Here is my translation of the Bohemian Brethren closing hymns “Der Herr unser Schöpfer und Gott” and “Geht hin, die ihr gebenedeit” (P. Herbert, 1566). The Bohemian Brethren based this closing hymn on a local Trope found in several medieval missals, such as Mosburg, München, Engelberg, and Ratisbon. Based on the traditional dismissal formula of the Mass, “Ite, missa est,” this Trope, part of a series of such Tropes with suitable variations for the seasons and occasions, was sung after the Complend or final Collect, before the priest intoned the Ite missa est, though it seems to have come before the Benediction in the Bohemian use. It is unclear whether they retained both. The two hymns being placed together seem to indicate an alternation or variation according to season or occaison. The Bohemian Brethren have two adaptations based on the common “Ite-Trope”: the first represents an inspired adaptation to Reformation usage by incorporating the words of the Aaronic Benediction and the Apostolic Benediction (the fourth stanza might therefore best be sung in lesser offices where the Epist. Bened. is appointed); the second follows more closely the idea of the Ite-Trope, though adapted to reflect a stronger Christology. A literal translation of the Latin goes: “Go ye blessed and elect, [upon] the way of peace; for your sake the sacrifice has been remitted to God the Father.” The 3-stanza correction of this adds in the margins these references: to stanza 1, line 4, Psalm 17b; to stanza 2, line 1, Deut. 28:6; Matt. 5b; Rom. 8a; Eph. 3a.
Note that the melody is taken from the first “Kyrie eleison” of the Kyrie Missa V, Deus magnae potentiae. Interestingly, a translation of the Troped Kyrie Missa V also exists in the same hymnal, and was borrowed by Layriz as a seasonal Kyrie for Christmastide.
THE LORD our God and Maker bless
And keep us ever with His grace;
And His kingdom multiply
With powèr from on High.
2. The Lord our Savior, God divine,
Now make His holy face to shine
With His gracious, saving light
To scatter sin’s dark night.
3. The Lord our God the Holy Ghost
Lift up upon His gathered host,
His sweet countenance, nor cease
To give us perfect peace.
4. The Father who hath giv’n us breath,
The Son who saved us by His death,
And the gracious Spirit bless
The Church in every place.
Translation © Matthew Carver, 2012.
GO FORTH, ye Christian people blest,
And saints elect in Jesus Christ;
Go forth in joy and peace today,
God guide your every way.
2. Blest shalt thou be when coming in,
And blest when going out again.
And thine every deed be blest
Through our Lord Jesus Christ.
3. The same our Savior, God and King
To our true fatherland us bring,
To whom all praise and glory be
For all eternity.
Translation © Matthew Carver, 2012.
GERMAN
1. Der Herr unser Schöpfer und Gott,der segne uns mit seiner Gnad,und behüt uns allzugleichvermehr sein liebes Reich.
2. Der Herr unser Gott und Heiland,laß über uns leuchten allsamtsein heiliges Angesichtsein Gnad und Heiles Licht.
3. Der Herr Gott, der Heilge Geist,erheb über uns allermeistsein Angesicht voller Gütund geb uns seinen Fried.
4. Uns segne der Herr unser Gott,uns segne der Sohn durch sein Tod,segne des Geists Gütigkeit,die ganze Christenheit.
***
1. Geht hin, die ihr gebenedeit, und in Christo auserwählt seid,geht hin mit Freuden in Fried,Er richt all euer Tritt.
2. Gesegnet ist euer Ausgang,gesegnet ist euer Eingang,gesegnet all euer Tun,durch Christum Gottes Sohn.
3. Derselb unser Herr und Heilandführ uns ein ins recht Vaterland,zu Lob und Ehr seim namenin Ewigkeit, Amen.
LATIN
1a. Ite,Benedicti et electi,viam pacis;pro vobisDeo patri hostiamissa est.
