Notes on the Hymns
by Julius Sachse
From The German Pietists of Provincial Pennsylvania, pub. 1895
The German title reads,
"I.N.I.
Die Kl’aglige Stimme
der
Verborgenen Liebe
zur zeit da Sie
Elendund Verlassen
darnieder lag
und von
Der Menge ihrer Feindegedranget undgeanchstiget
Wurde von einemn in Kummer Schwebenden.
Entworfen."
The titles of the hymns are as follows:
1. Of the Wilderness of the Secret or Private Virgin Cross Love.
" Von der Wusteney der Jungfr’dulichen Heimlichen Creutzes Liebe. "
" Parodie Die Seele ging zu Nechst. "
It is divided into three parts, of 9, 23 and 21 stanzas respectively.
2. The Process of Love growing in Death By occasion of a Friend that would hate me.
"Process der in Tode grunenden Liebe Bey gelegenheit eines freundes, so mich hassen wolte."
An explanatory note states "The first and third part may be sung on the following, and Ye Second and last part on Mel. page i."
This hymn is colloquial, and is in three parts and twenty four stanzas, viz., part i, "Johannes" 10 stanzas; part 2, "The Friend " 4 stanzas; part 3, "Johannes " 9. Both together, i stanza, viz.—
" Since then our friendship has in trying times stood even
The Lord increas it more and strengthen it from Heaven
So that it fear no Might nor Pow’r of Death to come,
But may Triumph above by God in Christ’s Kingdom. "
3. Bitter Sweet Night Ode
of the dying
But contented
Love By the consideration that the cross is the Pledge of Love,
sent to the Soul
from Sophia
"Bitter Susse Nachts Ode
der sterbenden
Todes sick vergniigenden
Liebe.
Bey der betrachtung dass ihr Creutz sey der Liebe Pfand
von der hand Sophia ihr zu
gesandt. "
" Parodie Rosen :
34 Du hast o Seelenfreund:
The hymn proper consists of 12 stanzas, at the close the composition assumes a dramatic form, the stanzas being rendered alternately by a " Speaking Voice " and " The Soul, " the purpose being to introduce " Contradictions " and "Objections " and "Conclusions " after the manner of the theologians of the seventeenth century.
4. The Paradox and Seldom
Contentment
of the Godloving Soul.
"Das Paradox?, und Seltsam
Verguugen
der gottlich Verliebten.
In eine Antwort auf einen Brief so voller
Liebe, trost und Demuth. "
Mel. " O Gott dufrommer Gott wie folget: "
This hymn contains twenty-one stanzas.
5. Colloquim of the Soul
with its self
Over her Long
during
Purification
Set in a pensive Longing
in the Wilderness
Anno 1698 Ye 30 Jan.
"Gespr’dch der Seelen mit
sick selbst
Uber ihren lang Wehrenden
Reinigung
Gestillet in Traurigen Verlangen
in der Wusten
Anno 1698
jan."
"Parodie Rosenroth, Hier lieg ich gefangen. "
This also contains a series of objections, queries and answers.
6. Upon Rest
As I once in the Wilderness, in Poverty
had made me weary with Labour
in October, 169.
" Von der Ruhe
ah ich mich einstens in der Wusten bey
der Armuth so Mude gearbeitet 1697, Octob. "
"Im Than: ’So w’unch ich nun eine gute nacht: wie folget: "
7. Of the Power of the New
Virgin Body,
where in the Lord himself dwellest
and Revealeth his Mysteries :
How it is to be obtained,
Done in pensive longing, in Febr., 1699.
" Von Den neuen Jungfraulichen
Kraft Leib
worinnen der Herr selbst wohnet
undseiner Geheimnisse offenbahret
wie solcher muste bestellet sein
Gestellet in Sehnlichen Verlqngen
Anno f6pp, Febr. "
Melodic p. 17 (same as hymn No. 4.)
The last seven stanzas of this hymn consists of a rythmical prayer.
8. The Power of Love
which conquers the World, Sin and Death
in a Pensive Poem
Composed
1705.
"Die macht der Liebe
welche
der Welt der Sunde und dem Todt
Obsinget
in einen
Trauer Gedicht
entworfen
1705 "
"N. B. Nach dem unterschiedlichen Sdtzen kan auck
die Melodic verandert tverden ; wie folget.
" Erster Satz; Melod. ’ Die Seeleging zu ridchsten.’
" Zweiter satz ; Mel. ’ Du hast O Seele freundj
" Dritter satz ; ’ Die Seele ging,
" Vierter satz; Mel. ’Herr schone Mein. "
"j, 6, 7, satz; Mel. ’ Die Seele ging zu nachsten. "
" Achter satz
" Mel. ’Die Seele ging
" Elfter satz ; Mel. ’ O ! Gott dufromer Gott:
" Zwolfter satz (To the enlightened souls, yet in Ye first Love).
9. A Loving Moan
of the Disconsolate Soul
in the Morning Dawn
Or from the Will’s Rising, falling and stillstand.
As I lay in Christian Warmer’s House, very weak, in a small Bed, not unlike a Coffin, in May, 1706.
" Ein Verliebtes Girren der
Trostlosen Seele
In der Morgen Ddmmerung
Oder von des Willen
aufuna absteig
und still stehen. "
Contents:
"The Soul does desire
To have Nuptial fruit
But as she rose hier
To soon in pursute
The Bridegroom slipt from her, and left her alone
She wish’s to be perfect Resigned, in Moan
So finds she then lastly that most blessed one"
25 stanzas.
10."Song of Comfort and Encouragement"
written for Widows,
but here made more general
on the occasion of my getting a bad cold in July of 1706
"Trostundaufmnnterungslied’
Vorzweieinsamen IVittwen in sonderheit gestellet
Allheir aber zu gemeiner besten in etwas veranderet
bey gelegenheit einer grossen Verkaltung, so
Mich uberfalien
1706 in Julius.’
" Mel: ’ Was Gott thuet das ist wohlgethan.’
Geistreicher Lieder, hymn 303
11.The 121 Psalm of David
comfortably paraphrased
"Der 121 Psalm David’s
Trostlich von einen an dem auser den 5 and 6
Gesetz entworfen."
"Mel. ’ Barmherziger treuer Gott.’ (Chriazo Rosenroth.)
Eight stanzas.
12. I Love My Jesus Quite Alone (The Best Choice)
"Liebe Jesum nur Allein"
A late magazine writer, in commenting upon this collection of raphsodical poems, states: " The judicious biographical student who brings to the consideration of the character of Kelpius an appreciative and unbiased mind, will find in these hymns evidence of undoubted sincerity, mingled with a spiritual exaltation bordering on fanaticism. There is little doubt that this lonely man, given to incessant contemplation and continually thrown in upon himself, came at last to regard his mental visions as a veritable new apocalypse; and the position of authority which he early attained — the spiritual headship which his purity of life and great learning procured for him — must have tended to fortify his belief in the semi-celestial character of his mission. "
