Dir will ich abfahren;
Mit dir will ich endlich schweben
Voller Freud’ ohne Zeit
Dort im andern Leben.
Paul Gerhardt’s beautiful Christmas poem, in 15 stanzas, appeared in Johann Crüger’s Praxis Pietatis Melica, Berlin, 1653, together with a tune composed for it by Crüger. The present hymn is a selection of stanzas 1, 7 and 8, from Catherine Winkworth’s translation. The original 15 stanzas are printed here in full for the benefit of those who may wish to read the whole hymn and study its structure.
For comments on Paul Gerhardt see [Hymn 134].
For comments on Miss Winkworth see [Hymn 236].
MUSIC. WARUM SOLLT ICH MICH DENN GRÄMEN, also called, “Ebeling,” and “Bonn,” soon superseded Crüger’s tune. It was originally set to another of Gerhardt’s hymns, “Warum sollt ich mich denn grämen,” from whence the tune derives its name. The composer, Johann Georg Ebeling, 1620-76, was cantor of St. Nicholas Cathedral, Berlin, and director of music at the Grayfriars Gymnasium there, succeeding Johann Crüger to these positions, in 1662. Six years later, he became Professor of Music at the Carolinen Gymnasium, Stettin.
The harmonization is by W. H. Hohmann, Professor of Music, Bethel College, and co-editor of the Hymnary.