Come, Thou Precious Ransom, Come

For Advent

Words: Johann Gottfried Olearius (Komm, du wertes Loesegeld), 1664
Translated by August Crull (1845-1923), 1923
Based on: Matt. 21: 5

Music: Meinen Jesum lass' ich nicht
First published in Neuverfertigtes Gesangbuch, Darmstadt, 1699
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF
Meter: 78 78 77

1. Come, Thou precious Ransom, come,
Only Hope for sinful mortals!
Come, O Savior of the world!
Open are to Thee all portals.
Come, Thy beauty let us see;
Anxiously we wait for Thee.

2. Enter now my waiting heart,
Glorious King and Lord most holy.
Dwell in me and ne'er depart,
Though I am but poor and lowly.
Ah, what riches will be mine
When Thou art my Guest Divine!

3. My hosannas and my palms
Graciously receive, I pray Thee;
Evermore, as best I can,
Savior, I will homage pay Thee,
And in faith I will embrace,
Lord, Thy merit through Thy grace.

4. Hail, hosanna, David's Son!
Help, Lord, hear our supplication!
Let Thy kingdom, scepter, crown,
Bring us blessing and salvation,
That forever we may sing:
Hail, hosanna! to our King.

Notes:
Hymn #55 from The Lutheran Hymnal (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1941). This text was converted to ASCII format for Project Wittenberg by Cindy A. Beesley and is in the public domain. For more information about Project Wittenberg, contact Rev. Robert E. Smith of the Walther Library at Concordia Theological Seminary, 6600 N. Clinton St., Ft.  Wayne, IN 46825 USA.

Notes from The Hymnuts
This Advent hymn, based on Matthew 21:5-9, first appeared in Johann Gottfried Olearius' book, Jesus! Poetisch Erstlinge an geistlichen Deutschen Lieden und Madrigalen, which was published in 1664, in Halle. It was originally titled "On Advent." August Crull translated it as "Come, Thou Precious Ransom, Come." It was included in the Evangelical Hymn Book, 1889. The Lutheran Hymnal of 1941, altered the second stanza extensively. Other alterations were made for the Lutheran Book of Worship.

The tune Meinen Jesum Lass Ich Nicht is one of many tunes for "Come, O Precious Ransom." The composer is unknown, but it has been a popular melody for a long time. It was published in 1699, in Neuverfertigtes Gesangbuch.

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