The Danish composer Carl Nielsen composed all sorts of songs: from folk songs to whimsical tunes; from elegiac songs to hymns.

His symphonies are better known abroad — they have slowly gained recognition — but his song output is, in my opinion, the distinguishing feature of his oeuvre.

Posted here is a brief hymn by Nielsen: “Min Jesus, lad mit Hjerte faa –” (Jesus Mine, Let My Heart Savour …).

 

WORDS

Min Jesus, lad mit Hjerte faa
en saadan Smag paa dig,
at Nat og Dag du være maa
min Sjæl umistelig.

Da bliver Naadens Tid og Stund
mig sød og lystelig,
thi du mig kysser med din Mund
og tager hjem til dig.

Mit Hjerte i den Grav, du laa
til Paaskemorgen red,
lad, naar det aftner, Hvile faa
og smile ad sin Død!

For saa mig arme Synder hjem
med din Retfrædighed
til dit det ny Jerusalem,
til al din Herlighed!

 

A no doubt very imperfect translation generated by Google Translate is as follows:

My Jesus, let my heart go
such a taste of you,
That night and day you may be
My soul is inalienable.

Then there will be time and time of grace
me sweet and loving,
for you kiss me with your mouth
and take home to you.

My heart in the grave you lay
to Easter morning red,
let it go to sleep, let alone
and smile at his death!

For so, my poor sins are home
with your righteousness
to your new Jerusalem,
to all your glory!

 

— Roger W. Smith

   May 2018