Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland

Representative Text

1. Nun komm', der heiden Heiland,
Der jungfrauen Kind erkannt,
Deß sich wunder' alle welt,
Gott solch' geburt ihm bestellt.

2. Nicht von mann's blut noch vom fleisch,
Allein von dem heil'gen Geist,
Ist Gottes Wort worden ein mensch,
Und blüht ein' frucht weibesfleisch.

3. Der jungfrau leib schwanger ward;
Doch blieb keuschheit rein bewahrt,
leucht herfür manch' tugend schon,
Gott da ward in seinem thron.

4. Er ging aus der kammer sein,
Dem königlichen sall so rein,
Gott von art uns mensch ein held,
Sein'n weg er zu laufen eilt.

5. Sein lauf kam vom Vater her,
Und kehrt' wieder zum Vater,
Fuhr hinunter zu der höll'
Und wieder zu Gottes stuhl.

6. Der du bist dem Vater gleich,
Führ' hinaus den sieg im fleisch,
Daß dein' ewig' Gottesgewalt,
In uns das krank' fleisch enthalt.

7. Dein krippen glänzt hell und klar,
Die nacht gibt ein neu licht dar,
Dunkel muß nicht kommen drein,
Der glaub' bleibt immer im schrein.

8. Lob sei Gott dem Vater 'thon,
Lob sei sein'm ein'gen Sohn,
Lob sei Gott dem heil'gen Geist,
Immer und in ewigkeit. Amen.

Source: Kirchen-Gesangbuch: für Evangelisch-Lutherische Gemeinden #36

Translator: Martin Luther

Luther, Martin, born at Eisleben, Nov. 10, 1483; entered the University of Erfurt, 1501 (B.A. 1502, M.A.. 1503); became an Augustinian monk, 1505; ordained priest, 1507; appointed Professor at the University of Wittenberg, 1508, and in 1512 D.D.; published his 95 Theses, 1517; and burnt the Papal Bull which had condemned them, 1520; attended the Diet of Worms, 1521; translated the Bible into German, 1521-34; and died at Eisleben, Feb. 18, 1546. The details of his life and of his work as a reformer are accessible to English readers in a great variety of forms. Luther had a huge influence on German hymnody. i. Hymn Books. 1. Ellich cristlich lider Lobgesang un Psalm. Wittenberg, 1524. [Hamburg Library.] This contains 8 German h… Go to person page >

Author: St. Ambrose

Ambrose (b. Treves, Germany, 340; d. Milan, Italy, 397), one of the great Latin church fathers, is remembered best for his preaching, his struggle against the Arian heresy, and his introduction of metrical and antiphonal singing into the Western church. Ambrose was trained in legal studies and distinguished himself in a civic career, becoming a consul in Northern Italy. When the bishop of Milan, an Arian, died in 374, the people demanded that Ambrose, who was not ordained or even baptized, become the bishop. He was promptly baptized and ordained, and he remained bishop of Milan until his death. Ambrose successfully resisted the Arian heresy and the attempts of the Roman emperors to dominate the church. His most famous convert and disciple w… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland
Latin Title: Veni redemptor gentium
Translator: Martin Luther
Author: St. Ambrose
Source: Veni redemptor gentium
Language: German
Notes: English translation see: "Savior of the nations, come" by William M. Reynolds; Polish translation: "Zbawca ludów, Zbawca dusz" by Edward Romański
Copyright: Public Domain

English

German

Polish

Tune

NUN KOMM, DER HEIDEN HEILAND

NUN KOMM DER HEIDEN HEILAND is a chorale derived from a chant. Among the simplest of the Lutheran repertoire, it is framed by identical lines–l and 4. Sing the entire hymn with antiphonal groups (the practice its original Latin author, Ambrose, strongly promoted). Sing some stanzas in unison and o…

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The Cyber Hymnal #13535
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The Cyber Hymnal #13535

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