Singen die alte lied
Sunday was Christmas and we went to church. They only did the first hour and instead of talks they had "musical testimonies." Essentially people shared a favorite hymn and some thoughts about it. I'm going to share the individual hymns and lyrics. We didn't sing all the verses for each one, some it was one, others were two, but I'm going to just share them all under cuts. Two of my favorites were included, A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief and If You Could Hie to Kolob.
203. Angels We Have Heard on High
Angels we have heard on high Sweetly singing o’er the plains, And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains.
[Chorus] Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
2. Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? What the gladsome tidings be Which inspire your heav’nly song?
[Chorus] Gloria in excelsis Deo. Gloria in excelsis Deo.
3. Come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels sing; Come, adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.
[Chorus] Gloria in excelsis Deo. Gloria in excelsis Deo.
214. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
1. I heard the bells on Christmas day Their old familiar carols play, And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
2. I thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along th’unbroken song Of peace on earth, good will to men.
3. And in despair I bowed my head: “There is no peace on earth,” I said, “For hate is strong and mocks the song Of peace on earth, good will to men.”
4. Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: “God is not dead, nor doth he sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, With peace on earth, good will to men.”
5. Till, ringing, singing, on its way, The world revolved from night to day, A voice, a chime, a chant sublime, Of peace on earth, good will to men!
29. A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief
1. A poor wayfaring Man of grief Hath often crossed me on my way, Who sued so humbly for relief That I could never answer nay. I had not pow’r to ask his name, Whereto he went, or whence he came; Yet there was something in his eye That won my love; I knew not why.
2. Once, when my scanty meal was spread, He entered; not a word he spake, Just perishing for want of bread. I gave him all; he blessed it, brake, And ate, but gave me part again. Mine was an angel’s portion then, For while I fed with eager haste, The crust was manna to my taste.
3. I spied him where a fountain burst Clear from the rock; his strength was gone. The heedless water mocked his thirst; He heard it, saw it hurrying on. I ran and raised the suff’rer up; Thrice from the stream he drained my cup, Dipped and returned it running o’er; I drank and never thirsted more.
4. ’Twas night; the floods were out; it blew A winter hurricane aloof. I heard his voice abroad and flew To bid him welcome to my roof. I warmed and clothed and cheered my guest And laid him on my couch to rest, Then made the earth my bed and seemed In Eden’s garden while I dreamed.
5. Stript, wounded, beaten nigh to death, I found him by the highway side. I roused his pulse, brought back his breath, Revived his spirit, and supplied Wine, oil, refreshment-he was healed. I had myself a wound concealed, But from that hour forgot the smart, And peace bound up my broken heart.
6. In pris’n I saw him next, condemned To meet a traitor’s doom at morn. The tide of lying tongues I stemmed, And honored him ’mid shame and scorn. My friendship’s utmost zeal to try, He asked if I for him would die. The flesh was weak; my blood ran chill, But my free spirit cried, “I will!”
7. Then in a moment to my view The stranger started from disguise. The tokens in his hands I knew; The Savior stood before mine eyes. He spake, and my poor name he named, “Of me thou hast not been ashamed. These deeds shall thy memorial be; Fear not, thou didst them unto me.”
284. If You Could Hie to Kolob
1. If you could hie to Kolob In the twinkling of an eye, And then continue onward With that same speed to fly, Do you think that you could ever, Through all eternity, Find out the generation Where Gods began to be?
2. Or see the grand beginning, Where space did not extend? Or view the last creation, Where Gods and matter end? Methinks the Spirit whispers, “No man has found ‘pure space,’ Nor seen the outside curtains, Where nothing has a place.”
3. The works of God continue, And worlds and lives abound; Improvement and progression Have one eternal round. There is no end to matter; There is no end to space; There is no end to spirit; There is no end to race.
4. There is no end to virtue; There is no end to might; There is no end to wisdom; There is no end to light. There is no end to union; There is no end to youth; There is no end to priesthood; There is no end to truth.
5. There is no end to glory; There is no end to love; There is no end to being; There is no death above. There is no end to glory; There is no end to love; There is no end to being; There is no death above.
206. Away in a Manger
1. Away in a manger, no crib for his bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head; The stars in the heavens looked down where he lay, The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.
2. The cattle are lowing; the poor baby wakes, But little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes. I love thee, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.
3. Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay Close by me forever, and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in thy tender care, And fit us for heaven to live with thee there.
213. The First Noel
1. The first Noel the angel did say Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay, In fields where they lay keeping their sheep On a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
[Chorus] Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel! Born is the King of Israel!
2. They looked up and saw a star Shining in the East beyond them far, And to the earth it gave great light, And so it continued both day and night.
[Chorus] Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel! Born is the King of Israel!
201. Joy to the World
1. Joy to the world, the Lord is come; Let earth receive her King! Let ev’ry heart prepare him room, And Saints and angels sing, And Saints and angels sing, And Saints, and Saints and angels sing.
2. Rejoice! Rejoice when Jesus reigns, And Saints their songs employ, While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
3. No more will sin and sorrow grow, Nor thorns infest the ground; He’ll come and make the blessings flow Far as the curse was found, Far as the curse was found, Far as, far as the curse was found.
4. Rejoice! Rejoice in the Most High, While Israel spreads abroad Like stars that glitter in the sky, And ever worship God, And ever worship God, And ever, and ever worship God.
308. Love One Another
As I have loved you, Love one another. This new commandment: Love one another. By this shall men know Ye are my disciples, If ye have love One to another.
5. High on the Mountain Top
1. High on the mountain top A banner is unfurled. Ye nations, now look up; It waves to all the world. In Deseret’s sweet, peaceful land, On Zion’s mount behold it stand!
2. For God remembers still His promise made of old That he on Zion’s hill Truth’s standard would unfold! Her light should there attract the gaze Of all the world in latter days.
3. His house shall there be reared, His glory to display, And people shall be heard In distant lands to say: We’ll now go up and serve the Lord, Obey his truth and learn his word.
4. For there we shall be taught The law that will go forth, With truth and wisdom fraught, To govern all the earth. Forever there his ways we’ll tread, And save ourselves with all our dead.
204. Silent Night
1. Silent night! Holy night!
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and Child.
Holy Infant, so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace;
Sleep in heavenly peace.
2. Silent night! Holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight! Glories stream from heaven afar; Heav’nly hosts sing Alleluia! Christ, the Savior, is born! Christ, the Savior, is born!
3. Silent night! Holy night! Son of God, love’s pure light Radiant beams from thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth; Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.
Most of the songs had both German and Russian versions, some just German, some just Russian, the ones that had both I would sing a verse in each.
Chris thinks I sing too loud sometimes. I think some songs deserve to be sung with full-throated enthusiasm. There's just no other way they should be sung.
The slower organist does make it easier to sing in Russian. German I can keep pace no matter how fast, but the Cyrillic alphabet still trips me up sometimes not to mention some of the sound combination are just hard for a mouth that isn't familiar with slavic sounds!
203. Angels We Have Heard on High
Angels we have heard on high Sweetly singing o’er the plains, And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains.
[Chorus] Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
2. Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? What the gladsome tidings be Which inspire your heav’nly song?
[Chorus] Gloria in excelsis Deo. Gloria in excelsis Deo.
3. Come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels sing; Come, adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.
[Chorus] Gloria in excelsis Deo. Gloria in excelsis Deo.
214. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
1. I heard the bells on Christmas day Their old familiar carols play, And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
2. I thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along th’unbroken song Of peace on earth, good will to men.
3. And in despair I bowed my head: “There is no peace on earth,” I said, “For hate is strong and mocks the song Of peace on earth, good will to men.”
4. Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: “God is not dead, nor doth he sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, With peace on earth, good will to men.”
5. Till, ringing, singing, on its way, The world revolved from night to day, A voice, a chime, a chant sublime, Of peace on earth, good will to men!
29. A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief
1. A poor wayfaring Man of grief Hath often crossed me on my way, Who sued so humbly for relief That I could never answer nay. I had not pow’r to ask his name, Whereto he went, or whence he came; Yet there was something in his eye That won my love; I knew not why.
2. Once, when my scanty meal was spread, He entered; not a word he spake, Just perishing for want of bread. I gave him all; he blessed it, brake, And ate, but gave me part again. Mine was an angel’s portion then, For while I fed with eager haste, The crust was manna to my taste.
3. I spied him where a fountain burst Clear from the rock; his strength was gone. The heedless water mocked his thirst; He heard it, saw it hurrying on. I ran and raised the suff’rer up; Thrice from the stream he drained my cup, Dipped and returned it running o’er; I drank and never thirsted more.
4. ’Twas night; the floods were out; it blew A winter hurricane aloof. I heard his voice abroad and flew To bid him welcome to my roof. I warmed and clothed and cheered my guest And laid him on my couch to rest, Then made the earth my bed and seemed In Eden’s garden while I dreamed.
5. Stript, wounded, beaten nigh to death, I found him by the highway side. I roused his pulse, brought back his breath, Revived his spirit, and supplied Wine, oil, refreshment-he was healed. I had myself a wound concealed, But from that hour forgot the smart, And peace bound up my broken heart.
6. In pris’n I saw him next, condemned To meet a traitor’s doom at morn. The tide of lying tongues I stemmed, And honored him ’mid shame and scorn. My friendship’s utmost zeal to try, He asked if I for him would die. The flesh was weak; my blood ran chill, But my free spirit cried, “I will!”
7. Then in a moment to my view The stranger started from disguise. The tokens in his hands I knew; The Savior stood before mine eyes. He spake, and my poor name he named, “Of me thou hast not been ashamed. These deeds shall thy memorial be; Fear not, thou didst them unto me.”
284. If You Could Hie to Kolob
1. If you could hie to Kolob In the twinkling of an eye, And then continue onward With that same speed to fly, Do you think that you could ever, Through all eternity, Find out the generation Where Gods began to be?
2. Or see the grand beginning, Where space did not extend? Or view the last creation, Where Gods and matter end? Methinks the Spirit whispers, “No man has found ‘pure space,’ Nor seen the outside curtains, Where nothing has a place.”
3. The works of God continue, And worlds and lives abound; Improvement and progression Have one eternal round. There is no end to matter; There is no end to space; There is no end to spirit; There is no end to race.
4. There is no end to virtue; There is no end to might; There is no end to wisdom; There is no end to light. There is no end to union; There is no end to youth; There is no end to priesthood; There is no end to truth.
5. There is no end to glory; There is no end to love; There is no end to being; There is no death above. There is no end to glory; There is no end to love; There is no end to being; There is no death above.
206. Away in a Manger
1. Away in a manger, no crib for his bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head; The stars in the heavens looked down where he lay, The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.
2. The cattle are lowing; the poor baby wakes, But little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes. I love thee, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.
3. Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay Close by me forever, and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in thy tender care, And fit us for heaven to live with thee there.
213. The First Noel
1. The first Noel the angel did say Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay, In fields where they lay keeping their sheep On a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
[Chorus] Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel! Born is the King of Israel!
2. They looked up and saw a star Shining in the East beyond them far, And to the earth it gave great light, And so it continued both day and night.
[Chorus] Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel! Born is the King of Israel!
201. Joy to the World
1. Joy to the world, the Lord is come; Let earth receive her King! Let ev’ry heart prepare him room, And Saints and angels sing, And Saints and angels sing, And Saints, and Saints and angels sing.
2. Rejoice! Rejoice when Jesus reigns, And Saints their songs employ, While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
3. No more will sin and sorrow grow, Nor thorns infest the ground; He’ll come and make the blessings flow Far as the curse was found, Far as the curse was found, Far as, far as the curse was found.
4. Rejoice! Rejoice in the Most High, While Israel spreads abroad Like stars that glitter in the sky, And ever worship God, And ever worship God, And ever, and ever worship God.
308. Love One Another
As I have loved you, Love one another. This new commandment: Love one another. By this shall men know Ye are my disciples, If ye have love One to another.
5. High on the Mountain Top
1. High on the mountain top A banner is unfurled. Ye nations, now look up; It waves to all the world. In Deseret’s sweet, peaceful land, On Zion’s mount behold it stand!
2. For God remembers still His promise made of old That he on Zion’s hill Truth’s standard would unfold! Her light should there attract the gaze Of all the world in latter days.
3. His house shall there be reared, His glory to display, And people shall be heard In distant lands to say: We’ll now go up and serve the Lord, Obey his truth and learn his word.
4. For there we shall be taught The law that will go forth, With truth and wisdom fraught, To govern all the earth. Forever there his ways we’ll tread, And save ourselves with all our dead.
204. Silent Night
1. Silent night! Holy night!
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and Child.
Holy Infant, so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace;
Sleep in heavenly peace.
2. Silent night! Holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight! Glories stream from heaven afar; Heav’nly hosts sing Alleluia! Christ, the Savior, is born! Christ, the Savior, is born!
3. Silent night! Holy night! Son of God, love’s pure light Radiant beams from thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth; Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.
Most of the songs had both German and Russian versions, some just German, some just Russian, the ones that had both I would sing a verse in each.
Chris thinks I sing too loud sometimes. I think some songs deserve to be sung with full-throated enthusiasm. There's just no other way they should be sung.
The slower organist does make it easier to sing in Russian. German I can keep pace no matter how fast, but the Cyrillic alphabet still trips me up sometimes not to mention some of the sound combination are just hard for a mouth that isn't familiar with slavic sounds!