| "" | |
| Type: | Advent song |
| Text: | Johannes Tauler? |
| Written: | before 1450 |
| Language: | German |
"" ("A ship is coming, laden"), is an Advent season chorale and Marian Hymn. It is one of the oldest religious songs of German origin.
The oldest existing text source is a manuscript dated before 1450. It was found in the Strasbourg Dominican convent of St. Nikolaus in undis. Due to the fact that the mystic Johannes Tauler visited this convent frequently, the lyrics of this song are attributed to him. Reference is the word "enphohet" (received) which is characteristically used by Tauler very often.[1]
The lyrics are typical for the allegory in the Middle Ages as a vital element in the synthesis of biblical and classical traditions. Biblical motifs compare the pregnant Virgin Mary with a loaded entering ship. The ship is set in motion under sail (correspondent to love) and mast (correspondent to the Holy Spirit).[2]
The oldest source of the melody is included in Andernacher Hymns (1608). The song is found there in bilingual text under the title "" as well as the Latin "".
Das Schiff geht still im Triebe,es trägt ein teure Last;das Segel ist die Liebe,der Heilig Geist der Mast. Der Anker haft' auf Erden,da ist das Schiff am Land.Das Wort will Fleisch uns werden,der Sohn ist uns gesandt. Zu Bethlehem geborenim Stall ein Kindelein,gibt sich für uns verloren;gelobet muß es sein. Und wer dies Kind mit Freudenumfangen, küssen will,muß vorher mit ihm leidengroß Pein und Marter viel, danach mit ihm auch sterbenund geistlich auferstehn,das ewig Leben erben,wie an ihm ist geschehn.[3] [4] | She saileth on in silence,Her freight of value vast:With Charity for mainsail,And Holy Ghost for mast. The ship has dropt her anchor,Is safely come to land;The Word eterne, in likenessOf man, on earth doth stand. At Bethlem in a stable,To save the world forlorn(O bless Him for His mercy),Our Saviour Christ is born. And whosoe'er with gladnessWould kiss him and adore,Must first endure with JesusGreat pain and anguish sore. Must die with Him moreover,And rise in flesh again,To win that life eternal,Which doth to Christ pertain.[5] [6] |
global =
soprano = \relative c
alto = \relative c'
tenor = \relative c
bass = \relative c
verse = \lyricmode
\score
c.f. = cantus firmus
Max Reger quotes the tune in his organ pieces Sieben Stücke, Op. 145.