Der Feind ist viel, ein große Rott

Here is my translation of "Der Feind ist viel, ein große Rott" (B. Waldis, 1553), a hymn based on Psalm 3, Domine quid multiplicati. As usual, Waldis provides the original melody along with the text. Note that the meter suggests that he first based the text on the tune "Mag ich Unglück nit widerstahn."

HOW num’rous is the foe, O Lord!
                       How great the horde,
  Intent to harm and halt me.
They say no help will come from Thee
                                       To rescue me
  And for such faith they fault me.
But Thou wilt be continually
My shield and crown, my glorious gown—
  And Thou wilt high exalt me!

2. I lift my voice, and call and cry
                         To God on high.
  Who leaves me not forsaken.
In Him I, slumbering, confide,
                                And safe abide
  Till He my soul awaken.
Although a host around me boast
Arrayed with rage their war to wage,
  He leaves their forces shaken.

3. Arise, O Lord my God, this hour,
                       Stir up Thy pow’r,
  Come help me now, my Savior,
And crush the counsels of the proud,
                              Ungodly crowd
  Lay low their vain endeavor!
For all the meek who faithful seek
Shall find with Thee their remedy
And blessing of Thy favor.

4. For this we give Thee, mighty God,
                           Our thanks and laud,
  O Father and Creator,
Who sent’st Thy Son to us on earth
                          To be by birth 
  True Man and share our nature,
Who by His blood, our highest good,
Hath raised us all from Adam’s fall,
  And saved His perished creature.

Translation © 2013 Matthew Carver.

GERMAN
Der Feind ist viel, ein grosse Rott,
O Herre Gott,
die sich gegn mich verpflichten,
Sprechen, bei dir sei gar kein Heil,
für meine Seel,
Damit mich gar vernichten.
Aber du willt stets sein mein Schild,
der mich ergetzt, zum Ehren setzt,
wirst mir mein Haupt aufrichten.

2. Zum HERRN ruf ich mit meiner Stimm,
und schrei zu ihm,
gar bald er mich erhöret.
Ob ich entschlaf in meiner Sach,
wann ich erwach,
so bleib ich unbeköhret,
Ob schon ein Heer liegt runds umher,
sich hoch aufbrüst und ist gerüst,
der Herr sie doch verstöret.

3. Auf, Herr mein Gott, itz bald zur Stund,
hilf mir jetzund,
wöllst deine Macht erregen,
und den Rat der gottlosen Schaar
zerschmettern gar,
ihrn Stolz und Hoffart legen,
dann bei dir findt ein jedes Kind,
das dich ersucht, der Hülfen Frucht,
und deiner Gnaden Segen.

4. Des dankn wir dir, O Vater groß,
ohn alle Moß,
der du Himmel und Erden
geschafen hast so breit und weit,
zur Gnadenzeit
dein Sohn hast Mensch lan werden,
sein Blut uns all von Adams Fall
hat aufgericht, und dir verpflicht,
erlöst von Todsgefährden.

Was hilfts die Heiden in der Welt

Here is my translation of the second psalm from Burkhard Waldis' Psalter (1553), titled "Psalm. II. Quare fremuerunt. Prophecy of Christ, who is to be heard if one would avoid destruction." The melody is original.

HOW DOTH IT profit heathenkind
 To rage with so much fury?
The princes of the world, aligned
 Against the Lord of glory,
Despise His wisdom, grace, and wrath
And Christ, whom He anointed hath
 For our great consolation.

2. But God in heaven mocks their horde,
 Their counsels all deriding;
His wrath will shortly be outpoured
 And rout them into hiding.
We break their bonds before their face,
For all their doctrine is disgrace
 And must be clean rejected.

3. In Zion God hath set His King,
 And bade the people listen.
From thence He doth good tidings sing
 That with salvation glisten:
“Thou art My true beloved Son,
My pleasure rests on Thee alone.
 This day I’ve Thee begotten.”

4. “But ask of Me, and Thee I’ll give
 Thy portion from the nations
That all the world in Thee may live
 Nor die in their transgressions.
So shall the head of every foe
Break as a vessel at Thy blow
 Beneath Thy rod of iron.

5. Ye mighty of the earth, then hear!
 And hearken to His preaching,
Serve ye the Lord with godly fear
 And heed His holy teaching,
Lest all His wrath upon you burn,
And He repay you as you earn.
 But blest are all that trust Him.

6. Praise to the Father evermore
 Upon the throne of heaven,
Who from the heavn’ly seat of pow’r
 His dear Son Christ hath given,
By whose fair Gospel we are saved
And hallowed, who were once depraved,
 As testifies His Spirit.

Translation © 2013 Matthew Carver.

GERMAN

1. Was hilfts die Heiden in der Welt,
daß sie so feindlich toben,
all Herrschaft hat sich zsammengsellt
wider den Herrn dort oben,
gegenzustreben seinem Rat
und Christo, den er gsalbet hat,
zum Trost uns hie auf Erden.

2. Abr Gott im Himmel spottet ihr,
belacht ihr bös Vornehmen,
sein grimmig Zorn bricht bald herfür,
dann müssen sie sich schämen,
drum wir zerreißen ihre Band,
dann ihre Lehr ist uns ein Schand,
und muß verworfen werden.

3. Gott hat sein König zu Zion
gesetzt, daß man ihn höre.
Da er sein Evangelion
gibt zur seligen Lehre.
Er spricht: Du bist mein lieber Sohn,
an dem ich wohlgefallen han,
heut hab ich dich gezielet.

4. Ich gib dir, wann du bittst von mir,
die Heiden zu eim Erbe,
daß alle Welt gehorche dir,
in Sünden nicht verderbe,
den Widersachern, wie die Töpf,
solltu zerschlagen ihre Köpf,
mit einer eisern Ruten.

5. Drum rat ich daß ihr ihm gehorcht,
all gwaltigen auf Erden,
dienet dem Herrn mit grosser Forcht,
wöllt ihm gehorsam werden,
daß nit sein Zorn übr euch entbrinn,
werf euch mit eurem tun dahin,
wohl den die auf ihn trauen.

¶. Dem Vater ewig Preis und Lob
sei in seim höchsten Throne,
der uns gesandt vom Himmel rab
Christum sein lieben Sohne,
der uns sein Evangelium,
dadurch wir werden grecht und frumm,
durch seinen Geist bezeuget.

Wohl dem der nit vom Weg abtritt

Here is my translation of the hymn "Wol dem er nit" (Burkhard Waldis, 1553), based on Psalm 1. Waldis' Psalter is somewhat of an anomaly among versified psalters in Lutherandom. While accepting a few such hymns after Luther's example, Lutherans tended to sing their psalmody according to adaptations of ancient church psalm tones, especially in larger cities, whereas versified or metric Psalters gained more popularity among the Reformed, generally speaking. Yet Waldis was a staunch Lutheran. Earlier, as a Franciscan monk, he was a mission to garner support against the Lutherans, or evangelical preachers, and was put in prison, and it was during this imprisonment he was converted to the evangelical faith. Years later, he was arrested again, this time by Roman Catholics. It was during this year and half imprisonment that he wrote his Psalter, including the melodies. A couple of the psalms are reworkings of those by his fellow, the Reformer of Riga, Andreas Knoepken.

Psalm. I. Beatus vir, qui non.

¶ An exhortation to God’s Word. Warns of false doctrine, with promise of fortune and salvation.

BLESSÈD ARE THEY who from the way
Stray not to godless factions.
Nor love to sit where men of wit
Revile God’s words and actions.
But well take heed and seek indeed
God’s Word to hold in honor
His Law to treat as right and meet
And day and night to ponder.

II. The same shall be like as a tree
Beside the waters growing,
No evil day or tempest may
Succeed in their undoing.
They fruit anew in season due
Their leaves turn not nor wither
But they shall see prosperity
With all the saints together.

III. But no delight shall those who fight
Against God’s Word be knowing.
They must but fall, nor stand at all,
As chaff in breezes blowing.
In judgment they shall have no stay,
Their doctrine no duration.
As lies, with haste they shall be chased
From God’s true congregation.

IV. At ev’ry hour the Lord hath pow’r,
As Judge, to rule and prove them;
His teachings true He’ll take from view,
From godless men remove them;
The godly heart He’ll let depart
From pain, and suffer never;
Th’ ungodly men must surely then
Be judged and perish ever.

V. To God on high eternally
And to His Son be praises,
Who freely hath saved us from wrath
And blessed us with His graces;
His Word hath riv’n the gate of heav’n,
That sinners may receive it;
His Spirit free grant it may be
As we in faith believe it!

Translation © 2013 Matthew Carver.

GERMAN (Burkhard Waldis, 1553)

Wohl dem der nit, vom Weg abtritt,
zu den gottlosen Rotten,
auch nit gern sitzt, da man sich spitzt,
Gotts Wort und Werk zu spotten;
sondern hat Acht, und darnach tracht,
wie er Gotts Wort mög lieben,
und sein Gesetz, in stets ergetz,
Tag, Nacht sich drinn zu leben.

II. Derselb ist gleich, in Gottes Reich
eim Baum an Wasserbächen,
denselben mag kein böser Tag,
noch Ungewitter schwächen,
Sein Frucht ergeit, zu rechter Zeit,
sein Blätter nicht verkummen,
Demgleichen soll, auch g'raten wohl,
All Rat und Tat der Frommen.

III. Abr nicht also, solln werden froh,
die Gotts Wort widerstreben,
sondern vergehn, und nit bestehn,
wie Spreur im Wind verwähen,
solln im Gericht, auch sitzen nicht,
ihr Lehr soll nit bekleiben,
wie Lügen-Tand, wird mans zuhand,
aus Gotts Gemein vertreiben.

IV. Dann der Herr ist zu aller Frist
auch Richter zwischen beiden,
die rechte Lehr wird er fürwahr,
von den Gottlosen scheiden,
der Frommen Herz, wird er vom Schmerz,
und allem Leid entbinden,
so muß der Böß und der Gottlos
vor ihm ewig verschwinden.

V. Gott in seim Thron, und seinen Sohn,
sollen wir ewig loben,
daß er uns hat mit seiner Gnad
so reichlich wollt begaben,
daß durch sein Wort die Himmel-Pfort
den Sündern jetzt steht offen,
welchs uns sein Geist mit Gnad geleist,
wie wirs im Glauben hoffen.

Summe Rex Christe (Summi regis archangele)

Here is my translation of the Sequence for Michaelmas according to Keuchenthal, et al (1573), as corrected by Bonnus from the original Latin (probably of Alcuin or Notker). The corrections in the middle and end represent quite a departure, and distort the meter of the original. I have restored that meter in the translation, but followed Bonn’s sense. I include the Latin in corrected form and original below.
 
 CHRIST, HIGH King of all the angel company!
1b. We beseech Thee, hear our voices raised to Thee.

2a. Thee we confess o’er every other,
The Head of all the heav’nly progeny;
2b. Oh, intercede before Thy Father
To send us help in need and misery.

3a. By the Father Thou art given
As a Prince all pow’r from heaven
Sinful souls to save, and to deliver us.
3b. We beseech Thee, who hast made us:
Send Thy holy hosts to aid us
Let them hedge us round about and cover us,

4a. Lest the world and Satan
Have the pow’r to do us harm,
And from the one true faith our spirit charm;
4b. But Thy Word let prosper,
And be taught in truth aright,
As it is taught before God’s holy sight.

5a. Guard us by Thine angels’ keeping,
In waking and in sleeping,
Keep our hearts humble all,
Lest in presumption we should slip and fall,
5b. As of old the wicked devil
With all his spirits evil
Fell from their heav’nly claim,
And angels good foul demons thus became.

6a. Hear us, O Christ, true God,
Mighty Redeemer:
From every wicked plot
And the deceiver
Keep and preserve us ’neath Thy shelt’ring wing
Through the true angels who forever sing,
6b. “Salvation to the King,
Our Lord forever!”
Our highest thanks we bring
To God the Father,
Who gave us wretches Christ, and in life’s ill
By all His holy angels keeps us still,——and forever.

Translation © 2013 Matthew Carver.

LATIN (BONNUS)

1a. Summe Rex Christe Angelorum omnium.
1b. Intende quaesumus nostris precibus.

2a. Te namque profitemur esse
supernorum civium Principem.
2b. Tu Patrem obsecrà pro nobis
ut mittat auxilium miseris.

3a. Principalis est potestas
a Patre tibi donata,
peccantes salvificare animas.
3b. Ut jubeas, petimus,
Angelos sanctos pro nobis
agere excubias omni tempore,

4. Ne quid Satan et mundus
nocere nobis possint,
in his quae sunt verae fidei.
4b. Et ut tuum verbum
feliciter recteque doceatur,
tanquam in conspectu Dei.

5a. Fac ut Angelorum praesidio
servemur in humilitate spiritus,
ne in praesumptionem prolabamur.
5b. Sic enim pravi spiritus
e coelis olim ceciderunt, 
ex Angelis bonis mali facti Daemones.

6a. Audi nos, Christe redemptor,
et defende nos
contra fallaces
horum insidias,
per Angelos pios, qui semper canunt,
6b. Laus sit Regi Domino.
Agimus summas coelesti
gratias Patri, qui Christum
pro nobis dedit,
et per sanctos Angelos
tuetur nos miseros in tantis malis hujus vitae.

LATIN (ORIGINAL)

1a. Summi Regis archangele Michahel
1b. Intende quaesumus nostris precibus.

2a. Te namque profitemur esse
 supernorum principem civium.
2b. Tu Deum obsecra pro nobis
 ut mittat auxilium miseris.

3a. Principalis est potestas
 a Domino tibi data
peccantes salvificare animas.
3b. Idem tenes perpetuo
 principatum paradisi
omnes civis te honorant superi.

4a. Tu in templo Dei
turibulum aureum
visus es habuisse manibus.
4b. Inde scandens vapor
aromatum plurimus
pervenit ante conspectum Dei.

5a. Quando cum dracone magnum
perfecisti proelium
faucibus illius
animas abstraxisti plurimas.
5b. Hinc maximum agebatur
in caelo selentium
milia milium
dicebant salus regi Domino.

6a. Audi nos, Michahel,
angele summe
huc parum descende
de poli sede
nobis ferendo opem Domini
atque levamen indulgentiae
6b. Tu nostros Gabrihel
hostes prosterne;
tu Raphahel, aegris
affer medelam,
morbos absterge, noxas minue,
nosque fac interesse gaudiis (7.)  beatorum.

Gib Fried zu unsrer Zeit, o Herr (Updated Tune)

Update: Added proper tune from Keuchenthal, Kirchen-Gesenge (1573).

Here is my translation of the German Da pacem “Gib Fried zu unsrer Zeit, o Herr” by Wolfgang Köpfel (Capito), 1533, which was translated early on by the English minister Edmund Grindal, 1561, who preached some time in Germany. The melody is the contemporaneous “Durch Adams Fall.”


GRANT PEACE in our time, Lord, we pray;
By threats we are surrounded;
The foe longs only for the day
When Christ’s name is confounded,
And fain would chase from every place
,
O Lord, Thy worship wholly.

Thy Church sustain by might and main:

In need Thou helpest solely.

2. Grant peace, for we by faithless will
And wicked life have lost it.

Thy Word Thou hast bestowed, and still

We fight it and accost it:

For some would chase this saving grace,

And some, through senseless motion,
With lips confess its truthfulness,
Yet lack all true devotion.

3. Grant peace! To us Thy Spirit send,
To work remorse and sorrow
For all our sin; our heart amend
In Christ to rise each morrow,
So that Thy grace may rout and chase
All shame and desecration,
All strife put down, Lord, and Thy crown
Be owned by every nation.

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2010.

GRINDAL 1561:

1. Give peace in these our days, O Lord,

Great dangers are now at hand;

Thine enemies with one accord

Christ’s Name in every land

Seek to deface, root out and rase,

Thy true right worship indeed.

Be Thou the Stay, Lord, we Thee pray.

Thou helpest alone in all need.

2. Give us that peace that we do lack,

Through misbelief, and in ill life.

Thy Word to offer Thou dost not slack,

Which we unkindly gainstrive.

With fire and sword, this healthful Word

Some persecute and oppress.

Some with the mouth confess the truth

Without sincere godliness.

3. Give peace and us Thy sprite down send

With grief and repentance true;

Do piece our hearts our lives to amend,

And by faith Christ renew;

That fear and dread, war and bloodshed,

Through Thy sweet mercy and grace,

May from us slide, Thy truth abide,

And shine in every place.

GERMAN

1. Gib Fried zu unsrer Zeit, o Herr,
groß Noth ist jetzt vorhanden;
der Feind begehrt nichts anders mehr
denn daß er bring zu Schanden
den Namen Christ und dämpf mit List
wahrn Gottesdienst auf Erden.
Solchen erhalt durch dein Gewalt;
du hilfst allein in Gfährden.

2. Gib Fried, den wir verloren han
durch Unglaub und bös Leben.
Dein Wort hast uns geboten an,
dem wir all widerstreben.
Denn wir zum Theil dies unser Heil
mit frevler Gwalt austreiben,
zum Theil ohn Grund—bekennens rund—
ohn hertzlich Frommsein bleiben.

3. Gib Fried, auch deinen Geist uns send,
der unser Herz durch Reue
und herzlich Leid um unsre Sünd [und Leid um unsre Sünd behend]
in Jesus Christ erneue,
aufdaß dein Gnad all Schand und Schad,
all Furcht und Kriegsgefährde
von uns abkehr, dadurch dein Ehr
bei allem Volk groß werde.

O heiliger Vater, gütiger Herr

Here is my translation of a Sanctus hymn, “O heiliger Vater, gütiger Herr,” which is a Bohemian Brethren work that builds on the text of angelic hymn to the Trinity & the Benedictus est (“Blessed is He, or the Paschal Lamb, that cometh in the name of the Lord” ). The melody is from a 15th c. Sanctus setting in the 1st mode, as appointed for chief festivals in the Bohemian churches. I include the relevant entry from Thannabaur, Das einstimmige Sanctus . . . p. 130. And here is a good performance of the original Sanctus with the Trope "Gaude quam magnificat."

 

O HOLY Father, bright / with grace’s light,
Creator, source of might,
Thou only God, / Lord of Sabaoth,
Thy grace is worthy of all laud.

2. The hosts around Thy throne / Thy pow’r make known,
And joyfully intone
With one accord / that great hymn adored:
The Holy, Holy, Holy Lord!

3. For heaven, earth, and sea / are utterly
Filled with Thy majesty,
Thy glorious praise / shines with peerless rays
O Lord and God of endless days!

4. O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, / Thy shoulder broad
Bore all our sinful load:
Thy off’ring hath / stilled the Father’s wrath,
And freed us from eternal death.

5. O Jesus, thanks to Thee / that now we see
Thy peace eternally.
This hope we bear: / we that peace will share
In heav’n with Thee fore’er and e’er.

Translation © 2013 Matthew Carver.

GERMAN

1. O heiliger Vater
gütiger Herr
allmächtiger Schöpfer
einiger Gott
Herre Zebaoth,
groß ist deine Güt und Wohltat.

2. Die himmlisch Gesellschaft
rühmet dein Kraft,
und singt fröhlich mit Macht,
Heilig, heilig,
heilig und ewig
bist du, Herre Gott allmächtig.

3. Denn Himmel, Erd und Meer,
ist deiner Ehr
überall erfüllt sehr,
voller Klarheit
ist dein Herrlichkeit,
O Herre Gott in Ewigkeit

4. Christe, Gottes Lämmlein,
du hast allein,
mit deinem Opfer rein,
uns durch dein Tod
versöhnet mit Gott
und erlöst aus ewiger Not.

5. Des dankn wir dir, Jesu,
denn du bringst nu
uns zu ewiger Ruh,
hoffend, daß wir
auch werden mit dir
dieselb besitzen für und für.

Psallite Regi nostro, psallite

Here is my translation of the sequence “Psallite Regi nostro, psallite” for the Feast of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist. The text, originally by Gottschalk (Gottescalcus), I take in its slightly amended form, along with the music, from Ludecus (1589) p. 29ff., which represents a transposition from the original mode.

SING PRAISES! Sing ye praises to our King!
Sing praises! Sing praises, wisely sing!

2. For the psalt’ry mild
Meets the harp with a joyful tone
2b. As the Virgin’s child
By the barren one’s child is known.

3a. His body sounding,
He strummed in the temple of the Lord,
3b. In manhood proving
What first he confessed by infant chord.

4a. By mortifying
Members and body
That earthly are, and teaching others in this,
4b. A folk supplying
For Christ made ready,
John was the voice that cried in the wilderness.

5a. Yet though that Voice accused,
Vicious Herod still refused
In goodness to be taught.
5b. Never that Voice was stilled:
Even till John’s blood was spilled,
Ever that foe he fought:

6a. “It is not lawful to rob thy brother
And for thy spouse take that of another,
Sin’s passions then smother!
From thine error turn.
Do not God’s commandment spurn!”
6b. As a deaf serpent, Herod would harm him
Who with his voice seeks wisely to charm him.
The king, to disarm him,
Doth the prophet find,
And within his prison bind.

7a. John in gloom reclineth,
Lamplike he shineth,
Friend of all light’s true Patrician.
7b. Herod, sin accruing,
Worldy joys pursuing,
Proves but the son of perdition

8a. The harlot spurreth,
Her daughter twirleth,
The King demands the saint beheaded,
8b. And to his daughter
Serveth the slaughter,
The saintly head of him he dreaded.

9a. But how doth the righteous perish,
As though God His saint did not cherish?
9b. Such a death is ever precious
In the sight of God, who is gracious.

10a. In spirit we well perceive,
Great was the saint we grieve!
So akin in his work, behavior,
And death, to His Savior.
10b. For just as to death of shame
They would the Bridegroom damn,
They the friend of the Bridegroom rightly
Damn to death unsightly.

11a. From bondage carnal
To heav’n eternal
High swinging,
The angels bore that angel singing,
11b. Grant us, o Jesus,
To sing Thee praises
In honor
Of St. John Thy Forerunner,

12. That, having spurned Herod’s table,
We also may be able
At Thy feast to receive Thee,
And all praise ever give Thee.

Translation © 2013 Matthew Carver.

LATIN

In die decollationis Johannis Baptistae Sequentia
de Gottschalk

1. Psallite Regi nostro, psallite,
psallite, psallite prudenter.

2a. Nam psalterium
est jucundum cum cithara,
2b. Nato virginis,
quo psallens natus sterilis.

3a. Citharam carnis
percussit in domo Domini.
3b. Dum, quod sonabat
clamando, docuit vivendo,

4a. Mortificando,
quae super terram sunt, membra
et hoc alios docendo,
4b. Praeparans Christo
plebem perfectam Johannes,
vox clamantis in deserto.

5a. Sed vox haec impium
Herodem, quem corripit,
minime corrigit.
5b. Haud tamen tacuit,
sed ad usque sanguinem
sceleri restitit.

6a. Non licet, inquit, te fratris tui
habere conjugem, raptam ei: [=sibi]
peccasti, quiesce:
poenitentibus
sic praecepit Dominus.
6b. Vocem incantantis sapienter
Herodes, ut aspis surda, spernit:
ut justum, ut sanctum
Johannem timet,
quem vinxit in carcere.

7a. Sedet in tenebris
lucerna, lucis
amicus omnipotentis.
7b. Studet deliciis
mundi principis
filius perditionis.

8a. Meretrix suadet,
puella saltat,            [nata precatur,]
Rex jubet,
sanctus decollatur.
8b. Dat rex saltanti
caput Johannis,
qui sanctus
ante fit, quam natus.

9a. En, quomodo perit justus,
quasi non sit Deo dilectus,
9b. Cum sit ejus pretiosa
mors haec in conspectu Domini.

10a. Nos corde percipimus,
qualis et quantus est,
quia vicinus dignitate     [convicinus…]
Christo fit [sit] et morte.
10b. Nam morte turpissima
damnatur sponsus, et                    (L. has “sponsus, spon- // si et…’)
sponsi amicum damnant recte
morte turpissima.

11a. Carcere carnis
ductum, quem ferunt
psallendo
coelis Angeli Angelum.
11b. Et nos in terris
tibi psallere
fac, Christe,
in memoriam Baptistae.

12. Herodis spreta
quo mensa
altaris tui mensa
ipsum te, dum sumimus,
semper tibi psallamus.

Congaudent angelorum

Here is my translation of “Congaudent angelorum,” sung by the church as the Sequence for the Assumption (et al.), as corrected by Hermann Bonnus and found in Ludecus’ cantionale (1589). Included with Bonnus’ Latin are the variants from the original text before the evangelical corrections. These consist mainly of amending Marian adoration to reverence (in accord, e.g., with early councils), and, toward the end of the Sequence, redirecting invocatory language from Mary to Christ. Interestingly, this Sequence was general for the Assumption throughout German lands, whereas the Sarum use employed three special Sequences along with the other Marian ones throughout the Octave.

IN COMMON celebration
Angels joy in Mary glorified,

2a. Who without relation
Of mortal man, her Son supplied,
2b. Who restores creation
By His body’s healing tide.

3a. For now this Virgin’s heart rejoices
To see the Man as heaven’s Prince
3b. That once amid the manger noises
Received from her His sustenance.

4a. How angels sing the splendor
 Of Jesus’ mother, Mary honoring!
4b. Who, owning fealty, render
Their faithful service to Her Son, the King.

5a. How brightly in heaven
They the virgin maid revere,
  Whose body was given
To their Lord a lodging dear,
And as a chamber free from stain!
5b. How fair is the shining
Of the sea-star in the heights, Who, humbly inclining,
Bore the Light above all lights,—
Light of all spirits, stars, and men!

6a. The King of all heaven,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
  By all His humble church adored,
6b. Who ever is given
Songs of sweet accord,
  With all the hosts on high outpoured.

7a. Whom sacred scriptures sweetly frame,
Prophets as in chorus joyful name,
Clerics and apostles jointly
And the holy martyrs all proclaim,
7b.  Whom man and maiden own the Way,
With their crosses foll’wing day to day,
Both in faith and true affection
Emulating saints above the fray.

8a. All Thy church, in spirit soaring,
Thee with hymns adoring,
Calling Thee most highly prized,
8b. Faith before Thee thus revealing,
Humbly to Thy heart appealing,
  Beseeches Thee to hear, O Jesus Christ,

9. That Thou wouldst forever deign
From Thy Father to obtain
Help by Thy pray’rs all-availing.

Translation © 2013 Matthew Carver.

LATIN (LUDECUS 1589: CORR. BY H. BONNUS)

1. Congaudent angelorum
chori gloriosae Virgini,

2a. Quae sine virili
commixtione genuit
2b. Filium qui suo
mundum cruore medicat.

3a. Nam ipsa laetatur,
quod caeli iam conspicatur Principem.
3b. In terris cui quondam
sugendas Virgo mammillas praebuit.

4a. Quam celebris angelis
Maria Jesu mater creditur.
4b. Qui Filii illius
debitos se cognoscunt famulos. [debito…] V

5a. Quam fulgida in caelis [Qua gloria…]
ista Virgo cernitur, […colitur]
quae Domino caeli
praebuit hospitium
sui sanctissimi corporis.
5b. Quam splendida polo
stilla maris rutilat,  [stella…]* (I have used the original reading here)
quae omnium lumen
astrorum et hominum
atque spirit[u]um genuit.

6a. Jesum Christum caeli Regem, [Te caeli regina]
quem plebecula [haec plebicula]
piis concelebrant mentibus.
6b. Quem cantu melodo [Te … melodos]
super aethera
una cum angelis elevat.

7a. Quem libri sacri concinunt, [Te libri virgo…]
Prophetarum chorus jubilat,
sacerdotum Apostoli,
sanctique martyres praedicant. [Christique …]
7b. Quem plebis sexus sequitur, [Te plebes…]
utriusque vitam diligens
Christianam caelicolas [virginalem…]
in dilectione aemulans. [in castimonia…]

8a. Ecclesia ergo cuncta
Te cordibus Teque
carminibus venerans. […celebrat]
8b. Tibi suam manifestat
devotionem precatu
Te supplici implorans, Jesu Christe. [… implorans Maria]

9. Ut sibi auxilio
circa patrem Dominum  […Christum…]
esse digneris per aevum.

O Gott Vater, gebenedeit in Ewigkeit

Here is my translation of the hymn “O Gott Vater, gebenedeit in Ewigkeit” (M. Weiße, 1531), a hymn of the “church militant” and prayer against the enemies of Christendom. The melody is an adaptation of “Ave maris stella,” as found in Kirchengeseng (1566, 1580, etc.).

O GOD OUR Father, blessèd in eternity,
This day in mercy all our troubles see,
Behold how many rivals seek our life,
And with all cunning cause us strife!

2. The evil foe about us prowls without a pause
And like a lion roars and spreads his jaws,
Makes every effort to consume us whole,
In deadly sin to drown our soul.

3. If ever he cannot succeed to make us err,
He sets about, the world to goad and stir,
And makes them eager to despise Thy grace
And fall upon Thy flock apace.

4. No less will this our flesh allow our spirit peace,
But wreaks confusion and will never cease;
It fights the spirit, mastery to gain,
And make it fear eternal pain.

5. Oh, to this spirit, ever by the flesh waylaid,
And calling Thee in trouble for Thine aid,
Grant pow’r, that it may never conquered lie,
But overcome and stand on high!

6. Our foes are Satan, flesh, the world, and Antichrist:
And day and night our spirit must resist
Their potent poison, wrath, and cunning deed,
Lord God, assist us in our need!

7. Oh, clothe us with the noble armor of Thy truth,
That in Thy way we walk in age and youth.
Confirm us in the faith, in trust, and love,
Lest Satan e’er our ruin prove.

8. Unfold Thy heart, O Lord, and make Thy mercy plain
And help us over ev’ry sin to reign,
And o’er the evil foe and all his horde;
Thy name be worshiped and adored.

9. Amen, we sing with fervent hearts in unity.
O Father, of Thy love and kindness free,
Through Jesus Christ, Thy dearest Son,
Grant us Thy help while ages run.

Translation © 2013 Matthew Carver.

GERMAN

1. O Gott Vater, gebenedeit in Ewigkeit,
sieh heut an durch deine Barmherzigkeit,
wie so viel Feind nach unsrem Leben stehn,
und sehr listig mit uns umgehn.

2. Der böse Feind geht ohn Unterlaß um uns her,
brummet als ein grimmiger Löw und Bär,
tut Fleiß, daß er uns lebendig verschlind,
fället in Irrtum und Todsünd.

3. Wo er durch sich selbest an uns nichts schaffen kann,
so geht er und hetzet alle Welt an,
daß sie mit Frevel deine Gnad veracht,
und sich mit Grimm an dein Volk macht.

4. So läßt auch das Fleisch unsrem Geiste keine Ruh,
sondern richtet ihm viel Ungemach zu,
krieget mit ihm und will sein Herre sein,
und der fürchtet ewige Pein.

5. Diesem Geist, der mit dem Fleische kämpft allezeit,
und in Nöten um Beistand zu dir schreit,
verlieh Kraft, daß er ihm nicht unterlieg,
sondern frei überwind und sieg.

6. Unser Feind ist Satan, Fleisch, Welt, und Antichrist,
wider welches Gift, Grimm, und arge List,
unser Geist Tag und Nacht zu streiten hat:
o tu ihm Beistand, Herre Gott.

7. O leg uns den teuren Harnisch der Wahrheit an,
daß wir sicher wandeln auf deiner Bahn;
stärk uns im Glauben, Lieb und Zuversicht,
daß uns nicht Schad der Bösewicht.

8. O Herr, laß dich mild und Barmherzigkeit erfinden,
und hilf, daß wir herrschen allen Sünden;
dem bösen Feind und seinem gantzen Heer,
deinem Namen zu Lob und Ehr.

9. Amen singen wir einträchtig aus Herzenbrunst,
O Vater, du wollest aus Lieb und Gunst
durch Jesum Christum deinen lieben Sohn,
uns allzeit Hilf und Beistand tun.

Gaude visceribus

Here is my translation of the hymn "Gaude visceribus" for 1st Vespers of the Assumption (or Dormition) of the Blessed Virgin Mary, made according to the corrections to the Latin by Hermann Bonnus, as found in Ludecus' Vesperale (1589).

NOW make thee jubilant deep in thy inmost breast
O Mother Christendom, so oft who hallowest
Sacred days of Saint Mary;
Earth, sea, heaven, now celebrate!

2. Her lowly origin lacked no magnificence,
Her life shone brilliantly with deeds of holiness,
Her departure possesseth
Highest honor for evermore.

3. Virgin delivering, virgin continuing,
She gave God nourishment from her own reservoir,
Bent to bear with arms trembling 
Him who holds her and ev’rything.

4. Blessed that God-bearer, bounteous in accolades,
Gate of the Potentate fastened perennially,
Bright Polaris, the Sea-star,
Branch with Royalty blossoming.

5. Now with sincerity we humbly ask of Thee,
Son of the Virgin pure, God’s very Progeny,
Of Thine infinite mercy
Keep us always and ev’rywhere.

6. Christ, with Thy hallowèd orisons gain for us
Peace’s true palisade, sweet and perpetual,
And Thy blessed dominion,
With endowments more permanent.

7. Grant it, Omnipotent Father, Begotten One,
And Thou in Deity, Spirit, identical,
One God ever reigning,
For all ages and evermore.

Translation © 2013 Matthew Carver.

LATIN (AS REWORKED BY BONNUS)

1. Gaude visceribus mater in intimis
felix ecclesia, quae sacra replicas
sanctae festa Mariae,
plaudant astra, solum, mare.

2. Cuius magnifica est generatio,
cuius vita sacris claruit actibus.
cuius finis honorem
summum fine tenet sine.

3. Quae virgo peperit, virgoque permanet
lactavit propriis uberibus Deum.
Portantemque gerebat
Ulnis prona trementibus.

4. Felix multiplici laude puerpera,
Regis porta sui clausa perenniter.
Mundi stella fluentis
Floris virgula regia.

5. Te nunc suppliciter poscimus unice
O Fili Mariae virginis et Dei,
Ut nos semper ubique
Miti munere protegas.

6. Sanctis obtineas Christe precatibus
Pacis praesidium dulce diutinae,
Nobis atque beati
Regni dona perennia.

7. Praesta summe Pater, Patris et Unice
Amborumque simul Spiritus annue,
Qui regnas Deus unus
Omni tempore saeculi.

Wir glauben all und bekennen frei

Here is my translation of the Bohemian Brethren hymn “Wir glauben all und bekennen frei” (M. Weiße, 1531),  a sort of brief symbol or confession of what the Supper is (as the original title suggests). The melody is apparently based on the Gregorian tune “Omnipotens Pater gentium.” Both text and tune were later altered and are still found in many hymnals to this day, including that of the SELK.

WE believe and freely all confess,
Just as Jesus said,
That this bread His Body is
That for all our sin to suff’ring sped,
And was crucified and dead;

2. Also that the wine, as He has willed,
Is His Blood unstained,
That upon the cross was spilled,
And the greatest good for all obtained
Who in Him have faith unfeigned.

Translation © 2013 Matthew Carver.

GERMAN

1. Wir glauben all und bekennen frei,
daß nach Christi Wort,
diß Brot der Leib Christi sei,
der für unser Sünd und Missetat
leid am Kreuz den bittern Tod.

2. Desgleichen der Wein in seiner Art
sein unschuldig Blut,
welchs am Kreuz vergossen ward,
uns und allen gläubigen zugut,
so ihm folgen in Demut.

Wach auf, mein Geist, erhebe dich

Here is my translation of the hymn “Wach auf, mein Geist, erhebe dich” (J. Rist, 1651), a communion hymn for Passiontide rooted in the Five Wounds school. The title reads: “A Good Friday hymn describing the spiritual delight of an enlightened soul in the five wounds of its dearest Redeemer and Savior, Jesus Christ, the crucified.”

The appointed tune provided by Rist’s accomplished musical partner Johann Schop was also used for “O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort” [Eternity, Thou Thund’rous Word].

AWAKE, MY spirit, lift thine eye,
Awake, five mortal stings espy,
The wounds thy Master marring;
Awake, the world and passions leave,
For I would hide thee in the cave
Of dear Immanuel’s scarring;
Awake, and fill thy heart and eye
Here on the cross of Calvary.

2. Here five great cellars stand in sight,
Filled up with wine for thy delight:
That man may take and drink it,
If he as Savior Jesus own,
And through Him cast his passions down
And into hell but sink it—
By this fair wine that man will be
Drunk but to heaven’s ecstasy.

3. This draught, as honey sweet, that came
In torrents from the tree of shame,
From Jesus’ side outpouring,—
How pleasant to the eyes, behold!
So tarry not, but come, be bold,
And taste without demurring:
Well art thou granted every hour
To stagger in this liquor’s pow’r.

4. Here stand five tables fairly decked,
With beauty that can souls perfect,
With foods beyond comparing;
Approach, my soul, approach, I say!
Take, eat and drink at ease today,
Here are no laws o’erbearing,—
No secret rules, no hidden ways,
No bows to rank or proud displays.

5. This supper knows no guile or fear,
For what is spread before thee here
Can feed thy soul to heaven;
No poison lurks in what is brought,
Nor can one sip be sold or bought,
But freely is it given;
O man, this meal will nourish thee
To live for all eternity.

6. Here spring five wells of clearest gold
And openly their stores unfold
With fresh, untainted currents:
Ah! come, approach, dear soul, and see
What from these fissures flows for thee,
And in thee what fair torrents!
Here wash thyself with holy care
And thou wilt be all white and fair.

7. Here see five portals plain to view
By which a man, but passing through,
Sets foot in heaven’s garden;
The slender doorways part a space
And bring us to the noble place
Of joy, relief, and pardon;—
Release from pains of hell, and death,
And safety from the devil’s wrath.

8. Here Jesus’ hands and feet unfold,
Than honey sweeter—here behold
Our victory completed!
Where will I find more help and aid
Than in the One who all things made,
Who also death defeated?
Here at His feet I’ll hold me still,
And hearken to my Savior’s will.

9. Here in this place five hollows yawn,
(As in the Word of God is shown)
That man may hide inside them:
Yea, thus, dear soul, the creatures meek
Within a rock their refuge seek,
When scents of storm betide them:
The dove flies to her rocky nest,
The sparrow seeks a tree for rest.

10. Oh, spirit, then not hopeless sigh
If mighty thunder crack the sky,
The cloud of grace to scatter:
In Jesus’ wounds thy hiding make
Where thou canst refuge safely take,
Lest thee the tempest batter
There wilt thou find no flash of wrath,
But well escape the storms of death.

11. Here are five healing draughts distilled
With wondrous pleasures sweetly filled,
And spice than all things dearer;
Oh, then, dear soul, thy mouth but yield
And only taste, and thou art healed!
Here is no cause for terror:
To heav’n this incense leads amain,
To heights that death cannot attain.

12. Here shine five pearls of wondrous worth
Within this lot to give thee mirth,—
Whose rays the sun’s outmeasure;
What man could guess the price aright?
O dearest soul, here is a light,
Here is thy highest pleasure;
Here is the greatest pow’r of heav’n
By which that realm itself is giv’n.

13. Take hold, dear soul! Here dost thou see
The oil of gladness spilled for thee,
Here golden stars still brighten;
Here shines a glorious fivefold stone,
More brilliant rays were never known,
The farthest climes they lighten;
This prize, the longing of thy heart,
Keep on thy breast, nor let depart.

14. Who cares for jewels blue and clear?
My Jesus’ wounds I hold more dear,—
The fairest earthly treasure:
Who has them not will never find
The wedding invitation kind
Sent at the Lamb’s good pleasure;
They only who this Jewel wear
Will join that feast beyond compare.

15. O Jesus, dearest heav’nly Groom,
Thy body, from the winepress come,
Hath dressed me in Thy merit:
The scarlet robe, the mantle pearled,
My highest joy in all the world,
That wholly stirs my spirit!
Now, O my sweetest mouth, I see,
With all Thy heart Thou lovest me.

16. O Lord, Thy wounds all clearly show
Who laid this mighty sinner low
And rent this beast asunder!
O Lord, Thy wounds grant me to view
That I may be raised up anew
When I through grief must wander;
O Lord, Thy wounds at last I’ll take
When I must die, and in Thee wake.

Translation © 2013 Matthew Carver.

GERMAN

Ein Charfrietagsgeang
worin beschrieben wird die geistreiche Erlustigung
einer erleuchteten Seelen in den fünf Wunden ihres
am Kreuze hängenden allerliebsten Heilandes und Seligmachers
Jesu Christi.

1. Wach auf mein Geist, erhebe dich,
wach auf, hie sind fünf Todesstich
und Wunden deines Herren,
wach auf, laß Welt und Wollust sein,
ich will dich in die Höhl hinein
Immanuels versperren;
wach auf, mach Herz und Augen satt
am Kreuz allhie bei Davids Stadt.

2. Fünf Keller blicken hie herfür,
die stehen ganz voll Weins vor dir,
mit welchem wird getränket
nur der, dem Jesus ist bewußt,
und der durch ihn die Sündenlust
zur Höllen hat versenket,
ein solcher wird von diesem Wein
allein zum Himmel trunken sein.

3. Dies Honigsüße Naß, daß kam
geflossen von des Kreuzes Stamm
aus deines Jesu Seiten,
sehr lieblich ist es anzusehn,
drum säume nicht hineinzugehn,
den Trank dir zu bereiten,
es ist dir ja zur jeden Zeit
vergönnet solche Trunkenheit.

4. Five Tische stehen wohlbesetzt
mit allem, was die Seel ergötzt,
mit auserlesnen Speisen.
Hinzu, du meine Seel, hinzu,
nimm, trink, und iß in guter Ruh,
hie sind nicht fremde Weisen,
da man sich muß mit großem Pracht
erst bücken, wie die Welt es macht.

5. Die Mahlzeit weiß von keiner List,
denn was dir augesetzet ist,
das kann dich kräftig laben.
Kein Gift wird hie getragen auf,
auch ist die Speise nicht zu Kauf;
umsonst kanst du sie haben.
Ja, diese Kost die nähret dich,
o Mensch, zum Leben ewiglich.

6. Fünf Quellen wie das Gold so klar
entspringen hie ganz offenbar,
die lautre Ström ergiessen;
ach, komm herzu, du liebe Seel,
und schaue, was aus dieser Höhl
in dich für Wässer fliessen,
da wasche dich mit ganzem Fleiß,
alsdenn so wirst du schön und weiß.

7. Fünf Türen sind allhie zu sehn,
durch welche man hinein kann gehn
recht in des HImmels Garten,
es öffnet sich die schmale Pfort
und bringt uns an den edlen Ort,
da wir der Freud abwarten,
ja, da wir für der Höllen Pein,
auch Tod und Teufel sicher sein.

8. Es öffnen sich die Händ und Füß
an Jesu mehr den Honigsüß,
uns ist durch sie gelungen:
wo find ich besser Hülf und Rat,
als wenn mich der umfangen hat,
der selbst den Tod bezwungen?
Zu seinen Füßen sitz ich still
und horche, was mein Heiland will.

9. Fünf Höhlen zeigt uns dieser Ort,
die trägt an sich des Vaters Wort,
da kann man sich verkriechen;
ja, liebe Seel, es suchen doch
die wilden Tier ein sichers Loch
wenn sie das Wetter reichen:
die Taube fleugt den Felsen zu,
das Vöglein such im Baume Ruh.

10. Auch du mein Geist, verzage nicht,
im Fall ein starker Donner bricht
die Wolken großer Gnade.
Kriech in des Herren Wunden ein,
da kannst du frisch und sicher sein,
daß dir der Sturm nicht schade.
Da trifft dich weder Blitz noch Zorn,
da bist du gänzlich unverlorn.

11. Fünf Apoteken stehn bereit
voll wundersüßer Lieblichkeit,
voll edler Spezereien:
Ei, liebe Seel, halt auf dein Mund
und schmecke nur, du wirst gesund,
hie darfst du dich nicht scheuen.
Dies Rauchwerk führt dich Himmel an,
dahin der Tod nicht kommen kann.

12. Fünf Perlen trefflich hoch von Schatz
erzeigen sich auf diesem Platz,
ihr glanz verjagt die Sonne,
ihr Wert ist auszusprechen nicht,
O liebste Seel, hie schwebt ein Licht,
hie steht dein höchste Wonne,
hie liegt des Himmels beste Kraft,
welch uns den Himmel selbst verschafft.

13. Greif immer zu, geliebte Seel,
hie findest du das Freudenöl,
hie glänzen güldne Sterne,
hie steckt ein Kleinod solcher Art,
desgleichen nie gesehen ward,
das leuchtet auch von ferne.
Die Kleinod, deines Herzen Lust
bewahre stets an deiner Brust.

14. Was will der Demant und Saphir?
Des Herren Wunden nehm ich mir,
den besten Schmuck auf Erden,
wer den nicht hat, kann nimmermehr
zu dieses Lämmleins Hochzeit Ehr
hinein gelassen werden;
nur der, den dieses Kleinod ziert,
wird auf dies große Mahl geführt.

15. O Jesu, liebster Bräutigam,
dein Leib, der aus der Kelter kam,
der hat mir angezogen
den roten Schmuck, den Perlen Pracht,
der meinen Geist so fröhlich macht,
das er wird ganz bewogen,
jetzt fühl ich, O mein süßer Mund,
du liebest mich aus Herzens Grund.

16. Herr, deine Wunden zeigen mir,
wen mich das starke Sündentier
erleget hat zur Erde.
Herr, deine Wunden laß mich sehn,
wenn ich durchs Tränen-Tal muß gehn,
daß ich erquicket werde!
Herr, deine Wunden zum Beschluß
ergreif ich, wenn ich sterben muß.