The Old Year Now Hath Passed Away

For the New Year

Words: J. Steuerlein
Translation by Catherine Winkworth

Source: William Sterndale Bennett and Otto Goldschmidt, eds., The Chorale Book For England. Congregational Edition. (London: Longman, Green, Longman, Roberts, and Green, 1863, Supp. 1865), Translator: Catherine Winkworth, #171.

See: The Christmas Poetry of Catherine Winkworth

Music: "Old Hundredth," by G. Franc.

1. The old year now hath pass'd away,
We thank Thee, O our God, to-day,
That Thou hast kept us through the year,
When danger and distress were near.

2. We pray Thee, O Eternal Son,
Who with the Father reign'st as One,
To guard and rule Thy Christendom
Through all the ages yet to come.

3. Take not Thy saving Word away,
Our souls' true comfort and their stay;
Abide with us, and keep us free
From errors, following only Thee.

4. Oh help us to forsake all sin,
A new and holier course begin,
Mark not what once was done amiss,
A happier, better year be this:

5. Wherein as Christians we may live,
Or die in peace that Thou canst give,
To rise again when Thou shalt come,
And enter Thine eternal home.

6. There shall we thank Thee, and adore,
With all the angels evermore;
Lord Jesus Christ, increase our faith
To praise Thy name through life and death!

Verses 4 & 5 from Hardwig:

4. O help us to forsake all sin,
A new and holy life begin;
From last year's sins, Lord, hide Thy face,
In this new year grand us Thy grace:

6. That as true Christians we may life,
Or die in peace that Thou wilt give,
To rise again when Thou shalt come,
And enter our eternal home.

Sheet Music from William Sterndale Bennett and Otto Goldschmidt, eds., The Chorale Book For England. Congregational Edition. (London: Longman, Green, Longman, Roberts, and Green, 1863, Supp. 1865), Translator: Catherine Winkworth, #171.

Sheet Music to "Original Tune" from William Sterndale Bennett and Otto Goldschmidt, eds., The Chorale Book For England. (London: Longman, Green, Longman, Roberts, and Green, 1863), Translator: Catherine Winkworth, #171.

Sheet Music from O. Hardwig, ed., The Wartburg Hymnal (Chicago: Wartburg Publishing House, 1918), #143

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