The Glory of the Lutheran Chorales

[BrotherBoris]

Thank you, Pastor Austin!  I have to admit that I really like a lot of the Scandinavian folk hymns and that they nicely balance the more somber and stoic German ones.  I think both have their place.

[loschwitz]

And how could I leave out Germany?  Here is the Lutheran Church of Saints Peter and Mary in Berlin:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAarft1Wq50

Does anyone know of any Lutheran hymnal in the US which contains this wonderful morning hymn?  Tune is by Johannes Crueger.   Text by Paul Gerhardt.
It is very popular in Germany in both evangelische and RC congregations.  It is not in TLH, SBH, LBW, LSB, or ELW.   I believe Catherine Winkworth did a translation, oh, so long ago.

Here is another version of the hymn from the same church in Berlin.  It includes the introduction and procession.  It is always amusing to see a German congregation sit down to sing. 

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrDxHBB35Bo&feature=related

[Evangel]

Brother Boris writes:
Here's a 19th century hymn from Finland sung by a lovely soprano accompanied by a reed organ. I love the tenderness and passion with which she sings.  Perhaps a Finnish Lutheran could translate it for us?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xf3VctNP3k

I comment:
Don't know the Finnish words, but the tune is "Day by Day," a fine old Swedish hymn "Blott en Dag," now happily in ELW as #790. It would be one of my top ten favorite hymns, if I had to prepare such a list. Before the hymn was included in "With One Voice," an elderly Swede in my parish and I did a translation that we used for several years.

I too love that song - it was one we introduced with the WOV and became a favorite.  You wouldn't happen to have a copy of the translation your parishioner did by any chance that you could share?

[BrotherBoris]

The TUNE is in the SBH, number 225 (second tune).  I don't know of a translation of the text off the top of my head. You might try the old American Lutheran Hymnal of 1930.  If I recall correctly, it was a rather Germanic hymnal. It might have it.  You could also do a search of Catherine Winkworth's hymn translations. You might find it there.

[loschwitz]

The TUNE is in the SBH, number 225 (second tune).  I don't know of a translation of the text off the top of my head. You might try the old American Lutheran Hymnal of 1930.  If I recall correctly, it was a rather Germanic hymnal. It might have it.  You could also do a search of Catherine Winkworth's hymn translations. You might find it there.
[/quote

Wow.  Thanks, Boris.  Good find.  I had no idea.  So the tune has both a morning and evening version.  Nice.

Actually the tune is also in the old MS German hymnal, das Kirchen=Gesanguch fuer Ev.=Luth. Gemeinden UAC, number 477, but with text by Gottfried Hoffmann. 

[BrotherBoris]

And how could I leave out Germany?  Here is the Lutheran Church of Saints Peter and Mary in Berlin:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAarft1Wq50

Does anyone know of any Lutheran hymnal in the US which contains this wonderful morning hymn?  Tune is by Johannes Crueger.   Text by Paul Gerhardt.
It is very popular in Germany in both evangelische and RC congregations.  It is not in TLH, SBH, LBW, LSB, or ELW.   I believe Catherine Winkworth did a translation, oh, so long ago.

Here is another version of the hymn from the same church in Berlin.  It includes the introduction and procession.  It is always amusing to see a German congregation sit down to sing. 

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrDxHBB35Bo&feature=related

Dear Loschwitz:

I think I have found something for you!

I researched this hymn and have found THREE English translations of it. None, however, were done by Miss Catherine Winkworth. Here's what I have been able to discover so far:

1. The original text is titled, "Lobet den Herren, alle die Ihn fuerchten!" by Paul Gerhardt.

2. There are, as far as I have been able to discover three English translations of it.

3. Translation by Bunsen, "Praise God! Revere Him! All ye men that fear Him" from 1846.

4. Translation by H. J. Buckholl, "Our Lord be praising, All His glory raising" from 1842.

5. Translation by J. Kelly, "Praise Ye Jehovah, all ye men who fear Him" from 1867.

From what I have seen so far, it seems that Bunsen's translation is the most poetic, but I can't seem to locate it. I find Kelly's translation very 19th century and dated, but here's a link to it if you'd like to see his English version:

http://www.hymnary.org/text/praise_ye_jehovah_all_ye_men_who_fear

Enjoy!

[Jeremy Loesch]

The version of Gerhardt's Lobet den Herren that I really like is this one- very sweet.  Makes the German language so appealing to the ear!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVGKhb7-Reg

Jeremy

[loschwitz]

Dear Brother Boris,

You get an A+ for researching a (relatively) obscure hymn, at least for us in the US.   I would never have found those versions left to my own devices.   Yes, the Kelly is a tad dated.   The German is so much more bracing.

I was also intrigued that the original version uses "fuerchten" rather than "ehren."  Clearly modification of hymn words is not an invention of just the late 20th century.

[J. Eriksson]

Brother Boris writes:
Here's a 19th century hymn from Finland sung by a lovely soprano accompanied by a reed organ. I love the tenderness and passion with which she sings.  Perhaps a Finnish Lutheran could translate it for us?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xf3VctNP3k

I comment:
Don't know the Finnish words, but the tune is "Day by Day," a fine old Swedish hymn "Blott en Dag," now happily in ELW as #790. It would be one of my top ten favorite hymns, if I had to prepare such a list. Before the hymn was included in "With One Voice," an elderly Swede in my parish and I did a translation that we used for several years.

Pastor Austin

Have you forgotten that Blott en Dag was #149 in that standard coil bound supplement found in so many Augustana and Scandinavian  churches entitiled "Youth's Favorite Songs"  somewhat tongue in cheek called "Grandparents Favorite Songs" by me and my siblings.  A standard at family reunions.
Years ago I regularly attended the 2 yearly "Gymanfa Ganu's"  in Alberta.  Festivals of Welsh congregational hymm singing,  I dragged my father along.  After a couple years of this he organized a copy-cat version,  a Scandinavian Hymm Sing Festival. 

Those of you who are looking for ideas for parish, community or local (Methodist style) circuit rally might want to pick up on this.  BTW  anyone out there ever attended a Methodist circuit rally?

Best to you all
James

[Voelker]

I just ran across this short, well-made video on chorales (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OLDcvOpXKw). Enjoy.

[Weedon]

Great video, Bill! Thanks!!!