Kingo, Brorson and Grundtvig, peculiarly enough, had few imitators. A small number of writers did attempt to imitate the great leaders, but they formed no school and their work for the most part was so insignificant3 that it soon disappeared. Thus even Kingo’s great work inspired no hymnwriter of any consequence, and the fifty years between Kingo and Brorson added almost nothing to the hymnody of the church. Contemporary with Brorson, however, a few writers appeared whose songs have survived to the present day. Foremost among these is Ambrosius Stub, a unique and sympathetic writer whose work constitutes a distinct contribution to Danish poetry.
Ambrosius Stub was born on the island of Fyn in 1705, the son of a village tailor. Although extremely poor, he managed somehow to enter the University of Copenhagen, but his poverty compelled him to leave the school without completing his course. For a number of years, he drifted aimlessly, earning a precarious4 living by teaching or bookkeeping at the estates of various nobles, always dogged by poverty and a sense of frustration5. Although he was gifted and ambitious, his lack of a degree and his continuous poverty prevented him from attaining7 the position in life to which his ability apparently8 entitled him. During his later years, he conducted a small school for boys at Ribe, a small city on the west coast of Jutland, where he died in abject9 poverty in 1758, only 53 years old.
Stub’s work remained almost unknown during his lifetime, but a small collection of his poems, published after his death, gained him a posthumous10 recognition as the greatest Danish poet of the 18th century. Stub’s style is extremely noble and expressive11, devoid12 of the excessive bombast13 and sentimentality that many writers then mistook for poetry. He was of a cheerful disposition14 with a hopeful outlook upon life that only occasionally is darkened by [162]the hardships and disappointments of his own existence. Even the poems of his darker moods are colored by his inborn15 love of beauty and his belief in the fundamental goodness of life. Many of his best poems are of a religious nature, and expressive of his warm and trustful Christian16 faith. In view of the discouraging hardships and disappointments of his own life, the following much favored hymn1 throws a revealing light upon the spirit of its author.
Undismayed by any fortune
Life may have in store for me,
This, whatever be my portion,
I will always try to be.
Undismayed whate’er betide.
Mind and soul with anxious care;
If the Lord with me will tarry,
All my troubles disappear.
If I but in grace abide,
Undismayed whate’er betide.
Undismayed when others sighing,
On God’s grace I am relying;
Nothing can me then dismay.
If I but in grace abide,
Undismayed whate’er betide.
Undismayed when others fearing,
See the hour of death draw nigh.
With the victor’s crown appearing,
Why should I repine and sigh.
If I but in grace abide,
Undismayed whate’er betide.
Dearest Lord, if I may treasure
Thy abundant grace each day,
I shall cherish Thy good pleasure,
Be my portion what it may.
If I but in grace abide,
Undismayed whate’er betide.
The age of Rationalism discarded most of the old hymns but produced no worthwhile hymns of its own. The most highly praised hymnwriter of the period, Birgitte Boye, the wife of a forester, wrote a great number of hymns of which no less than 150 were included in a new hymnal published in 1870, by the renowned21 [163]statesman, Ove Hoegh Guldberg. Although excessively praised by the highest authorities of the period, Birgitte Boye’s hymns contain nothing of permanent value, and have now happily been forgotten.
The Evangelical revival22 about the middle of the 19th century restored the old hymns to their former favor, and produced besides, a number of new hymnwriters of real merit. Among these, Casper J. Boye is, perhaps, the most prominent. Born of Danish parents at Kongsberg, Norway, in 1791, Boye entered the University of Copenhagen in 1820 where he first took up the study of law and then, of theology. After graduating from this department, he became a teacher at a Latin school and some years later, a pastor23 of the large Garrison24 Church in Copenhagen, where he remained until his death in 1851. Boye was a gifted writer, both on secular25 and religious themes. His numerous hymns appeared in six small volumes entitled: Spiritual Songs. They are marked by a flowing but at times excessively literary style and a quiet spiritual fervor26. The following still is a favorite opening hymn.
Day is breaking, night is ended,
Upon church and countryside.
Like the day in brightness growing,
Grace from God is richer flowing;
Heaven’s portals open wide.
O what joy this day is bringing,
When the chiming bells are ringing,
Calling man to prayer and praise!
All the angel host rejoices
Thanks the Lord for light and grace.
Sin and death with fear and sorrow
And the burden of tomorrow
Shall not weigh my heart with care.
Unto all in tribulation29
On this day His peace declare.
Be it hushed in solemn stillness,
Must I weep in grief or illness,
It is blessed to be weeping
When the hungry heart is reaping
Grace and peace in Jesus’ name.
O Thou Fount of grace unbounded,
Who our wisdom hath confounded,
[164]
Whom but faith can comprehend!
Heaven’s portal never closes
Till before Thy throne we stand.
Herman Andreas Timm, a younger contemporary of Boye, also wrote a large number of excellent hymns. He was born at Copenhagen in 1800, and was for many years pastor of the church on Amager, a suburb of the capital city. He died in 1866. His hymns appeared in a small volume of poems, published in 1834, under the title: Spiritual Songs. They are characterized by an easy literary style and an urgent spiritual appeal. The following very popular hymn is perhaps the best-known of those now available in English.
Dost thou know the living fountain
Whence the stream of grace doth flow?
Dry the streams from snowcapped mountain,
Yet this stream shall fuller grow.
From the very heart of God
Flows its currents deep and broad,
Unto every land and nation,
Bringing mercy and salvation.
Come unto the living waters!
Cried the prophets, do not shrink!
God invites His sons and daughters:
He that thirsteth come and drink.
With this water God imparts
Health and strength to sin-sick hearts.
Why are ye then hesitating
While the Lord with grace is waiting.
With us is the day appointed,
God has kept His gracious word.
He has come, the Lord’s annointed;
Men have seen the promised Lord.
Saints of God from every race
Found in Him the fount of grace,
And, with joy that never ceases,
Said: The Fount of Life is Jesus.
Hasten then! Let all assemble
At this fountain pure and strong.
Come, ye souls that fear and tremble,
Come, ye old, and come ye young.
Now the hour of grace is here,
Draw then to its fountain near.
Soon, ah soon! the day is over.
Quickly night the world may cover.
[165]
Another contemporary of these writers, and perhaps the most prominent of the group, was Theodore Vilhelm Oldenburg. Oldenburg was born at Copenhagen in 1805, son of the Royal Chamberlain, Frederik Oldenburg. His mother died while he was still a boy, but his excellent father managed to give him a most careful training and a splendid education. He graduated “cum laude” from the University of Copenhagen in 1822, obtained the degree of Master of Arts during the following year, entered the department of theology and graduated from there three years later, also “cum laude.” In 1830 he accepted a call to become pastor of the parish of Otterup and Sorterup on the island of Fyn. Here he won high praise for his conspicuously33 able and faithful work. Together with the gifted Bishop34 P. C. Kirkegaard, he was editor for a number of years of the influential35 periodical “Nordisk Tidsskrift for Kristelig Teologi,” and also of the outstanding foreign mission paper, “Dansk Missionsblad.” Through these papers he exerted a powerful and always beneficent influence upon the churches of both Denmark and Norway. His outstanding and richly blest service was cut short by death in 1842 when he was only 37 years old. He was carried to the grave to the strains of his own appealing hymn: “Thine, O Jesus, Thine Forever.”
Oldenburg’s quite numerous hymns were printed from time to time in various periodicals. They express in a noble and highly lyrical style the firm faith and warm religious fervor of his own consecrated36 life.
The hymn given below was written for a foreign mission convention shortly before his death.
Deep and precious,
Strong and gracious
Is the word of God above,
Gently calling
Sinners falling,
To the Savior’s arm of love.
Unto all the word is given:
Jesus is the way to heaven.
Blessed Savior,
Hast Thou shown our fallen race!
Times may alter,
Nothing moves Thy word of grace.
With Thy word Thy grace abideth,
And for all our needs provideth.
[166]
By Thy merit,
Through the Spirit
Draw all sinners, Lord, to Thee.
Sin and error,
Death and terror
By Thy word shall vanquished39 be.
Guide us all through life’s straight portal,
Besides Grundtvig the foremost hymnwriter of this period was his close friend, Bernhard Severin Ingemann, one of Denmark’s most popular and beloved writers. He was born in 1789 in a parsonage on the island of Falster. His father died in 1800 when the son was only 11 years old, and his mother left the parsonage to settle in Slagelse, an old city on the island of Sjælland. Having graduated from the Latin school there in 1806, Ingemann entered the University of Copenhagen in the fall of the same year. During the English attack on Copenhagen in 1807, he enrolled41 in the student’s volunteer corps42 and fought honorably in defense43 of the city. After graduating from the University, he was granted free board and room at Walkendorf’s Collegium, an institution for the aid of indigent44 but promising45 young students. Here he devoted46 most of his time to literary pursuits and, during the following three years, he published a large number of works which won him a favorable name as a gifted lyrical poet of a highly idealistic type. As an encouragement to further efforts, the government granted him a two year stipend47 for travel and study in foreign parts. He visited Germany, France, Switzerland and Italy, and became acquainted with many famous literary leaders of that day, especially in Germany. On his return from abroad in 1822 he was appointed a lector at the famous school at Sorø on the island of Sjælland. In this charming old city with its splendid cathedral and idyllic48 surroundings he spent the remainder of his life in the peace and quiet that agreed so well with his own mild and seraphic nature. He died in 1862.
Inspired by Oehlenschlaeger and strongly encouraged by Grundtvig, Ingemann in 1824 began the issuance of his famous historical novels, based upon episodes from the romantic period of Danish history during the 13th and 14th centuries. To some extent the novels are modeled upon the similar works of Walter Scott but are written in a livelier style and more idealistic spirit than their English prototype. In later years their historical veracity49 has been gravely questioned. Enjoying an immense popularity both in Denmark and in Norway, these highly idealized pictures of the past [167]did much to arouse that national spirit which especially Grundtvig had labored50 long to awaken51. After completing his historical novels, Ingemann again resumed his lyrical and fictional52 writings, producing a large number of poems, fairy-tales and novels that further increased his already immense popularity.
Despite the great popularity of Ingemann’s secular writings, it is, nevertheless, his hymns and spiritual songs which will preserve his name the longest. His first collection of hymns, a small volume of morning and evening songs, appeared in 1822. This collection was followed in 1825 by a volume of church hymns, which was enlarged and reprinted in 1843. The favorable reception of these hymns caused Ingemann to be selected to prepare the new church hymnal, published in 1855, a task which he accomplished53 to the general satisfaction of all.
Ingemann’s hymns faithfully reflect his own serene55 and idealistic nature. Their outstanding merits are a limpid56, lyrical style and an implicit57 trust in the essential goodness of life and its Author. [168]Of Kingo’s realistic conception of evil or Grundtvig’s mighty58 vision of existence as a heroic battle between life and death, he has little understanding. The world of his songs is as peaceful and idyllic as the quiet countryside around his beloved Sorø. If at times he tries to take the deeper note, his voice falters59 and becomes artificial. But though his hymns on such themes as sin and redemption are largely a failure, he has written imperishable hymns of idealistic faith and childlike trust in the goodness and love of God.
The extreme lyrical quality and highly involved and irregular metre of many of Ingemann’s hymns make them extremely difficult to translate, and their English translations fail on the whole to do justice. The translation given below is perhaps one of the best. It is the work of the Rev6. P. C. Paulsen.
As wide as the skies is Thy mercy, O God;
Thy faithfulness shieldeth creation.
Is stretched over country and nation.
Like heaven’s embrace is Thy mercy, O Lord;
Thou savest our souls through Thy life-giving word,
The cries of Thy children Thou hearest.
How precious Thy goodness, O Father above,
Thou spreadest through darkness the wings of Thy love;
For languishing64 souls Thou preparest a rest;
The quivering dove Thou protectest;
Thou givest us being, eternal and blest,
In mercy our life Thou perfectest.
The following hymn is also quite popular.
The sun is rising in the east,
On shore and countryside.
It rises from the valley bright,
Where Paradise once lay,
And bringeth life, and joy and light
To all upon its way.
It greets us from the land afar
Where man with grace was crowned,
And from that wondrous Morning Star,
[169]
The sun that passes them;
It seems so like that star of yore
Which shone on Bethlehem.
Thou Sun of Suns, from heaven come,
In Thee our praises rise
For every message from Thy home
And from Thy Paradise.
The most beloved of all Ingemann’s hymns is his splendid “Pilgrim Song.”
Dejlig er Jorden,
Prægtig er Guds Himmel,
Skøn er Sjælenes Pilgrimsgang.
Gennem de fagre
Riger paa Jorden
Gaa vi til Paradis med Sang.
This hymn is written to the tune17 of “Beautiful Savior” which Ingemann, in common with many others, accepted as a marching tune from the period of the crusades. Although this historic origin has now been disproved, the tune united with Ingemann’s text undoubtedly70 will remain the most beloved pilgrim song among the Danish and Norwegian peoples. Though fully54 aware of the impossibility of translating this tenderly beautiful song so that it is acceptable to those who know the original, the author presents the following translation in the hope that it may interest those who cannot read the original.
Fair is creation,[12]
Fairer God’s heaven,
Regions of beauty
Go we to Paradise with song.
Ages are coming,
Ages are passing
Nations arise and disappear.
Message from heaven
Angels proclaimed it
Once to the shepherds,
Henceforth from soul to soul it passed:
Unto all people
Peace and rejoicing,
Us is a Savior born at last.
[170]
Of other hymns by Ingemann, which are now available in English, we may mention “Jesus, My Savior, My Shepherd Blest,” “The Country Lies in Deep Repose” and “I Live and I Know the Span of My Years.”
[12]Another translation: “Beauty around us” by S. D. Rodholm in “A World of Song.”
The last half of the 19th century also brought forth76 a number of Danish hymnwriters of considerable merit, such as Chr. Richardt, Pastor J. P. M. Paulli, Pastor Olfert Ricard and Pastor J. Schjorring. The latter is especially known by one song which has been translated into many languages and with which it seems appropriate to close this survey of Danish hymnody.
Love from God our Lord,
Has forever poured
Like a fountain pure and clear.
In its quiet source,
In its silent course
Doth the precious pearl appear.
Love from God our Lord,
Comes with sweet accord,
Like a pure and lovely bride.
Dwell within my heart,
Peace from God impart,
Heaven doth with Thee abide.
Love from God our Lord,
Has to man restored
Life and peace from heaven above.
Peace from God obtains;
God Himself is ever love.
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hymn
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| n.赞美诗，圣歌，颂歌 | |
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hymns
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| n.赞美诗，圣歌，颂歌( hymn的名词复数 ) | |
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insignificant
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| adj.无关紧要的，可忽略的，无意义的 | |
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precarious
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| adj.不安定的，靠不住的；根据不足的 | |
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frustration
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| n.挫折，失败，失效，落空 | |
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rev
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| v.发动机旋转，加快速度 | |
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attaining
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的现在分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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abject
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| adj.极可怜的，卑屈的 | |
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posthumous
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| adj.遗腹的；父亡后出生的；死后的，身后的 | |
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expressive
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| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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devoid
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| adj.全无的，缺乏的 | |
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bombast
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| n.高调，夸大之辞 | |
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disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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inborn
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| adj.天生的，生来的，先天的 | |
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Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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tune
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| n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整 | |
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abide
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| vi.遵守；坚持；vt.忍受 | |
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harry
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| vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼 | |
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quail
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| n.鹌鹑；vi.畏惧，颤抖 | |
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renowned
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| adj.著名的，有名望的，声誉鹊起的 | |
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revival
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| n.复兴，复苏，（精力、活力等的）重振 | |
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pastor
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| n.牧师，牧人 | |
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garrison
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| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
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secular
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| n.牧师，凡人；adj.世俗的，现世的，不朽的 | |
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fervor
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ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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mellow
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| adj.柔和的；熟透的；v.变柔和；(使)成熟 | |
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tribulation
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| n.苦难，灾难 | |
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salvation
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| n.（尤指基督）救世，超度，拯救，解困 | |
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guilt
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reposes
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| v.将（手臂等）靠在某人（某物）上( repose的第三人称单数 ) | |
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conspicuously
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| ad.明显地，惹人注目地 | |
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bishop
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| n.主教，（国际象棋）象 | |
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influential
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| adj.有影响的，有权势的 | |
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consecrated
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| adj.神圣的，被视为神圣的v.把…奉为神圣，给…祝圣( consecrate的过去式和过去分词 )；奉献 | |
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wondrous
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| adj.令人惊奇的，奇妙的；adv.惊人地；异乎寻常地；令人惊叹地 | |
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falter
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| vi.(嗓音)颤抖，结巴地说；犹豫；蹒跚 | |
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vanquished
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| v.征服( vanquish的过去式和过去分词 )；战胜；克服；抑制 | |
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immortal
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| adj.不朽的；永生的，不死的；神的 | |
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enrolled
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| adj.入学登记了的v.[亦作enrol]( enroll的过去式和过去分词 )；登记，招收，使入伍（或入会、入学等），参加，成为成员；记入名册；卷起，包起 | |
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corps
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| n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组 | |
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defense
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| n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩 | |
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indigent
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| adj.贫穷的，贫困的 | |
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promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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stipend
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| n.薪贴；奖学金；养老金 | |
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idyllic
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| adj.质朴宜人的，田园风光的 | |
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veracity
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| n.诚实 | |
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labored
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| adj.吃力的，谨慎的v.努力争取(for)( labor的过去式和过去分词 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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awaken
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| vi.醒，觉醒；vt.唤醒，使觉醒，唤起，激起 | |
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fictional
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| adj.小说的，虚构的 | |
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accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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serene
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| adj. 安详的，宁静的，平静的 | |
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limpid
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| adj.清澈的，透明的 | |
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implicit
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| a.暗示的，含蓄的，不明晰的，绝对的 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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falters
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| （嗓音）颤抖( falter的第三人称单数 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃 | |
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bounteous
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| adj.丰富的 | |
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judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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abiding
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| adj.永久的，持久的，不变的 | |
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pinions
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| v.抓住[捆住]（双臂）( pinion的第三人称单数 ) | |
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64
languishing
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| a. 衰弱下去的 | |
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65
gilds
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| 把…镀金( gild的第三人称单数 )； 给…上金色； 作多余的修饰（反而破坏原已完美的东西）； 画蛇添足 | |
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66
scatters
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| v.（使）散开， （使）分散，驱散( scatter的第三人称单数 )；撒 | |
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crest
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| n.顶点；饰章；羽冠；vt.达到顶点；vi.形成浪尖 | |
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68
sages
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| n.圣人( sage的名词复数 )；智者；哲人；鼠尾草（可用作调料） | |
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starry
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| adj.星光照耀的, 闪亮的 | |
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undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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71
throng
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| n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集 | |
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72
onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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73
joyful
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| adj.欢乐的，令人欢欣的 | |
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74
wanes
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| v.衰落( wane的第三人称单数 )；（月）亏；变小；变暗淡 | |
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sojourn
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| v./n.旅居，寄居；逗留 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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77
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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