When the last agony draws nigh

Representative Text

1 When the last agony draws nigh,
My spirit sinks in bitter fear:
Courage! I conquer though I die,
For Christ with Death once wrestled here.
Thy strife, O Christ, with death's dark power
Upholds me in this fearful hour.

2 In faith I hide myself in Thee;
I shall not perish in the strife;
I share Thy war, Thy victory,
And death is swallowed up in Life.
Thy strife, O Christ, with death of yore
Hath conquered, and I fear no more.

Source: Church Book: for the use of Evangelical Lutheran congregations #548

Author: Joh. Andreas Gramlich

(no biographical information available about Joh. Andreas Gramlich.) 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: When the last agony draws nigh
German Title: Kommt an der Tod, da ich muss ringen
Translator: Catherine Winkworth (1855)
Author: Joh. Andreas Gramlich
Meter: 8.8.8.8.8.8
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 7 of 7)
Page Scan

Lyra Germanica #239a

Page Scan

The Baptist Hymn and Tune Book #1433

Text

Lyra Germanica #96

Page Scan

Hymns for the use of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, by the Authority of the Ministerium of Pennsylvania #583

Page Scan

Church Book #548

Page Scan

Lyra Germanica #S1-96

TextPage Scan

Church Book #548

Suggestions or corrections? Contact us