Im Fried bin ich dahin gefahrn

Here is my translation of the epitaph, “Im Friend bin ich dahin gefahrn” (Luther, 1542), Ev.-luth. Gsb #680, from the author’s book of epitaphs and funeral music, Christliche Geseng Lateinisch und Deudsch, zum Begrebnis (Wittenberg, 1542) (a translation of the whole booklet is found here), in which he calls for the use of such epitaphs on Christian graves. As Fischer notes under entry “In meim Elend war dies mein Trost,” this and other epitaphs suggested here by Luthere were later set to music in certain hymnals, such as Nuremberg 1561. The Wisconsin hymnal appoints the melody “Vater unser.”

 

I HAVE gone forth in peace serene,
For these my eyes have truly seen
Thy Savior, Lord, prepared by Thee,
The light of Christians all to be.
Meanwhile I here at rest remain
Until my Lord shall come again.

Translation © 2023 Matthew Carver.

GERMAN

Im Fried bin ich dahin gefahrn,
denn meine Augen gesehn habn
dein Heiland, Herr, von dir bereit
zum Licht der ganzen Christenheit.
Indes ruh ich in dieser Gruft
bis auf mein's Herren Wiederkunft.

Ich armer Mensch gar nichtes bin

Here is my translation of the poem or hymn “Ich armer Mensch gar nichtes bin” (J. Gigas, 1564), or “…doch gar nichts bin,” a versified supplication of one who is near death. It is based on a Latin elegaic Precatio by Philip Melanchthon dating to 1555  (See Wackernagel 1:457). The six couplets which comprise the original form of the lyric are first seen at the end of an exposition by Gigas of the hymn, “Ein Kindelein so löbelich” which was published in 1564. The tune normally appointed for it in hymnals is “O Jesu Christ, meins Lebens Licht” or “Herr Jesu Christ, wahr Mensch und Gott.”

I, WRETCHED man, am naught, I own.  
    God’s Son remains my gain alone,
My hope—that He true Man was made,
    My ransom—’twas His blood that paid. 


2. O God the Father, govern me  
    With Thy good Spirit constantly; 
Allow Thy Son, my Life and Stay,
    To dwell within my heart alway. 


3. Oh, when the final hour I see,  
    Take me, Lord Jesus Christ, to Thee! 
For Thine I am, and mine Thou art—
    To meet Thee soon how longs my heart!
Amen.


Translation © 2015 Matthew Carver.

GERMAN

Ich armer Mensch gar nichtes bin, 

Gotts Sohn allein ist mein Gewinn.

Daß er Mensch wordn, das ist mein Trost;

Er hat mich durch sein Blut erlöst.

O Gott Vater, regier du mich

Mit deinem Geiste stetiglich.

Laß deinen Sohn, mein Trost und Lebn,

Allzeit in meinem Herzen schwebn;

Und wenn die Stund verhanden ist,

Nimm mich zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ:

Denn ich bin dein, und du bist mein,

Wie gern wollt ich bald bei dir sein.

Amen.

MELANCHTHON'S LATIN

Nil sum, nulla miser novi solatia, massam

Humanam nisi quod tu quoque, Christe, geris.

Tu me sustenta fragilem, tu Christe guberna.

Fac ut sim massae surculus ipse tuae.

Hoc mirum foedus semper mens cogitet, uno

Hoc est, ne dubita, foedere parta salus.