Mensch, willst du Leben seliglich

Representative Text

1. Mensch, willt du leben seliglich,
Und bei Gott bleiben ewiglich,
Sollt du halten die zehn gebot',
Die uns gebeut unser Gott.
Kyrieleis.

2. Dein Gott und Herr allein bin ich,
Kein ander Gott soll irren dich,
Trauen soll mir das herze dein,
Mein eigen reich sollt du sein.
Kyrieleis.

3. Du sollt mein'n namen ehren schon,
Und in der noth mich rufen an,
Du sollt heiligen den sabbathtag,
Daß ich in dir wirken mag.
Kyrieleis.

4. Dem vater und der mutter dein
Sollt du nach mir gehorsam sein,
Niemand tödten noch zornig sein
Und deine ehe halten rein.
Kyrieleis.

5. Du sollt ein'm andern stehlen nicht,
Auf niemand falsches zeugen nicht,
Deines nächsten weib nicht begehr'n
Und all' sein's gut's gern entbehr'n.
Kyrieleis.

Source: Kirchen-Gesangbuch: für Evangelisch-Lutherische Gemeinden #181

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Author: 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 >

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First Line:	Mensch, willst du Leben seliglich
Author:	Martin Luther
Language:	German
Copyright:	Public Domain

French

Kirchengesangbuch fuer Evangelisch-Lutherische Gemeinden ungeanderter Augsburgischer Konfession #ad254

German

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Notes

Suggested tune: DIES SIND DIE HEILGEN
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Mensch, willt du leben seliglich. M. Luther. [The Ten Commandments.] Written as a concise version for Catechetical use; and first published in the Geystliche gesangk Buchleyn, Wittenberg, 1524, Thence in Wackernagel, iii. p. 17, in 5 stanzas of 4 lines, and Kyrioleis. In Schircks's edition of Luther's Geistliche Lieder, 1854, p. 50, and the Unverfälschter Liedersegen, 1851, No. 364. Bode, p. 279, cites the Allg. Litter. Zeitung, Jena, 1803, No. 283, as saying that stanzas i. is found in a practically identical form in a Quedlinburg manuscript of 1481. Translated as:—
Wilt thou, 0 man, live happily. By R. Massie, in his Martin Luther's Spiritual Songs, 1854, p. 53, repeated in the Ohio Lutheran Hymnal, 1880, and by Dr. Bacon, 1884, p. 43.
Other translations are:—(1) "Man, wylt thou lyve vertuously," by Bp. Coverdale, 1539 (Remains, 1846, p. 545); (2) "If thou a holy life wouldst see," by Dr. J. Hunt, 1853, p. 82; (3) "Man, seekest thou to live in bliss," by Dr. G. Macdonald, in the Sunday Magazine, 1867, p. 571. In his Exotics, 1876, p. 87, it begins, "Man, wouldst thou live all blissfully." [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.]