Translation of Selected Reformation Songs by Thomas Mntzer and Martin Luther from Hans Grss, Ein feste Burg

ist unser Gott. Musik der Reformation, Berlin 1996. (NOTE: this was translated from 16th century early new high German.)

CD 1, Track 2 Hallelujah O Holy Spirit Thomas Mntzer (composition/words) From the German Evangelical Mass (1524) Alleluia. O Holy Spirit come and fill the hearts Of your stalwarts and light in them the Fire of your love. Come, you comforter, Holy Spirit. Give us from you lights fervor (?) A shining ray. Come, a father of the sages Help us on this journey Out of this here vale of tears! O you most high consolation, Sweet guest to the souls, A sweet medicine. Our rebuke in work, Fortunate change of weather in the storm, Incline yourself to us in [our] misery. O, most blissful light, Elevate the hearts of the people, Who have the right faith. Without your help and favor, Man has nothing But guilt and agony all over. Cleanse what is unclean, Cool what is heated, Heal what is hurt. Bend into shape what quarrels and strives, Clothe what if cold, Bring [back] to the path what has lost its way. Graciously let your chosen [people] Seven times be aware Of your gifts Give virtue her reward, Which is you yourself, Make us your heavenly kingdom.

CD 1, Track 10 Come to Us Creator Holy Spirit Thomas Mntzer (composition/words) From the German Church Office (1523/24) Come to us, creator, Holy Spirit, Enlighten your poor Christendom, Fill our heart, Which is sighing to you with inner pain. You, who are a true comforter, Teach us to know your Christ, To surely benefit from him in eternity In the right faith. Prove to us the light of your mercy, Let us direct (?) the finger of God, Beautifully ornamented with seven gifts, Which bears your power in us. Light our dumb hearts, Which are so disdainful and of Adams kind, Powerfully strengthen our weakness, That I may become ready for suffering. Dispel from us the enemy of the souls With all who are of his kind, Give us your wholesome peace With right faith, hope [and] love. Create in us the throne of your worthy father, To receive the eternal reward Which you yourself will be in plenty With the father and Christ the son. Proclaim to us the character of God, the father And that of his Christ, who suffered, To enlighten us always and to the highest degree With the power of his spirit. Amen.

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CD 2, Track 1 Oh Lord Redeemer of All People

Note: the use of the alles Volks in the early new high German signifies that Mntzer was referring to Nation People, or Folk People the commoners.

Thomas Mntzer (composition/words) From the German Church Office (1523/24) Oh Lord, redeemer of all people, Come show us the birth of your son, All creation marvel [at the fact that] Christ has become man. Such works no man has ever done, The Holy Spirit did it, Your eternal word was humanized, The virgins body blossoms so tenderly. Thus your holy flesh Has been made known to the world, When Christ came down from heaven Und took our sin on himself. He swung himself into the womb of a virgin, And there was great happiness about this lot, He longs to reside within us, As it was decided by divine counsel. He comes from the father, And his journey home from the fires (?) of this world, He went to hell with great might After death had been slain. Nun he sits, like his father, With our flesh in the heavenly kingdom, To teach us to do his will, That we may grow in the faith. God father be honor and praise, Who truly knows all things, Jesus Christ, redeemer of all the earth, Who has sent us his spirit. Amen.

CD 1, Track 1 Come Holy Spirit Lord God Johann Walter: Composer Martin Luther: Texts (German Hymn, 1524) Come, Holy Spirit, Lord God, Fill with the good of your mercy The hearts, tempers and minds of your faithful, Ignite your fervent love in them. Oh Lord, by your lights glare You have convened in faith The people of all tongues of the earth, You, Lord, shall receive praise for this. Alleluia. You holy light, worthy stronghold, Let us radiate the word of life And teach us to know God thoroughly, And to call him Father from our hearts. Oh, Lord, shield us from foreign teachings, That we may have to search no further Than until [we find] Jesus with good faith And trust him with all our might. Alleluia You holy fervor, sweet consolation, Now help us to consistently remain happy and confident In your service, Tribulation shall not divert us. Oh Lord, prepare us through your power And strengthen the weakness of the flesh, That we may struggle here chivalrously, [and] come to you through death and life. Alleluia CD 2, Track 2 Now Come Savior of the Gentiles Johann Walter: Composer Martin Luther: Texts (Advent German Hymn, 1524) Now come, savior of the gentiles, Child received by a virgin, That all the world may marvel [at the fact that] God ordained such a birth for him. His went out of his chamber, Out of the clean, royal hall God in character and a hero of a man, He hastens to run his way. Praise be to God the father, Praise be to God his only son, Praise be to God the Holy Spirit, Always and forever and ever. Page 2 of 2