551. Spread, still spread, thou mighty word
J. F. Bahnmaier, 1774-1841
Tr. Percy Dearmer, 1867-1936
1.
Walte, walte nah und fern,
Allgewaltig Wort des Herrn,
Wo nur seiner Allmacht Ruf
Menschen für den Himmel schuf;
2.
Wort vom Vater, der die Welt
Schuf und in den Armen hält
Und aus seinem Schoss herab
Seinen Sohn zum Heil ihr gab;
3.
Wort von des Erlösers Huld,
Der der Erde schwere Schuld
Durch des heil’gen Todes Tat
Ewig weggenommen hat;
4.
Kräftig Wort von Gottes Geist,
Der den Weg zum Himmel weist
Und durch seine heil’ge Kraft
Wollen und Vollbringen schafft.
5.
Auf zur Ernt’ in alle Welt!
Weithin wogt das weisse Feld;
Klein ist noch der Schnitter Zahl,
Viel der Garben überall.
6.
Herr der Ernte, gross und gut,
Wirk zum Werke Lust und Mut;
Lass die Völker allzumal
Schauen deines Lichtes Strahl!
One of the best and most useful hymns for Foreign Missions. It has been rendered into English by such eminent translators as Frances Cox, H. J. Buckoll, and Catherine Winkworth. But in order to make a freer and more modern use of the original, Percy Dearmer made this new translation for Songs of Praise, London, 1931, of which he was the editor.
For comments on J. F. Bahnmaier see [Hymn 329].
Percy Dearmer was born in London and educated at Oxford. After serving as vicar in the church of St. Mary the Virgin, Primrose Hill, he became Professor of Ecclesiastical Art at King’s College, London. He was an authority on hymnology and liturgies, and wrote extensively on these subjects. His works include The New Reformation, A Short Handbook of Public Worship, The Story of the Prayer Book, and Songs of Praise Discussed.
MUSIC. GOTT SEI DANK appeared in Freylinghausen’s Geistreiches Gesangbuch, Halle, 1704, where it is set to the hymn, “Gott sei Dank in aller Welt.” It is also called “Lübeck,” “Berlin,” and “Carinthia.” The composer is unknown.