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Translated from the German by Catherine Winkworth
With Illustrations by and engraved under the Superintendence of
John Leighton, F.S.A.
LONDON
Longman, Green, Longman, and Roberts.
1861.
TO
HIS
EXCELLENCY
THE
CHEVALIER BUNSEN,
THESE HYMNS ARE
BY HIS KIND PERMISSION
RESPECTFULLY
AND GRATEFULLY
DEDICATED
BY THE
TRANSLATOR.
The following hymns are selected from the Chevalier Bunsen's "Versuch
eines allgemeinen Gesang und Gebetbuchs," published in 1833. From the large
number there given, about nine hundred, little more than one hundred have
been chosen. This selection contains many of those best known and loved in
Germany; but in a work of this size it is impossible to include all that
have become classical in that home of Christian poetry. In reading them it
must be remembered that they are hymns, not sacred poems, though from their
length and the intricacy of their metres, many of them may seem to English
readers adapted rather to purposes of private than of public devotion. But
the singing of hymns forms a much larger and more
Ever since the Reformation, the German Church has been remarkable for the number and excellence of its hymns and hymn-tunes. Before that time it was not so. There was no place for congregational singing in public worship, and therefore the spiritual songs of the latter part of the middle ages assumed for the most part an artificial and unpopular form. Yet there were not wanting germs of a national Church poetry in the verses rather than hymns which were sung in German on pilgrimages and at some of the high festivals, many of which verses were again derived from more ancient Latin hymns. Several of Luther's hymns are amplifications of verses of this class, such as the Pentecostal hymn here given, "Come, Holy Spirit, God and Lord," which is founded on a German version of the "Veni Sancte Spiritus, Reple." By adopting these verses, and retaining their well-known melodies, Luther enabled his hymns to spread rapidly among the common people. He also composed metrical versions of several of the Psalms, the Te Deum, the Ten Commandments, the Lord's Prayer, the Nunc Dimittis, the Da nobis Pacem, &c., thus enriching the people, to whom he had already given the Holy Scriptures in their own language, with a treasure of that sacred poetry which is the precious inheritance of every Christian church.
The hymn, "In the midst of life," is one of those founded on a more ancient hymn, the "Media in vita" of Notker, a learned Benedictine of St. Gall, who died in 912. He is said to have composed it while watching some workmen, who were building the bridge of Martinsbruck at the peril of their lives. It was soon set to music, and became universally known; indeed it was used as a battle song, until the custom was forbidden on account of its being supposed to exercise magical influences. In a German version it formed part of the service for the burial of the dead, as early as the thirteenth century, and is still preserved in an unmetrical form in the Burial Service of our own Church.
The carol, "From Heaven above to earth I come," is called by Luther himself, "A Christmas child's song concerning the child Jesus." He wrote it for his little boy Hans, when the latter was five years old, and it is still sung from the dome of the Kreuzkirche in Dresden before day-break on the morning of Christmas Day. It refers to the custom, then and long afterwards prevalent in Germany, of making at Christmas-time representations of the manger with the infant Jesus. But the most famous of his hymns is the noble version of the 46th Psalm, "A sure stronghold our God is He," which may be called the national hymn of his Protestant countrymen. Luther's hymns are wanting in harmony and correctness of metre to a degree which often makes them jarring to our modern ears, but they are always full of fire and strength, of clear Christian faith, and brave joyful trust in God.
From his time there has been a constant succession of hymn writers in the German Church. Paul Eber, an intimate friend of Melancthon, wrote for his children the hymn, "Lord Jesus Christ, true Man and God," which soon became a favorite hymn for the dying. Hugo Grotius asked that it might be repeated to him in his last moments, and expired ere its conclusion. Another hymn of the same class is, "Now hush your cries, and shed no tear," the "Jam moesta quiesce querela" of Prudentius II. translated by Nicholas Hermann, the pious precentor of Joachimsthal, a hymn long sung at every festival.
The terrible times of the Thirty years' War were rich in sacred poetry. Rist, a clergyman in North Germany, who suffered much in his youth from mental conflicts, and in after years from plunder, pestilence, and all the horrors of war, used to say, "the dear cross hath pressed many songs out of me," and this seems to have been equally true of many of his contemporaries. It certainly was true of Johann Hermann, the author of some of the most touching hymns for Passion Week, who wrote his sweet songs under great physical sufferings from ill health, and amidst the perils of war, during which he more than once esaped murder as by a miracle. So too the hymns of Simon Dach, professor of poetry in the University of Koningsberg, speak of the sufferings of the Christian, and his longing to escape from the strife of earth to the peace of heaven.
But the Christians of those days had often not only to suffer, but to
fight for their faith, and in the hymns of
Another favorite hymn of Niebuhr was the hymn to Eternity, the greater part of which is of very ancient but uncertain date. It received its present form about the middle of the 17th century.
Many of the hymns of
Paul Gerhardt
belong to this period, though he lived
until 1676, long after the conclusion of peace. He is without doubt the
greatest of the German hymn writers, possessing loftier poetical genius, and
a richer variety of thought and feeling than any other. His beautiful hymn,
"Commit
thou all thy
In the latter half of the seventeenth century a new school was founded by
Johann Franck, and
Johann Scheffler, commonly called Angelus.
The former was
burgomaster of Guben in Lusatia; the latter physician to Ferdinand III.,
but in 1663 he became a Roman Catholic, and afterwards a priest. The
pervading idea of this school is the longing of the soul for that intimate
union with the Redeemer of the world, which begins with the birth of Christ
in the heart, and is perfected after death. This longing breathes through the
hymns of Franck given in this collection; one of them,
"Redeemer of the nations, come,"
is a translation of the "Veni, Redemptor gentium" of
St. Ambrose.
The greatest poet of this school is however
Gerhard Tersteegen,
who lived during the early part of the eighteenth century as a ribbon
manufacturer at Mühlheim. His hymns have great beauty, and bespeak
a tranquil and childlike soul filled and blessed with the contemplation of
God. The well-known hymn of Wesley's,
"Lo God is here! let us adore,"
belongs to him, and in its original shape is one of the most beautiful he
ever wrote, but is frequently met with only in a disfigured and mutilated
form. To this school belong a large number of the hymns in this collection,
among which those of
Deszler,
an excellent philologist of Nuremburgh, and of
Anton Ulrich,
the pious and learned Duke of Brunswick, are particularly good. Those of
Schmolck,
the pastor of Schweidnitz, who exercised great influence over the
hymn-writing of his day, have more simplicity than most of the rest, but are
characterized by a curious mixture of real poetry and deep feeling with
occasional vulgarities of expression. The defects of this school, which
showed themselves strongly in the course of the eighteenth century, were a
tendancy that the feeling should degenerate into sentimentality, and the
devout dwelling of the heart on Christ's great sacrifice into compassion
and gratitude for His physical sufferings,--defects which greatly
disfigure many
Germany is rich in Morning and Evening Hymns, and Hymns for the Dying, of which a few are given in these translations. Among these is the morning hymn of Baron von Canitz: I was not aware until after translating it that it had been already published at the close of one volume of Dr. Arnold's sermons.
The hymn "How blest to all Thy followers, Lord, the road," was the favourite hymn of Schelling.
In translating these hymns the original form has been retained, with the
exception, that single rhymes are generally substituted for the double
rhymes which the structure of the language renders so common in German
poetry, but which become cloying to an English ear when constantly repeated;
and that English double common or short metre is used instead of what may be
called the German common metre, the same that we call Gay's stanza, to which
it approximates closely in the number of syllables, while its associations
in our minds are somewhat more solemn. In a few instances slight alterations
have been made in the metre, when, as is
Alderley Edge,
July 16th,
1855
In the second edition a few corrections have been made
and additional verses given in some of the hymns: a few
among them are however still given in an abbreviated
form, where the omitted verses appeared to be
decidedly inferior in merit, or to contain no
new thought. I have also exchanged the
former version of "Ein feste Burg"
for one, as it seems to me, much
superior, which I owe to
the kindness of the
Rev. William
Gaskell.
Nov.
30,
1855.
The night is far spent, the day is at hand; let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light
From the Epistle. [
Hüter, wird die Nacht der Sünden
Behold the fig-tree and all the trees; when they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
From the Gospel. [
Wach' auf, wach' auf du sich're Welt
And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.
From the Lesson. [
Wie soll ich dich empfangen
Rejoice in the Lord alway, and again I say, Rejoice. The Lord is at hand.
From the epistle. [
Macht hoch die Thür, die Thor macht
Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Von Himmel hoch da komm ich her
Written for his little son Hans.
And the word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.
From the Gospel. [
Du wesentliches Wort
And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. . . . Then they stirred up the people. . . . and caught him, and set up false witnesses against him.
From the Lesson. [
Verzage nicht du Haüflein klein
If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? Follow thou me.
From the Gospel. [
Lebst du in mir o wahres Leben
Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of Heaven.
O liebe Seele könnt'st du werden
Behold, a Virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
From the Gospel. [
Wir singen dir Immanuel
So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
O Ewigkeit, o Ewigkeit
Arise, shine, for thy light has come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee!
From the Lesson. [
Werde Licht du Stadt der Heiden
I beseech you, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
From the Epistle. [
Höchster Priester, der du dich
Lift up your eyes unto the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath; for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and the people that dwell therein shall die in like manner; but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.
From the Lesson. [
Gott lebet noch
For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven; and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater; so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
From the Lesson. [
Dein Wort, O Herr, ist milder Thau
And he said unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.
From the Gospel. [
Hier lieg' ich, Herr, im Staube
Oh that Thou wouldst rend the heavens, that Thou wouldst come down, that the mountains might flow down at Thy presence . . . To make Thy name known to Thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at Thy presence.
From the Lesson. [
Wach auf, du Geist der ersten Zeugen
Every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself even as he is pure.
From the Epistle. [
O reines Wesen, lautre Quelle
I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air.
From the Epistle. [
Ringe recht wenn Gottes Gnade
Let them praise the name of the Lord for His name alone is excellent; His glory is above the earth and heaven.
Keine Schönheit hat die Welt
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
From the Epistle. [
Unter jenen grossen Gütern
And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight; thy faith hath saved thee. And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God.
From the Gospel. [
Was du vor tausend Jahren
I am the light of the world.
[
God said, let there be light: and there was light.
[
Gather the people . . and let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the alter, and let them say, Spare Thy people, O Lord.
From the Passage for the Epistle. [
Straf mich nicht in deinem Zorn
Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And he fasted forty days and forty nights.
From the Gospel. [
Bin ich allein ein Fremdling auf
And the disciples said, Send her away, for she crieth after us; . . . But He said, Great is thy faith, be it unto thee even as thou wilt.
From the Gospel. [
Ich lass dich nicht, du Hülf' in
Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.--
From the Epistle. [
Erwach, o Mensch, erwache
Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that we, who for our evil deeds do worthily deserve to be punished, by the comfort of Thy grace may mercifully be relieved; through our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
From the Collect.
Hier lieg ich nun mein Gott zu deinen
Out of the depths have I called unto Thee, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice. If Thou, Lord, wilt be extreme to mark what is done amiss, O Lord, who may abide it?--
Aus tiefer Noth schrei ich zu dir
And the multitude that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.
Hosianna! Davids Sohn
And when He was come near, He beheld the city and wept over it.
Du weinest für Jerusalem
For these things I weep, Mine eye runneth down with water, because the comfort that should relieve my soul, is for ever from me; my children are desolate because the enemy prevailed.
By the which will we are sanctified, through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Jesu deine tiefen Wunden
Now once in the end of the world hath He appeared, to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
From the Epistle. [
Wenn meine Sünd' mich kränken
Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them. But they cried saying, Crucify Him, crucify Him. And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath He done?
From the Gospel. [
Herzliebster Jesu, was hast du
He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed.
From the Lesson. [
O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden
But God commended His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
O du Liebe meiner Liebe
And Joseph wrapped the body in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock.
From the Gospel. [
Su ruhest du, o meine Ruh
Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more: death hath no more dominion over Him.
From the Anthem [
Christ lag in Todesbanden
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
From the Epistle. [
Verklärtes Haupt nun lebst du
And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known to them in breaking of bread. And as they thus spake, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
From the Gospel. [
Willkommen Held im Streite
I know that my Redeemer liveth . . and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
From the Lesson. [
Jesus meine Zuversicht
God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
From the Epistle. [
Was wär ich ohne dich gewesen
Jesus said, I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd giveth His life for His sheep.
From the Gospel. [
Guter Hirte willst du nicht
And ye now have sorrow; but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
From the Gospel. [
Auf den Nebel folgt die Sonne
For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.
It is expedient for you that I go away, for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you.
From the Gospel. [
Heil'ger Geist, du Tröster mein
These things have I spoken unto you, that ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
From the Gospel. [
Christe, du Beistand deiner Kreuzgemeine
This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come, in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.
From the Epistle. [
Herr auf Erden muss ich leiden
These all confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. . . . For they desired a better country, that is, an heavenly; wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He hath prepared for them a city.
Himmelwärts geht unsere Bahn
I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever, even the Spirit of Truth.
From the Gospel. [
Schmükt das Fest mit Maien
Would God that all the Lord's people were prophets, and that the Lord would put His Spirit upon them!
From the Lesson. [
Zeuch ein zu deinen Thoren
Hereby know ye the Spirit of God. Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God.
From the Lesson. [
Komm Heil'ger Geist, Herre Gott
And God said, Let us make man in our image.
From the Lesson. [
Hochheilige Dreieinigkeit
God is love . . . and herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us.
From the Epistle. [
Geht hin ihr gläubigen Gedanken
And this is His commandment; That we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as He gave us commandment.
From the Epistle. [
Herz und Herz vereint zusammen
Cast all your care upon Him, for He careth for you.
From the Epistle. [
Was von aussen und von innen
I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us.
From the epistle. [
Wer hofft mit Christo dort zu erben
And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye; and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts.
From the Epistle. [
Ist Gott für mich so trete
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Christ, were baptized into His death?
From the Epistle. [
O der alles hätt verloren
O Lord, how manifold are Thy works; in wisdom hast Thou made them all; the earth is full of Thy riches.
Geh aus, mein Herz, und suche Freud
Brethren, we are debters, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die; but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
From the Epistle. [
O Gott, o Geist, o Licht des Lebens
How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow Him; but if Baal, then follow him.
From the Lesson. [
Was kinket ihr betrognen Seelen
As the hart panteth after the water brooks, even so panteth my soul after Thee, O God.
Nach dir, o Gott verlanget mich
In Thy presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Wie wohl ist mir o Freund der Seelen
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as if of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God.
From the Epistle. [
Wer sich auf seiner Schwachkeit steurt
Then Hezekiah received the letter of the hands of the messengers, and read it, and Hezekiah went up into the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord.
From the Lesson. [
Wer nur den lieben Gott lässt walten
And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
From the Epistle. [
Kreuz wir grüssen dich von Herzen
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat, or what shall we drink . . for your Heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
From the Gospel. [
Gieb dich zufrieden
And when the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not!
From the Gospel. [
Lass dich Gott
I beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with long suffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavouring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.
From the Epistle. [
Kommt Brüder lasst uns gehen
Waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall also confirm you unto the end.
From the Epistle. [
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Wenn alle untreu werden
But ye have not so learned Christ, if so be that ye have heard Him, and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that ye put off, concerning the former conversation, the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
From the Epistle. [
Wohl dem der sich mit Fleiss bemuhet
Singing and making melody in your heart unto the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father, in the name our Lord Jesus Christ.
From the Epistle. [
O dass ich tausend Zungen hätte
Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
From the Epistle. [
[
Ein feste Burg
Hymn composed on the road to Worms.
Electronic edition: for Winkworth's translation, see the Appendix.
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding.
From the Lesson. [
So führst du doch recht selig Herr
For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ; who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashined like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself.
From the epistle. [
Du o schönes Weltgebäude
Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things; but one thing is needful, and Mary hath chosen that good part which shall not be taken away from her.
Eins ist Noth
One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in His temple.
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign, and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.
From the Passage for the Epistle. [
Komm Heidenheiland, Lösegeld
And Jesus saith unto them, Follow me. . . And they straightway left their nets, and followed Him.
From the Gospel. [
Folget mir, ruft uns das Leben
And Thomas answered and said unto Him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto Him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me thou hast believed; blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
From the Gospel. [
Längst suchtest du, mein Geist, ein
Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word; for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation.
From the Gospel. [
Herr Jesu Licht der Heiden
Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
From the Gospel. [
Es ist noch eine Ruh vorhanden
Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to Thy word.
From the Gospel. [
Meine Seele senket sich
We preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: who in time past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless He left not Himself without witness, in that He did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.
From the Lesson. [
Sollt ich meinem Gott nicht singen
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for those that shall be heirs of salvation?
Ehr und Dank sei Dir gesungen
Lo, a great multitude which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds and people, and tongues, stood before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne and unto the Lamb.
From the Epistle. [
Wer sind die vor Gottes Throne
My voice shalt Thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up.
Gott dess Himmels und der Erden
Die goldene Sonne
Seele du musst munter werden
Morgenglanz der Ewigkeit
Nun tret ich wieder aus der Ruh
Evening and morning and at noon will I pray and cry aloud! and He shall hear my voice.
Hinunter ist der Sonnenschein
Nun ruhen alle Wälder
Der Tag ist hin mein Geist und
Der Mond ist aufgefangen
I was sick and ye visited me.
The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing; Thou wilt make all this bed in his sickness.
Mitten wir im Leben sind
Gott den ich als Liebe kenne
Kommt an der Tod, da ich muss ringen
Herr Jesus Christ, wahr Mensch und Gott
Geht nun hin und grabt mein Grab
So hab ich obgesieget
Mein Gott in deine Hände
Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.
For he that is dead is freed from sin; now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him.
Hört auf mit Trauern und mit Klag
Die Seele ruht in Jesu Armen
O wie selig seid ihr doch irh Frommen
[
Ein feste Burg
(This translation only appears in the first edition (1855) of Lyra Germanica, First Series: in all subsequent editions and, slightly altered, in The Chorale Book for England (No. 124) and again in Christian Singers of Germany (p. 110) the translation by W. Gaskell (1805 - 1884) was used - A sure stronghold our God is He. See Catherine Winkworth's footnote to the preface of second edition of Lyra Germanica, First Series in 1855).
[Note to the electronic edition: this information, except for the book dedication and the text of the memorial tablet from Bristol Cathedral, was transcribed into this copy of the book by a grand-niece.]
To Jane.
In remembrance of the 9th March 1861
from M. R. and A. M. R.
"M. R. & A. M. R" were Mary & Anna Maria Rawson, old
school-friends of my great-aunt "Jane" - Jane Adair Atkins.
Mary Rawson married Dr. Burqhardt, an analytical
chemist, & they went to live at Delamere,
Meyes Lane, Alderley Edge, moving later to Fern
Cottage, Macclesfield Road, Alderley Edge.
Catherine Winkworth was born in No. 20, Ely Place, Holborn, on the 13th September 1827. Her parents moved to Manchester while she was still very young as her father had a silk mill (at Macclesfield?); & Emily & Susanna were left with their grandmother Winkworth & her daughter, Eliza, who had lived with them in Ely Place, & they went to live at Islington where "Aunt Eliza" undertook their education. When they followed their parents to Manchester they had lessons from the Rev. William Gaskell, minister of Cross Street Chapel, Manchester, & husband of the well-known novelist. Later Catherine became very friendly with both Mr. & Mrs. Gaskell, & also knew the Martineaus, Miss Bronte, The Goldschmidts (Madame Goldschmidt was Jenny Lind before her marriage), Adelaide Procter, the Froudes, Mrs. Carlyle, etc., & it was through Mrs. Gaskell that she came to know Chevalier Bunson who started Catherine & Susanna in their literary work, & to whom Catherine dedicated her "Lyra Germanica."
"We were spending the spring & summer in a small cottage (Fern Cottage) which our father had taken at Alderley Edge, about fifteen miles from Manchester, a hill on the edge of Lord Stanley's Park, with a beautiful view over the Cheshire plain below. This led to his building a house there to which the family moved in June 1850 (Thornfield), but I remained behind in Manchester with my brother Stephen (removing to a little house in Nelson Street) until his marriage in 1861" (Susanna Winkworth) The home was then broken up, & Susanna returned to Alderley Edge.
"Tonight Mr. Heugh & Papa & some more gentlemen are to meat at Mr. Consterdine's to try & arrange plans for opening a Reading Room that shall be a counter-attraction to the public house," (a letter dated 1855, from Catherine to her sister Emily). Mr. Consterdine was the first vicar of the new church of St. Philip's Chorley, which was built in 1851-2. As soon as the vicar was settled at the new church Catherine untertook active work among the poor in the newly-established Sunday School & District Visiting Society. She was regarded with extreme affection by the poor, & long after she left the neighbourhood, she used to receive occasional letters from them. For nearly two years from January, 1848, Catherine had a long period of ill-health, & on this account went for several visits for her health. Most of the winter of 1859 was spent by her & her sister Susanna, at Malvern owing to illness; & catching a fresh chill Catherine had to stay on at Malvern till October, when they moved to Westen for a change of air. They arrived home at Alderley in time for Christmas. Again in 1861 Susanna had a serious illness which left her more or less of an invalid for some years. In spite of this ill-health, the sisters continued with their translations of German works & made several visits abroad. In February 1861, their father was tken ill; this was the beginning of his complete breakdown in health, which obliged him to give up his business, & ultimately led to the family leaving Thornfield, Alderley Edge, & settling at Clifton in October 1862. After the birth of Emily's youngest child, she was an invalid for many years & was the centre of all the family thoughts and plans. During the later part of her life Catherine's principal work was in connection with education, & in 1870 she was made secretary of the Committee to Promote the Higher Education of Women.
In 1878 Catherine went to Mornix near Geneva where she joined Annie Shaen to help her in the care of their nephew Frank Shaen, then an invalid. She arrived on June 17th, & on the 21st they proceeded to Monnetiex. On the morning of the 1st of July she was suddenly attacked by a pain at the heart, & in half-an-hour all was over. Susanna immediately started for Monnetiex, & in a few days Catherine was laid to rest in the corner of the churchyard set aside for Protestants. In her memory her friends raised a sum sufficient to endow two "Catherine Winkworth" scholarships for women at the Bristol University College, & also to erect a memorial tablet to her in Bristol Cathedral.
In Memory of
CATHERINE WINKWORTH
Who, in her Lyra Germanica,
Rendering into English verse
The treasures of German sacred poetry,
Opened a new source of light, consolation, and strength
In many thousand homes.
Her works reveal a clear and harmonious intellect
A gift of true poetic insight and expression,
And the firm Christian faith
Which was the mainspring of a life
Rich in tender and affectionate ministration
And fruitful in various fields of active service.
Her loss is mourned by all who shared her labour,
And by the many friends whom death has bereft
Of her rare sympathy, her wise counsel,
Her bright companionship, and her unfailing help
In every time of need.
To commemorate her work, and to perpetuate
Her efforts for the better education of women,
A scholarship, bearing her name,
Has been founded in University College, Bristol
By friends who now dedicate this table
To her memory
Born in London, September 13th, 1827
Died in Monnetier, Savoy, July lst, 1878
From "Memorials of Two Sisters: Susanna & Catherine Winkworth" Edited by their niece Margaret J. Shaen. 1908?
Altenburg, introw-p0.1, introw-p0.5
Angelus, introx-p0.2
Auf den Nebel folgt die Sonne, H43-p3.1
Aus tiefer Noth schrei ich zu dir, H28-p3.1
Bin ich allein ein Fremdling auf, H24-p3.1
Christ lag in Todesbanden, H37-p3.1
Christe, du Beistand deiner Kreuzgemeine, H45-p3.1
Dach_S, introw-p0.4
Dein Wort, O Herr, ist milder Thau, H15-p3.1
Der Mond ist aufgefangen, H93-p1.1
Der Tag ist hin mein Geist und, H92-p1.1
Die Seele ruht in Jesu Armen, H102-p1.1
Die goldene Sonne, H86-p1.1
Du o schönes Weltgebäude, H74-p3.1
Du weinest für Jerusalem, H30-p3.1
Du wesentliches Wort, H6-p3.1
Eber_P, introv-p0.2
Ehr und Dank sei Dir gesungen, H83-p3.1
Ein feste Burg, H105-p2.1, H72-p3.1
Eins ist Noth, H75-p3.1
Erwach, o Mensch, erwache, H26-p3.1
Es ist noch eine Ruh vorhanden, H80-p3.1
Folget mir, ruft uns das Leben, H77-p3.1
Franck_J, introx-p0.1
Geh aus, mein Herz, und suche Freud, H58-p3.1
Geht hin ihr gläubigen Gedanken, H52-p3.1
Geht nun hin und grabt mein Grab, H98-p1.1
Gerhardt_P, introw-p0.7
Gieb dich zufrieden, H66-p3.1
Gott den ich als Liebe kenne, H95-p1.1
Gott dess Himmels und der Erden, H85-p1.1
Gott lebet noch, H14-p3.1
Guter Hirte willst du nicht, H42-p3.1
Höchster Priester, der du dich, H13-p3.1
Hört auf mit Trauern und mit Klag, H101-p1.1
Hüter, wird die Nacht der Sünden, H1-p3.1
Heil'ger Geist, du Tröster mein, H44-p3.1
Hermann_JG, introw-p0.3
Hermann_N, introv-p0.5
Herr Jesu Licht der Heiden, H79-p3.1
Herr Jesus Christ, wahr Mensch und Gott, H97-p1.1
Herr auf Erden muss ich leiden, H46-p3.1
Herz und Herz vereint zusammen, H53-p3.1
Herzliebster Jesu, was hast du, H33-p3.1
Hier lieg ich nun mein Gott zu deinen, H27-p3.1
Hier lieg' ich, Herr, im Staube, H16-p3.1
Himmelwärts geht unsere Bahn, H47-p3.1
Hinunter ist der Sonnenschein, H90-p1.1
Hochheilige Dreieinigkeit, H51-p3.1
Hosianna! Davids Sohn, H29-p3.1
Ich lass dich nicht, du Hülf' in, H25-p3.1
Ist Gott für mich so trete, H56-p3.1
Jesu deine tiefen Wunden, H31-p3.1
Jesus meine Zuversicht, H40-p5.1
Keine Schönheit hat die Welt, H20-p3.1
Komm Heidenheiland, Lösegeld, H76-p3.1
Komm Heil'ger Geist, Herre Gott, H50-p3.1
Kommt Brüder lasst uns gehen, H68-p3.1
Kommt an der Tod, da ich muss ringen, H96-p1.1
Kreuz wir grüssen dich von Herzen, H65-p3.1
Längst suchtest du, mein Geist, ein, H78-p3.1
Lass dich Gott, H67-p3.1
Lebst du in mir o wahres Leben, H8-p3.1
Luther, introv-p0.1
Macht hoch die Thür, die Thor macht, H4-p3.1
Mein Gott in deine Hände, H100-p1.1
Meine Seele senket sich, H81-p3.1
Mitten wir im Leben sind, H94-p1.1
Morgenglanz der Ewigkeit, H88-p1.1
Nach dir, o Gott verlanget mich, H61-p3.1
Notker, introv-p0.3
Nun ruhen alle Wälder, H91-p1.1
Nun tret ich wieder aus der Ruh, H89-p1.1
O Ewigkeit, o Ewigkeit, H11-p3.1
O Gott, o Geist, o Licht des Lebens, H59-p3.1
O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden, H34-p3.1
O dass ich tausend Zungen hätte, H71-p3.1
O der alles hätt verloren, H57-p3.1
O du Liebe meiner Liebe, H35-p3.1
O liebe Seele könnt'st du werden, H9-p3.1
O reines Wesen, lautre Quelle, H18-p3.1
O wie selig seid ihr doch irh Frommen, H103-p1.1
Prudentius, introv-p0.4
Ringe recht wenn Gottes Gnade, H19-p3.1
Rist, introw-p0.2
Schmükt das Fest mit Maien, H48-p3.1
Seele du musst munter werden, H87-p1.1
So führst du doch recht selig Herr, H73-p3.1
So hab ich obgesieget, H99-p1.1
Sollt ich meinem Gott nicht singen, H82-p3.1
Straf mich nicht in deinem Zorn, H23-p3.1
Su ruhest du, o meine Ruh, H36-p3.1
Tersteegen_G, introx-p0.4
Ulrich_A, introx-p0.7
Unter jenen grossen Gütern, H21-p3.1
Verklärtes Haupt nun lebst du, H38-p3.1
Verzage nicht du Haüflein klein, H7-p3.1
Von Himmel hoch da komm ich her, H5-p3.1
Wach auf, du Geist der ersten Zeugen, H17-p3.1
Wach' auf, wach' auf du sich're Welt, H2-p3.1
Was du vor tausend Jahren, H22-p3.1
Was kinket ihr betrognen Seelen, H60-p3.1
Was von aussen und von innen, H54-p3.1
Was wär ich ohne dich gewesen, H41-p3.1
Wenn alle untreu werden, H69-p5.1
Wenn meine Sünd' mich kränken, H32-p3.1
Wer hofft mit Christo dort zu erben, H55-p3.1
Wer nur den lieben Gott lässt walten, H64-p3.1
Wer sich auf seiner Schwachkeit steurt, H63-p3.1
Wer sind die vor Gottes Throne, H84-p3.1
Werde Licht du Stadt der Heiden, H12-p3.1
Wie soll ich dich empfangen, H3-p3.1
Wie wohl ist mir o Freund der Seelen, H62-p3.1
Willkommen Held im Streite, H39-p3.1
Wir singen dir Immanuel, H10-p3.1
Wohl dem der sich mit Fleiss bemuhet, H70-p3.1
Zeuch ein zu deinen Thoren, H49-p3.1
ambrose, introu-p0.1, introx-p0.3
bohemian, introx-p0.9
canitz, introx-p0.10
dessler, introx-p0.5
louisa, introw-p0.8
lowenstn, introw-p0.6
neumarck, introw-p0.9
novalis, introx-p0.6
schmolck, introx-p0.8
Genesis
Numbers
1 Kings
Job
Psalms
5:3 16:12 27:4 41:3 46 46 47:1 90:12 104:24 130:1 130:3 141:2 148:13
Proverbs
Isaiah
25:9 37:14 51:6 53:5 55:10 60:1 64:1-2
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Joel
Matthew
1:23 4:1-2 6:31-32 8:26 10:28 15:23-28 18:3 21:9 25:36 27:59-60
Mark
Luke
1:38 2:10 2:29-30 7:13 10:41-42 18:42-43 19:14 23:20-22 24:35-36
John
1:14 8:12 10:11 14:16-17 16:7 16:22 16:33 20:29 21:22
Acts
Romans
5:8 6:3 6:7-8 6:9 8:12-13 8:18 12:1 13:12
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
4:1-3 4:20-24 5:14 5:19-20 6:10-12
Philippians
Colossians
Hebrews
1:14 9:26 10:10 11:1 11:13 11:16
1 Peter
1 John
Revelation
Genesis
Numbers
1 Kings
Job
Psalms
16:12 46 46 47:1 90:12 104:24 130:1 130:3 148:13
Proverbs
Isaiah
25:9 37:14 51:6 53:5 55:10 60:1 64:1-2
Jeremiah
Joel
Matthew
1:23 4:1-2 6:31-32 8:26 10:28 15:23-28 18:3 21:9 27:59-60
Mark
Luke
1:38 2:10 2:29-30 7:13 10:41-42 18:42-43 19:14 23:20-22 24:35-36
John
1:14 10:11 14:16-17 16:7 16:22 16:33 20:29 21:22
Acts
Romans
5:8 6:3 6:9 8:12-13 8:18 12:1 13:12
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
4:1-3 4:20-24 5:14 5:19-20 6:10-12
Philippians
Colossians
Hebrews
1:14 9:26 10:10 11:1 11:13 11:16
1 Peter
1 John
Revelation
vii viii ix x xi xii xiii xiv xv 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 243 242 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 256 257 259 258 260 261 262 263 264 265