27. Come, my soul, thou must be waking
F. R. von Canitz, 1654-99
Tr. H. J. Buckoll, 1803-71
From a book of German lyrics, translated by H. J. Buckoll. The original poem of 13 stanzas begins with the words, “Seele, du muszt munter werden.” The hymn, expressing the glories of a new day, is especially suitable for use in schools and colleges. It is a translation of stanzas 1, 6, 8, 10, and 11 of the original:
Seele, du musst munter werden!
Denn der Erden
Blickt hervor ein neuer Tag.
Komm, dem Schöpfer dieser Strahlen
Zu bezahlen,
Was dein schwacher Trieb vermag.
Bitte, dass er dir Gedeihen
Mag verleihen,
Wenn du auf was Gutes zielst;
Aber dass er dich mag stören
Und bekehren
Wenn du böse Regung fühlst.
Denk, dass er auf deinen Wegen
Ist zugegen,
Und erkennet, was du tust;
Dass er auch verborgne Flecken
Kann entdecken,
Und die tiefste Sündenlust.
Drum so seufze, dass dein Scheiden
Nicht ein Leiden,
Sondern sanftes Schlafen sei—
Dass ich seh’ mit ew’ger Wonne
Jene Sonne,
Wann des Todes Nacht vorbei.
Treib’ nur Gottes Gnadenblicke
Nicht zurücke
Fasse treulich ihren Schein;
Dann wird deiner Seele Frieden
Schon hienieden
Süsser als die Sonne sein.
Friedrich Rudolph Ludwig, Freiherr von Canitz, was born in Berlin in 1654. He was a distinguished diplomat, a philanthropist, and a devout Christian. In the early morning of his last day on earth, August 11, 1699, ill with dropsy, he gazed at the rising sun and exclaimed, “Oh, if the sight of this created sun is so charming and beautiful, what will be the sight of the unspeakable glory of the Creator himself!” He was Staatrath (State Counsellor) at the time of his death.
The translator, Rev. Henry J. Buckoll, was educated at Oxford and spent most of his life teaching. He edited several collections of songs for schools and in 1842 published Hymns Translated from the German.
MUSIC. HAYDN comes from a tune in one of the movements of a string quartet by Franz Joseph Haydn, 1732-1809, the great Austrian composer, and important figure in the history of music. He was affectionately named “Papa Haydn” by Mozart. He wrote church music, song, opera, and oratorio, over 100 symphonies and 83 string quartets. His Creation, a sacred oratorio, is widely known. He was devoutly religious and did not hesitate to ascribe his musical scores to God’s glory. He gave as one of his reasons for writing music: “that the weary and worn or the man burdened with affairs might enjoy something of solace and refreshment.” There is a cheerfulness and optimism about his music which appeals to amateur and professional alike. Haydn was a teacher as well as composer and numbered among his pupils Mozart and Beethoven.