Here is my translation of the Communion hymn, “Da der Herr Jesus einst zu Tisch gesessen” (Anon., 1870?), in GGELB #287 with melody assignment “Herzliebster Jesu, was hast du gebrochen.” No earlier instance seems to occur, and it is in all likelihood a product of the hymnal committee or one of its associates. The ascription line reads only “After the Latin Discubuit Jesu.” A translation of the Latin responsory, as amended by Bonnus for use in Lutheran churches (at Luther’s offhand suggestion, no less) is found in my Liber Hymnorum: The Latin Hymns of the Lutheran Church.
WHEN Jesus sat with His dear Twelve at table,
He said: I have desired, while I am able,
To eat this Pasch with you, ere as an off’ring
I must be suff’ring.
2 He took the bread, intent to serve and save them,
Gave thanks, and broke it, and the bread He gave them,
And said, Take, eat; this is My Body given
To gain you heaven!
3 So too when He had supped, without delaying,
He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it, saying,
Take, drink; this is My Blood, shed for remission
Of all transgression!
4 Eat, dear disciples, drink all to your blessing,
For your relief in trial and transgressing,
As oft ye do it, in remembrance owning
My death atoning.
5 Weary we come and weighed with many a burden;
O Helper, help! In grace our trespass pardon!
So shall Thy Body and Thy Blood avail us;
Thou wilt not fail us!
6 Thus have we sat at table here before Thee,
And eaten our own pasch, the Lord of Glory,
For our consoling in all sorrows trying,
Even in dying!
7 This we believe, for so the Lord hath spoken,
Yea, God Himself, whose Word is never broken.
This is My Body! this My Blood!—so spake He.
Comfort then take ye!
8 Praise to the Father and the Son be given
And to the Holy Ghost, one God in heaven!
Thanks to the Triune God in Christ our Savior,
Now and forever!
Translation © 2024 Matthew Carver.
GERMAN
Da der Herr Jesus einst zu Tisch gesessen,
sprach er: Mich herzlich hat verlangt zu essen
dies Osterlamm, mit euch, ihr Jünger! heute,
noch eh ich leide!
2 Gar hoch wollt er den Jüngern sein nun dienen.
Er nahm das Brot, dankt, brachs und gab es ihnen,
und sprach—damit es jadabei verbleibe:
Das ist mein Leibe!
3 Desgleichen nahm er nach dem Abendmahle
den Kelch und sprach: Nehmt hin und trinket alle!
Was hierin wird gegeben euch zu gute;
Das ist mein Blute!
4 So esset nun, ihr Jünger, trinket alle!
Es dient gar tröstlich euch im Sündenfalle.
Und thuts, so oft ihrs thut, mir, der ich büße,
zum Gedächtnisse!
5 Wir kommen nun mühselig und beladen;
o Helfer, hilf! vergib die Schuld aus Gnaden;
daß doch uns allen komme nun zu gute
Dein Leib und Blute!
6 So sind wir auch mit dir zu Tisch gesessen,
und haben auch ein Osterlamm gegessen,
dich selbst, zum Trost in allen unsern Leiden,
und im Abscheiden!
7 Wir glauben, weil der Herr, Gott selbst gesprochen,
der nie, nein! niemals hat sein Wort gebrochen.
Er sprach: Das ist mein Leib, das ist mein Blute!—
So habt nun Muthe!
8 Ehr sei dem Vater! Ehr sei auch dem Sohne!
Und Ehr dem heilgen Geist in Himmelsthrone!
Und Dank sei Gott in Jesu Christi Namen,
immerdar! Amen.
2 comments:
This has been a favourite of mine since you published it & it's a great complement to your Liber Hymnorum no106, both Latin & English. Great translation & so suitable and in excellent rhythm with the hymn tune we sing in Lent & especially Good Friday. How interesting that a hymn committee or person would do this. Walter Mattys
Thank you for the kind words. I'm glad it is of use to you. Whoever did the German was not a novice certainly. But I just noticed I omitted "the" before "Triune" in the doxology, so I've inserted that, though others like myself may have unconsciously filled it in anyway.
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