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Gott Vater, sende deinen Geist.--(Goed. 173.)
Appeared in Crü. Praxis, 1656, no. 198.
English Versions:
| Stanza 1. | O Father! send Thy spirit down, Whom we are bidden by Thy Son To seek, from Thy high heaven; . . . |
A complete translation by J. Kelly, 1867, p. 78, a version of very varying excellence. For example, stanza 15 seems hopelessly weak when compared with the vigorous and simple German:
| O selig, wer in dieser Welt Läszt diesem Gaste Haus und Zelt In seiner Seel aufschlagen! Wer Ihn aufnimmt in dieser Zeit Den wird er dort zur ewgen Freud In Gottes Hütte tragen. | Oh! happy are the souls and bless'd Who while on earth permit this Guest To make in them His dwelling; Who now receive him joyfully, He'll take up to God's house on high, Their souls with rapture filling. |
On the other hand in stanza 5 the translator has coped very successfully with the many difficulties of rhyme and metre:
| Und das ist auch ein Gnadenwerk Und deines heilgen Geistes Stärk; In uns ist kein Vermögen. Wie bald würd unser Glaub und Treu, Herr, wo du uns nicht stündest bei Sich in die Aschen legen! | This is a work of grace indeed, The Holy Spirit's strength we need, Our pow'r is unavailing; Our faith and our sincerity Would soon, O Lord! in ashes lie Were not Thy help unfailing. |
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