Steht nicht in unserer Hand.
Alle gute Gabe
Kommt oben her, von Gott
Vom schönen blauen Himmel herab.
Matthias Claudius, son of a Lutheran pastor in Germany, became distinguished in journalism and literature. He studied theology with a view of entering the ministry; but through the influence of the rationalistic teachings in Germany at the time, he lost interest in religion and decided to take up journalism. Later, stricken with a critical illness, he realized the spiritual emptiness of the life he had been living, and again turned to his childhood faith. In the lyrics he wrote, though not composed as church hymns, there may be observed a transition from the spiritual impoverishment of the rationalistic period to a new type of religious poetry giving expression to a turning once more to the rugged faith of evangelicalism.
The hymn was translated by Jane Campbell, 1817-78, a successful teacher of music to children. She published a Handbook for Singers in which are found the musical exercises the author used in her work with London children. The original hymn is in 17 four-line verses.
MUSIC. WIR PFLÜGEN appeared in Lieder für Volksschulen, a collection of melodies for public schools, published, 1800, in Hannover. It was set to an arrangement of verses 3-10 of Claudius’ song, with the chorus sung by peasants, altered to suit the melody. The hymn has ever since been extraordinarily popular throughout Germany. “The tune, in spite of its wide compass, has become one of the best known and favored of all hymn tunes, and fully deserves its popularity.”
376. Thank the Lord
G. N. Fischer, 1748-1800
Tr. C. E. Krehbiel, 1869-1948