561. Take Thou my hand, O Father
Julie von Haussmann, 1825-1901
Tr. H. Brueckner
1.
So nimm denn meine Hände
Und führe mich
Bis an mein selig’ Ende
Und ewiglich!
Ich kann allein nicht gehen,
Nicht einen Schritt;
Wo du wirst geh’n und stehen,
Da nimm mich mit.
2.
In Deine Gnade hülle
Mein schwaches Herz,
Und mach’ es endlich stille
In Freud’ und Schmerz;
Lass ruh’n zu deinen Füssen
Dein schwaches Kind,
Es will die Augen schliessen
Und folgen blind.
3.
Wenn ich auch gar nichts fühle
Von deiner Macht,
Du bringst mich doch zum Ziele
Auch durch die Nacht;
So nimm denn meine Hände
Und führe mich
Bis an mein selig’ Ende
Und ewiglich!
Julie von Haussmann, born in Mitau, in the province of Kurland, was the second youngest of a family of six daughters. Her father had been a teacher in a Gymnasium at Riga, later moving to Mitau where he held a government position. Julie, never in vigorous health, was a shy, retiring young woman, but keen of intellect. On several occasions she accepted positions as governess in private homes but was always compelled to give up on account of her health. She finally dismissed all thoughts of a career and devoted herself to the care of her father who had become blind, until the latter’s death in 1864. The following two years she lived with a married sister in Germany and Switzerland and then accompanied her younger sister to Biarritz in southern France where the latter held a position as organist. In 1870 both went to St. Petersburg to be with two other sisters, one of them employed as Director of St. Annenschule. The family circle was broken in 1896 and 1898 upon the death of the youngest and oldest sister. In 1901 Julie settled with relatives near Wösso in Estonia. In spite of old age and weak eyesight, she was busily engaged, until her death, with charities and literary work. She published a devotional book, Hausbrot, and, upon the insistence of a friend, Gustav Knak, her lyrics were published in three volumes, entitled, Maiblumen. Lieder einer Stillen im Lande. “So nimm denn mein Hände” appeared in Maiblumen, 1862, Vol I. It has been translated into many languages.
For comments on the translator, H. Brueckner, see [Hymn 517].
MUSIC. SO NIMM DENN MEINE HÄNDE first appeared with the present hymn in 1883. The tune was composed by Friedrich Silcher, 1789-1860, a German musician, born at Schnaith, Württemberg. For 43 years Silcher was the director of music and organist at the University of Tübingen. He composed popular songs and hymns, and a cantata.