 1533? 1543. Harmony by Erythraeus, 1608.

XXVIII. - Herr Gott, dich loben wir.

Te Deum Laudamus.

LORD GOD, THY PRAISE WE SING.

TRANSLATION by R. Massie, amended.

MELODY derived from the Latin. Harmony by Landgraf Moritz, 1612.

FROM JOSEPH KLUG'S GESANGSBUCH, 1535?

XXIX. Von Himmel hoch da komm ich her.

"A Children's Christmas Song of the little child Jesus, taken from the second chapter of Luke, by Dr. Martin Luther." Said to have written by him for his little son Hans.

FROM HEAVEN ABOVE TO EARTH I CAME.

TRANSLATION from Miss Winkworth, amended.

MELODY, 1535? 1543. Harmony by [nothing printed here].

XXX. - Sie ist mir lieb, die werthe Magd.

A song concerning the Holy Christian Church - Revelation xii, 1-6. DEAR IS TO ME THE HOLY MAID.

TRANSLATION by R. Massie.

MELODY in Babst, 1545. Harmony by M. Praetorius, 1610.

IN KOEPHL'S GESANGBUCH, Strassburg, 1535? 1538?

XXXI. - Vater unser im Himmelreich.

The Lord's Prayer paraphrased.

OUR FATHER, THOU IN HEAVEN ABOVE.

TRANSLATION by C. Winkworth, in "Choral Book for England," amended.

Melody, 1535? Harmony by A. Haupt, 1869.

[In Winterfeld's edition of Luther's hymns, Leipzig, 1840, may be found a fac-simile of Luther's autograph draft of this paraphrase, including the cancelled draft of a tune for it.]

IN KLUG'S GESANGBUCH, 1543.

XXXII. - Von Himmel kam der Engel schaar.

A shorter Christmas Song.

TO SHEPHERDS, AS THEY WATCHED BY NIGHT.

TRANSLATION by R. Massie.

MELODY, 1543.

XXXIII. - Erhalt' uns, Herr, bei deinem Wort. "A children's song, to be sung against the two arch-enemies of Christ and his Holy Church, the Pope and the Turks."

LORD, KEEP US IN THY WORD AND WORK.

MELODY, 1543. Harmony by W. Sterndale Bennett, 1865.

XXXIV. - Christ, unser Herr, zum Jordan kam.

A Spiritual Song concerning our Holy Baptism.

TO JORDAN CAME OUR LORD THE CHRIST. TRANSLATION by R. Massie, amended.

MELODY, 1525 first adapted to "Es wollt' uns Gott genaedig sein," supposed to be derived from an old secular melody. Harmony by A. Haupt, 1869.

XXXV. - Was fuercht'st du, Feind Herodes, sehr?

Herodes hostis impie by Sedelius in the 5th century.

WHY, HEROD, UNRELENTING FOE.

TRANSLATION by R. Massie.

HARMONY by M. Praetorius, 1609.

XXXVI. - Der du bist drei in Einigkeit.

An imitation from the Gregorian hymn, O Lux beata Trinitas.

TRANSLATION adapted from R. Massie.

ORIGINAL LATIN MELODY. Harmony in von Tucher, 18—.

INTRODUCTION A fit motto for the history of the Reformation would be those words out of the history of the Day of Pentecost, "How hear we, every man in our own tongue wherein we were born....the wonderful works of God!" The ruling thought of the pre-reformation period was not more the maintenance of one Holy Roman Church than of one Holy Roman Empire, each of which was to comprehend all Christendom. The language of the Roman Church and Empire was the sacred language in comparison with which the languages of men's common speech were reckoned common and unclean. The coming-in of the Reformation was the awakening of individual life, by enforcing the sense of each man's direct responsibility to God; but it was equally the quickening of a true national life. In the light of the new era, the realization of the promise of the oneness of the Church was no longer to be sought in the universal dominance of a hierarchical corporation; nor was the "mystery" proclaimed by Paul, that "the nations were fellow-heirs and of one body," to be fulfilled in the subjugation of all nations to a central potentate. According to the spirit of the Reformation, the One Church was to be, not a corporation, but a communion - the communion of saints; and the unity of mankind, in its many nations, was to be a unity of the spirit in the bond of mutual peace.

The two great works of Martin Luther were those by which he gave to the common people a vernacular Bible and vernacular worship, that through the one, God might speak directly to the people; and in the other, the people might speak directly to God. Luther's Bible and Luther's Hymns gave life not only to the churches of the Reformation, but to German nationality and the German language.Concerning the hymns of Luther the words of several notable writers are on record, and are worthy to be prefixed to the volume of them.

Says Spangenberg, yet in Luther's life-time, in his Preface to the Cithara Lutheri, 1545: "One must certainly let this be true, and remain true, that among all Mastersingers from the days of the Apostles until now, Luther is and always will be the best and most accomplished; in whose hymns and songs one does not find a vain or needless word. All flows and falls in the sweetest and neatest manner, full of spirit and doctrine, so that his every word gives outright a sermon of his own, or at least a singular reminiscence. There is nothing forced, nothing foisted in or patched up, nothing fragmentary. The rhymes are easy and good, the words choice and proper, the meaning clear and intelligible, the melodies lovely and hearty, and in summa all is so rare and majestic, so full of pith and power, so cheering and comforting, that, in sooth, you will not find his equal, much less his master."1

The following words have often been quoted from Samuel Taylor Coleridge:

"Luther did as much for the Reformation by his hymns as by his translation of the Bible. In Germany the hymns are known by heart by every peasant; they advise, they argue from the hymns, and every soul in the church praises God like a Christian, with words which are natural and yet sacred to his mind."

A striking passage in an article by Heine in the Revue des Deux Mondes for March, 1834, is transcribed by Michelet in his Life of Luther:

"Not less remarkable, not less significant than his prose works, are Luther's poems, those stirring songs which, as it were, escaped from him in the very midst of his combats and his necessities like a flower making its way from between rough stones, or a moonbeam gleaming amid dark clouds. Luther loved music; indeed, he wrote treatises on the art. Accordingly his versification is highly harmonious, so that he may be called the Swan of Eisleben. Not that he is by any means gentle or swan-like in the songs which he composed for the purpose of exciting the courage of the people. In these he is fervent, fierce. The hymn which he composed on his way to Worms, and which he and his companion chanted as they entered that city, 2 is a regular war-song. The old cathedral trembled when it heard these novel sounds. The very rooks flew from their nests in the towers. That hymn, the Marseillaise of the Reformation, has preserved to this day its potent spell over German hearts."

The words of Thomas Carlyle are not less emphatic, while they penetrate deeper into the secret of the power of Luther's hymns:

"The great Reformer's love of music and poetry, it has often been remarked, is one of the most significant features in his character. But indeed if every great man is intrinsically a poet, an idealist, with more or less completeness of utterance, which of all our great men, in these modern ages, had such an endowment in that kind as Luther? He it was, emphatically, who stood based on the spiritual world of man, and only by the footing and power he had obtained there, could work such changes on the material world. As a participant and dispenser of divine influence, he shows himself among human affairs a true connecting medium and visible messenger between heaven and earth, a man, therefore, not only permitted to enter the sphere of poetry, but to dwell in the purest centre thereof, perhaps the most inspired of all teachers since the Apostles. Unhappily or happily, Luther's poetic feeling did not so much learn to express itself in fit words, that take captive every ear, as in fit actions, wherein, truly under still more impressive manifestations, the spirit of spheral melody resides and still audibly addresses us. In his written poems, we find little save that strength of on 'whose words,' it has been said, 'were half-battles'3- little of that still harmony and blending softness of union which is the last perfection of strength - less of it than even his conduct manifested. With words he had not learned to make music - it was by deeds of love or heroic valor that he spoke freely. Nevertheless, though in imperfect articulation, the same voice, if we listen well, is to be heard also in his writings, in his poems. The one entitled Ein' Feste Burg, universally regarded as the best, jars upon our ears; yet there is something in it like the sound of Alpine avalanches, or the first murmur of earthquakes, in the very vastness of which dissonance a higher unison is revealed to us. Luther wrote this song in times of blackest threatenings, which, however, could in no sense become a time of despair. In these tones, rugged and broken as they are, do we hear the accents of that summoned man, who answered his friends' warning not to enter Worms, in this wise: - 'Were there as many devils in Worms as these tile roofs, I would on'; of him who, alone in that assemblage before all emperors and principalities and powers, spoke forth these final and forever memorable words, - 'It is neither safe nor prudent to do aught against conscience. Till such time as either by proofs from holy Scripture, or by fair reason or argument, I have been confuted and convicted, I cannot and will not recant. Here I stand - I cannot do otherwise - God be my help, Amen.' It is evident enough that to this man all popes, cardinals, emperors, devils, all hosts and nations were but weak, weak as the forest with all its strong trees might be to the smallest spark of electric fire."

In a very different style of language, but in a like strain of eulogy, writes Dr. Merle d'Aubigne, in the third volume of his History of the Reformation: "The church was no longer composed of priests and monks; it was now the congregation of believers. All were to take part in worship, and the chanting of the clergy was to be succeeded by the psalmody of the people. Luther, accordingly, in translating the psalms, thought of adapting them to be sung by the church. Thus a taste for music was diffused throughout the nation. From Luther's time, the people sang; the Bible inspired their songs. Poetry received the same impulse. In celebrating the praises of God, the people could not confine themselves to mere translations of ancient anthems. The souls of Luther and of several of his contemporaries, elevated by their faith to thoughts the most sublime, excited to enthusiasm by the struggles and dangers by which the church at its birth was unceasingly threatened, inspired by the poetic genius of the Old Testament and by the faith of the New, ere long gave vent to their feelings in hymns, in which all that is most heavenly in poetry and music was combined and blended. Hence the revival, in the sixteenth century, of hymns such as in the first century used to cheer the martyrs in their sufferings. We have seen Luther, in 1523, employing it to celebrate the martyrs at Brussels; other children of the Reformation followed his footsteps; hymns were multiplied; they spread rapidly among the people, and powerfully contributed to rouse it from sleep."

It is not difficult to come approximately at the order of composition of Luther's hymns. The earliest hymn-book of the Reformation - if not the earliest of all printed hymn-books - was published at Wittenberg in 1524, and contained eight hymns, four of them from the pen of Luther himself; of the other four not less than three were by Paul Speratus, and one of these three, the hymn Es ist das Heil, which caused Luther such delight when sung beneath his window by a wanderer from Prussia.4 Three of Luther's contributions to this little book were versions of Psalms - the xii, xiv, and cxxx - and the fourth was that touching utterance of personal religious experience, Nun fruet euch, lieben Christen g'mein. But the critics can hardly be mistaken in assigning as early a date to the ballad of the Martyrs of Brussels. Their martyrdom took place July 1, 1523, and the "New Song" must have been inspired by the story as it was first brought to Wittenberg, although it is not found in print until the Enchiridion, which followed the Eight Hymns, later in the same year, from the press of Erfurt, and contained fourteen of Luther's hymns beside the four already published.

In the hymn-book published in 1525 by the composer Walter, Luther's friend, were six more of the Luther hymns. And in 1526 appeared the "German Mass and Order of Divine Service," containing "the German Sanctus," a versification of Isaiah vi. Of the remaining eleven, six appeared first in the successive editions of Joseph Klug's hymn-book, Wittenberg, 1535 and 1543.It is appropriate to the commemorative character of the present edition that in it the hymns should be disposed in chronological order.

The TUNES which are here printed with the hymns of Luther are of those which were set to them during his lifetime. Some of them, like the hymns to which they were set, are derived from the more ancient hymnody of the German and Latin churches. Others, as the tunes Vom Himmel hoch, Ach Gott vom Himmel, and Christ unser Herr zum Jordan kam, are conjectured to have been originally secular airs. But that many of the tunes that appeared simultaneously and in connection with Luther's hymns were original with Luther himself, there seems no good reason to doubt. Luther's singular delight and proficiency in music are certified by a hundred contemporary testimonies. His enthusiasm for it overflows in his Letters and his Table Talk. He loved to surround himself with accomplished musicians, with whom he would practise the intricate motets of the masters of that age; and his critical remarks on their several styles are on record. At least one autograph document proves him to have been a composer of melodies to his own words: one may see, appended to von Winterfeld's fine quarto edition of Luther's hymns (Leipzig, 1840) a fac-simile of the original draft of Vater Unser, with a melody sketched upon a staff of five lines, and then cancelled, evidently by hand practised in musical notation. But perhaps the most direct testimony to his actual work as a composer is found in a letter from the composer John Walter, capellmeister to the Elector of Saxony, written in his old age for the express purpose of embodying his reminiscences of his illustrious friend as a church-musician.

"It is to my certain knowledge," writes Walter, "that that holy man of God, Luther, prophet and apostle to the German nation, took great delight in music, both in choral and in figural composition. With whom I have passed many a delightful hour in singing; and oftentimes have seen the dear man wax so happy and merry in heart over the singing as that it was well-nigh impossible to weary or content him therewithal. And his discourse concerning music was most noble.

"Some forty years ago, when he would set up the German Mass at Wittenberg, he wrote to the Elector of Saxony and Duke Johannsen, of illustrious memory, begging to invite to Wittenberg the old musician Conrad Rupff and myself, to consult with him as to the character and the proper notation of the Eight Tones; and he finally himself decided to appropriate the Eighth Tone to the Epistle and the Sixth Tone to the Gospel, speaking on this wise: Our Lord Christ is a good Friend, and his words are full of love; so we will take the Sixth Tone for the Gospel. And since Saint Paul is a very earnest apostle we will set the Eighth Tone to the Epistle. So he himself made the notes over the Epistles, and the Gospels, and the Words of Institution of the true Body and Blood of Christ, and sung them over to me to get my judgment thereon. He kept me three weeks long at Wittenberg, to write out the notes over some of the Gospels and Epistles, until the first German Mass was sung in the parish church. And I must needs stay to hear it, and take with me a copy of the Mass to Torgau and present it to His Grace the Elector from Doctor Luther.

"Furthermore, he gave orders to re-establish the Vespers, which in many places were fallen into disuse, with short plain choral hymns for the students and boys; withal, that the charity-scholars, collecting their bread, should sing from door to door Latin Hymns, Anthems and Responses, appropriate to the season. It was no satisfaction to him that the scholars should sing in the streets nothing but German songs....The most profitable songs for the common multitude are the plain psalms and hymns, both Luther's and the earlier ones; but the Latin songs are useful for the learned and for students. We see, and hear, and clearly apprehend how the Holy Ghost himself wrought not only in the authors of the Latin hymns, but also in Luther, who in our time has had the chief part both in writing the German choral hymns, and in setting them to tunes; as may be seen, among others in the German Sanctus (Jesaia dem Propheten das geschah) how masterly and well he has fitted all the notes to the text, according to the just accent and concent. At the time, I was moved by His Grace to put the question how or where he had got this composition, or this instruction; whereupon the dear man laughed at my simplicity, and said: I learned this of the poet Virgil, who has the power so artfully to adapt his verses and his words to the story he is telling; in like manner must Music govern all its notes and melodies by the text."5

It seems superfluous to add to this testimony the word of Sleidan, the nearly contemporary historian, who says expressly concerning "Ein' feste Burg" that Luther made for it a tune singularly suited to the words, and adapted to stir the heart.6 If ever there were hymn and tune that told their own story of a common and simultaneous origin, without need of confirmation by external evidence, it is these.

To an extent quite without parallel in the history of music, the power of Luther's tunes, as well as of his words, is manifest after three centuries, over the masters of the art, as well as over the common people. Peculiarly is thistrue of the great song Ein' feste Burg, which Heine not vainly predicted would again be heard in Europe in like manner as of old. The composers of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries practised their elaborate artifices upon it. The supreme genius of Sebastian Bach made it the subject of study.7 And in our own times it has been used with conspicuous effect in Mendelssohn's Reformation Symphony, in an overture by Raff, in the nobleFestouverture of Nicolai, and in Wagner's Kaisermarsch; and is introduced with recurring emphasis in Meyerbeer's masterpiece of The Huguenots.

It is needless to say that the materials of this Birth- day Edition of Luther's Hymns and Tunes have been prepared in profusion by the diligence of German scholars. But very thankful acknowledgments are also due to English translators, who have made this work possible within the very scanty time allotted to it. Full credit is given in the table of contents for the help derived from these various translators. But the exigencies of this volume were peculiarly severe, inasmuch as the translation was to be printed over against the original, and also under the music. Not even Mr. Richard Massie's careful work would always bear this double test; so that I have found myself compelled, in most cases, to give up the attempt to follow any translation exactly; and in some instances have reluctantly attempted a wholly new version. The whole credit of the musical editorship belongs to my accomplished associate, Mr. Nathan H. Allen, without whose ready resource and earnest labor the work would have been impossible within the limits of time necessarily prescribed. In the choice of harmonies for these ancient tunes, he has wisely preferred, in general, the arrangements of the older masters. The critical musician will see, and will not complain, that the original modal structure of the melodies is sometimes affected by the harmonic treatment.

And now the proper conclusion to this Introduction, which, like the rest of the volume, is in so slight a degree the work of the editor, is to add the successive prefaces from the pen of Luther which accompanied successive hymn-books published during his life-time and under his supervision.

LEONARD WOOLSEY BACON

_________

1 Quoted in the Christian Examiner, 1860, p. 240; transcribed Philadelphia, 1875.

2 The popular impression that the hymn "Ein' feste Burg" was produced in these circumstances is due, doubtless, to a parallel in the third stanza, to the famous saying imputed to Luther on the eve of the Diet of Worms: "I'll go, be there as many devils in the city as there be tiles on the roofs." The time of its composition was in the year 1529, just before the Diet of Augsburg. If not written in his temporary refuge, the noble "Burg" or "Festung" of Coburg, it must often have been sung there by him; and it was sung, says Merle d'Aubigne, "during the Diet, not only at Augsburg, but in all the churches of Saxony."

3 This much-quoted phrase is from Richter. It is reported as an expression of Melanchthon, looking on Luther's picture, " Fulmina erant singula verba tua."

4 Merle d'Aubigne, History of the Reformation, Vol. III.

5 This interesting and characteristic document was printed first in the Syntagma Musicum of Michael Praetorius, many of whose harmonies are to be found in this volume. It has been repeatedly copied since. I take it from Rambach, "Ueber D. Martin Luthers Verdienst um den Kirchengesang, oder Darstellung desjenigen was er als Liturg, als Liederdichter und Tonsetzer zur Verbesserung des oeffentlichen Gottesdienstes geleistet hat. Hamburg, 1813."

6 Quoted in Rambach, p. 215.

7 In more than one of his cantatas, especially that for the Reformationsfest.



Luther's First Preface.

To the "Geystliche Gsangbuechlin, Erstlich zu Wittenberg, und volgend durch Peter schoeffern getruckt, im jar m. d. xxv. Autore Ioanne Walthero."

That it is good, and pleasing to God, for us to sing spiritual songs is, I think, a truth whereof no Christian can be ignorant; since not only the example of the prophets and kings of the Old Testament (who praised God with singing and music, poesy and all kind of stringed instruments) but also the like practice of all Christendom from the beginning, especially in respect to psalms, is well known to every one: yea, St. Paul doth also appoint the same (I Cor. xiv.) and command the Colossians, in the third chapter, to sing spiritual songs and psalms from the heart unto the Lord, that thereby the word of God and Christian doctrine be in every way furthered and practiced.

Accordingly, to make a good beginning and to encourage others who can do it better, I have myself, with some others, put together a few hymns, in order to bring into full play the blessed Gospel, which by God's grace hath again risen: that we may boast, as Moses doth in his song (Exodus xv.) that Christ is become our praise and our song, and that, whether we sing or speak, we may not know anything save Christ our Saviour, as St. Paul saith (I Cor. ii).

These songs have been set in four parts, for no other reason than because I wished to provide our young people (who both will and ought to be instructed in music and other sciences) with something whereby they might rid themselves of amorous and carnal songs, and in their stead learn something wholesome, and so apply themselves to what is good with pleasure, as becometh the young.

Beside this, I am not of opinion that all sciences should be beaten down and made to cease by the Gospel, as some fanatics pretend; but I would fain see all the arts, and music in particular, used in the service of Him who hath given and created them.

Therefore I entreat every pious Christian to give a favorable reception to these hymns, and to help forward my undertaking, according as God hath given him more or less ability. The world is, alas, not so mindful and diligent to train and teach our poor youth, but that we ought to be forward in promoting the same. God grant us his grace. Amen.

Luther's Second Preface.

To the Funeral Hymns: "Christliche Geseng, Lateinisch und Deudsch, zum Begrebnis. Wittemberg, Anno m. d. xlii."

DR. MARTIN LUTHER TO THE CHRISTIAN READER. St. Paul writes to the Thessalonians, that they should not sorrow for the dead as others who have no hope, but should comfort one another with God's word, as they who have a sure hope of life and of the resurrection of the dead. For that they should sorrow who have no hope is not to be wondered at, nor indeed are they to be blamed for it, since, being shut out from the faith of Christ, they must either regard and love the present life only, and be loth to lose it, or after this life look for everlasting death and the wrath of God in hell, and be unwilling to go thither.

But we Christians who from all this have been redeemed by the precious blood of the Son of God, should exercise and wont ourselves in faith to despise death, to look on it as a deep, sound, sweet sleep, the coffin no other than the bosom of our Lord Christ, or paradise, the grave nought but a soft couch of rest; as indeed it is in the sight of God, as he saith in St. John, xi., "our friend Lazarus sleepeth;" Matthew ix., "the maid is not dead but sleepeth."

In like manner also St. Paul, I Cor. xv., doth put out of sight the unlovely aspect of death in our perishing body, and bring forward nought but the lovely and delightsome view of life, when he saith: "It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption; it is sown in dishonor (that is, in a loathsome and vile form); it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body."

Accordingly have we, in our churches, abolished, done away, and out-and-out made an end of the popish horrors, such as wakes, masses for the soul, obsequies, purgatory, and all other mummeries for the dead, and will no longer have our churches turned into wailing-places and houses of mourning, but, as the primitive Fathers called them, "Cemeteries," that is, resting and sleeping places.

We sing, withal, beside our dead and over their graves, no dirges nor lamentations, but comforting songs of the forgiveness of sins, of rest, sleep, live and resurrection of the departed believers, for the strengthening of our faith, and the stirring up of the people to a true devotion.

For it is meet and right to give care and honor to the burial of the dead, in a manner worthy of that blessed article of our creed, the resurrection of the dead, and to the spite of that dreadful enemy, death, who doth so shamefully and continually prey upon us, in every horrid way and shape. Accordingly, as we read, the holy patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and the rest, kept their burials with great pomp, and ordered them with much diligence; and afterwards the kings of Judah held splendid ceremonials over the dead, with costly incense of all manner of precious herbs, thereby to hide the offense and shame of death, and acknowledge and glorify the resurrection of the dead, and so to comfort the weak in faith and the sorrowful. In like manner, even down to this present, have Christians ever been wont to do honorably by the bodies and the graves of the dead, decorating them, singing beside them and adorning them with monuments. Of all importance is that doctrine of the resurrection, that we be firmly grounded therein; for it is our lasting, blessed, eternal comfort and joy, against death, hell, the devil and all sorrow of heart. As a good example of what should be used for this end, we have taken the sweet music or melodies which under popish rule are in use at wakes, funerals and masses for the dead, some of which we have printed in this little book; and it is in our thought, as time shall serve, to add others to them, or have this done by more competent hands. But we have set other words thereto, such as shall adorn our doctrine of the resurrection, not that of purgatory with its pains and expiations, whereby the dead may neither sleep nor rest. The notes and melodies are of great price; it were pity to let them perish; but the words to them were unchristian and uncouth, so let these perish.

It is just as in other matters they do greatly excel us, having splendid rites of worship, magnificent convents and abbeys; but the preachings and doctrines heard therein do for the most part serve the devil and dishonor God; who nevertheless is Lord and God over all the earth, and should have of everything the fairest, best and noblest. Likewise have they costly shrines of gold and silver, and images set with gems and jewels; but within are dead men's bones, as foul and corrupt as in any charnel-house. So also have they costly vestments, chasubles, palliums, copes, hoods, mitres, but what are they that be clothed therewithal? slow- bellies, evil wolves, godless swine, persecuting and dishonoring the word of God.Just in the same way have they much noble music, especially in the abbeys and parish churches, used to adorn most vile, idolatrous words. Wherefore we have undressed these idolatrous, lifeless, crazy words, stripping off the noble music, and putting it upon the living and holy word of God, wherewith to sing, praise and honor the same, that so the beautiful ornament of music, brought back to its right use, may serve its blessed Maker and his Christian people; so that he shall be praised and glorified, and that we by his holy word impressed upon the heart with sweet songs, be builded up and confirmed in the faith. Hereunto help us God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Yet is it not our purpose that these precise notes be sung in all the churches. Let each church keep its own notes according to its book and use. For I myself do not listen with pleasure in cases where the notes to a hymn or a respon- sorium have been changed, and it is sung amongst us in a different way from what I have been used to from my youth. The main point is the correcting of the words, not of the music.

[Then follow selections of Scripture recommended as suitable for epitaphs.]



Luther's Third Preface.

To the Hymn-book printed at Wittenberg by Joseph Klug, 1543. There are certain who, by their additions to our hymns, have clearly shown that they far excel me in this matter, and may well be called my masters. But some, on the other hand, have added little of value. And inasmuch as I see that there is no limit to this perpetual amending by every one indiscriminately according to his own liking, so that the earliest of our hymns are more perverted the more they are printed, I am fearful that it will fare with this little book as it has ever fared with good books, that through tampering by incompetent hands it may get to be so overlaid and spoiled that the good will be lost out of it, and nothing be kept in use but the worthless.

We see in the first chapter of St. Luke that in the beginning every one wanted to write a gospel, until among the multitude of gospels the true Gospel was well-nigh lost. So has it been with the works of St. Jerome and St. Augustine, and with many other books. In short, there will always be tares sown among the wheat.

In order as far as may be to avoid this evil, I have once more revised this book, and put our own hymns in order by themselves with name attached, which formerly I would not do for reputation's sake, but am now constrained to do by necessity, lest strange and unsuitable songs come to be sold under our name. After these, are arranged the others, such as we deem good and useful.

I beg and beseech all who prize God's pure word that henceforth without our knowledge and consent no further additions or alterations be made in this book of ours; and that when it is amended without our knowledge, it be fully understood to be not our book published at Wittenberg. Every man can for himself make his own hymn-book, and leave this of ours alone without additions; as we here beg, beseech and testify. For we like to keep our coin up to our own standard, debarring no man from making better for himself. Now let God's name alone be praised, and our name not sought. Amen.



Luther's Fourth Preface

To Valentine Bapst's Hymn-book, Leipzig, 1545. The xcvi Psalm saith: "Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth." The service of God in the old dispensation, under the law of Moses, was hard and wearisome. Many and divers sacrifices had men to offer, of all that they possessed, both in house and in field, which the people, being idle and covetous, did grudgingly or for some temporal advantage; as the prophet Malachi saith, chap. i., "who is there even among you that would shut the doors for naught? neither do ye kindle fires on my altars for naught." But where there is such an idle and grudging heart there can be no singing, or at least no singing of any good. Cheerful and merry must we be in heart and mind, when we would sing. Therefore hath God suffered such idle and grudging service to perish, as he saith further: "I have no pleasure in you, saith the Lord of Hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand: for from the rising of the sun even to the going down of the same, my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered in my name and a pure offering; for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the Lord of Hosts."

So that now in the New Testament there is a better service, whereof the psalm speaketh: "Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord all the earth." For God hath made our heart and mind joyful through his dear Son whom he hath given for us to redeem us from sin, death and the devil. Who earnestly believes this cannot but sing and speak thereof with joy and delight, that others also may hear and come. But whoso will not speak and sing thereof, it is a sign that he doth not believe it, and doth not belong to the cheerful New Testament but to the dull and joyless Old Testament.

Therefore it is well done on the part of the printers that they are diligent to print good hymns, and make them agreeable to the people with all sorts of embellishments, that they may be won to this joy in believing and gladly sing of it. And inasmuch as this edition of Valtin Bapst [Pope] is prepared in fine style, God grant that it may bring great hurt and damage to that Roman Bapst who by his accursed, intolerable and abominable ordinances has brought nothing into the world but wailing, mourning and misery. Amen. I must give notice that the song which is sung at funerals,

"Nun lasst uns den Leib begraben,"

which bears my name is not mine, and my name is henceforth not to stand with it. Not that I reject it, for I like it very much, and it was made by a good poet, Johannes Weis* by name, only a little visionary about the Sacrament; but I will not appropriate to myself another man's work. Also in the De Profundis, read thus:

Des muss dich fuerchten jedermann.

Either by mistake or of purpose this is printed in most books

Des muss sich fuerchten jedermann.

Ut timearis. The Hebrew reading is as in Matthew xv.: "In vain do they fear me teaching doctrines of men." See also Psalms xiv. and liii.: "They call not on the Lord; there feared they where no fear was." That is, they may have much show of humiliation and bowing and bending in worship where I will have no worship. Accordingly this is the meaning in the place: Since forgiveness of sins is nowhere else to be found but only with thee, so must they let go all idolatry, and come with a willing heart bowing and bending before thee, creeping up to the cross, and have thee alone in honor, and take refuge in thee, and serve thee, as living by thy grace and not by their own righteousness, etc.

*Luther's mistake for Michael Weysse, author of a Moravian hymn-book of 1531.



A Preface to All Good Hymn-Books. By Dr. Martin Luther.

From Joseph Klug's Hymn-Book, Wittenberg, 1543.

Lady Musick Speaketh.

Of all the joys that are on earth Is none more dear nor higher worth, Than what in my sweet songs is found And instruments of various sound.

Where friends and comrades sing in tune, All evil passions vanish soon; Hate, anger, envy, cannot stay, All gloom and heartache melt away; The lust of wealth, the cares that cling, Are all forgotten while we sing.

Freely we take our joy herein, For this sweet pleasure is no sin, But pleaseth God far more, we know, Than any joys the world can show; The Devil's work it doth impede, And hinders many a deadly deed.

Se fared it with King Saul of old; When David struck his harp of gold, So sweet and clear its tones rang out, Saul's murderous thoughts were put to rout.

The heart grows still when I am heard, And opens to God's Truth and Word; So are we by Elisha taught, Who on the harp the Spirit sought.

The best time of the year is mine, When all the little birds combine To sing until the earth and air Are filled with sweet sounds everywhere; And most the tender nightingale Makes joyful every wood and dale, Singing her love-song o'er and o'er, For which we thank her evermore.

But yet more thanks are due from us To the dear Lord who made her thus, A singer apt to touch the heart, Mistress of all my dearest art. To God she sings by night and day, Unwearied, praising Him alway; Him I, too, laud in every song, To whom all thanks and praise belong.

Translation by CATHARINE WINKWORTH.



A Warning by Dr. Martin Luther.

Viel falscher Meister itzt Lieder tichten Sihe dich fuer und lern sie recht richten Wo Gott hin bawet sein Kirch und sein wort Da will der Cenfel sein mit trug und mord.

Wittenberg, 1543; Leipzig, 1545

False masters now abound, who songs indite; Beware of them, and learn to judge them right: Where God builds up his Church and Word, hard by Satan is found with murder and a lie.

Translation by R. MASSIE



I. Nun freut euch, lieben Christen g'mein. Dear Christians, one and all rejoice.

A Song of Thanksgiving for the great Benefits which God in Christ has mainifested to us.

FIRST MELODY, Wittenberg, 1524. Harmony by H. SCHEIN, 1627. SECOND MELODY, Wittenberg, 1535. Harmony by M. PRAETORIUS, 1610.

1. Dear Christians, one and all rejoice, With exultation springing, And with united heart and voice And holy rapture singing, Proclaim the wonders God hath done, How his right arm the victory won; Right dearly it hath cost him.

2. Fast bound in Satan's chains I lay, Death brooded darkly o'er me; Sin was my torment night and day, Therein my mother bore me. Deeper and deeper still I fell, Life was become a living hell, So firmly sin possessed me.

3. My good works could avail me naught, For they with sin were stained; Free-will against God's judgment fought, And dead to good remained. Grief drove me to despair, and I Had nothing left me but to die, To hell I fast was sinking.

4. God saw, in his eternal grace, My sorrow out of measure; He thought upon his tenderness- To save was his good pleasure. He turn'd to me a Father's heart- Not small the cost - to heal my smart He have his best and dearest.

5. He spake to his beloved Son: 'Tis time to take compassion; Then go, bright jewel of my crown, And bring to man salvation; From sin and sorrow set him free, Slay bitter death for him, that he May live with thee forever.

6. The Son delighted to obey, And born of Virgin mother, Awhile on this low earth did stay That he might be my brother. His mighty power he hidden bore, A servant's form like mine he wore, To bind the devil captive.

7. To me he spake: cling fast to me, Thou'lt win a triumph worthy; I wholly give myself for thee; I strive and wrestle for thee; For I am thine, thou mine also; And where I am thou art. The foe Shall never more divide us.

8. For he shall shed my precious blood, Me of my life bereaving; All this I suffer for thy good; Be steadfast and believing. My life from death the day shall win, My righteousness shall bear thy sin, So art thou blest forever.

9. Now to my Father I depart, From earth to heaven ascending; Thence heavenly wisdom to impart, The Holy Spirit sending. He shall in trouble comfort thee, Teach thee to know and follow me, And to the truth conduct thee.

10. What I have done and taught, do thou To do and teach endeavor; So shall my kingdom flourish now, And God be praised forever. Take heed lest men with base alloy The heavenly treasure should destroy. This counsel I bequeath thee.

1. Nun freut euch, lieben Christen g'mein, Und lasst uns froehlich springen, Dass wir getrost und all in ein Mit Lust und Liebe singen: Was Gott an uns gewendet hat, Und seine suesse Wunderthat, Gar theur hat er's erworben.

2. Dem Teufel ich gefangen lag, Im Tod war ich verloren, Mein' Suend' mich quaelet Nacht und Tag, Darin war ich geboren, Ich fiel auch immer tiefer d'rein, Es war kein gut's am Leben mein, Die Suend' hat mich besessen.

3. Mein' gute Werk' die galten nicht, Es war mit ihm verdorben; Der frei Will' hasset Gottes G'richt, Er war zum Gut'n erstorben; Die Angst mich zu verzweifeln trieb, Dass nichts denn Sterben bei mir blieb, Zur Hoelle musst ich sinken.

4. Da jammert's Gott in Ewigkeit Mein Elend ueber Massen, Er dacht' an sein' Barmherzigkeit, Er wollt' mir helfen lassen; Er wandt' zu mir das Vaterherz, Es war bei ihm fuerwahr kein Scherz, Er liess sein Bestes kosten.

5. Er sprach zu seinem lieben Sohn: Die Zeit ist hier zu 'rbarmen, Fahr' hin mein's Herzens werthe Kron' Und sei das Heil dem Armen, Und hilf ihm aus der Suenden Noth, Erwuerg' fuer ihn den bittern Tod Und lass' ihn mit dir leben.

6. Der Sohn dem Vater g'horsam ward, Er kam zu mir auf Erden, Von einer Jungfrau rein und zart, Er sollt' mein Bruder werden. Gar heimlich fuehrt er sein' Gewalt, Er ging in meiner armen G'stalt, Den Teufel wollt' er fangen.

7. Er sprach zu mir: halt' dich an mich, Es soll dir jetzt gelingen, Ich geb' mich selber ganz fuer dich, Da will ich fuer dich ringen; Denn ich bin dein und du bist mein, Und wo ich bleib', da sollst du sein, Uns soll der Feind nicht scheiden. 8. Vergiessen wird er mir mein Blut, Dazu mein Leben rauben, Das leid' ich alles dir zu gut, Das halt' mit festem Glauben. Den Tod vorschlingt das Leben mein, Mein' Unschuld traegt die Suende dein, Da bist du selig worden.

9. Gen Himmel zu dem Vater mein Fahr' ich von diesem Leben, Da will ich sein der Meister dein, Den Geist will ich dir geben, Der dich in Truebniss troesten soll Und lehren mich erkennen wohl, Und in der Wahrheit leiten.

10. Was ich gethan hab' und gelehrt, Das sollst du thun und lehren, Damit das Reich Gott's werd' gemehrt Zu Lob' und seinen Ehren; Und huet' dich vor der Menschen G'sats, Davon verdirbt der edle Schatz, Das lass' ich dir zur Letze.



II. Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh' darein. Look down, O Lord, from Heaven behold.

Psalm XII. -"Salvum me fac, Domine."

FIRST MELODY, Wittenberg, 1524. Harmony by A. HAUPT, 1869. SECOND MELODY, Wittenberg, 1543. Harmony by A. HAUPT, 1869.

1. Look down, O Lord, from heaven behold, And let thy pity waken! How few the flock within thy fold, Neglected and forsaken! Almost thou'lt seek for faith in vain, And those who should thy truth maintain Thy Word from us have taken.

2. With frauds which they themselves invent Thy truth they have confounded; Their hearts are not with one consent On thy pure doctrine grounded; And, whilst they gleam with outward show, They lead thy people to and fro, In error's maze astounded.

3. God surely will uproot all those With vain deceits who store us, With haughty tongue who God oppose, And say, "Who'll stand before us? By right or might we will prevail; What we determine cannot fail, For who can lord it o'er us?"

4. For this, saith God, I will arise, These wolves my flock are rending; I've heard my people's bitter sighs To heaven my throne ascending: Now will I up, and set at rest Each weary soul by fraud opprest, The poor with might defending.

5. The silver seven times tried is pure From all adulteration; So, through God's word, shall men endure Each trial and temptation: Its worth gleams brighter through the cross, And, purified from human dross, It shines through every nation.

6. Thy truth thou wilt preserve, O Lord, From this vile generation; Make us to lean upon thy word, With calm anticipation. The wicked walk on every side When, 'mid thy flock, the vile abide In power and exaltation.

1. Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh' darein Und lass' dich des erbarmen, Wie wenig sind der Heil'gen dein, Verlassen sind wir Armen: Dein Wort man laesst nicht haben wahr, Der Glaub' ist auch verloschen gar Bei allen Menschenkindern.

2. Sie lehren eitel falsche List, Was eigen Witz erfindet, Ihr Herz nicht eines Sinnes ist n Gottes Wort gegruendet; Der waehlet dies, der Ander das, Sie trennen uns ohn' alle Maas Und gleissen schoen von aussen.

3. Gott woll' ausrotten alle Lahr, Die falschen Schein uns lehren; Dazu ihr' Zung' stolz offenbar Spricht: Trotz, wer will's uns wehren? Wir haben Recht und Macht allein, Was wir setzen das gilt gemein, Wer ist der uns soll meistern?

4. Darum spricht Gott, Ich muss auf sein, Die Armen sind verstoeret, Ihr Seufzen dringt zu mir herein, Ich hab' ihr' Klag' erhoeret. Mein heilsam Wort soll auf dem Plan, Getrost und frisch sie greifen an Und sein die Kraft der Armen.

5. Das Silber durch's Feuer siebenmal Bewaehrt, wird lauter funden: Am Gottes Wort man warten soll Desgleichen alle Stunden: Es will durch's Kreuz bewaehret sein, Da wird sein' Kraft erkannt und Schein Und leucht't stark in die Lande.

6. Das wollst du, Gott, bewahren rein Fuer deisem argen G'schlechte, Und lass uns dir befohlen sein, Das sich's in uns nicht flechte, Der gottlos' Hauf' sich umher findt, Wo diese lose Leute sind In deinem Volk erhaben.



III. Es spricht der Unweisen Mund wohl. The Mouth of Fools doth God confess.

PSALM XIV.-"Dixit insipiens in corde suo, Non est Deus."

MELODY, Wittenberg, 1525. Harmony by M. PRAETORIUS, 1610.

1. The mouth of fools doth God confess, But while their lips draw nigh him Their heart is full of wickedness, And all their deeds deny him. Corrupt are they, and every one Abominable deeds hath done; There is not one well-doer.

The Lord looked down from his high tower On all mankind below him, To see if any owned his power, And truly sought to know him; Who all their understanding bent To search his holy word, intent To do his will in earnest.

3. But none there was who walked with God, For all aside had slidden, Delusive paths of folly trod, And followed lusts forbidden; Not one there was who practiced good, And yet they deemed, in haughty mood, Their deeds must surely please him.

4. How long, by folly blindly led, Will ye oppress the needy, And eat my people up like bread? So fierce are ye, and greedy! n God they put no trust at all, Nor will on him in trouble call, But be their own providers.

5. Therefore their heart is never still, A falling leaf dismays them; God is with him who doth his will, Who trusts him and obeys Him; But ye the poor man's hope despise, And laugh at him, e'en when he cries, That God is his sure comfort.

6. Who shall to Israel's outcast race From Zion bring salvation? God will himself at length show grace, And loose the captive nation; That will he do by Christ their King; Let Jacob then be glad and sing, And Israel be joyful.

1. Es spricht der Unweisen Mund wohl: Den rechten Gott wir meinen; Doch ist ihr Herz Unglaubens voll, Mit That sie ihn verneinen. Ihr Wesen ist verderbet zwar, Fuer Gott ist es ein Graeuel gar, Es thut ihr'r Keiner kein gut.

2. Gott selbst vom Himmel sah herab Auf aller Menschen Kinder, Zu schauen sie er fich begab, Ob er Jemand wird finden, Der sein'n Verstand gerichtet haett Mit Ernst, nach Gottes Worten thaet Und fragt nach seinem Willen.

3. Da war Niemand auf rechter Bahn, Sie war'n all' ausgeschritten; Ein Jeder ging nach seinem Wahn Und hielt verlor'ne Sitten. Es that ihm Keiner doch kein gut, Wie wohl gar viel betrog der Muth, Ihr Thun sollt' Gott gefallen.

4. Wie lang wollen unwissend sein Die solche Mueh aufladen, Und fressen dafuer das Volk mein Und naehr'n sich mit sei'm Schaden? Es steht ihr Trauen nicht auf Gott, Sie rufen ihm nicht in der Noth, Sie woll'n sich selbst versorgen.

5. Darum ist ihr Herz nimmer still Und steht allzeit in Forchten; Gott bei den Frommen bleiben will, Dem sie mit Glauben g'horchen. Ihr aber schmaeht des Armen Rath, Und hoehnet alles, was er sagt, Dass Gott sein Trost ist worden.

6. Wer soll Israel dem Armen Zu Zion Heil erlangen? Gott wird sich sein's Volk's erbarmen Und loesen, sie gefangen. Das wird er thun durch seinen Sohn, Davon wird Jakob Wonne ha'n Und Israel sich freuen.



IV. Aus tiefer Noth schrei' ich zu dir. Out of the deep I cry to thee.

PSALM CXXX.-"De profundis clamavi ad te."

FIRST MELODY, 1525. Harmonized by JOH. SEB. BACH. SECOND MELODY, 1544. Harmonized by A. HAUPT, 1869.

1. Out of the deep I cry to thee; O Lord God, hear my crying: Incline thy gracious ear to me, With prayer to thee applying. For if thou fix thy searching eye On all sin and iniquity, Who, Lord, can stand before thee?

2. But love and grace with thee prevail, O God, our sins forgiving; The holiest deeds can naught avail Of all before thee living. Before thee none can boast him clear; Therefore must each thy judgment fear, And live on thy compassion.

3. For this, my hope in God shall rest, Naught building on my merit; My heart confides, of him possest, His goodness stays my spirit. His precious word assureth me; My solace, my sure rock is he, Whereon my soul abideth.

4. And though I wait the livelong night And till the morn returneth, My heart undoubting trusts his might Nor in impatience mourneth. Born of his Spirit, Israel In the right way thus fareth well, And on his God reposeth.

5. What though our sins are manifold? Supreme his mercy reigneth; No limit can his hand withhold, Where evil most obtaineth. He the good Shepherd is alone, Who Israel will redeem and won, Forgiving all transgression.

1.Aus tiefer Noth schrei' ich zu dir, Herr Gott, erhoer' mein Rufen, Dein gnaedig' Ohren kehr zu mir, Und meiner Bitt' sie oeffnen. Denn so du willst das sehen an, Was Suend' und Unrecht ist gethan, Wer kann, Herr, vor dir bleiben?

2. Bei dir gilt nichts denn Gnad' und Gunst Die Suende zu vergeben. Es ist doch unser Thun umsonst, Auch in dem besten Leben. Vor dir Niemand sich ruehmen kann, Des muss dich fuerchten Jedermann Und deiner Gnade Ieben.

3. Darum auf Gott will hoffen ich, Auf mein Verdienst nicht bauen, Auf ihn mein Herz soll lassen sich, Und seiner Guete trauen, Die mir zusagt sein werthes Wort, Das ist mein Trost und treuer Hort, Des will ich allzeit harren.

4. Und ob es waehrt bis in die Nacht Und wieder an den Morgen, Doch soll mein Herz an Gottes Macht Verzweifeln nicht noch sorgen, So thu' Israel rechter Art, Der aus dem Geist erzeuget ward, Und seines Gott's erharre.

5. Ob bei uns ist der Suenden viel, Bei Gott ist viel mehr Gnaden; Sein' Hand zu helfen hat kein Ziel, Wie gross auch sei der Schaden. Er ist allein der gute Hirt, Der Israel erloe en wird Aus seinen Suenden allen.



V. Ein neues Lied wir heben an. By help of God I fain would tell.

A Song of the Two Christian Martyrs burnt at Brussels by the Sophists of Louvain in the year MDXXII [July 1, 1523].

MELODY, 1525. Harmony by M. PRAETORIUS, 1610.

1. By help of God I fain would tell A new and wondrous story, And sing a marvel that befell To his great praise and glory. At Brussels in the Netherlands He hath his banner lifted, To show his wonders by the hands Of two youths, highly gifted With rich and heavenly graces.

2. One of these youths was called John, And Henry was the other; Rich in the grace of God was one, A Christian true his brother. For God's dear Word they shed their blood, And from the world departed Like bold and pious sons of God; Faithful and lion-hearted, They won the crown of martyrs.

3. The old Arch-fiend did them immure, To terrify them seeking; They bade them God's dear Word abjure, And fain would stop their speaking. From Louvain many Sophists came, Deep versed in human learning, God's Spirit foiled them at their game Their pride to folly turning. They could not but be losers.

4. They spake them fair, they spake them foul, Their sharp devices trying. Like rocks stood firm each brave young soul The Sophists' art defying. The enemy waxed fierce in hate, And for their life-blood thirsted; He fumed and chafed that one so great Should by two babes be worsted, And straightway sought to burn them.

5. Their monkish garb from them they take, And gown of ordination; The youths a cheerful Amen spake, And showed no hesitation. They thanked their God that by his aid They now had been denuded Of Satan's mock and masquerade, Whereby he had deluded The world with false pretences.

6. Thus by the power of grace they were True priests of God's own making, Who offered up themselves e'en there, Christ's holy orders taking; Dead to the world, they cast aside Hypocrisy's sour leaven, That penitent and justified They might go clean to heaven, And leave all monkish follies.

7. They then were told that they must read A note which was dictated; They straightway wrote their fate and creed, And not one jot abated. Now mark their heresy! "We must In God be firm believers; In mortal men not put our trust, For they are all deceivers;" For this they must be burned!

8. Two fires were lit; the youths were brought, But all were seized with wonder To see them set the flames at naught, And stood as struck with thunder. With joy they came in sight of all, And sang aloud God's praises; The Sophists' courage waxed small Before such wondrous traces Of God's almighty finger.

9. The scandal they repent, and would Right gladly gloss it over; They dare not boast their deed of blood, But seek the stain to cover. They feel the shame within their breast, And charge therewith each other; But now the Spirit cannot rest, For Abel 'gainst his brother Doth cry aloud for vengeance.

10. Their ashes will not rest; would-wide They fly through every nation. No cave nor grave, no turn nor tide, Can hide th'abomination. The voices which with cruel hands They put to silence living, Are heard, though dead, throughout all lands Their testimony giving, And loud hosannas singing.

11. From lies to lies they still proceed, And feign forthwith a story To color o'er the murderous deed; Their conscience pricks them sorely. These saints of God e'en after death They slandered, and asserted The youths had with their latest breath Confessed and been converted, Their heresy renouncing.

12. Then let them still go on and lie, They cannot win a blessing; And let us thank God heartily, His Word again possessing. Summer is even at our door, The winter now has vanished, The tender flowerets spring once more, And he, who winter banished, Will send a happy summer.

1. Ein neues Lied wir heben an, Das walt' Gott unser Herre, Zu singen was Gott hat gethan Zu seinem Lob und Ehre. Zu Bruessel in dem Niederland Wohl durch zween junge Knaben Hat er sein Wunder g'macht bekannt, Die er mit seinen Gaben So reichlich hat gezieret.

2. Der Erst' recht wohl Johannes heisst, So reich an Gottes Hulden; Sein Bruder Heinrich nach dem Geist, Ein rechter Christ ohn' Schulden. Von dieser Welt geschieden sind, Sie ha'n die Kron' erworben, Recht wie die frommen Gottes Kind Fuer sein Wort sind gestorben, Sein' Maert'rer sind sie worden.

3. Der alte Feind sie fangen liess, Erschreckt sie lang mit Draeuen, Das Wort Gott man sie lenken hiess, Mit List auch wollt' sie taeuben, Von Loewen der Sophisten viel, Mit ihrer Kunst verloren, Versammelt er zu diesem Spiel; Der Geist sie macht zu Thoren, Sie konnten nichts gewinnen.

4. Sie sungen suess, sie sungen sau'r, Versuchten manche Listen; Die Knaben standen wie ein' Mau'r, Veracht'ten die Sophisten. Den alten Feind das sehr verdross, Dass er war ueberwunden Von solchen Jungen, er so gross; Er ward voll Zorn von Stunden, Gedacht' sie zu verbrennen.

5. Sie raubten ihn'n das Klosterkleid, Die Weih' sie ihn'n auch nahmen; Die Knaben waren des bereit, Sie sprachen froehlich: Amen! Sie dankten ihrem Vater, Gott, Dass sie los sollten werden Des Teufels Larvenspiel und Spott, Darin durch falsche Berden Die Welt er gar betreuget.

6. Da schickt Gott durch sein Gnad' also, Dass sie recht Priester worden: Sich selbst ihm mussten opfern da Und geh'n im Christen Orden, Der Welt ganz abgestorben sein, Die Heuchelei ablegen, Zum Himmel kommen frei und rein, Die Moencherei ausfegen Und Menschen Tand hie lassen.

7. Man schrieb ihn'n fuer ein Brieflein klein, Das hiess man sie selbst lesen, Die Stueck' sie zeigten alle drein, Was ihr Glaub' war gewesen. Der huechste Irrthum dieser war: Man muss allein Gott glauben, Der Mensch leugt und treugt immerdar, Dem soll man nichts vertrauen; Dess mussten sie verbrennen.

8. Zwei grosse Feur sie zuend'ten an, Die Knaben sie her brachten, Es nahm gross Wunder Jedermann, Dass sie solch' Pein veracht'ten, Mit Freuden sie sich gaben drein, Mit Gottes Lob und Singen, Der Muth ward den Sophisten klein Fuer diesen neuen Dingen, Da sich Gott liess so merken.

9. Der Schimpf sie nun gereuet hat, Sie wollten's gern schoen machen; Sie thuern nicht ruehmen sich der That Sie bergen fast die Sachen, Die Schand' im Herzen beisset sie Und klagen's ihr'n Genossen, Doch kann der Geist nicht schweigen hie: Des Habels Blut vergossen, Es muss den Kain melden.

10. Die Aschen will nicht lassen ab, Sie staeubt in allen Landen; Hie hilft kein Bach, Loch, Grub' noch Grab, Sie macht den Feind zu Schanden. Die er im Leben durch den Mord Zu schweigen hat gedrungen, Die muss er todt an allem Ort Mit aller Stimm' und Zungen Gar froehlich lassen singen.

11. Noch lassen sie ihr Luegen nicht, Den grossen Mord zu schmuecken, Sie gehen fuer ein falsch Gedicht, Ihr G'wissen thut sie druecken, Die Heil'gen Gott's auch nach dem Tod Von ihn'n gelaestert werden, Sie sagen: in der lessten Noth Die Knaben noch auf Erden Sich sollen ha'n umkehret.

12. Die lass man luegen immerhin, Sie haben's keinen Frommen, Wir sollen danken Gott darin, Sein Wort ist wiederkommen. Der Sommer ist hart fuer der Thuer Der Winter ist vergangen, Die zarten Bluemlein geh'n herfuer: Der das hat angefangen, Der wird es wohl vollenden.



VI. Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland. Saviour of the heathen, known.

From the Ambrosian Christmas Hymn, "Veni, Redemptor, Gentium."

Melody derived from the Ambrosian original, 1525. Harmony from "The Choral Book for England," by WM. STERNDALE BENNETT and OTTO GOLDSCHMIDT, 1865.

1. Saviour of the heathen, known As the promised virgin's Son; Come thou wonder of the earth, God ordained thee such a birth.

2. Not of flesh and blood the son, Offspring of the Holy One, Born of Mary ever-blest, God in flesh is manifest.

3. Cherished is the Holy Child By the mother undefiled; In the virgin, full of grace, God has made his dwelling-place.

4. Lo! he comes! the Lord of all Leaves his bright and royal hall; God and man, with giant force, Hastening to run his course.

5. To the Father whence he came He returns with brighter fame; Down to hell he goes alone, Then ascends to God's high throne.

6. Thou, the Father's equal, win Victory in the flesh o'er sin; So shall man, though weak and frail; By the indwelling God prevail.

7. On thy lowly manger night Sheds a pure unwonted light; Darkness must not enter here, Faith abides in sunshine clear.

8. Praise be to the Father done, Praise be to the only Son, Praises to the Spirit be, Now and to eternity.

1. Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, Der Jungfrauen Kind erkannt, Dass sich wunder alle Welt, Gott solch' Geburt ihm bestellt.

2. Nicht von Mann's Blut noch von Fleisch, Allein von dem heil'gen Geist Ist Gott's Wort worden ein Mensch, Und blueht ein Frucht Weibes Fleisch.

3. Der Jungfrau Leib schwanger ward Doch blieb Keuschheit rein bewahrt, Leucht herfuer manch Tugend schon, Gott da war in seinem Thron.

4. Er ging aus der Kammer sein, Dem koen'glichen Saal so rein, Gott von Art und Mensch ein Held Sein'n Weg er zu laufen eilt.

5. Sein Lauf kam vom Vater her Und kehrt wieder zum Vater, Fuhr hinunter zu der Hoell' Und wieder zu Gottes Stuhl.

6. Der du bist dem Vater gleich, Fuehr hinaus den Sieg im Fleisch, Dass dein ewig Gottes G'walt In uns das krank Fleisch enthalt.

7. Dein' Krippen glaenzt hell und klar, Die Nacht giebt ein neu Licht dar, Dunkel muss nicht kommen d'rein Der Glaub' bleibt immer im Schein.

8. Lob sei Gott dem Vater g'than, Lob sei Gott dem ein'gen Sohn, Lob sei Gott dem heil'gen Geist, Immer und in Ewigkeit.



VII. Christum wir sollen loben schon. Now praise we Christ, the Holy One.

From the Hymn "A solis ortus cardine." The Original Latin Melody. Harmony by M. PRAETORIUS, 1609.

1. Now praise we Christ, the Holy One, The spotless virgin Mary's Son, Far as the blessed sun doth shine, E'en to the world's remote confine.

2. He, who himself all things did make, A servant's form vouchsafed to take, That He as man mankind might win, And save His creatures from their sin.

3. The grace of God, th'Almighty Lord, On the chaste mother was outpoured; A virgin pure and undefiled In wondrous wise conceived a child.

4. The holy maid became th' abode And temple of the living God; And she, who knew not man, was blest With God's own Word made manifest.

5. The noble mother bare a Son, For so did Gabriel's promise run, Whom John confest and leapt with joy, Ere yet the mother knew her boy.

6. In a rude manger, stretched on hay, In poverty content he lay; With milk was fed the Lord of all, Who feeds the ravens when they call.

7. Th' angelic choir rejoice, and raise Their voice to God in songs of praise; To humble shepherds is proclaimed The Shepherd who the world hath framed.

8. Honor to thee, O Christ, be paid, Pure offspring of a holy maid, With Father and with Holy Ghost, Till time in time's abyss be lost.

1. Christum wir sollen loben schon Der reinen Magd Marien Sohn, So weit die liebe Sonne leucht't Und an aller Welt Ende reicht.

2. Der selig Schoepfer aller Ding' Zog an ein's Knechtes Leib gering, Dass er das Fleisch durch's Fleisch erwuerb', Und sein Geschoepf nicht all's verdueb'.

3. Die goettlich Gnad' vom Himmel gross Sich in die keusche Mutter goss; Ein Maegdlein trug ein heimlich Pfand, Das der Natur war unbekannt.

4. Das zuechtig Haus des Herzens zart Gar bald ein Tempel Gottes ward, Die kein Mann ruehret noch erkannt', Von Gott's Wort man sie schwanger fand.

5. Die edle Mutter hat gebor'n, Den Gabriel verhiess zuvorn, Den Sanct Johann's mit Springen zeigt, Da er noch lag im Mutter Leib.

6. Er lag im Heu mit Armuth gross, Die Krippen hart ihn nicht verdross, Es ward ein klein Milch sein Speis', Der nie kein Voeglein hungern liess.

7. Des Himmels Choer' sich freuen drob, Und die Engel singen Gott Lob, Den armen Hirten wird vermeld't Der Hirt und Schoepfer aller Welt.

8. Lob, Ehr und Dank sei dir gesagt, Christe gebor'n von reinen Magd, Mit Vater und dem heil'gen Geist Von nun an bis in Ewigkeit!



VIII. Gelobet sei'st du, Jesu Christ. All praise to Jesus' hallowed Name.

The first stanza an ancient German Christmas Hymn. Six stanzas added by Luther.

Ancient German Melody, in Walter, 1525. Harmony by A. HAUPT, 1869.

1. All praise to Jesus' hallowed name Who of virgin pure became True man for us! The angels sing As the glad news to earth they bring. Hallelujah!

2.Th' eternal Father's only Son For a manger leaves his throne. Disguised in our poor flesh and blood See now the everlasting Good. Hallelujah!

3. He whom the world could not inwrap Yonder lies in Mary's lap; He is become an infant small, Who by his might upholdeth all. Hallelujah! 4. Th' eternal Light, come down from heaven, Hath to us new sunshine given; It shineth in the midst of night, And maketh us the sons of light. Hallelujah!

5. The Father's Son, God everblest, In the world became a guest; He leads us from this vale of tears, And makes us in his kingdom heirs. Hallelujah!

6. He came to earth so mean and poor, Man to pity and restore, And make us rich in heaven above, Equal with angels through his love. Hallelujah!

7. All this he did to show his grace To our poor and sinful race; For this let Christendom adore And praise his name for evermore. Hallelujah!

1. Gelobet sei'st du, Jesu Christ, Dass du Mensch geboren bist Von einer Jungfrau, das ist wahr, Dess freuet sich der Engel Schaar. Kyrioleis.

2. Des ew'gen Vaters einzig Kind Jetzt man in der Krippen findt, In unser armes Fleisch und Blut Verkleidet sich das ewig Gut. Kyrioleis.

3. Den aller Welt Kreis nie beschloss, Der liegt in Marien Schooss, Er ist ein Kindlein worden klein, Der alle Ding erhaelt allein. Kyrioleis.

4. Das ewig Licht geht da herein, Gibt der Welt ein'n neuen Schein; Es leucht't wohl mitten in der Nacht Und uns des Lichtes Kinder macht. Kyrioleis.

5. Der Sohn des Vaters, Gott von Art, Ein Gast in der Werlet ward, Und fuehrt uns aus dem Jammerthal; Er macht uns Erben in sei'm Saal. Kyrioleis.

6. Er ist auf Erden kommen arm, Dass er unser sich erbarm', Und in dem Himmel machet reich Und seinen lieben Engeln gleich. Kyrioleis.

7. Das hat er alles uns gethan, Sein' gross' Lieb' zu zeigen an. Dess freu' sich alle Christenheit Und dank' ihm des in Ewigkeit. Kyrioleis.



IX. Christ lag in Todesbanden. Christ was laid in Death's strong Bands.

"Christ ist erstanden."-[Gebessert. D. MARTIN LUTHER.]

Melody derived from that of the older hymn, 1525. Harmony by WM. STERNDALE BENNETT and OTTO GOLDSCHMITT, 1865.

1. Christ was laid in Death's strong bands For our transgressions given. Risen, at God's right hand he stands And brings us life from heaven. Therefore let us joyful be Praising God right thankfully With loud songs of Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

2. None o'er Death could victory win; O'er all mankind he reigned. 'Twas by reason of our sin; There was not one unstained. Thus came Death upon us all, Bound the captive world in thrall, Held us 'neath his dread dominion. Hallelujah!

3. Jesus Christ, God's only Son, To our low state descending, All our sins away hath done Death's power forever ending. Ruined all his right and claim Left him nothing but the name, For his sting is lost forever. Hallelujah!

4. Strange and dreadful was the fray, When Death and Life contended; But 'twas Life that won the day, And Death's dark sway was ended. Holy Scripture plainly saith, Death is swallowed up of Death, Put to scorn and led in triumph. Hallelujah!

5. This, the Paschal Lamb, the Christ, Whom God so freely gave us, On the cross is sacrificed In flames of love to save us. On our door the blood-mark;-Faith Holds it in the face of Death. The Destroyer can not harm us. Hallelujah!

6. Therefore let us keep the feast With heartfelt exultation; God to shine on us is pleased, The Sun of our salvation. On our hearts, with heavenly grace, Beams the brightness of his face, And the night of sin has vanished. Hallelujah!

7. Eat th' unleavened bread to-day, And drink the paschal chalice; From God's pure word put away The leaven of guile and malice. Christ alone our souls will feed; He is meat and drink indeed. Faith no other life desireth. Hallelujah!

1. Christ lag in Todesbanden Fuer unser' Suend' gegeben; Der ist wieder erstanden Und hat uns bracht das Leben: Dess wir sollen froehlich sein, Gott loben und dankbar sein, Und singen Halleluja! Halleluja!

2. Den Tod Niemand zwingen konnt' Bei allen Menschenkindern; Das macht alles unser' Suend', Kein' Unschuld war zu sinden. Davon kam der Tod so bald Und nahm ueber uns Gewalt, Hielt uns in sei'm Reich gefangen. Halleluja!

3. Jesus Christus, Gottes Sohn, An unser Statt ist kommen, Und hat die Suende abgethan, Damit dem Tod genommen All sein Recht und sein' Gewalt, Da bleibt nichts denn Tod's Gestalt, Den Stachel hat er verloren. Halleluja!

4. Es war ein wunderlich Krieg, Da Tod und Leben rungen; Das Leben behielt den Sieg, Es hat den Tod verschlungen. Die Schrift hat verkuendet das, Wie ein Tod den andern frass, Ein Spott aus dem Tod ist worden. Halleluja!

5. Hie ist das recht' Osterlamm, Davon Gott hat geboten, Das ist an des Kreuzes Stamm In heisser Lieb' gebraten, Dess Blut zeichnet unser' Thuer, Das haelt der Glaub' dem Tod fuer, Der Wuerger kann uns nicht ruehren. Halleluja!

6. So feiern wir das hoh' Fest Mit Herzens Freud' und Wonne, Das uns der Herr scheinen laesst, Er ist selber die Sonne, Der durch seiner Gnaden Glanz Erleucht't uns're Herzen ganz, Der Suenden Nacht ist vergangen. Halleluja!

7. Wir essen und leben wohl In rechten Osterfladen, Der alt' Sauerteig nicht soll Sein bei dem Wort der Gnaden, Christus will die Koste sein Und speisen die Seel' allein, Der Glaub' will kein's Andern Leben. Halleluja!



X. Komm, Gott Schoepfer, heiliger Geist Come, God Creator, Holy Ghost.

From the Hymn, "Veni, Creator Spiritus," ascribed to Charlemagne.

Melody, derived from the Latin original, 1543. Harmony by JOHN SEBASTIAN BACH. From the Cantata, "Gott der Hoffnung erfuelle euch."

1. Come, God Creator, Holy Ghost, And visit thou these souls of men; Fill them with graces, as thou dost, Thy creatures make pure again.

2. For Comforter thy name we call. Sweet gift of God most high above, A holy unction to us all O Fount of life, Fire of love.

3. Our minds illumine and refresh, Deep in our hearts let love burn bright; Thou know'st the weakness of our flesh; And strengthen us with thy might.

4. Thou with thy wondrous sevenfold gifts The finger art of God's right hand; The Father's word thou sendest swift On tongues of fire to each land.

5. Drive far from us our wily foe; Grant us thy blessed peace within, That in thy footsteps we may go, And shun the dark ways of sin.

6. Teach us the Father well to know, Likewise his only Son our Lord, Thyself to us believing show, Spirit of both, aye adored.

7. Praise to the Father, and the Son Who from the dead is risen again; Praise to the Comforter be done Both now and ever. Amen.

1. Komm, Gott Schoepfer, heiliger Geist, Besuch' das Herz der Menschen dein, Mit Gnaden sie fuell', wie du weisst, Dass dein Geschoepf vorhin sein.

2. Denn du bist der Troester genannt, Des Allerhoechsten Gabe theuer, Ein' geistlich' Salb' an uns gewandt, Ein lebend Brunn, Lieb' und Feuer.

3. Zuend' uns ein Licht an im Verstand, Gib und in's Herz der Liebe Brunst, Das schwach' Fleisch' in uns, dir bekannt, Erhalt, fest' dein' Kraeft' und Gunst.

4. Du bist mit Gaben siebenfalt Der Finger an Gott's rechter Hand; Des Vaters Wort giebst du gar bald Mit Zungen in alle Land.

5. Des Feindes List treibt von uns fern, Den Fried' schaff' bei uns deine Gnad', Dass wir dein'm Leiten folgen gern, Und meiden der Seelen Schad'.

6. Lehr' uns den Vater kennen wohl, Dazu Jesum Christ feinen Sohn, Dass wir des Glaubens werden voll, Dich beider Geist zu verstehen.

7. Gott Vater sei Lob und dem Sohn, Der von den Todten auferstund; Dem Troester sei dasselb' gethan In Ewigkeit alle Stund'.



XI. Jesus Christus unser Heiland. Jesus Christ, who came to save.

A Song of Praise for Easter.

Melody in KLUG, 1535, and BAPST, 1543. Originally Hypo-Dorian. Harmony after JOHN SEBASTIAN BACH, Condensed from a Choral-Vorspiel.

1. Jesus Christ, who came to save, And overcame the grave, Is now arisen, And sin hath bound in prison. Kyri' eleison!

2. Who withouten sin was found, Bore our transgression's wound. He is our Saviour, And brings us to God's favor. Kyri' eleison!

3. Life and mercy, sin and death, All in his hands he hath; Them he'll deliver, Who trust in him forever. Kyri' eleison!

1. Jesus Christus unser Heiland, Der den Tod ueberwand, Ist auferstanden, Die Suend' hat er gefangen. Kyrie eleison!

2. Der ohn' Suenden war gebor'n, Trug fuer uns Gottes Zorn, Hat uns versoehnet, Dass Gott uns sein' Huld goenner. Kyrie eleison!

3. Tod, Suend', Leben und Genad, All's in Haenden er hat, Er kann erretten Alle, die zu ihm treten. Kyrie eleison!



XII. Komm, heiliger Geist, Herre Gott. Come, Holy Spirit, Lord our God.

_"Veni, Sancte Spiritus, gebessert durch_ D. MARTIN LUTHER." The last two stanzas added by Luther's hand._

The original Latin Melody. Harmony after ERYTHRAEUS, 1609.

1. Come, Holy Spirit, Lord our God, And pour thy gifts of grace abroad; Thy faithful people fill with blessing, Love's fire their hearts possessing. O Lord, thou by thy heavenly light Dost gather and in faith unite Through all the world a holy nation To sing to thee with exultation, Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

2. O holiest Light! O Rock adored! Give us thy light, thy living word, To God himself our spirits leading, With him as children pleading. From error, Lord, our souls defend, That they on Christ alone attend; In him with faith unfeigned abiding, In him with all their might confiding. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

3. O holiest Fire! O Source of rest! Grant that with joy and hope possest, And in thy service kept forever, Naught us from thee may sever. Lord, may thy power prepare each heart; To our weak nature strength impart, Onward to press, our foes defying, To thee, through living and through dying. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

1. Komm, heiliger Geist, Herre Gott, Erfuell' mit deiner Gnaden Gut Deiner Glaeubigen Herz, Muth und Sinn; Dein bruenst'ge Lieb' entzuend' in ihn'n. O Herr, durch deines Lichtes Glast Zu dem Glauben versammelt hast Das Volk aus aller Welt Zungen, Das sei dir, Herr, zu Lob gesungen, Halleluja! Halleluja!

2. Du heiliges Licht, edler Hort, Lass uns leuchten des Lebens Wort, Und lehr' uns Gott recht erkennen, Von Herzen Vater ihn nennen. O Herr, behuet' vor fremder Lehr, Dass wir nicht Meister suchen mehr Denn Jesum mit rechtem Glauben, Und ihm aus ganzer Macht vertrauen. Halleluja! Halleluja!

3. Du heilige Brunst, suesser Trost, Nun hilf uns froehlich und getrost In deinem Dienst bestaendig bleiben, Die Truebsal uns nicht abtreiben. O Herr, durch dein' Kraft uns bereit' Und staerk des Fleisches Bloedigkeit, Dass wir hier ritterlich ringen, Durch Tod und Leben zu dir dringen. Halleluja! Halleluja!

Note.-The first stanza is found in a service-book of the church of Basel, of the year 1514. The irregularities of the German versification may be explained in part by the two-fold authorship, in this and other hymns.



XIII. Diess sind die heil'gen zehn Gebot'. That Man a godly Life might live.

Melody (from an old German Processional), Wittenberg, 1525. Harmony by M. PRAETORIUS, 1609.

1. That man a godly life might live, God did these ten commandments give By his true servant Moses, high Upon the mount Sinai. Have mercy, Lord.

2. I am thy God and Lord alone, No other God besides me own; On my great mercy venture thee, With all thy heart love thou me. Have mercy, Lord.

3. By idle word and speech profane Take not my holy name in vain; And praise not aught as good and true But what God doth say and do. Have mercy, Lord.

4. Hallow the day which God hath blest, That thou and all thy house may rest; Keep hand and heart from labor free, That God may so work in thee. Have mercy, Lord.

5. Give to thy parents honor due, Be dutiful and loving too; And help them when their strength decays; So shalt thou have length of days. Have mercy, Lord.

6. Kill thou not out of evil will, Nor hate, nor render ill for ill; Be patient and of gentle mood, And to thy foe do thou good. Have mercy, Lord.

7. Be faithful to thy marriage vows, Thy heart give only to thy spouse; Keep thy life pure, and lest thou sin Keep thyself with discipline. Have mercy, Lord.

8. Steal not; oppressive acts abhor; Nor wring their life-blood from the poor; But open wide thy loving hand To all the poor in the land. Have mercy, Lord.

9. Bear not false witness, nor belie Thy neighbor by foul calumny; Defend his innocence from blame, With charity hide his shame. Have mercy, Lord.

10. Thy neighbor's wife desire thou not, His house, nor aught that he hath got; But wish that his such good may be As thy heart doth wish for thee. Have mercy, Lord.

11. God these commandments gave, therein To show thee, son of man, thy sin, And make thee also well perceive How man for God ought to live. Have mercy, Lord.

12. Help us, Lord Jesus Christ, for we A Mediator have in thee; Without thy help our works so vain Merit naught but endless pain. Have mercy, Lord.

1. Diess sind die heil'gen zehn Gebot', Die uns gab unser Herre Gott Durch Mosen, seinen Diener treu, Hoch auf dem Berg Sinai. Kyrioleis!

2. Ich bin allein dein Gott der Herr, Kein' Goetter sollst du haben mehr, Du sollt mir ganz vertrauen dich, Von Herzengrund lieben mich. Kyrioleis!

3. Du sollt nicht brauchen zu Unehr'n Den Namen Gottes, deines Herrn; Du sollt nicht preisen recht noch gut, Ohn' was Gott selbst red't und thut. Kyrioleis!

4. Du sollt heil'gen den siebent' Tag, Dass du und dein Haus ruhen mag, Du sollt von dei'm Thun lassen ab, Das Gott sein Werk in dir hab'. Kyrioleis!

5. Du sollt ehr'n und gehorsam sein Dem Vater und der Mutter dein, Und wo dein Hand ihn'n dienen kann, So wirst du lang's Leben han. Kyrioleis!

6. Du sollt nicht toedten zorniglich, Nicht hassen noch selbst raechen dich, Geduld haben und sanften Muth Und auch dem Feind thun das Gut'. Kyrioleis!

7. Dein' Eh' sollt du bewahren rein, Dass auch dein Herz kein andere mein', Und halten keusch das Leben dein Mit Zucht und Maessigkeit fein. Kyrioleis!

8. Du sollt nicht stehlen Geld noch Gut, Nicht wuchern Jemands Schweiss und Blut; Du solt aufthun dein' milde Hand Den Armen in deinem Land. Kyrioleis!

9. Du sollt kein falscher Zeuge sein, Nicht luegen auf den Naechsten dein, Sein' Unschuld sollt auch retten du Und seine Schand' decken zu. Kyrioleis!

10. Du sollt dein's Naechsten Weib und Haus Begehren nicht, noch etwas d'raus, Du sollt ihm wuenschen alles Gut', Wie dir dein Herz selber thut. Kyrioleis!

11. Die Gebot, all' uns geben sind, Dass du dein Suend', o Menschenkind, Erkennen sollt, und lernen wohl, Wie man fuer Gott leben soll. Kyrioleis! 12. Das helf' uns der Herr Jesus Christ, Der unser Mittler worden ist: Es ist mit unserm Thun verlor'n, Verdienen doch eitel Zorn. Kyrioleis!



XIV. Jesus Christus unser Heiland. Christ, who freed our Souls from Danger.

_"Improved" from the Communion Hymn of John Huss, "Jesus Christus, noster Salus."

Melody in Walter, 1525. Harmony in VON TUCHER'S "Schatz des Evangel. Kirchengesangs," 1848.

1. Christ, who freed our souls from danger, And hath turned away God's anger, Suffered pains no tongue can tell, To redeem us from pains of hell.

2. That we never might forget it, Take my flesh, he said, and eat it, Hidden in this piece of bread, Drink my blood in this wine, he said.

3. Whoso to this board repaireth, Take good heed how he prepareth; Death instead of life shall he Find, who cometh unworthily.

4. Praise the Father, God in heaven, Who such dainty food hath given, And for misdeeds thou hast done Gave to die his beloved Son.

5. Trust God's Word; it is intended For the sick who would be mended; Those whose heavy-laden breast Groans with sin, and is seeking rest.

6. To such grace and mercy turneth Every soul that truly mourneth; Art thou well? Avoid this board, Else thou reapest an ill reward.

7. Lo! he saith himself, "Ye weary, Come to me, and I will cheer ye;" Needless were the leech's skill To the souls that be strong and well.

8. Couldst thou earn thine own salvation, Useless were my death and passion; Wilt thou thine own helper be? No meet table is this for thee.

9. If thou this believest truly, And confession makest duly, Thou a welcome guest art here, This rich banquet thy soul shall cheer.

10. Sweet henceforth shall be thy labor, Thou shalt truly love thy neighbor So shall he both taste and see What thy Saviour hath done in thee.

1. Jesus Christus unser Heiland, Der von uns den Zorn Gottes wandt', Durch das bitter' Leiden sein Half er uns aus der Hoelle Pein.

2. Dass wir nimmer dess vergessen, Gab er uns sein' Leib zu essen, Verborgen im Brot so klein, Und zu trinken kein Blut im Wein.

3 Wer sich zu dem Tisch will machen, Der hab wohl acht auf sein' Sachen: Wer unwuerdig hiezu geht, Fuer das Leben den Tod empfaeht.

4. Du sollt Gott den Vater preisen, Dass er dich so wohl wollt' speisen, Und fuer deine Missethat In den Tod fein'n Sohn geben hat.

5. Du sollt glauben und nicht wanken, Dass ein' Speise sei den Kranken, Den'n ihr Herz' von Suenden schwer Und fuer Angst ist betruebet sehr.

6. Solch' gross' Gnad' und Barmherzigkeit Sucht ein Herz in grosser Arbeit: Ist dir wohl, so bleib' davon, Dass du nicht kriegest boesen Lohn.

7. Er spricht selber: Kommt ihr Armen, Lasst mich ueber euch erbarmen: Kein Arzt ist dem Starken noth, Sein' Kunst wird an ihm gar ein Spott.

8. Haett'st du dir was konnt erwerben, Was durst' dann ich fuer dich sterben? Dieser Tisch auch dir nicht gilt, So du selber dir helfen willt.

9. Glaubst du das von Herzen Grunde Und bekennest mit dem Munde, So bist du recht wohl geschickt Und die Speise dein' Seel' erquickt.

10. Die Frucht soll auch nicht ausbleiben: Deinen Naechsten sollt du lieben, Dass er dein geniessen kann, Wie dein Gott hat an dir gethan.



XV. Gott sei gelobet und gebenedeiet. May God be praised henceforth and blest forever.

Melody (from a more ancient German Hymn-tune), Wittenberg, 1525. Harmony by H. SCHEIN, 1627.

1. May God be prais'd henceforth and blest forever! Who, himself both gift and giver, With his own flesh and blood our souls doth nourish; May they grow thereby and flourish! Kyri' eleison! By thy holy body, Lord, the same Which from thine own mother Mary came, By the drops thou didst bleed, Help us in the hour of need! Kyri' eleison!

2. Thou hast to death thy holy body given, Life to win for us in heaven; By stronger love, dear Lord, thou couldst not bind us, Whereof this should well remind us. Kyri' eleison! Lord, thy love constrain'd thee for our good Mighty things to do by thy dear blood; Thou hast paid all we owed, Thou hast made our peace with God. Kyri' eleison!

3. May God bestow on us his grace and blessing, That, his holy footsteps tracing, We walk as brethren dear in love and union, Nor repent this sweet communion. Kyri' eleison! Let not us the Holy Ghost forsake; May he grant that we the right way take; That thy poor church may see Days of peace and unity. Kyri' eleison!

1. Gott sei gelobet und gebenedeiet, Der uns selber hat gespeiset Mit seinem Fleische und mit seinem Blute, Das gib uns, Herr Gott, zu gute. Kyrieleison! Herr, durch deinen heiligen Leichnam, Der von deiner Mutter Maria kam, Und das heilige Blut, Hilf uns, Herr, aus aller Noth. Kyrieleison!

2. Der heilig' Leichnam ist fuer uns gegeben Zum Tod, dass wir dadurch leben, Nicht groesser' Guete konnte er uns schenken, Dabei wir sein soll'n gedenken. Kyrieleison! Herr, dein Lieb' so gross dich zwungen hat, Dass dein Blut an uns gross Wunder that Und bezahlt unser Schuld, Dass uns Gott ist worden hold. Kyrieleison!

3. Gott geb' uns Allen seiner Gnade Segen, Dass wir gehen auf seinen Wegen, In rechter Lieb' und bruederlicher Treue, Dass uns die Speis' nicht gereue. Kyrieleison! Herr, dein heilig' Geist uns nimmer lass, Der uns geb' zu halten rechte Mass, Dass dein' arm' Christenheit Leb' in Fried' und Einigkeit. Kyrieleison!



XVI. Es wollt' uns Gott genaedig sein. May God unto us gracious be.

PSALM LXVII. - "Deus miseratur nostri."

Melody, Phrygian, 1538. Harmony by A. HAUPT, 1869.

1. May God unto us gracious be, And grant to us his blessing; Lord, show thy face to us, through thee Eternal life possessing: That all thy work and will, o God, To us may be revealed, And Christ's salvation spread abroad To heathen lands unsealed, And unto God convert them.

2. Thine over all shall be the praise And thanks of every nation, And all the world with joy shall raise The voice of exultation. For thou the sceptre, Lord, dost wield Sin to thyself subjecting; Thy Word, thy people's pasture-field, And fence their feet protecting, Them in the way preserveth.

3. Thy fold, O God, shall bring to thee The praise of holy living; Thy word shall richly fruitful be, And earth shall yield thanksgiving. Bless us, O Father! bless, O Son! Grant, Holy Ghost, thy blessing! Thee earth shall honor-thee alone, Thy fear all souls possessing. Now let our hearts say, Amen.

1. Es wollt' uns Gott genaedig sein, Und seinen Segen geben, Sein Antlitz uns mit hellem Schein Erleucht' zum ew'gen Leben, Dass wir erkennen seine Werk' Und was ihm b'liebt auf Erden, Und Jesus Christus Heil und Staerk' Bekannt den Heiden werden Und sie zu Gott bekehren.

2. So danken, Gott, und loben dich Die Heiden ueberalle, Und alle Welt die freue sich Und sing' mit grossem Schalle, Dass du auf Erden Richter bist Und lasst die Suend' nicht walten, Dein Wort die Hut und Weide ist, Die alles Volk erhalten, In rechter Bahn zu wallen.

3. Es danke, Gott, und lobe dich Das Volk in guten Thaten; Das Land bringt Frucht und bessert sich, Dein Wort ist wohl gerathen. Uns segen' Vater und der Sohn, Uns segen' Gott der heilig' Geist, Dem alle Welt die Ehre thu, Fuer ihm sich fuerchte allermeist, Nun sprecht von Herzen, Amen!



XVII. Wohl dem, der in Gottesfurcht steht. Happy the Man who feareth God.

PSALM CXXVIII.-"Beati omnes qui timent Dominum."

FIRST MELODY, 1525. Harmony by GESIUS, 1605.

1. Happy the man who feareth God, Whose feet his holy ways have trod; Thine own good hand shall nourish thee, And well and happy shalt thou be.

2. Thy wife shall, like a fruitful vine, Fill all thy house with clusters fine; Thy children all be fresh and sound, Like olive-plants thy table round.

3. Lo! to the man these blessings cleave Who in God's holy fear doth live; From him the ancient curse hath fled By Adam's race inherited.

4. Out of Mount Zion God shall send, And crown with joy thy latter end; That thou Jerusalem mayst see, In favor and prosperity.

5. He shall be with thee in thy ways, And give thee health and length of days; Yea, thou shalt children's children see, And peace on Israel shall be.

1. Wohl dem, der in Gottesfurcht steht, Und der auf seinem Wege geht; Dein eigen Hand dich naehren soll, So lebst du recht und geht dir wohl.

2. Dein Weib wird in dei'm Hause sein Wie ein' Reben voll Trauben fein, Und dein' Kinder um deinen Tisch Wie Oelpflanzen, gesund und frisch.

3. Sich so reich Segen haengt dem an, Wo in Gottes Furcht lebt ein Mann, Von ihm laesst der alt' Fluch und Zorn, Den Menschenkindern angebor'n.

4. Aus Zion wird Gott segnen dich, Dass du wirst schauen stetiglich Das Glueck der Stadt Jerusalem, Fuer Gott in Gnaden angenehm.

5. Fristen wird er das Leben dein Und mit Guete stets bei dir sein, Dass du sehen wirst Kindes Kind Und dass Israel Friede findt.



XVIII. Mitten wir im Leben sind. Though in Midst of Life we be.

Melody, 1525. Harmony by ERYTHRAEUS, 1608.

1. Though in midst of life we be, Snares of death surround us; Where shall we for succor flee, Lest our foes confound us? To thee alone, our Saviour. We mourn our grievous sin which hath Stirr'd the fire of thy fierce wrath. Holy and gracious God! Holy and mighty God! Holy and all-merciful Saviour! Thou eternal God! Save us, Lord, from sinking In the deep and bitter flood. Kyrie eleison.

2. Whilst in midst of death we be, Hell's grim jaws o'ertake us; Who from such distress will free. Who secure will make us? Thou only, Lord, canst do it! It moves thy tender heart to see Our great sin and misery. Holy and gracious God! Holy and mighty God! Holy and all-merciful Saviour! Thou eternal God! Let not hell dismay us With its deep and burning flood. Kyrie eleison.

3. Into hell's fierce agony Sin doth headlong drive us: Where shall we for succor flee, Who, O , who will hide us? Thou only, blessed Saviour. Thy precious blood was shed to win Peace and pardon for our sin. Holy and gracious God! Holy and mighty God! Holy and all-merciful Saviour! Thou eternal God! From the true faith's comfort Fall in our last need away. Kyrie eleison.

1. Mitten wir im Leben sind Mit dem Tod umpfangen, Wen such'n wir der Huelfe thu', Dass wir Gnad' erlangen? Das bist du, Herr, alleine. Uns reuet unser' Missethat, Die dich, Herr, erzuernet hat. Heiliger Herre Gott, Heilger, starker Gott, Heiliger, barmherziger Heiland, Du ewiger Gott! Lass uns nicht versinken In der bittern Todesnoth. Kyrieleison!