Ich armer Mensch gar nichtes bin

Here is my translation of the poem or hymn “Ich armer Mensch gar nichtes bin” (J. Gigas, 1564), or “…doch gar nichts bin,” a versified supplication of one who is near death. It is based on a Latin elegaic Precatio by Philip Melanchthon dating to 1555  (See Wackernagel 1:457). The six couplets which comprise the original form of the lyric are first seen at the end of an exposition by Gigas of the hymn, “Ein Kindelein so löbelich” which was published in 1564. The tune normally appointed for it in hymnals is “O Jesu Christ, meins Lebens Licht” or “Herr Jesu Christ, wahr Mensch und Gott.”

I, WRETCHED man, am naught, I own.  
    God’s Son remains my gain alone,
My hope—that He true Man was made,
    My ransom—’twas His blood that paid. 


2. O God the Father, govern me  
    With Thy good Spirit constantly; 
Allow Thy Son, my Life and Stay,
    To dwell within my heart alway. 


3. Oh, when the final hour I see,  
    Take me, Lord Jesus Christ, to Thee! 
For Thine I am, and mine Thou art—
    To meet Thee soon how longs my heart!
Amen.


Translation © 2015 Matthew Carver.

GERMAN

Ich armer Mensch gar nichtes bin, 

Gotts Sohn allein ist mein Gewinn.

Daß er Mensch wordn, das ist mein Trost;

Er hat mich durch sein Blut erlöst.

O Gott Vater, regier du mich

Mit deinem Geiste stetiglich.

Laß deinen Sohn, mein Trost und Lebn,

Allzeit in meinem Herzen schwebn;

Und wenn die Stund verhanden ist,

Nimm mich zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ:

Denn ich bin dein, und du bist mein,

Wie gern wollt ich bald bei dir sein.

Amen.

MELANCHTHON'S LATIN

Nil sum, nulla miser novi solatia, massam

Humanam nisi quod tu quoque, Christe, geris.

Tu me sustenta fragilem, tu Christe guberna.

Fac ut sim massae surculus ipse tuae.

Hoc mirum foedus semper mens cogitet, uno

Hoc est, ne dubita, foedere parta salus.