Christian, dost thou see them

This my 32nd upload in the Lenten Hymn-of-the-Day project. This is a "fun" one - although it has NOTHING to do with fun! ;-)

The words are by St. Andrew of Crete, also known as St. Andrew of Jerusalem (660-732), which are translated from the Greek by the great John Mason Neale (1818-1866).

The tune, "Gute Bäume Bringen" is by Peter Sohren (Circa 1630-1692). He was born in Elbing (near Danzig), West Prussia. He taught school in West Prussia, and served as cantor and organist at Elbing, and for a while (1675?) at Dirschau.

This is a WAR SONG! No doubt! This "kind" of hymn is no longer "allowed" in worship. It probably would be in a Baptist congregation, but this would NOT be the tune.

I once recall a GREAT Baptist preacher, who began his sermon by saying: "I've got my war clothes on and I'm preachin' like I'm goin' to war this mornin'..."

Well, whether or not it is appropriate you will have to judge for yourselves, but I tried to make it VERY dramatic and colorful...

Sort of like a call-to-arms. I just made it up as I went along... ;-)

There is one FULL VERSE of introduction.

Christian, dost thou see them on the holy ground,
How the powers of darkness rage thy steps around?
Christian, up and smite them, counting gain but loss,
In the strength that cometh by the Holy Cross.

Christian, dost thou feel them, how they work within,
Striving, tempting, luring, goading into sin?
Christian, never tremble; never be downcast;
Gird thee for the battle, watch and pray and fast.

Christian, dost thou hear them, how they speak thee fair?
“Always fast and vigil? Always watch and prayer?”
Christian, answer boldly: “While I breathe I pray!”
Peace shall follow battle, night shall end in day.

“Well I know thy trouble, O my servant true;
Thou art very weary, I was weary, too;
But that toil shall make thee some day all Mine own,
At the end of sorrow shall be near my throne.”