8,7,8,7,8,8,7

Wenn mein Stündlein vorhanden ist

[87]Nicolas Hermann

trans. by Catherine Winkworth, 1869

When my last hour is close at hand,

And I must hence betake me,

Lord Jesu Christ beside me stand,

Nor let Thy help forsake me.

To Thee my soul I now commit,

And safely wilt Thou cherish it

Until again Thou wake me.

Conscience may sting my memory sore,

And guilt my heart encumber;

But though as sands upon the shore

My sins may be in number,

I will not quail, but think of Thee,

Thy death, Thy sorrows, borne for me,

And sink in peace to slumber.

I have been grafted in the Vine,

And hence my comfort borrow;

For surely Thou wilt keep me Thine

Through utmost pain and sorrow;

Yea, though I die, I die in Thee,

Who through Thy death hast won for me

Heaven's bright eternal morrow.

Since Thou from death didst rise again,

In death Thou wilt not leave me;

Thy life declares my fears are vain,

And doubts no more shall grieve me,

For Thou wilt have me where Thou art:

And so with joy I can depart,

And know Thou wilt receive me.

And so I stretch mine arms to Thee,

Now, O dear Jesu, take me!

Peaceful and calm my sleep shall be,

No human voice shall wake me,

But Thou wilt ope the heavenly door

To life and joy for evermore,

Thou, who dost ne'er forsake me!