The Hymns of Martin Luther - LightNovelsOnl.com
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A Song of the Two Christian Martyrs burnt at Brussels by the Sophists of Louvain in the year MDXXII [July 1, 1523].
MELODY, 1525. _Harmony by_ M. PRAETORIUS, 1610.
1. By help of G.o.d I fain would tell A new and wondrous story, And sing a marvel that befell To his great praise and glory.
At Brussels in the Netherlands He hath his banner lifted, To show his wonders by the hands Of two youths, highly gifted With rich and heavenly graces.
2. One of these youths was called John, And Henry was the other; Rich in the grace of G.o.d was one, A Christian true his brother.
For G.o.d's dear Word they shed their blood, And from the world departed Like bold and pious sons of G.o.d; Faithful and lion-hearted, They won the crown of martyrs.
3. The old Arch-fiend did them immure, To terrify them seeking; They bade them G.o.d's dear Word abjure, And fain would stop their speaking.
From Louvain many Sophists came, Deep versed in human learning, G.o.d's Spirit foiled them at their game Their pride to folly turning.
They could not but be losers.
4. They spake them fair, they spake them foul, Their sharp devices trying.
Like rocks stood firm each brave young soul The Sophists' art defying.
The enemy waxed fierce in hate, And for their life-blood thirsted; He fumed and chafed that one so great Should by two babes be worsted, And straightway sought to burn them.
5. Their monkish garb from them they take, And gown of ordination; The youths a cheerful Amen spake, And showed no hesitation.
They thanked their G.o.d that by his aid They now had been denuded Of Satan's mock and masquerade, Whereby he had deluded The world with false pretences.
6. Thus by the power of grace they were True priests of G.o.d's own making, Who offered up themselves e'en there, Christ's holy orders taking; Dead to the world, they cast aside Hypocrisy's sour leaven, That penitent and justified They might go clean to heaven, And leave all monkish follies.
7. They then were told that they must read A note which was dictated; They straightway wrote their fate and creed, And not one jot abated.
Now mark their heresy! "We must In G.o.d be firm believers; In mortal men not put our trust, For they are all deceivers;"
For this they must be burned!
8. Two fires were lit; the youths were brought, But all were seized with wonder To see them set the flames at naught, And stood as struck with thunder.
With joy they came in sight of all, And sang aloud G.o.d's praises; The Sophists' courage waxed small Before such wondrous traces Of G.o.d's almighty finger.
9. The scandal they repent, and would Right gladly gloss it over; They dare not boast their deed of blood, But seek the stain to cover.
They feel the shame within their breast, And charge therewith each other; But now the Spirit cannot rest, For Abel 'gainst his brother Doth cry aloud for vengeance.
10. Their ashes will not rest; would-wide They fly through every nation.
No cave nor grave, no turn nor tide, Can hide th'abomination.
The voices which with cruel hands They put to silence living, Are heard, though dead, throughout all lands Their testimony giving, And loud hosannas singing.
11. From lies to lies they still proceed, And feign forthwith a story To color o'er the murderous deed; Their conscience p.r.i.c.ks them sorely.
These saints of G.o.d e'en after death They slandered, and a.s.serted The youths had with their latest breath Confessed and been converted, Their heresy renouncing.
12. Then let them still go on and lie, They cannot win a blessing; And let us thank G.o.d heartily, His Word again possessing.
Summer is even at our door, The winter now has vanished, The tender flowerets spring once more, And he, who winter banished, Will send a happy summer.
1. Ein neues Lied wir heben an, Das walt' Gott unser Herre, Zu singen was Gott hat gethan Zu seinem Lob und Ehre.
Zu Bruessel in dem Niederland Wohl durch zween junge Knaben Hat er sein Wunder g'macht bekannt, Die er mit seinen Gaben So reichlich hat gezieret.
2. Der Erst' recht wohl Johannes heisst, So reich an Gottes Hulden; Sein Bruder Heinrich nach dem Geist, Ein rechter Christ ohn' Schulden.
Von dieser Welt geschieden sind, Sie ha'n die Kron' erworben, Recht wie die frommen Gottes Kind Fuer sein Wort sind ges...o...b..n, Sein' Maert'rer sind sie worden.
3. Der alte Feind sie fangen liess, Erschreckt sie lang mit Draeuen, Das Wort Gott man sie lenken hiess, Mit List auch wollt' sie taeuben, Von Loewen der Sophisten viel, Mit ihrer Kunst verloren, Versammelt er zu diesem Spiel; Der Geist sie macht zu Th.o.r.en, Sie konnten nichts gewinnen.
4. Sie sungen suess, sie sungen sau'r, Versuchten manche Listen; Die Knaben standen wie ein' Mau'r, Veracht'ten die Sophisten.
Den alten Feind das sehr verdross, Da.s.s er war ueberwunden Von solchen Jungen, er so gross; Er ward voll Zorn von Stunden, Gedacht' sie zu verbrennen.
5. Sie raubten ihn'n das Klosterkleid, Die Weih' sie ihn'n auch nahmen; Die Knaben waren des bereit, Sie sprachen froehlich: Amen!
Sie dankten ihrem Vater, Gott, Da.s.s sie los sollten werden Des Teufels Larvenspiel und Spott, Darin durch falsche Berden Die Welt er gar betreuget.
6. Da schickt Gott durch sein Gnad' also, Da.s.s sie recht Priester worden: Sich selbst ihm mussten opfern da Und geh'n im Christen Orden, Der Welt ganz abges...o...b..n sein, Die Heuchelei ablegen, Zum Himmel kommen frei und rein, Die Moencherei ausfegen Und Menschen Tand hie la.s.sen.
7. Man schrieb ihn'n fuer ein Brieflein klein, Das hiess man sie selbst lesen, Die Stueck' sie zeigten alle drein, Was ihr Glaub' war gewesen.
Der huechste Irrthum dieser war: Man muss allein Gott glauben, Der Mensch leugt und treugt immerdar, Dem soll man nichts vertrauen; Dess mussten sie verbrennen.
8. Zwei grosse Feur sie zuend'ten an, Die Knaben sie her brachten, Es nahm gross Wunder Jedermann, Da.s.s sie solch' Pein veracht'ten, Mit Freuden sie sich gaben drein, Mit Gottes Lob und Singen, Der Muth ward den Sophisten klein Fuer diesen neuen Dingen, Da sich Gott liess so merken.
9. Der Schimpf sie nun gereuet hat, Sie wollten's gern schoen machen; Sie thuern nicht ruehmen sich der That Sie bergen fast die Sachen, Die Schand' im Herzen beisset sie Und klagen's ihr'n Genossen, Doch kann der Geist nicht schweigen hie: Des Habels Blut vergossen, Es muss den Kain melden.
10. Die Aschen will nicht la.s.sen ab, Sie staeubt in allen Landen; Hie hilft kein Bach, Loch, Grub' noch Grab, Sie macht den Feind zu Schanden.
Die er im Leben durch den Mord Zu schweigen hat gedrungen, Die muss er todt an allem Ort Mit aller Stimm' und Zungen Gar froehlich la.s.sen singen.
11. Noch la.s.sen sie ihr Luegen nicht, Den grossen Mord zu schmuecken, Sie gehen fuer ein falsch Gedicht, Ihr G'wissen thut sie druecken, Die Heil'gen Gott's auch nach dem Tod Von ihn'n gelaestert werden, Sie sagen: in der lessten Noth Die Knaben noch auf Erden Sich sollen ha'n umkehret.
12. Die la.s.s man luegen immerhin, Sie haben's keinen Frommen, Wir sollen danken Gott darin, Sein Wort ist wiederkommen.
Der Sommer ist hart fuer der Thuer Der Winter ist vergangen, Die zarten Bluemlein geh'n herfuer: Der das hat angefangen, Der wird es wohl vollenden.
VI. Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland.
Saviour of the heathen, known.
_From the Ambrosian Christmas Hymn, "Veni, Redemptor, Gentium."_
_Melody derived from the Ambrosian original, 1525.
Harmony from "The Choral Book for England," by_ WM. STERNDALE BENNETT _and_ OTTO GOLDSCHMIDT, 1865.
1. Saviour of the heathen, known As the promised virgin's Son; Come thou wonder of the earth, G.o.d ordained thee such a birth.
2. Not of flesh and blood the son, Offspring of the Holy One, Born of Mary ever-blest, G.o.d in flesh is manifest.
3. Cherished is the Holy Child By the mother undefiled; In the virgin, full of grace, G.o.d has made his dwelling-place.
4. Lo! he comes! the Lord of all Leaves his bright and royal hall; G.o.d and man, with giant force, Hastening to run his course.
5. To the Father whence he came He returns with brighter fame; Down to h.e.l.l he goes alone, Then ascends to G.o.d's high throne.
6. Thou, the Father's equal, win Victory in the flesh o'er sin; So shall man, though weak and frail; By the indwelling G.o.d prevail.
7. On thy lowly manger night Sheds a pure unwonted light; Darkness must not enter here, Faith abides in suns.h.i.+ne clear.
8. Praise be to the Father done, Praise be to the only Son, Praises to the Spirit be, Now and to eternity.
