Faith, hope and love
(Poet's title: Glaube, Hoffnung und Liebe)
Set by Schubert:
D 954
for TTBB quartet, chorus (SATB) and winds or piano[September 2, 1828]
Gott, lass die Glocke glücklich steigen,
Die Töne schallen in der Luft,
Dass hell sie von der Andacht zeugen,
Zu der uns unser Glaube ruft.
An dich, o Schöpfer, glauben wir,
Die Glockentöne hallen dir!
Von dir tönt alles Heil hernieder.
O nimm zu deinem Lob und Ruhm
Auch unsers Dankes Töne wieder
Aus deines Hauses Heiligtum!
Auf deine Gnade hoffen wir,
Die Feiertöne jubeln dir.
O Gottes Friede nur frohlocke,
Nur Liebe uns von diesem Turm!
Und nie bewege sich die Glocke
Zum Unglück, Jammer, Brand und Sturm!
Zur Liebe, Liebe läute sie!
Aus Liebe nur klingt Harmonie.
God, may this bell ascend with good fortune,
May its notes resound in the air,
So that it can bear witness to the devotion
To which our faith calls us!
We believe in you, oh creator,
The notes of the bell reverberate for you!
All salvation comes ringing to us from you.
Oh, to your praise and glory, accept
Also the notes of our thanks returning
Out of the sanctuary of your house!
We hope for your grace,
These festive notes are in honour of you.
Oh may the peace of God sound out joyfully
With love alone out of this tower!
And may the bell never be rung
Because of an accident, lamentation, fire or storm!
Let it ring with love, with love,
Harmony is only heard as a result of love.
All translations into English that appear on this website, unless otherwise stated, are by Malcolm Wren. You are free to use them on condition that you acknowledge Malcolm Wren as the translator and schubertsong.uk as the source. Unless otherwise stated, the comments and essays that appear after the texts and translations are by Malcolm Wren and are © Copyright.
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The big bell at the Dreifaltigkeitskirche (Holy Trinity Church) in Alser Straße, Vienna, cracked in 1805, but by the 2nd September 1828 it had been recast and a celebration was held as it was raised into position. Friedrich Reil, a prominent actor, was asked to write three verses and Schubert was commissioned to prepare the music.
The three verses are based on the three virtues of faith, hope and love (or ‘charity’ in the King James translation of the Bible):
9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. St. Paul, 1 Corinthians 13: 9 - 13 (KJV)
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Original Spelling Glaube, Hoffnung und Liebe Gott! laß die Glocke glücklich steigen, Die Töne schallen in der Luft, Daß hell sie von der Andacht zeugen, Zu der uns unser Glaube ruft! An Dich, o Schöpfer, glauben wir; Die Glockentöne hallen Dir! Von Dir tönt alles Heil hernieder. O nimm zu Deinem Lob und Ruhm Auch unsers Dankes Töne wieder Aus Deines Hauses Heiligthum! Auf Deine Gnade hoffen wir, Die Feyertöne jubeln Dir. O Gottes Friede nur frohlocke, Nur Liebe uns von diesem Thurm! Und nie bewege sich die Glocke Zum Unglück, Jammer, Brand und Sturm! Zur Liebe, Liebe läute sie, Aus Liebe nur klingt Harmonie.
Confirmed by Peter Rastl with Allgemeine Theaterzeitung und Unterhaltungsblatt für Freunde der Kunst, Literatur und des geselligen Lebens. Ein und zwanzigster Jahrgang. Nr. 117. Wien, Sonnabend den 27. September 1828. Herausgeber und Redakteur: Adolf Bäuerle.
To see an early edition of the text, go to https://anno.onb.ac.at/cgi-content/anno?aid=thz&datum=18280927&seite=2&zoom=33