"Jesu Lives and So Shall I"
the important question, "How is life (my life, your life) different because of the resurrection of Jesus?" The 18th-century Lutheran poet is Christian Gellert. JESUS LEBT, MIT IHM AUCH ICH Jesus lebt, mit ihm auch ich; Tod, wo sind nun deine Schrecken? Jesus lebt und wird auch mich Von den Toten auferwecken. Er verklärt mich in sein Licht: Dies ist meine Zuversicht. Just kidding! Here it is in a wonderful English translation by Philip Schaff (1819-1893). JESUS LIVES AND SO SHALL I Jesus lives, and so shall I. Death! thy sting is gone forever! He who deigned for me to die, Lives, the bands of death to sever. He shall raise me from the dust: Jesus is my Hope and Trust. Jesus lives, and reigns supreme, And, his kingdom still remaining, I shall also be with him, Ever living, ever reigning. God has promised: be it must: Jesus is my Hope and Trust. Jesus lives, and by his grace, Vict'ry o'er my passions giving, I will cleanse my heart and ways, Ever to his glory living. Me he raises from the dust. Jesus is my Hope and Trust. Jesus lives, I know full well Naught from him my heart can sever, Life nor death nor powers of hell, Joy nor grief, hence forth forever. None of all his saints is lost; Jesus is my Hope and Trust. Jesus lives, and death is now But my entrance into glory. Courage, then, my soul, for thou Hast a crown of life before thee; Thou shalt find thy hopes were just; Jesus is the Christian's Trust. —Christian F. Gellert (1715-1769), translation by Philip Schaff (1819-1893). [The same author wrote, "Live as you will have wished to live when you are dying."] OTHER INTERNET RESOURCES: For more information about the poet go to: www.cyberhymnal.org//bio/g/e/gellert_cf.htm The original German text can be found at: www.acronet.net/%7Erobokopp/Lieder/jesulebt.html If you would like to hear the music played on the MIDI piano (ZUVERSICHT by Johann Crüger, 1653), take a look at: www.opc.org/books/TH/old/Blue596.html I prefer this text sung to the tune ZUVERSICHT by Johann Crüger (1653), but there is another setting by John B. Dykes (1823-1876). You can hear it at: www.cyberhymnal.org//htm/j/l/j_lives.htm The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia! Have a great week! Chip Stam Director, Institute for Christian Worship School of Church Music and Worship Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Louisville, Kentucky www.carlstam.org www.sbts.edu |