Scripture Verse

Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it abides alone: but if it dies, it brings forth much fruit. John 12:24

Introduction

portrait
Johann M. Haydn
1737–1806

Words: Sam­u­el Preis­werk (verses 1–2) & Fe­li­cian M. von Za­rem­ba (verse 3) (Die Sach’ Ist Dein, Herr Je­su Christ). Trans­lat­ed from Ger­man to Eng­lish by Ju­li­us H. Horst­mann, 1908.

Music: Jo­hann M. Hay­dn (1737–1806) (🔊 pdf nwc).

portrait
Samuel Preiswerk
1799–1871

Lyrics

The work is Thine, O Christ, our Lord,
The cause for which we stand;
And being Thine, ’twill overcome
Its foes on every hand.
Yet grains of wheat, before they grow,
Are buried in the earth below;
All that is old doth perish there,
To form a life both new and fair;
So too are we
From self and sin made free.

Thro’ suffering Thou, O Christ, did go
Unto Thy throne above;
And leadest now the self same way
Those true in faith and love;
So lead us, then, tho’ sufferings wait,
To share Thy kingdom’s heav’nly state,
Thy death has broken Satan’s might,
And leads the faithful to the light;
Eternal light,
From darkness into light.

Thou hast, O Savior, led the way
Thro’ agony and death;
O give, we pray, yet more and more
Thy Spirit’s living breath;
Send messengers o’er land and sea
To bring Thy children all to Thee;
Thy name can save, Thy name makes free;
We consecrate ourselves to Thee
As servants true,
As servants strong and true.