Als es im Anfang war
Und ist und bleiben wird
Jetzund und immerdar!
The Te Deum of Germany. It is the most celebrated hymn coming out of the second period (1570-1648) of German hymnody.
The first two stanzas of the hymn were composed as a Tischlied, a grace after meat, to be sung by the author’s household. The third stanza was added as a doxology. The hymn was sung at the conclusion of the Peace of Westphalia which ended the Thirty Years’ War, and has been used since on many national occasions of thanksgiving, not only in Germany but in England and America as well.
Martin Rinkart was born in Eilenburg, Saxony, the son of a cooper. After graduating from the University of Leipzig, he held appointments as Master at the Gymnasium and Cantor of St. Nicholas Church in Eisleben, then became, in 1617, Archidiaconus at Eilenburg, a position he held the rest of his life. Rinkart was poet, dramatist, and musician, as well as pastor. During the Thirty Years’ War, his church at Eilenburg became an asylum for refugees from all parts. The suffering from famine and pestilence was indescribable. For some time, Rinkart was the only clergyman in the town, and he frequently conducted as many as forty funeral services in one day. A man of sympathy and generosity, he strained his own resources in his efforts to keep others from starving.
The translation is from Miss Winkworth’s Lyra Germanica, 1858.
For comments on Catherine Winkworth see [Hymn 236].
MUSIC. NUN DANKET was composed by Johann Crüger, 1598-1662. It appeared in his famous collection, Praxis Pietatis Melica, which was issued in more than fifty editions during the century after its first publication in 1644. Mendelssohn used the tune in his Lobgesang, in six-part harmony.
For comments on Crüger see [Hymn 242].