I just found this while I was researching something else. It is a common confirmation or baptism service hymn in Germany.
I don't remember ever hearing a similar hymn in the US. I mean, there are similar vows, etc. spoken but not sung.
(Very) Roughly translated:
The only similar hymn in English I found on a brief search, though some people would not call it brief, and I'd never heard it before was: "A Charge to Keep I Have" (Wesley). There may be more.
It just struck me that this hymn makes sense, the message makes sense and it is apropos for today.
Maybe there's other hymns with a similar message out there, I just haven't been exposed to them.
I even looked here briefly and nothing stood out as similar:
OCP Songs Listed by Keyword Confirmation
Here's the melody on YouTube. GL 837 Fest soll mein Taufbund immer stehn - Neuer Fuldaer Eigenteil zum Gotteslob (Most of the YouTube videos I found with the lyrics were recorded during services and have pretty poor sound quality). There's a pretty good MIDI version here: Fest soll mein Taufbund immer stehen The tune's kind of catchy, too.
Here's the full original lyrics:
I guess I don't really know if I'm asking the question: "Is this common out there in the US, and I just haven't seen in my small world?" or asking: "Why don't we see more songs like this out there in the US?"
Maybe something like this hymn might seem offensive? Though I don't think it should seem offensive.
I don't remember ever hearing a similar hymn in the US. I mean, there are similar vows, etc. spoken but not sung.
(Very) Roughly translated:
I will stand firm to my baptism. You will see me hear and obey the true Church's teachings.
I reject Satan, all his works and empty promises, they lead to hell.
I will walk in the right path. God protect me and make me like your Son so I will be in heaven forever!
The only similar hymn in English I found on a brief search, though some people would not call it brief, and I'd never heard it before was: "A Charge to Keep I Have" (Wesley). There may be more.
It just struck me that this hymn makes sense, the message makes sense and it is apropos for today.
Maybe there's other hymns with a similar message out there, I just haven't been exposed to them.
I even looked here briefly and nothing stood out as similar:
OCP Songs Listed by Keyword Confirmation
Here's the melody on YouTube. GL 837 Fest soll mein Taufbund immer stehn - Neuer Fuldaer Eigenteil zum Gotteslob (Most of the YouTube videos I found with the lyrics were recorded during services and have pretty poor sound quality). There's a pretty good MIDI version here: Fest soll mein Taufbund immer stehen The tune's kind of catchy, too.
Here's the full original lyrics:
Fest soll mein Taufbund immer stehn,
Ich will die Kirche hören!
Sie soll mich allzeit gläubig sehn
Und folgsam ihren Lehren!
Dank sei dem Herrn, der mich aus Gnad'
Zur wahren Kirch' berufen hat,
Nie will ich von ihr weichen!
Dem bösen Feind und seiner Pracht
Gelob' ich zu entsagen;
Verachte seine ganze Macht,
Will lieber Leid ertragen.
Ich fliehe alle Werke sein,
Sie endigen mit Höllenpein,
Bereiten ew'ge Qualen.
Die rechten Wege wandle ich,
Solang ich leb' auf Erden.
Getreuer Gott, beschütze mich
Und laß mich selig werden!
O mach mich ähnlich Deinem Sohn,
Daß ich erhalte meinen Lohn
Im Himmel einst auf ewig!
I guess I don't really know if I'm asking the question: "Is this common out there in the US, and I just haven't seen in my small world?" or asking: "Why don't we see more songs like this out there in the US?"
Maybe something like this hymn might seem offensive? Though I don't think it should seem offensive.