Though all to Thee were faithless

Though all to Thee were faithless

Author: Novalis (1795); Translator: Catherine Winkworth (1855)
Published in 3 hymnals

Representative Text

Though all to Thee were faithless,
I yet were true, my Head,
To show that love is deathless,
From earth not wholly fled.
Here didst Thou live in sadness,
And die in pain for me,
For this I give with gladness
My heart and soul to Thee.

I could weep night and morning
That Thou hast died, and yet
So few will heed Thy warning,
So many Thee forget.
O loving and true-hearted,
How much for us didst Thou!
Yet is Thy fame departed,
And none regards it now.

But still Thy love befriends us,
Of every heart the guide;
Unfailing help it lends us,
Thou all had turned aside.
Oh! such love soon or later
Must conquer, must be felt,
Then at Thy feet the traitor
In bitter tears shall melt.

Lord, I have inly found Thee,
Depart Thou not from me,
But wrap Thy love around me,
And keep me close to Thee.
Once too my brethren, yonder
Upgazing where Thou art,
Shall learn Thy love with wonder,
And sink upon Thy heart.

Source: Lyra Germanica: The Christian Year #69

Author: Novalis

Pseudonym of Georg Friedrich Phillip von Hardenberg. Go to person page >

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 >

Text Information

First Line: Though all to Thee were faithless
German Title: Wenn alle untreu werden
Author: Novalis (1795)
Translator: Catherine Winkworth (1855)
Meter: 7.6.7.6
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

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Instances (1 - 3 of 3)
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Lyra Germanica #165

Text

Lyra Germanica #69

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Lyra Germanica #S1-69

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