"Dear Christians, one and all rejoice." by Martin Luther, 1483-1546 Text From: THE HYMNS OF MARTIN LUTHER (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1883), pp. 3, 5 1. Dear Christians, one and all rejoice, With exultation springing, And with united heart and voice And holy rapture singing, Proclaim the wonders God hath done, How his right arm the victory won; Right dearly it hath cost him. 2. Fast bound in Satan's chains I lay, Death brooded darkly o'er me; Sin was my torment night and day, Therein my mother bore me. Deeper and deeper still I fell, Life was become a living hell, So firmly sin possessed me. 3. My good works could avail me naught, For they with sin were stained; Free-will against God's judgment fought, And dead to good remained. Grief drove me to despair, and I Had nothing left me but to die, To hell I fast was sinking. 4. God saw, in his eternal grace, My sorrow out of measure; He thought upon his tenderness- To save was his good pleasure. He turn'd to me a Father's heart- Not small the cost-to heal my smart He have his best and dearest. 5. He spake to his beloved Son: 'Tis time to take compassion; Then go, bright jewel of my crown, And bring to man salvation; From sin and sorrow set him free, Slay bitter death for him, that he May live with thee forever. 6. The Son delighted to obey, And born of Virgin mother, Awhile on this low earth did stay That he might be my brother. His mighty power he hidden bore, A servant's form like mine he wore, To bind the devil captive. 7. To me he spake: cling fa "Dear Christians, one and all rejoice." by Martin Luther, 1483-1546 Text From: THE HYMNS OF MARTIN LUTHER (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1883), pp. 3, 5 1. Dear Christians, one and all rejoice, With exultation springing, And with united heart and voice And holy rapture singing, Proclaim the wonders God hath done, How his right arm the victory won; Right dearly it hath cost him. 2. Fast bound in Satan's chains I lay, Death brooded darkly o'er me; Sin was my torment night and day, Therein my mother bore me. Deeper and deeper still I fell, Life was become a living hell, So firmly sin possessed me. 3. My good works could avail me naught, For they with sin were stained; Free-will against God's judgment fought, And dead to good remained. Grief drove me to despair, and I Had nothing left me but to die, To hell I fast was sinking. 4. God saw, in his eternal grace, My sorrow out of measure; He thought upon his tenderness- To save was his good pleasure. He turn'd to me a Father's heart- Not small the cost-to heal my smart He have his best and dearest. 5. He spake to his beloved Son: 'Tis time to take compassion; Then go, bright jewel of my crown, And bring to man salvation; From sin and sorrow set him free, Slay bitter death for him, that he May live with thee forever. 6. The Son delighted to obey, And born of Virgin mother, Awhile on this low earth did stay That he might be my brother. His mighty power he hidden bore, A servant's form like mine he wore, To bind the devil captive. 7. To me he spake: cling fast to me, Thou'lt win a triumph worthy; I wholly give myself for thee; I strive and wrestle for thee; For I am thine, thou mine also; And where I am thou art. The foe Shall never more divide us. 8. For he shall shed my precious blood, Me of my life bereaving; All this I suffer for thy good; Be steadfast and believing. My life from death the day shall win, My righteousness shall bear thy sin, So art thou blest forever. 9. Now to my Father I depart, From earth to heaven ascending; Thence heavenly wisdom to impart, The Holy Spirit sending. He shall in trouble comfort thee, Teach thee to know and follow me, And to the truth conduct thee. 10. What I have done and taught, do thou To do and teach endeavor; So shall my kingdom flourish now, And God be praised forever. Take heed lest men with base alloy The heavenly treasure should destroy. This counsel I bequeath thee. __________________________________________________ Notes: Hymn I from "The Hymns of Martin Luther" Author: Martin Luther, 1523 Titled: "Nun freut euch, lieben Christen g'mein" Translated by: Richard Massie 1st Melody: 1524 Harmony: H. Schein, 1627 2nd Melody: "Es ist gewisslich an der Zeit" (In a modified form in America and England also known as "Luther's Judgement Hymn" from its association with a hymn of W.B. Collyer, partly derived from the German, and not written by Luther.) Harmony: M. Praetorius, 1610 1st Published in: "Eight Songs" Town: Wittenberg, 1524 ______________________________________________________________ This text was converted to ascii format for Project Wittenberg by Cindy A. Beesley and is in the public domain. You may freely distribute, copy or print this text. Please direct any comments or suggestions to: Rev. Robert E. Smith of the Walther Library at Concordia Theological Seminary. E-mail: CFWLibrary@CRF.CUIS.EDU Surface Mail: 6600 N. Clinton St.,Ft. Wayne, IN 46825 USA Phone: (219) 481-2123 Fax: (219) 481-2126 ______________________________________________________________