Herr Gott Vater, Schöpfer aller Ding

 Here is my translation of the Antiphon for Fair Weather, “Herr Gott Vater, Schöpfer aller Ding” (Vincentius Schmuck, d. 1628), in ELGB #435, originally in Latin as “Domine Rex,” first apearing in German in the Dresden Gesangbuch (1632) with melody adapted the Gregorian chant. Since another, more musical (in the technical sense) setting was given it by Doles in 1785, I have retained the syllabic structure and to some extent also the accent. However, Doles’ setting is for a text very slightly altered, e.g., “Dinge” for “Ding” in the second phrase (requiring a slur on “thing”); “allein” for “alle” and insertion of “dich” in the last phrase. The Buffalo Synod hymnal thus indicates the later melody by the presence of these variants. My accommodations to these variants are found in square brackets. Nevertheless, it is apparent that the setting should be adapted by an able musician; to which end, for whoever might wish to carry out such a task, I include a more natural form of the English text below.

 

LORD God, Father,
Maker of all things, [things,–]
graciously grant us,
we pray Thee, (fair weather / fruitful rain)
for the fruits of Thy provision,
That receiving them
with thankful hearts
as from Thine own hands for our necessary use,
we may all acknowledge, hold, and ever praise Thee
As our dear Father, Maker, and [our] most gracious Sustainer.

A more natural form:
LORD God, Father and Maker of all things,
mercifully grant us, we beseech Thee, (fair weather / a fruitful rain) for the fruits of Thy provision,
that receiving them from Thy hand with thanksgiving for our necessary use,
we may evermore acknowledge, esteem, and adore Thee as our Father and Sustainer.

From the Latin (Cantica Sacra, 1613):
O LORD the King, the God of Abraham, give us (fair weather / rain) over the face of the earth, that this people may learn that Thou art the Lord our God. (Alleluia.)

Translation © 2023 Matthew Carver.

GERMAN

Herr, Gott Vater,
Schöpfer aller Ding! […Dinge!]
gieb uns gnädiglich
ein (schön helles Wetter / fruchtbaren Regen)
zu den Früchten Deiner Gaben,
daß wir sie mögen
von Deiner Hand
zu unsre Nothdurft mit Danksagung empfahen,
und Dich, daß Du unser Vater und Ernährer seist,
alle erkennen, halten und ewiglich preisen. [allein…]

LATIN ORIGINAL

Domine Rex Deus Abraham, dona nobis (serenitatem / pluviam) super faciem terræ, ut discat populus iste quia tu es Dominus Deus noster. (Alleluia).