by Simon Dach (1605 - 1659)
Translation by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807 - 1882)
O wie selig seid ihr doch, ihr Frommen
Language: German (Deutsch)
O wie selig seid ihr doch, ihr Frommen, Die ihr durch den Tod zu Gott gekommen! Ihr seid entgangen Aller Not, die uns noch hält gefangen. Muß man [hier]1 doch wie im Kerker leben [Und in Sorgen]2, Furcht und Schrecken schweben. Was wir [hier]1 kennen, Ist nur Müh' und Herzeleid zu nennen. Ihr [hingegen]3 ruht in eurer Kammer Sicher und befreit von allem Jammer; [Kein Kreuz und Leiden Ist euch hinderlich in euren Freuden.]4 [Christus wischet ab all eure Tränen, Habt das schon, wonach wir uns erst sehnen;]4 Euch wird gesungen, [Was in keines Ohr allhier]5 gedrungen. Ach wer wollte den nicht gerne sterben Und den Himmel für die Welt ererben? Wer wollt' hier bleiben, Sich den Jammer länger laßen treiben? Komm, o Christe, komm, uns auszuspannen; Lös uns auf und führ uns bald von dannen! Bei dir, o Sonne, Ist der frommen Seelen Freud' und Wonne.
H. Gál sets stanzas 1-4, 6
About the headline (FAQ)
View original text (without footnotes)1 Gál: "hie"
2 Gál: "Da nur Sorge"
3 Gál: "hergegen"
4 omitted by Gál.
5 Gál: "Was durch Keines Ohr allhie"
Text Authorship:
- by Simon Dach (1605 - 1659), written 1635 [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Hans Gál (1890 - 1987), "Grabgesang", op. 32 no. 4 (1928), published 1929, stanzas 1-4,6 [ TTBB chorus a cappella ], from Fünf ernste Gesänge, no. 4, Tischer & Jagenberg, Köln [sung text checked 1 time]
- by James Lyon (1872 - 1949), "Selig sind die Toten", op. 28 [ SSAATTBB chorus and piano or orchestra ], note: could be wrong text? Incipit given as "Selig sind die Toten, die in dem Herrn sterben", but perhaps this is a translation of the English and not the original German, also set in English [sung text not yet checked]
Settings in other languages, adaptations, or excerpts:
- Also set in English, a translation by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807 - 1882) , "Blessed are the Dead" ; composed by James Lyon.
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2010-02-10
Line count: 24
Word count: 155
Blessed are the Dead
Language: English after the German (Deutsch)
O, how blest are ye whose toils are ended! Who, through death, have unto God ascended! Ye have arisen From the cares which keep us still in prison. We are still as in a dungeon living, Still oppressed with sorrow and misgiving; Our undertakings Are but toils, and troubles, and heart-breakings. Ye, meanwhile, are in your chambers sleeping, Quiet, and set free from all our weeping; No cross nor trial Hinders your enjoyments with denial. Christ has wiped away your tears for ever; Ye have that for which we still endeavour. To you are chanted Songs which yet no mortal ear have haunted. Ah! who would not, then, depart with gladness, To inherit heaven for earthly sadness? Who here would languish Longer in bewailing and in anguish? Come, O Christ, and loose the chains that bind us! Lead us forth, and cast this world behind us! With thee, the Anointed, Finds the soul its joy and rest appointed.
Text Authorship:
- by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807 - 1882), "Blessed are the Dead" [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Simon Dach (1605 - 1659), written 1635
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by James Lyon (1872 - 1949), "Blessed are the Dead", op. 28. [SSAATTBB chorus and piano or orchestra], also set in German (Deutsch) [text not verified]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2008-06-02
Line count: 24
Word count: 158