My next and final hymn translation for Lochner’s Easter-book is the Ascension hymn, “Auf Christi Himmelfahrt allein” (J. Wegelin, 1654, alt.), the early and widespread revision of Wegelin’s text which closes Devotion 40 and thus the whole book. A translation by Winkworth, not quite in the original meter, was included in ELHB. The translation by Czamanske in TLH is under copyright. Anna Hoppe made a translation, which I include below, as it appeared in Northwestern Lutheran in 1922 (courtesy of Elizabeth Urtel), from which it was included in the Selah Gesangbuch. In the creation of my version, I had reference to the German only, and any similarities to Czamanske and Hoppe and Winkworth are coincidental. In addition, I have included a translation of the original form of Wegelin’s text for comparison, from which careful inspection will reassure the reader that the early revision was not undertaken without cause.
Mel.: Nun freut euch, lieben Christen gmein
FROM Christ’s ascension into heav’n
I know my own shall follow;
Hence fear and pain away are driv’n
And every doubt rings hollow;
For since the Head in heav’n doth live,
His members too Christ will receive
To join Him in due season.
2 Because to heaven He is gone,
Great gifts for us receiving,
My heart can find in heav’n alone
True rest, all ills relieving.
For whither He my Treasure goes,
There too my heart and mind repose;
For Him I’m ever longing.
3 Ah, Lord, let me this grace perceive
From Thine ascension flowing,
That with true faith I hence may leave
When I that course am going,
And then some day that pleaseth Thee
Depart this world all joyfully—
Lord, hear my supplication!
Translation ©2025 Matthew Carver.
Original Form:
Alone on Christ’s ascension I
The hope of mine have planted,
Alone His help await and sigh
That I may here be granted
His heav’nly grace from realms above,
That I the world no more may love,
The things on high pursuing.
2 Since He to heav’n His path has pressed,
The earthly things forsaking,
My heart on earth can find no rest,
But would that path be taking
To heav’nly glory, peace, and bliss,
Where Christ, its Head and Master is;
With Him it would be resting.
3 O Christ my Lord, that grace impart
From Thine ascension flowing,
Here to pursue Thee in my heart,
Till I shall hence be going
With soul and body there on high,
Thine be the glory, mine the joy!
So will I sing Thee praises.
Translation ©2025 Matthew Carver.
ANNE HOPPE (1922)
Since Christ has gone to heav’n to reign,
His course I’ll follow surely!
Faith conquers doubt and fear and pain;
In Him I rest securely.
For where the living Head has gone,
His ransomed members, every one,
In His own time He’ll gather.
As heavenward He journeyed on,
Eternal blessings gaining,
My heart seeks rest in heav’n alone,
Elsewhere no peace obtaining.
In heaven, where my Treasure is,
My heart and spirit find true bliss;
For Him I’m ever yearning.
Dear Lord, to me the grace impart
That Thy ascension bringeth!
With faith divine adorn my heart,
As to this hope it clingeth!
May I, in Thy appointed time,
Leave earth with joy for realms sublime!
Lord, hear my fervent pleading!
CATHERINE WINKWORTH (1863)
Since Christ has gone to heav’n, His home,
I, too, that home one day must share;
And in this hope I overcome
All doubt, all anguish, and despair;
For where the Head is, well we know,
The members He has left below
In time He surely gathers.
2 Since Christ has reached His glorious throne,
And mighty gifts henceforth are His,
My heart can rest in heaven alone,
On earth my Lord I always miss;
I long to be with Him on high,
And heart and thoughts forever fly
Where is my only Treasure.
3 From Thy ascension let such grace,
Dear Lord, be ever found in me,
That steadfast faith may guide my ways
With step unfalt'ring up to Thee,
And at Thy voice I may depart
With joy to dwell where Thou, Lord, art;
Lord, hear my supplication!
GERMAN
Auf Christi Himmelfahrt allein
ich meine Nachfahrt gründe
und allen Zweifel, Angst und Pein
hiermit stets überwinde.
Denn weil das Haupt im Himmel ist,
wird seine Glieder Jesus Christ
zu rechter Zeit nachholen.
2 Weil er gezogen himmelan
3 Ach Herr, laß diese Gnade mich
und große Gab empfangen,
mein Herz auch nur im Himmel kann,
sonst nirgends Ruh erlangen;
denn wo mein Schatz ist kommen hin,
da ist auch stets mein Herz und Sinn,
nach ihm mich sehr verlanget.
non deiner Auffahrt spüren,
daß mit dem wahren Glauben ich
mag meine Nachfahrt zieren
und dann einmal, wenn's dir gefällt,
mit Freuden scheiden aus der Welt.
Herr, höre doch mein Flehen!
GERMAN (original form)
Allein auf Christi Himmelfahrt
mein Nachfahrt ich thu gründen;
allein auf seine Hülf ich wart,
und bitt, er woll mir senden
sein himmlische Gnad obenrab, {Gab obenrab}
daß ich der Welt mög sagen ab {mag sagen ab}
und was droben ist, suchen.
2 Weil er gen Himmel sich gewendt,
das Irdische verlassen,
mein Herz auch nirgend Ruhe findt,
es will nun diese Strassen
zur himmlischen Ruh, Freud und Ehr,
wo Christus ist, sein Haupt und Herr,
dabei will es auch ruhen.
3 Ach laß, Herr Christe, mich die Gnad
von deinr Auffahrt empfangen,
daß mein Herz hie die Nachfahrt hab,
bis daß ich werd erlangen
das Himmelfahrn mit Seel und Leib
dir zu Ehren und mir zu Freud,
so will ich dir lobsingen.
