Catherine Winkworth (trans.) · 6 of 114
Remarks on the Translations
Germany is rich in Morning and Evening Hymns, and Hymns for the Dying, of which a few are given in these translations. Among these is the morning hymn of Baron von Canitz: I was not aware until after translating it that it had been already published at the close of one volume of Dr. Arnold's sermons.
The hymn "How blest to all Thy followers, Lord, the road," was the favourite hymn of Schelling.
In translating these hymns the original form has been retained, with the exception, that single rhymes are generally substituted for the double rhymes which the structure of the language renders so common in German poetry, but which become cloying to an English ear when constantly repeated; and that English double common or short metre is used instead of what may be called the German common metre, the same that we call Gay's stanza, to which it approximates closely in the number of syllables, while its associations in our minds are somewhat more solemn. In a few instances slight alterations have been made in the metre, when, as is the case with some excellent hymns in our own language, it is hardly grave and dignified enough for the poetry. These alterations are but slight, and seemed justifiable, since these hymns have been translated, not so much as specimens of German hymn-writing, as in the hope that these utterances of German piety which have comforted and strengthened the hearts of many true Christians in their native country, may speak to the hearts of some among us, to help and cheer those who must strive and suffer, and to make us feel afresh what a deep and true Communion of exists among all the children of God in different Churches and lands.
Alderley Edge, July 16th, 1855
In the second edition a few corrections have been made and additional verses given in some of the hymns: a few among them are however still given in an abbreviated form, where the omitted verses appeared to be decidedly inferior in merit, or to contain no new thought. I have also exchanged the former version of "Ein feste Burg" for one, as it seems to me, much superior, which I owe to the kindness of the Rev. William Gaskell. Nov. 30, 1855.
