Am Freitag muß ein jeder Christ

Here is my translation of the hymn, “Am Freitag muß ein jeder Christ” (N. Herman, 1560), from the author’s Sontags-Evangelia, following the Passion, with titles for each stanza (below). Gesius does not include it. It appears later (e.g., Fischer’s Lexicon, the Kirchenbuch 1906) with the “Es ist gewisslich.” The text is preceded by the explanation: “Argument of the following song: Every Christian has three days. The first is Friday, on which he must help the Lord Christ carry the cross and suffer; this day lasts as long as we live here on earth. The second day is the Sabbath, the day of rest, on which we are buried and rest in the grave until the Last Day. The thir dis the glorious day of Easter, on which we shall arise to eternal life; this lasts forever and ever.”

Mel.: Es ist gewisslich an der Zeit.

Of Good Friday, Sabbath Day, and Easter Day.
ON Friday every Christian must
His cross with Christ be bearing,
Until the Sabbath-day is past,
And then His grave be sharing
Till comes the joyful Easter Day,
The grave o’er Him could not hold sway;
With gladness He awakens.

Friday, the Day of Martyrs.
2 That Friday is the little space
When we on earth are living
Great sorrow, anguish, and disgrace
On every side receiving.
This comes from Adam’s guilt and ours,
Blest, he who patient bears all hours
His cross behind Christ Jesus.

Sabbath, the Day of Rest.
3 We on the Sabbath come to rest,
From crosses all delivered,
When eyelids in death’s sleep are pressed.
Then from this lifetime severed,
We to our bed of rest are borne,
Wherein we sleep until the morn,
When Christ our Lord shall raise us.

Easter Day, the Day of Joy.
4 Then comes the joyful Easter Day
when we shall all awaken,
Death cannot keep nor bar our way,
We shall to Christ be taken
And with Him to His kingdom soar,
And live in joy forevermore.
Amen! Lord Jesus, grant it!

Translation © 2026 Matthew Carver.

GERMAN

Am Freitag muß ein jeder Christ
sein Kreuz mit Christo tragen,
bis der Sabbath vergangen ist,
denn ruht er in seim Grabe,
bis kommt der fröhlich Ostertag,
denn in das Grab nicht halten mag
mit Freuden er aufwachet.

2 Der Freitag werd die kleine Zeit,
weil wir leben auf Erden,
mit Jammer, Angst und Herzenleid,
daran betrübt wir werden,
das macht Adams und unser Schuld,
wohl dem der sein Kreuz mit Geduld
dem Herren Christ nachträget.

3 Am Sabbath kommen wir zu Ruh,
all Kreuz wird weggennommen,
wenn uns jetzt gehn die Augen zu,
und unser Stund ist kommen,
denn trägt man uns ins Ruhbettlein,
darinn gar sanft wir schlafen ein,
bis uns der Herr aufwecket.

4 Denn kommt der fröhlich Ostertag,
so werdn wir all aufstehen,
der Tod denn uns nit halten mag
entgegen werdn wir gehen
Christo, und mit ihm in seim Reich
leben in Freuden ewiglich.
Herr Christ das hilf uns! Amen.