Truest Friend, who canst not fail

Representative Text

1 Truest Friend, who canst not fail,
Evermore abide with me:
When the world would most assail,
Then Thy presence let me see.
When its heaviest thunders roll,
Shelter Thou my trembling soul!
Come, and in my spirit rest;
Help me do what seems Thee best.

2 When life's day hath fleeted by,
When the night of death is near,
When in vain the darkened eye
Seeks some stay, some helper here:
Then Thy followers' prayer fulfil,
Then abide Thou with us still:
Till Thou give us heavenly rest,
Stay, O stay, Thou noble Guest!

Source: Church Book: for the use of Evangelical Lutheran congregations #440

Translator: Catherine Winkworth

Catherine Winkworth (b. Holborn, London, England, 1827; d. Monnetier, Savoy, France, 1878) is well known for her English translations of German hymns; her translations were polished and yet remained close to the original. Educated initially by her mother, she lived with relatives in Dresden, Germany, in 1845, where she acquired her knowledge of German and interest in German hymnody. After residing near Manchester until 1862, she moved to Clifton, near Bristol. A pioneer in promoting women's rights, Winkworth put much of her energy into the encouragement of higher education for women. She translated a large number of German hymn texts from hymnals owned by a friend, Baron Bunsen. Though often altered, these translations continue to be used i… Go to person page >

Author: Johannes Neunherz

Neunhertz, Johannes, son of Johannes Neunhertz, weaver at Waltersdorf, near Kupferberg, in Silesia, was born at Waltersdorf Aug. 16, 1653, and entered the University of Leipzig in June, 1673 (M.A. 1676). In 1678 he was appointed assistant preacher at Lauban, in Silesia; in 1680 pastor at Kiesslingswalde; and in 1696 pastor at Geibsdorf, both near Lauban. He then became, in 1706, diaconus of the Holy Trinity Church, and also morning preacher at the Holy Cross Church in Lauban. Finally, in 1709, he was appointed chief pastor at Hirschberg, in Silesia, and died there Nov. 26, 1737 (S. J. Ehrhardt's Presbyterologie Schlesiens, 1780-89, iii. pt. ii. p. 187; Koch, v. 450; Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie xxiii. 549; Bode, p. 121—-the first dating… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: Truest Friend, who canst not fail
German Title: Trauernd und mit bangem Schnen
Translator: Catherine Winkworth
Author: Johannes Neunherz
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 3 of 3)
Page Scan

Church Book #440

TextPage Scan

Church Book #440

Page Scan

Hymns for the use of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, by the Authority of the Ministerium of Pennsylvania #467

Suggestions or corrections? Contact us