Das Leben für uns in den Tod gegeben

Here is my translation of the Passion hymn, “Das Leben für uns in den Tod gegeben” (Melchior Bischof, d. 1614), in ELGB #97. Fischer has no entry in his lexicon, but Fischer-Tümpel has the text from Psalmodia Sacra (Melchior Franck, 1634), a text evidently unavailable currently. It is a partly normalized metrical form of the old Kyrie trope used at Matins on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday; hence the irregular meter, varying from stanza to stanza, save for the refrain (cf. the Latin text in Ludecus’ Vesperale, p. 62f., 69f., 75f.). When an example of the exact melody becomes available it will be added here. Aside from that, the hymn occurs early in scattered hymnals, especially in Coburg. The Coburg Kirchenbuch appoints the hymn for Apostles’ Days in Lent. In the meantime, let the following notation, based on a transcription of Künstel’s melody in the Markuspassion (kindly provided by Joe Herl) suffice as an indication of the melody for all the stanzas, though the meter varies somewhat in the 2nd and 3rd.

 

THE Savior
Died to gain us God’s favor,
His dear blood outpouring,
Hell gloriously scouring;—
Jesus Christ, the one true God,
Obeyed His Father and bore the deadly rod:
O Christ our Lord!
To us Thy mercy ever afford!
Kyrie, ele-i-son!
Christe ele-i-son!
Kyrie ele---i-son, ele-i-son!

2 Thou who to death didst truly state:
O Death, I’ll be to thee a plague and crushing weight;—
Thou who wast slaughtered for us,
And won us life in heaven glorious:
O Christ our Lord!
To us Thy mercy ever afford!
Kyrie eleison!
Christe eleison!
Kyrie eleison, ele-i-son!

3 Thou, crucified for all our race,
Didst stretch Thy hands, all to embrace,
Awak’ning grace:
Thou who didst hear the thief’s lamenting,
Though late he came to his repenting:
O Christ our Lord!
To us Thy mercy ever afford!
Kyrie eleison!
Christe eleison!
Kyrie eleison, ele-i-son!

Translation © 2023 Matthew Carver.

GERMAN

Das Leben,
für uns in den Tod gegeben,
hat sein Blut verehret, […verröhret]
die Hölle zerstöret,
Christus Jesus wahrer Gott,
ward seinem Vater gehorsam bis in Tod.
Zu aller Frist
erbarm Dich unser, o Jesu Christ!
Kyrie, Eleison!
Christe, Eleison!
Kyrie, Eleison!

2 Der Du dem Tod verkündigt hast:
O Tod, ich will dir sein ein Gift und schwere Last;
der du für uns gestorben,
das ewig Leben hast erworben.
Zu aller Frist
erbarm Dich unser, o Jesu Christ!
Kyrie, Eleison!
Christe, Eleison!
Kyrie, Eleison!

3 Der du am Kreuze ausgestreckt
Dein Händ, nach allr Welt ausgereckt,
uns Gnad erweckt:
der du den Mördr hast angenommen,
wie wohl er spät zur Buß ist kommen.
Zu aller Frist
erbarm Dich unser, o Jesu Christ!
Kyrie, Eleison!
Christe, Eleison!
Kyrie, Eleison!

O Vater der Barmherzigkeit (Kyrie for Christmastide)

Here I repost, in advance of the proper date, my translation of the Christmastide Kyrie trope, “O Vater der Barmherzigkeit,” from a German rendering of the beautiful Kyrie Magnae Deus Potentiae; here with words by Peter Herbert (Kirchengeseng 1566; see Kirch. 1580 p. 150). It should be sung on Sundays of Christmastide.

The 2-phrase version represents the form found in Layriz' Choralbuch, where it is appointed as an optional Kyrie for Christmas. The original has three stanzas to each Person (per the ninefold Kyrie use accepted in Lutheranism); Layriz' has two, with the 2nd stanza being entirely new, and the whole shorter, including the kyrie addresses, and all in all much more fitting for public worship. In the German below, the original 2nd and 3rd stanzas are labeled "b" and "c" resp., while the newer closing stanzas from Layriz are labeled "b-c.


2-PHRASE VERSION (Layriz):
O FATHER, God of mercies great,
Our hearts to Thee we elevate,
Praying Thee, Thy grace bestow
On rich and poor below.
:: O Father God of matchless might,
We beg Thee to attend our plight:
In Thy mercies inifinite,
Kyrieleison!

CHRIST the Savior of the earth
Thy children save by heav’nly birth,
That they in Thee / May flourish ceaselessly.
:: Hear us, Christ, our Helper sure,
Made man and born of Mary pure,
To be our Cure: / Christe eleison!

O HOLY GHOST, true God, we pray,
Regard Thy people’s needs today;
By Thy grace make bright and fair
The hearts of those who err.
:: O Holy Ghost, grant us the pow’r
To love Thee truly every hour,
And in Thy good virtue flow’r,
Kyrieleison!

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2010.

3-PHRASE VERSION (Boh. Brethren):
O FATHER, God of mercies great,
Our hearts to Thee we elevate,
Praying Thee, Thy grace bestow
On rich and poor below.
:: All those who seek Thee heartily,
Will find such grace and help from Thee,
That they ever may fulfill
Thy gracious, holy will.
:: Give them the truth for which they long,
And pardon for all sin and wrong,
In Thy holy house as one,
Until our life on earth is done.

CHRIST the Savior of the earth
Thy children save by heav’nly birth,
That they in Thee / May flourish ceaselessly.
:: As on earth Thy yoke they bear,
Oh, suffer not the devil’s snare
To cast them down / And steal the victor’s crown.
:: Through the shedding of Thy blood
Assist them here to know Thy good,
And worship Thee / For all eternity.

O HOLY GHOST, true God, we pray,
Regard Thy people’s needs today;
By Thy grace make bright and fair
All the hearts of those who err.
:: O come, Thou promised Comforter,
Thy heav’nly priesthood to confer,
That we may to Thee upraise
Fitting offerings of praise.
:: Oh, let us all by faith be giv’n
The blest inheritance of heav’n,
That we may Thy name adore
With our praises evermore.

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2010.

GERMAN

1a. O Vater der Barmherzigkeit,
wir bitten dich mit Innigkeit
du wollest dich erbarmen
der Schwachen und Armen.
1b. Die sich herzlich zu dir kehren
Gnad und Hilf von dir begehren,
aufdaß sie deinen Willen
stets mögen erfüllen.
1c. Hilf, daß sie die Wahrheit finden,
zur Vergebung aller Sünden,
in heiliger Gemeinschaft-
en denn ihr Bilgerschaft.
[1b-c. O Vater, allmächtiger Gott!
zu dir schreien wir in der Not:
Durch dein groß Barmherzigkeit
erbarm dich über uns!]

2a. Christe, aller Welt Heiland,
hilf allen die dich han erkannt,
daß sie in dir / zunehmen für und für
2b. Laß sie nicht kraftlos werden,
unter deinem Joch auf Erden,
aus deim Gesetz / fallen ins Teufels Netz.
2c. Hilf durch dein Blut vergiessen,
daß sie dein hie wohl geniessen,
und benedeit / dich loben allezeit.
[2b-c. O Christ! wollst uns erhören,
für uns bist du Mensch geboren
von Maria, / erbarm dich über uns!]

3a. O Heiliger Geist, wahrer Gott,
sieh heut an der gläubigen Not
und erleucht durch deine Güt
der irrenden Gemüt.
3b. O komm du verheissner Tröster,
und mach uns geistliche Priester,
daß wir dich unsern Schöpfer,
preisen mit Dankopfer.
3c. O hilf, daß wir durchs Glaubens Kraft,
erlangen die himmlisch Erbschaft,
und deinen edlen Namen.
ewig loben Amen.
[3b-c. O Heilger Geist, wollst uns geben,
dich allzeit– herzlich lieben
und nach deim Willen streben,
erbarm dich über uns.]

The Kyrie for Eastertide

Here is my translation of the Kyrie for Eastertide (or from Easter to Pentecost) traditionally sung in many German Lutheran churches, and in America before the switch to English, when the wide adoption of the Common Service (or lowest common denominator service) left American Lutheran churches only one basic threefold Kyrie to be sung for the whole church year. The music comes from Spangenberg's cantional. It can be found in Lochner with harmony by Riegel.



Kyrie, God, of all things Father and Creator: Eleison!
Christè, who true God and Man was born, and borest for us men God’s scorn: Eleison!
Kyrie, God, the Holy Ghost, one God with the Father and the Son: Eleison!
Kyrie, help us to keep the faith unswervingly, and adore only Thee, and Thy servants ever be: Eleison!

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2010.

GERMAN

Kyrie, Gott aller Welt Schöpfer und Vater, Eleison!
Christe, wahrer Gott und Mensch geborn, der du für unst trugst Gottes Zorn, Eleison!
Kyrie, Gott, Heiliger Geist, mit Vater und Sohn Ein Gott, Eleison!
Kyrie, hilf uns, daß wir in solchem Glauben rein, dich anbeten allein, und bleiben Diener dein, Eleison!

O milder Gott, allerhöchster Hort

Here is my translation for “O milder Gott, allerhöchster Hort,” a farsed Kyrie by Bohemian Brethren author Peter Herbert (in Kirchengeseng 1566). The first section of each stanza is appointed in Layriz' Choralbuch for use as the Kyrie of the Mass during Advent. (Layriz' settings were a major source for the music of the original LCMS hymnal.) The full version may serve well as a hymn also. It is transposed from F to G in Layriz.


O GOD of grace,
Highest Hiding-place,
In our need our pray’rs to Thee we raise:
Kyrieleison.
Creator true,
Heav’nly Father! view
Thy dear sons who for Thy mercy sue
Kyrieleison.
We are distressed,
Let our wounds be dressed
Bring us to Thy Son’s dominion blest.
Kyrieleison.

2. O Christ, the Son of God,
Our Joy and Crown, Thy name we laud,
Salvation’s bounteous Flood!
Christe eleison.
Lend all God’s children aid,
Call back the sinners who have strayed,
For whom Thou man wast made.
Christe eleison.
Atonement pledged of old,
Sole Mediator, long foretold,
Redeemer of Thy fold:
Christe eleison.

3. O Holy Ghost, true Comfort-giver
Teacher, instruct us ever,
Renewer, leave us never.
Kyrieleison.
All sin and vice from us dispelling,
Build up Thy Church and dwelling
With all Thy grace excelling.
Kyrieleison.
Faith, hope, and love in us implanting,
Fill us with Thine anointing,
For works of God’s appointing.
Kyrieleison.

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2010.

GERMAN

1. O milder Gott, allerhöchster Hort,
wir rufen zu dir in unsrer Not
erbarm dich unser!
Treuer Schöpfer, himmlischer Vater,
sieh heut an deine lieben Kinder,
erbarm dich unser.
Wir warn verletzt, du hast uns ergötzt,
und in deins lieben Sohns Reich versetzt,
erbarm dich unser.

2. O Christe, Gottes Sohn,
der Kirche Haupt, Freud, Ehr und Kron,
und frei offner Heilsbrunn,
erbarm dich unser!
Schau an Gottes Kinder
sammle die zerstreuten Sünder,
drum du kamst [h]ernieder,
erbarm dich unser.
Du bist das Sühnopfer,
und der verheissne Erlöser,
unser einig Mittler,
erbarm dich unser.

3. Heiliger Geist, der Kirchen Tröster,
du aller bester Meister
Verneurer und Regierer.
erbarm dich unser!
Vertilg alle Sünde und Irrthum,
und erbau die Christenheit,
durch deiner Gnaden Reichthum,
erbarm dich unser!
Pflanz den Glauben, die Lieb und Hoffnung,
stärk uns durch deine Salbung,
und Hilf drin zur Vollendung.
Kyrieleison.

O ewiger barmherziger Gott

Here is my translation of “O ewiger barmherziger Gott” (Boh. Brethren, 1566?), itself a rhymed translation of the farced Latin Kyrie, Kyrie cunctipotens genitor. In this way it is very much like the “Kyrie Gott Vater,” that is, “Kyrie, God Father in heaven above” (LSB 942) which is a translation of the Kyrie fons bonitatis appointed as the ordinary Kyrie of the Deutsche Messe. The only, glaring difference, of course, is that the words Kyrie and Eleison appear nowhere in the text here. Note that the rhyme scheme changes on the last line of stanza 3 to form a unit with the next to last line.


O ETERNAL GOD of boundless grace,
All our thanks to Thee we raise.
For Thy goodness to us shown
In the works which Thou hast done.
:: Thou hast looked upon us in our need,
And in kindness paid us heed,
Mercy brought, redemption won,
Through Thy sole-begotten Son.
:: Therefore we, redeemed by Christ our King,
Boldly our petition bring:
May Thou make our wills as one
With the will of Thy dear Son.

2. Christ, Thou fruit of Virgin blest,
Who wast conceived both pure and chaste,
And outpoured,
That our life might be restored:
:: Thou, by suff’ring death and pain
For our trespasses, sin, and stain,
Didst alone
For the guilt of all atone.
:: Jesus Christ, our Lord and Friend,
Enthroned on high, Thy Spirit send
To this place,
With the gift of healing grace.

3. O Holy Ghost, Thou God most true,
Our need and trouble view,
Graciously our soul with heav’nly gifts imbue.
:: O come Thou flame of fire divine,
Now our hearts refine,
Of sin’s leaven purge us clean and keep us Thine.
:: Renew our failing mind and heart,
Grace and good impart,
Guide us till the very end; our soul defend,

4. For all things into Thy hands we now commend.
Praise and glory be to Thee, gracious God, eternally!

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2010.

GERMAN

1. O ewiger barmherziger Gott,
wir danken dir der Wohlthat.
die du uns erzeiget hast,
und aller Werk so du thust.
Du hast angesehn all unser Not,
als ein getiediger Gott,
uns durch deinen lieben Sohn,
Gnad und Erlösung gethan.
Sintemal er uns nun hat erlöst,
so bitten wir auch getrost,
daß du uns wolltest mit ihm
verfügen nun einen Sinn..

2. Christe benedeite Frucht,
empfangen rein in aller Zucht,
dein Leben
hast du für uns gegeben.
Du hast erlidden den Tod,
für unser Sünd und Missethat,
mit Geduld
bezahlet all unser Schuld.
Ey, nun Herre Jesu Christ,
weil du oben im Himmel bist,
send uns h’rab,
dein Geist in heilsamer Gab.

3A. O heiliger Geist, wahrer Gott,
sieh an unser Not
und erfüll uns mit dein Gaben aus Genad.
O komm, du göttliches Feuer,
Herzen verneuer,
und feg uns von allem alten Gesäuer.
3B. Erneu auch unser Gemüte
durch deine Güte.
Regier unser ganzes Leben und mach dirs eben.

4. Denn wir uns dir ganz und gar übergeben,
deinem Namen,
Herre Gott, zu ewigem Preis. Amen.