As I hear, Far and near,
Sweetest angel voices;
"Christ is born," their choirs are singing,
Till the air Everywhere
Now with joy is ringing.
For it dawns, the promised morrow
Of His birth Who the earth
Rescues from her sorrow.
God to wear our form descendeth,
Of His grace To our race
Here His Son He lendeth;
Yea, so truly for us careth,
That His Son All we've done
As our offering beareth;
As our Lamb who, dying for us,
Bears our load, And to God
Doth in peace restore us.
Hark! a voice from yonder manger,
Soft and sweet, Doth entreat,
"Flee from woe and danger;
Brethren come, from all doth grieve you
You are freed, All you need
I will surely give you."
Come then, let us hasten yonder;
Here let all, Great and small,
Kneel in awe and wonder,
Love Him who with love is yearning;
Hail the Star That from far
Bright with hope is burning!
Ye who pine in weary sadness,
Weep no more, For the door
Now is found of gladness.
Cling to Him, for He will guide you
Where no cross, Pain or loss,
Can again betide you.
Hither come, ye heavy-hearted;
Who for sin Deep within,
Long and sore have smarted;
For the poison'd wounds you're feeling
Help is near, One is here
Mighty for their healing!
Hither come, ye poor and wretched;
Know His will Is to fill
Every hand outstretched;
Here are riches without measure,
Here forget All regret,
Fill your hearts with treasure.
Blessed Saviour, let me find Thee?
Keep Thou me Close to Thee,
Call me not behind Thee!
Life of life, my heart Thou stillest,
Calm I rest On Thy breast,
All this void Thou fillest.
Heedfully my Lord I'll cherish,
Live to Thee, And with Thee
Dying shall not perish;
But shall dwell with Thee for ever,
Far on high, In the joy
That can alter never.
—Paul Gerhardt, trans. Catherine Winkworth
Tune: "Warum sollt ich," Johann G. Ebeling (MIDI courtesy The Cyber Hymnal).
Thanks to Nathan Clark George and Bandcamp for making this embeddable. Buy the album if you like it.
About the Authors
Paul Gerhardt (1607–1676) was a Lutheran pastor from Wittenberg. He was one of the most prolific hymnwriters of Germany, and Dr. Julian, in his Dictionary, says that his works rank second only to Martin Luther's.Catherine Winkworth (1827–1878) was the most prolific translator of German hymns into English that ever lived. Dr. Julian credits her with reviving the German hymn in English-speaking circles. As a novice translator myself, I greatly admire the delicate line she walked between literal translation and beautiful English hymn-writing.
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