Ach Jesu, der du uns zugut

Here is my translation of the Candlemas/Purification hymn, “Ach Jesu, der du uns zugut” as found in the Strassburg Hymnal (766 Psalmen…, etc.). It is sung to the tune “Christum wir sollen loben schon.”

O JESUS, who, to set us free,

Wast born in utter poverty,

Laid in a manger for a cot,

And of Thy riches given naught:

2. In forty days Thou didst not scorn

Into the temple to be borne,

Where godly Simeon did hail

And hold Thee to his bosom frail.

3. What he awaited glad and fain

By Thee that day he did obtain,

And with his heart his God adored,

That he should live to see his Lord.

4. Then Anna, widow great of age

By many known a seeress sage,

Who of God’s Word was not ashamed,

Approached, and wondrous things proclaimed.

5. O Christ, assist Thy flock on earth

To be Thy children by new birth,

To turn to Thee with heart sincere,

Thy Spirit's teachings to revere.

6. Thy Word let be our constant guide,

That in Thy temple we abide,

Wherein we please Thee, where we praise

And give Thee thanks for all our days.

7. What in Thy Church we ask of Thee,

By Thee is granted faithfully;

O blest are they who meet Thee there

And never from her courtyards err.

8. All-holy Christ, be this our plea,

Who wast made Man, that men might be

Thy children in Thy holy name,

And ever Thee as Lord acclaim.

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2011.

GERMAN

Ach Jesu der du uns zugut

geborn bist in grosser Armut,

in einer Krippen gelegen,

hast wenig dein lassen pflegen.

2. Und hast dich nach vierzig Tagen

lassen in den Tempel tragen,

da Simeon der fromme Mann

dich auf sein alte Arme nam.

3. Was er vor langest hätt begehrt,

deß wird er jetzt von dir gewährt.

Drum preist er Gott aus Herzengrund,

daß er erlebt hätt solche Stund.

4. Ein Wittwe alt, Anna genannt,

ein Prophetin vielen bekannt,

die Gottes Wort fleissig anhing,

trat auch hinzu, redt grosse Ding.

5. Hilf, Christe, deim Volk auf Erden,

daß wir geistlich Kinder werden,

und uns zu dir herzlich bekehrn,

und deinen Geist uns lassen lehrn.

6. Und daß dein Wort uns stets regier,

und immer zu deim Tempel führ,

in welchem man dir behaget

dich lobet und dir danksaget.

7. Recht alles was man da begehrt

wird uns treulich von dir gewährt;

O selig der, so in dein Haus

kommt und fällt nicht wieder heraus.

8. Das hilf uns, du viel heilger Christ,

denn du darum Mensch worden bist,

daß uns in deim heilgen Namen

geholfen werd ewig! Amen.

Was uns etwan die heilgen Propheten

Here is my translation of a German version of “Quod chorus vatum,” called “Was uns etwan die heilgen Propheten” (A. Lobwasser, author of the infamous psalter). It is sung to the original melody, which I have seen as that of “Iste Confessor” [He Whom the Prophets], though Herzliebster Jesu would work. This page has more information on the original version as well as an English (unrhymed) translation of it.

WHAT PROPHETS in the Spirit once had spoken

Now we behold fulfilled, the oath unbroken,

By Virgin Mary comes the revelation

Of our salvation.

2. Conceiving Christ, the Son of God, our Savior,

Without a spot or breach of honor ever,

Pure she remained, as even from her mother,—

Such as no other.

3. They took the Child and to the temple brought Him,

To aged Simèon, who long had sought Him.

The priest received the Child with gladness willing,

God’s oath fulfilling.

4. And so with fervent hearts, we pray Thee, Savior,

True Son of God, to show Thy grace and favor;

Let us, e’en as Thou art to heav’n ascended,

E’er be defended.

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2012.

GERMAN

1. Was uns etwan die heiligen Propheten

durch den Heiligen Geist weißsagen täten,

Daß solches durch Mariam sei geschehen,

Wir nun verstehen.

2. Denn sie empfangen hat Christum den Herren,

Gottes Sohn ohn Abbruch ihrer Ehren,

ein Jungfrau blieb sie wei da war zu voren

der Welt geboren.

3. Da man mit diesem Kind in Tempel kame,

Fröhlich es Simeon in die Arm nahme,

Das wie er hätt gewünscht das Kind zu sehen

nun wär geschehen.

4. Drum bitten wir dich Gottes Sohne brünstig,

daß du uns wöllest gnädig sein und günstig,

und uns, weil du gen Himmel bist gefahren,

treulich bewahren.