Lyra Germanica The Christian Year

This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come, in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.

From the Epistle. [Acts 1:11]

7,7,7,7

Herr auf Erden muss ich leiden

[92]Neumann.1700.

trans. by Catherine Winkworth, 1855

Lord, on earth I dwell in pain;

Here in anguish I must lie;

Wherefore leav'st Thou me again,

Why ascendest Thou on high?

Take me, take me hence with Thee,

Or abide, Lord, still in me;

Let Thy love and gifts be left,

That I be not all bereft.

Leave Thy heart with me behind,

Take mine hence with Thee away;

Let my sighs an entrance find

To Thy heaven whene'er I pray.

When I cannot pray, oh plead

With Thy Father in my stead;

Seated now at God's right hand,

Help us here Thy faithful band.

Help me earthly toys to spurn,

Raise my thoughts from things below;

Mortal am I, yet I yearn

Heavenly like my Lord to grow,

That my time through faith may be

Ordered for eternity;

Till we meet, all perils o'er,

Whither Thou hast gone before.

In due season come again,

As was promised us of old;

Raise the members that have lain

Gnawed of death beneath the mould,

Judge the evil world that deems

Thy sure words but empty dreams;

Then for all our sorrows past,

Let us know Thy joy at last.