Engelein - "Ach, Herr, lass deine lieben Engelein..."
This weblog gets its name from the original German text of the Lutheran chorale, "Lord, Thee I love with all my heart". The English translations found in various Lutheran hymnals fail to depict the angel as described in the original German.
Of course, the translation, "Lord, let at last Thine angel come, to Abraham's bosom bear me home" is tremendous and fine as far as it goes. But lost is the original German's sweet imagery of a "lieben Engelein", literally a "dear little angel".
As someone who, for some unknown reason, has pictured my guardian angel as both "dear" and "little", I was pleasantly surprised to look at the original German text of my favourite hymn. In those words I could see the vision to which my mind has gone for many years and it is a delightful vision.
Perhaps the original image was thought to be too sentimental with its description of an angel resembling a baroque more than a biblical cherub. I don't know. Ultimately one must admit that the Bible says very little about guardian angels. Yet it does not rule out the vision so dear to me and apparently to Martin Schalling when, in around 1567, he wrote those words, "Ach, Herr, lass dein' lieb' Engelein am lezten End' die Seele mein in Abrahams Schoss tragen!"
My translation? "to where Abraham is - ah! Lord, let your dear little angel finally take my soul..." And there, in Paradise, one will possess what "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him" (1 Corinthians 2:9.
Of course, the translation, "Lord, let at last Thine angel come, to Abraham's bosom bear me home" is tremendous and fine as far as it goes. But lost is the original German's sweet imagery of a "lieben Engelein", literally a "dear little angel".
As someone who, for some unknown reason, has pictured my guardian angel as both "dear" and "little", I was pleasantly surprised to look at the original German text of my favourite hymn. In those words I could see the vision to which my mind has gone for many years and it is a delightful vision.
Perhaps the original image was thought to be too sentimental with its description of an angel resembling a baroque more than a biblical cherub. I don't know. Ultimately one must admit that the Bible says very little about guardian angels. Yet it does not rule out the vision so dear to me and apparently to Martin Schalling when, in around 1567, he wrote those words, "Ach, Herr, lass dein' lieb' Engelein am lezten End' die Seele mein in Abrahams Schoss tragen!"
My translation? "to where Abraham is - ah! Lord, let your dear little angel finally take my soul..." And there, in Paradise, one will possess what "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him" (1 Corinthians 2:9.
posted by Pr. Jonathan Naumann, Ph.D. | 10:18 AM
6 Comments:
Dear Blogger-Naumann,
Congratulations on beginning an interesting and attractive electronic ministry.
When I visualize my own dear guardian angel, the face which appears is that of your paternal grandfather Henry Immanuel Naumann. I trust that's not irreverent -- no pun intended.
Alternatively it's the dear face of your grandmother, the late Alida Rosabel Jackson Naumann, long since sainted but daily honored before God, as I believe the commandment instructs us to do.
May God bless your future ruminations or commentary.
Welcome, Jonathan, to the confessional blogosphere.
I remember the picture of your Engelein - I think I still have it in my history file. Now tell me, is the meaning of "Schoss" a bosom or a lap? I don't think it means "place."
I look forward to checking your Blog from time to time.
Auntiem
Welcome to the blogosphere, Fr. Naumann. One word of caution: don't spend too much time in it; it'll carry you off. I have to tell that to my myself often.
Welcome to the blogging world, Pastor Naumann. Your blog promises to be a continuing good deep read.
I join the others in welcoming you, good brother. You've been enrolled in the semi-official log of confessional blogs, the Big Blogroll O' Vark®™©.
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