Dear Child, You Seem So Glad Today

Who: This is another hymn translated by Emmanuel Cronenwett, meant to be a dialogue between a child and someone else, and Cronenwett gives it the title of a "Christmas Catechism" for its Q and A style.
Changes: Mostly just updates here and there in language, with the exception of verse two.
Tune: Since it's meant to be a children's carol, I suggest to sing this to "VOM HIMMEL HOCH," although that tune is used way too often. The meter is LM, so there are definitely options.

Dear child, you seem so glad today

Oh, I am glad in ev'ry way!

Tell me your special joy this morn.

Today my Savior, Christ, was born.

This just has happened, said you so?

Oh, no! Two thousand years ago.

Where were these tidings first made known?

At Bethlehem, in David's town.

To whom was first told this delight?

To shepherds, by an angel bright.

And was this joy but for those there?

No, for all people ev'rywhere.

What said the angel of the Lord?

An ever great and blissful word.

What was it? Tell me now, I pray!

To you is born the Christ this day!

The Christ! Whom mean you by this word?

God's only Son, our blessed Lord.

And for what reason was He born?

To seek and save all those forlorn.

Who was forlorn and lost, d'you know?

We sinners, as the Law does show.

May we this Gospel then believe?

Yes, Jesus sinners doth receive.

Will Jesus also bear with me?

Yes, He bore your guilt upon the tree.

And will I then be saved, oh say!

With Christ you then shall be alway.

Mein Kind du bist ja heut so froh

Anonymous

tr. Emmanuel Cronenwett, alt.

O Healer, Split the Heavens Up

Who: Friedrich von Spee was a German Jesuit priest who wrote this somewhat familiar hymn. Bugged by how far from the German the standard translation is, I decided to edit what could be edited and translate anew what couldn't.
Note: I'm not a great poet, so rhymes don't always come easy, hence 'yote' and 'worth,' meaning to 'become,' 'turn into,' and so on, akin to the German 'werden.'
Tune: LM (88 88); O HEILAND, REISS DIE HIMMEL AUF, LSB 355. (For the video link, skip to 1:30)

1. O Healer, split the heavens up;
Come down, come down and make walls drop;
Rip up the gates, the doors tear down;
Rip up the block to heaven's crown.

2. O God, a dew from heaven yote,
In dew come down, O Healer flow.
Relent, you clouds, and rain on us,
The King of Jacob's clan and house.

3. O Earth, give seed, give seed, O Earth,
So hill and dale can green all worth.
O Earth, a blooming bud here bring,
O Healer, from the earth now spring.

4. O Spring of hope, how long, how long?
When will You come with comfort strong?
O come, O come, Your throne forego;
Come, soothe us in our dale of woe.

5. O Morning Star, O gleaming Sun,
All of us want to see Your dawn.
O Sun, go forth, without Your light
We grope in gloom and dark of night.

6. Sin's dreadful doom before us lies;
Grim death looms fierce before our eyes.
O come, lead us with mighty hand
From outland to our Fatherland.

7. There shall we all our praises bring
And sing to You, Redeemer King;
There shall we love You and You bless
In time and in foreverness.

Friedrich von Spee
st. 1-3 tr. MDS
st. 4-7 tr. Martin L. Seltz, ed. MDS

Hail Hosanna! David's Son

Who: This Advent hymn was written by B. Schmolke and translated both by Emanuel Cronenwett and Anna Hoppe, both Lutherans. Below is my attempt to harmonize the two in the best possible hymn.
Note: A mien is one's facial expression and was a shortening of the word "demeanor." In stanza 3, spoils has two syllables.
Tune: I believe the associated melody is MEINEM JESUM, LASS ICH NICHT or "Jesus Sinners Doth Receive."

Hail Hosanna! David's Son

Comes to Zion, Come adore Him;

Make for Him an Honor throne;

Raise a thousand arches o'er Him.

Strew the palms His hallowed way.

To His Name due honor pay.

Hail Hosanna! Come, dear Lord;

Come, Thy Zion longs to meet Thee!

All made ready by Thy Word,

Thy redeemed with glee now greet Thee.

At Thy feet we long to bow,

Enter, welcome Savior, now.

Hail Hosanna! Prince of Peace,

Mighty Hero, King victorious!

Thou Who bad'st the battle cease,

Now hast brought us spoils-- glorious.

Lord, Thy justice shall endure,

For Thy realm alone stands sure.

Hail Hosanna! Precious Guest,

Thou hast chosen us forever

Members of Thy kingdom blest.

Let it be our heart's endeavor

To bow down before Thy throne,

Rule in us and rule alone!

Hail Hosanna! Nazarene,

For Your meekness we adore Thee.

Though a servant's humble mien

Would conceal Thine inner glory,

Zion doth still know and own

Thee as God's and David's Son.

Hail Hosanna! Help, good Lord;

Grant us love and grace, we pray Thee.

May we all with one accord

With an upright heart obey Thee.

Thou wilt ev'ry one receive

Who do hear Thee and believe.

Hail Hosanna! Near and far!

Haste, O Blest One, haste to enter!

Oh, delay not, Morning Star:

All our hopes in Thee are centered!

Hail Hosanna! Thou art come!

Sing Hosanna, Christendom!

Hosianna, Davids Sohn, Kommt in Zion eingezogen
Benjamin Schmolke
st. 1-4,7 tr. Anna Hoppe, alt.
st. 5-6 tr. E. Cronenwett, alt.

Blessed of the Lord, Why Are You

Who: Paul Gerhardt- the Lutheran pastor who kept the faith despite war, disease, and Calvinists- already has a couple of Advent hits, but here is another. The only problem is the current translations: at least three have been made- two of which I have been able to track down- but they are archaic.
Changes: Rather than coming up with a composite translation (of John Kelly and Catherine Winkworth), I worked with whosever translation was better, stanza by stanza. Sometimes this works , sometimes it doesn't. Suggestions would be much appreciated, since I think this hymn has great potential.
Note: Neither of the translators were Lutheran, so please check my disclaimer. 
Also, if anyone knows where I can find Richard Massie's translation (Wherefore dost Thou, blest of God), I would really like to know.
Tune: The meter is 87 87 77 88 and can be sung to WERDE MUNTER (LSB 589).

1. Blessed of the Lord, why are You, 

Standing out there from afar?

Enter now, if it should please You- 

Fill my darkened heart, my Star!

Oh my Jesus, Friend indeed, 

Helper in the time of need:

Come, my Healer, and relieve me

Of my wounds which deeply grieve me.

2. For I live in constant terror 

By the law's tremendous sway:

Every thoughtless deed and error 

Stands before me night and day.

Oh, the heavy thunder bolts 

Caused by ignorant revolts!

All the blood inside me curling, 

All the fears of death enswirling.

3. Furthermore, the great Deceiver 

Tries to me all grace deny,

Saying that in hell forever, 

Which torments him, I must lie. 

But I suffer sorer pangs, 

For with poison'd serpent fangs

Is my conscience always tearing, 

Stirring guilt beyond all bearing.

4. When I try to soothe my sorrow, 

And my pain awhile forget,

From the world a comfort borrow, 

Then I sink still deeper yet;

There is comfort that deceives, 

Joys that stinging mem'ries leave,

"Help" which only makes griefs double, 

"Friends" who laugh at all my trouble. 

5. All is vanity, yes nothing 

In the world can quench my soul;

Have I greatness, it is fleeting; 

Have I riches? They are null.

Better than small dust of earth? 

Have I pleasure? What's it worth? 

What gives joy today, tomorrow

Only brings a day of sorrow.

6. All delight, all consolation 

Lies in You, Lord Jesus Christ,

Feed my soul with Your salvation, 

Savior, Bread of Life unpriced.

Joyous Light, within me glow 

As my heart breaks in its woe;

Jesus, come so I can see You; 

Let me rest forever in You.

7. Heart, rejoice for He has heard You, 

He will visit you again;

See, He turns around toward You, 

Bid Him “Welcome, please come in!”

And prepare for this great Guest: 

Give yourself unto His rest,

Open all your soul's distresses, 

Tell Him all that pains or presses.

8. See, the things that seemed to hinder, 

How God turns them out for best!

Listen, hear His lips so tender: 

How He lays regret to rest!

He has silenced Satan’s roar, 

Who is scheming now no more.

His advantages forsake him, 

And he’ll now to hell be taken.

9. Now your life is calm and even, 

All your heart's desire is yours:

Christ Himself to you has given, 

Lays His riches at your door!

His grace is your fairest crown, 

You’re His royal seat and throne;

With Himself as one He makes you, 

Freely to His bosom takes you. 

10. God His golden-curtained Heaven 

Spreads around your weary soul,

Or you would away be driven 

By the fearsome, raging bull.

Angel hosts keep watch and ward 

At your side and are your guard ; 

Or the foe would try to hurt you, 

In your journeys they support you. 

11. Your misdeeds exist no longer, 

He has cast them out to sea,

And the love of God shall conquer 

All the horror sin can be.

Christ the King has won the day, 

Rise against you what ill may,

He with blessing will exalt You 

O'er whatever would assault you. 

12. What would seem to hurt or shame you 

God will work your good at last;

Because Christ has deigned to claim you, 

And His truth stands always fast;

You in turn will faithful be, 

Then you will with certainty,

With the angel hosts in Heaven, 

Always thanks and praise be giving. 

Paul Gerhardt 

Warum willst du draußen stehen

1,3,5,7-10 tr. Kelly, alt.

2,3,6,11-12 tr. Winkworth, alt.

Why So Gloomy, Why this Guise?

Who: This hymn is one of the many forgotten hymns of greatest Lutheran hymnwriter, Paul Gerhardt. It's one of his many hymns that could be filed under "Hope and Comfort." However, while a number of translations exist- by Jane Borthwick, Catherine Dunn, Anna Warner, and John Kelly- none of them are that great.

Changes: Yet, "the four of them, their forces combined... Holy nightmare!" So, I've taken what I like from each of them, and only kept the really strong stanzas. (I know, I know)

Note: The original did not mention the Sacrament (verse 4), yet I couldn't resist the rhyme. 

None of the aforementioned translators were Lutheran, so please check my disclaimer.

Tune: The meter is 77 77 77. I've found two tunes that claim to be the proper tune. The second tune is arranged by Bach. If neither is suitable, GETHSEMANE (LSB 611) could work.

Why so gloomy, why this guise?

Why, my spirit, thus cast down?

If to you your God denies

Wealth and pleasure and renown?

You have all in Him, indeed:

If you've God, you’ve got no need.

God Who lives in heav'n above

Knows your need, your life sustains;

He Whose heart is full of love,

All your earthly life ordains;

Ev'ry good His love supplies,

Hurtful gifts His love denies.

All the while His Spirit gives

Manna to your fainting heart,

Food by which the angels live,

Mercy to you He imparts.

Yea, He chooses You for Health,

To His heav'nly good and wealth.

For the soul's true nourishment 

Are God’s grace and Jesus' blood- 
Given in the Sacrament-
They'll remain forever good.
Earthly goods will pass away, 
God's gifts never will decay.

So lift up your head, my soul,

Look above and cease to sigh;

Fix your hopes on that bright goal

Where your dearest treasures lie:

Sorrow lasts for but a night:

Joy will come when it is light.

As you struggle through your life,

Set the Lord before your eyes.

Ev'ry hour of peace or strife

Is a gift- do not despise.

Is it adverse? It's okay-

God is with you ev'ry day.

Nicht so traurich, nicht so sehr

Paul Gerhardt
tr. Composite

Should We Subscribe to Each Detail

Who: This one comes again from the book "Hymns and Poems," published in 1926 by Emanuel Cronenwett. It is a powerful, enheartening reminder to stick to God's Word and our Confessions' understandings of them.

Changes: I've updated it a little. My apologies to the lack of rhyme in stanza one.

Tune: It's LM, so there are lot's of choices. I suggest ERHALT UNS HERR, LSB 655, since it is already associated with similar themes. 

"Should we subscribe to each detail

That's found in old-time Bible tales?

Is not much of its outworn page

Too antiquated for our age?"

Such is the light, suggestive theme

Of all too many pulpit schemes.

"So sayeth God?" was Satan's plot

Thereby the world to his feet got.

Lord, Your disciples are not those

Who willfully Your Word oppose;

Nor do they court the world's applause,

But faithfully advance Your cause.

Those who on You and Your Word stand

Uphold the Rule of Your Command,

Our pure Confessions rest their stay

On God's sure Truth that stays always.

Lord, let Your Word remain our Light!

Our faith make strong, our practice right;

And for the Faith help us contend

And walk by faith unto the end.

E. Cronenwett, alt.

Full Athwart the Gulf Infernal

Who: this is another original hymn by Emanuel Cronenwett in his "Hymns and Poems" of 1926. He put this hymn in the Justification section and gave it the heading "No (one) cometh unto the Father, but by Me."
Changes: I have changed but one word to account for modern pronunciation, everything else is left as is, since this hymn's poetry thrives on textual flavor.
Tune: The meter is 87 87 D and while there are quite a few tunes in LSB for this meter, the only one I believe supports the hymn's character is CENTRAL, LSB 479.

Full athwart the gulf infernal-

Sin 'twixt God and man had riv'n,

Grace has arched the Rock Eternal

Spanning ages, earth and heav'n.

Deep as woe this Arch is founded,

Under-reaching all our sin:

In the depths of Mercy grounded-

Vast as broadest wants of men.

God, the Son, assumed our nature-

Spotlessly of virgin born,

Bridged the chasm 'twixt the Maker

And humanity forlorn.

Christ, the God-man, stooped to save us

Underneath our sin and death,

And as Victor rose to raise us

To Himself through heav'n-born faith.

Strong-convictions? These may leave us,

Self-assurance? Vanish quite,

Reason, confidence? Deceive us,

Leave us grope in dismal night.

But the Faith of holy sages

Cheers the church with steadfast ray,

Cleaves to Christ, the Rock of Ages,

And His Word- as stable Stay.

Mercy paved this Way for mortals,

True and sure it leads to bliss;

Else, alas!, once at death's portals

Yawn but depths of the abyss!

None can come to God, the Father,

Save by Thee, the risen Lord;

Advocate and Mediator,

Be Thou evermore adored!

Emanuel Cronenwett, 1877, alt.

We Believe in One True God

Who: This is another Cronenwett translation, from the Tobias Clausnitzer paraphrase of the Creed. 
Changes: I've updated the language a bit.
Tune: Unlike the original and most translations (for example LSB 953), this meter is 77 77 77. I propose RATISBON, LSB 873.

We believe in one true God,

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,

Present Helper in distress,

Praised by all the heav'nly host;

God the Father, by Whose might

All things are, and move aright.

We believe in Jesus Christ,

God of God and Mary's Son,

Who came down from on His throne,

And for us salvation won;

Who His blood and life has giv'n

So we can be heirs of heav'n.

Trust we in the Holy Ghost,

Going forth from Father, Son,

Who upholds and comforts us,

Lest we be by sin undone.

Praise, O Holy One-in-Three,

Praise forever be to Thee.

Wir Glauben All
Tobias Clausnitzer
tr. Cronenwett, alt.

Unless Someone Is Born Again

Who: One of the cool things about going to the Seminary is their library, which has a book called "Hymns and Poems" by Emanuel Cronenwett, who was a somewhat early Lutheran (1841-1931) of the Ohio Synod, which is now a part of the ELCA. There are many translations and many originals in this book, including the following.
Changes: I've updated the text a little.
Note: Since the hymn ends at an odd place, one might want to close with stanza 2 of LSB 601. Here I give, as the last stanza, the original (uncopyrighted) translation by George A.T. Rygh of Kingo's famous hymn.
Tune: The meter is 87 87 887, and I propose "Es ist das Heil" as the melody, which is found in LSB 601.

Unless someone is born again

Of water and the Spirit,

They cannot- being dead in sin-

The kingdom, life inherit;

But God be praised, for thus says Christ,

"All who believe and are baptized-

Shall of a certainty be saved."

Here water and the Word are joined,

As means, command, and promise;

Conditioned by the outward sign,

The Spirit comes upon us.

Our body with the wash is laved,

While faith believes the might that saves,

And trusts the Lord's assurance.

It is not simply water, then,

With which we are anointed,

But water with His Word- Amen!-

By Triune God appointed.

The Word makes this a quick'ning flood,

And adds the grace of Jesus' blood,

Which kills and yet enlivens us.

This water is a means of grace,

A giving of salvation,

An earnest of the Father's face,

Bent kindly on all nations;

For all a cleansing pool, in truth, 

The fount of everlasting youth,

Of which are born God's children.

Rich, golden, costly font of life,

Pure grace pour from our Savior,

Blest covenant with healing rife,

Seal of the Father's favor;

In you our sins are washed away,

And we, enrobed in Jesus, may

With glee await His coming.

(With one accord, O God, we pray:

Grant us Thy Holy Spirit;

Look Thou on our infirmity

Through Jesus’ blood and merit.

Grant us to grow in grace each day

That by this sacrament we

Eternal life inherit.)

st. 1-5 Emanuel Cronenwett (1871), alt. 
(st. 6 Thomas H. Kingo, tr. George A.T. Rygh)

To God Let All the Human Race

Who: This hymn, by Phillip Melanchton and translated by John Christian Jacobi, speaks of God's work through the angels, and is the appointed hymn for today, Michaelmas. Another translation appears in LSB 522 and is made by Emanuel Cronenwett, whom will appear on this blog in posts to come.
Changes: I've updated the text a little.
Note: LSB stanzas 4-7 do not appear here. Likewise, some of the verses that the LSB cuts out do. The ELH, however, has all 16 verses of the original. Jacobi's translation includes v1-3, 12, 8-10, 15, 14.
Tune: LSB has ERHALT UNS HERR, but HERR GOTT, DICH LOBEN ALLE WIR (The Doxology) is also fitting.

To God let all the human race

Bring humble worship mixed with grace,

Who makes His love and wisdom known

By angels that surround His throne.

These angels, whom Your breath inspires,

Your ministers, are flaming fires,

As swift as thought their armies move,

To bear Your vengeance or Your love.

They gladly listen to Your will,

They love to grow their knowledge still;

They always serve the Lord their Rock,

In keeping guard around Your flock.

The Good, where'er Your children dwell,

They do, no mortal tung can tell,

Nor what their heav'nly care prevents,

Where they are bid to pitch their tents.

Brave Daniel found their benefit,

When with the lions (was) forced to sit;

And likewise angels rescued Lot,

So the ungodly harmed him not.

What did the three men in the flame,

Soon as their guardian-angel came?

Did not the oven's scorching fire

Resound with strains of heav'nly choir.

So God defends us day by day

From many dangers in our way

By angels, who do always keep

A watchful eye when we're asleep.

We pray to let their heav'nly host

Be guardians of our land and coast,

To keep Your little flock in peace,

So we can lead of life of grace.

O Lord, we'll bless You all our days,

Our soul shall glory in Your grace,

Your praise shall dwell upon our tungs,

All saints and angels join our songs.

Dicimus grates tibi, summe rerum
Philip Melanchton; German version Paul Eber
Tr. John Christian Jacobi, alt.

Only to God on High Be Glor'

(The first post!)
Who: This paraphrase of the Gloria in excelsis (Glory in the highest), was written by Nicolaus Decius in 1525. While this translation is not as familiar as Winkworth's, nor as accurate as the Lutheran Service Book's, it has the distinction of being translated into (Scottish) English at the time of the Reformation!
Changes: I have done my best to modernize what needs to be (including spelling), as well as fixed some rhymes and meters, which apparently did not used to be important.
Note: the word 'love' here does not mean 'affection' or 'charity,' but rather 'laud' or 'praise.' (cf. German 'Lob.') It died out for the same reason as the US half-dollar.
Tune: I'm not sure what the Scots used, but I suggest singing this to "Allein Gott in der Höh,'" also by Decius, LSB 947.

Only to God on high be glor',

And loaving be unto His grace;

Who can condemn us anymore,

Since we are now at our Lord's peace?

Unto His favor we are one,

Through faith in Jesus Christ alone,

Because His wrath shall end and cease.

We worship and we loave and praise

Thy majesty and magnitude;

That Thou, God, Father only wise,

Reigns over all with fortitude:

No tung can tell Thy strength or might,

Thy words and thoughts are all aright,

And all Thy works are just and good.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son only borne

Of God, Thy Father celestíal;

Thou savéd us who were forlorne,

From sin and hell and Satan's thrall.

Lord God's pure Lamb, Thou took on Thee

All of our sin to satisfy.

Lord be merciful to us all.

O Holy Ghost, our comfort good,

From feindish foes Thy flock defend,

Whom Christ redeeméd with His blood,

To Thy keeping we them commend,

From error and hypocrosy,

Us quicken in Thy verity

To persevere unto the end.

Nicolaus Decius

Tr. J. Wedderburns, ed. MDS