On the Peaceful Night-Time

Swiss composer Klaus Huber (1924-2017) set this poem to music in 1958. You’ll find a link to a concert video of this work below the translation. You can also find an audio recording on Apple Music.

1.

Star-spangled throne of Heaven
and you, moon, the night’s crown!
Shine while earth’s orb
conceals from us the sun’s bright rays.

2.

Stillness, the grave of thought!
Set worry and fretting aside
and still, still, still in me
every heart-stirring desire.

3.

Now music in the air
sleeps in the cleft of a hollow tree.
Resting, it does not disturb
God-hon’ring desire in me.

4.

Sweet nectar of God-given grace
that blesses me while I sleep!
Let fortune’s light and being
flow and fill me while I’m dreaming.

5.

Shadow, friend of restfulness!
Night—refreshment after labour!
Let not darkness be so deep
it hides the noble light of heaven.

6.

And you, source of serenity,
Lord of my heart, come near
and be my resting place. Even asleep,
I will keep true watch with you.

7.

Close tight, my eyes,
be rich in restfulness.
But you, my spirit, stay awake
to praise your God at midnight.

Click here to read this poem in the original German.

Click here to see a concert video of Klaus Huber’s musical setting.

Comfort from Christ’s All-Conquering Ascension

Away, death and despair! Away with all misfortune!
Defiance to the devil and all his hordes!
I do not fear their might now, not one whit!
They surge against me, great streams of deceit.
When I, with trusting heart, look to my helper,
who sits at God’s right hand, I laugh at danger.
To him, my heart, its need and remedy are known.
A rescue-seeker, I send all my sighs to him.
He guides, like streams of water, every heart beat,
restrains with just one word the strongest waves;
allows, if it will serve, the water’s fall
but will not let it overflow the plain.
He makes the cloudy clear, saltwater sweet;
commands all power from his majestic seat.

This translation is published in Wonder-Work: Selected Sonnets of Catharina Regina von Greiffenberg (CMU Press, 2023). Click here to read the sonnet in the original German.

The Resurrection: Its Fruit and Comfort

Rise even now in me, my Lord, through faith;
rise in my heart’s depth with your power,
that I give witness to the world that you have risen!
Let me, proclaiming you with zeal, use all my breath,
and let your Sun of grace now rise.
Roll every error-stone from heart and mouth,
and I’ll confess you freely, boldly, every hour.
Let no created thing steal my heart’s comfort.
Stay with me in this world, for it is evening.
Give honey from the rock, and sweetness from your wounds.
I feel my heart’s on fire from your words;
you rouse and also satisfy desire. 
My heart, closed to all but you, my Lord, 
rejoices in your risen might and presence.

This translation is published in Wonder-Work: Selected Sonnets of Catharina Regina von Greiffenberg (CMU Press, 2023). Click here to read the sonnet in the original German.

The Seven Signs or Wonder-words that occurred at the death of Christ

The First: The Sun Darkening

Because the Soul- and Angel-Sun, clear light of heaven,
the very God-self radiance, shrouds itself in cloud,
it’s only fitting my sorrowing beams must also hide.
Who would not, when God suffers, suffer too?
They are unworthy of my rays who view Him undisturbed.
This darkness-terror wakens a new Mercy-Sun,
whose heat and flash my ardor and favor cannot match.
No foggy air nor cloud can interrupt that shining.
Ah, I simply cannot watch the Source of my life die,
or hear the noble mouth that spoke me into being, sigh.
I’d rather, for this Light of Light, choose my own dimming.
Oh, you blind people, see the gruesome horror of your sin
whose dark iniquity will darken God’s illumination.
Out of extreme extremity shines out the sun of your salvation.

This translation is published in Wonder-Work: Selected Sonnets of Catharina Regina von Greiffenberg (CMU Press, 2023). Click here to read the sonnet in the original German.