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Christian Fürchtegott Gellert

1715 - 1769 Person Name: C. F. Gellert Author of "Menska! o, hvi dröjer du" in Svenska Psalm-Boken af År 1819 Gellert, Christian Fürchtegott, son of Christian Gellert, pastor at Hainichen in the Saxon Harz, near Freiberg, was born at Hainichen, July 4, 1715. In 1734 he entered the University of Leipzig as a student of theology, and after completing his course acted for some time as assistant to his father. But then, as now, sermons preached from manuscript were not tolerated in the Lutheran Church, and as his memory was treacherous, he found himself compelled to try some other profession. In 1739 he became domestic tutor to the sons of Herr von Lüttichau, near Dresden, and in 1741 returned to Leipzig to superintend the studies of a nephew at the University. He also resumed his own studies. He graduated M.A. 1744; became in 1745 private tutor or lecturer in the philosophical faculty; and was in 1751 appointed extraordinary professor of philosophy, lecturing on poetry and rhetoric, and then on moral philosophy. An ordinary professorship offered to him in 1761 he refused, as he did not feel strong enough to fulfil its duties, having been delicate from a child, and after 1752 suffering very greatly from hypochondria. He died at Leipzig, Dec. 13, 1769 (Koch, vi. 263-277; Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie, viii. 544-549, &c). As a professor, Gellert was most popular, numbering Goethe and Lessing among his pupils, and won from his students extraordinary reverence and affection, due partly to the warm interest he took in their personal conduct and welfare. In his early life he was one of the contributors to the Bremer Beiträge; and was one of the leaders in the revolt against the domination of Gottsched and the writers of the French school. His Fables (1st Ser. 1746; 2nd 1748), by their charm of style, spirit, humour and point, may justly be characterised as epoch-making, won for him universal esteem and influence among his contemporaries of all classes, and still rank among the classics of German literature. As a hymnwriter he also marks an epoch; and while in the revival of churchly feeling the hymns of the Rationalistic period of 1760 to 1820 have been ignored by many recent compilers, yet the greatest admirers of the old standard hymns have been fain to stretch their area of selection from Luther to Gellert. He prepared himself by prayer for their composition, and selected the moments when his mental horizon was most unclouded. He was distinguished by deep and sincere piety, blameless life, and regularity in attendance on the services of the Church. His hymns are the utterances of a sincere Christian morality, not very elevated or enthusiastic, but genuine expressions of his own feelings and experiences; and what in them he preached he also put in practice in his daily life. Many are too didactic in tone, reading like versifications of portions of his lectures on morals, and are only suited for private use. But in regard to his best hymns, it may safely be said that their rational piety and good taste, combined with a certain earnestness and pathos, entitle them to a place among the classics of German hymnody. They exactly met the requirements of the time, won universal admiration, and speedily passed into the hymnbooks in use over all Germany, Roman Catholic as well as Lutheran. Two of Gellert's hymns are noted under their own first lines, viz., "Jesus lebt, mit ihm auch ich," and "Wie gross ist des All-mächtgen Güte." The following have also passed into English, almost all being taken from his Geistliche Oden und Lieder, a collection of 54 hymns first published at Leipzig, 1757, and which has passed through very numerous editions:— I. Hymns in English common use: i. An dir allein, an dir hab ich gesündigt. Lent. 1757, p. 102, in 6 stanzas of 4 lines, entitled "Hymn of Penitence." In Zollikofer's Gesange-Buch, 1766, and the Berlin Geistliche Lieder S., ed. 1863, No. 499. Translated as:— Against Thee only have I sinn'd, I own it. A good and full version, by Miss Wink worth, as No. 42 in her Chorale Book for England, 1863. Another translation is:— "Against Thee, Lord, Thee only my transgression," by N. L. Frothingham, 1870, p. 241. ii. Dies ist der Tag, den Gott gemacht. Christmas. One of his best and most popular hymns. 1757, p. 72, in 11 stanzas of 4 lines, repeated in the Berlin Gesang-Buch, 1765, No. 55, and the Berlin Geistliche Lieder S. ed. 1863, No. 154. Translated as:— This is the day the Lord hath made, O'er all the earth. A translation of stanzas i.-iii., x., by Miss Borthwick, as No. 22 in Dr. Pagenstecher's Collection, 1864, and included in Hymns from the Land of Luther, 1884, p. 256. Other trs. are:—(1) "This is the day which God ordains," by Dr. G. Walker, 1860, p. 27. (2) "This day shall yet by God's command," in the Family Treasury, 1811, p. 278. iii. Für alle Güte sei gepreist. Evening. 1757, p. 85, in 4 stanzas of 6 lines, included in Zollikofer's Gesang-Buch 1766, No. 78, and the Berlin Geistliche Lieder S., ed. 1863, No. 1160. Translated as:— To Father, Son, and Spirit praise. A good and full translation by A. T. Russell, as No. 7 in his Psalms & Hymns, 1851. Another translation is: — "For all Thy kindness laud I Thee," by H. J. Buckoll, 1842, p. 96. iv. Gott ist mein Lied. Praise. On God's Might and Providence. 1757, p. 78, in 15 st. of 5 1. In the Berlin Geistliche Lieder S.., ed. 1863, No. 24. Translated as:— God is my song, His praises I'll repeat, A free translation of stanzas i.-v., as No. 94 in Sir John Bowring's Hymns, 1825. Repeated, omitting stanza ii., as No. 114 in Dale's English Hymn Book, 1875. Other translations are:— (1) “Of God I sing," by Dr. H. Mills, 1856, p. 11. (2) "God is my song, With sovereign," by N. L. Frothingham, 1870, p. 243. v. Wenn ich, o Schöpfer, deine Macht. Praise. This fine hymn of Praise for Creation and Providence was first published 1757, p. 62, in 6 stanzas of 7 lines. In the Berlin Gesang-Buch, 1765, No. 25, and Berlin Geistliche Lieder S.ed. 1863, No. 72. Translated as:—- Thou Great First Cause! when of Thy skill. In full in Dr. H. Mills's Horae Germanicae, 1845 (1856, p. 5). Stanzas ii., iii., v., vi., altered and beginning, "The earth, where'er I turn mine eye," are in the American Lutheran General Synod's Collection, 1852. Other trs. are:— (1) "When, O my dearest Lord, I prove," by Miss Dunn, 1857, p. 80. (2) "Creator! when I see Thy might," in Madame de Pontes's Poets and Poetry of Germany, 1858, v. i. p. 472. (3) "When I, Creator, view Thy might," by Miss Manington, 1863. vi. Wer Gottes Wort nicht halt, und spricht. Faith in Works. This didactic hymn on Faith proved by Works, was first published 1757, p. 49, in 5 stanzas of 6 lines. In Zollikofer's Gesang-Buch, 1766, and the Berlin Geistliche Lieder S. ed. 1863, No. 72. Translated as:— Who keepeth not God's Word, yet saith. A good and full translation by Miss Winkworth, in her Lyra Germanica, 2nd Ser., 1858, p. 161. A greatly altered version of stanzas ii.—v., beginning, "True faith in holy life will shine," was included as No. 418 in Kennedy, 1863, and repeated in the Ibrox Hymnal 1871, J. L. Porter's Collection 1876, and others. II. Hymns not in English common use: vii. Auf Gott, und nicht auf meinen Rath. Trust in God's Providence. 1757, p. 134, in 6 stanzas. Translated as: (1) "Rule Thou my portion, Lord, my skill," by Dr. H. Mills, 1845 (1856, p. 164). (2) "On God and on no earthly trust," by J. D. Burns, in his Remains, 1869. viii. Auf, schicke dich. Christmas. 1757, p. 109, in 1 stanza. Translated as, "Come, tune your heart," by Miss Cox, 1841, p. 17 (1864, p. 39). ix. Dein Heil, o Christ! nicht zu verscherzen. Prayer. 1757, p. 6, in 14 stanzas of 8 lines. In J. A. Schlegel's Geistliche Gesänge, 3rd Ser., 1772, p. 193, recast as "Zu deinem Gotte beten," in 5 stanzas of 12 lines; and this in the Kaiserwerth Lieder-Buch für Kleinkinderschulen, 1842, No. 208, appears "Zu Gott im Himmel beten," in 8 stanzas of 4 lines. The 1842 was translated as, "O how sweet it is to pray," by Mrs. Bevan, 1859, p. 148. x. Der Tag ist wieder hin, und diesen Theil des Lebens. Evening. 1757, p. 13, in 10 stanzas, as "Self-Examination at Eventide." Translated as,"Another day is ended," by Miss Warner, 1869 (1871, p. 9). xi. Du klagst, und fühlest die Beschwerden. Contentment. 1757, p. 91, in 8 stanzas. Translated as "Thy wounded spirit feels its pain," by Dr. B. Maguire, 1883, p. 153. xii. Erinnre dich, mein Geist, erfreut. Easter. 1757, p. 27, in 13 stanzas. Translated as, "Awake, my soul, and hail the day," in Dr. J. D. Lang's Aurora Australis, Sydney, 1826, p. 43. xiii. Er ruft der Sonn, und schafft den Mond. New Year. 1757, p. 154, in 6 stanzas. In the Berlin Gesang-Buch, 1765, No. 233, as "Gott ruft." Translated as, “Lord, Thou that ever wast and art," in the British Magazine, Jan., 1838, p. 36. xiv. Gott, deine Güte reicht so weit. Supplication. 1757, p. 1, in 4 stanzas, founded on 1 Kings iii. 5-14. The translations are: (1) "O God, Thy goodness doth extend, Far as," by Dr. J. D. Lang, 1826, p. 10. (2) "Behold! Thy goodness, oh my God," by Miss Fry, 1845, p. 78. xv. Gott ist mein Hort. Holy Scripture. 1757, p. 70, in 8 stanzas. Translated as, "I trust the Lord, Upon His word," by Dr. H. Mills, 1845 (1856, p. 23). xvi. Herr, der du mir das Leben. Evening. 1757, p. 121, in 5 stanzas. Translated as, "By Thee, Thou Lord of Heaven," by H. J. Buckoll, 1842, p. 97. xvii. Herr, starke mich, dein Leiden su bedenken. Passiontide. 1757, p. 123, in 22 stanzas. Translated as, "Clothe me, oh Lord, with strength! that I may dwell” by Miss Fry, 1859, p. 153. xviii. Ich hab in guten Stunden. For the Sick. 1757, p. 128, in 6 stanzas. [See the Story of a Hymn, in the Sunday at Home for Sept., 1865.] Translated as: (1) “I have had my days of blessing," by Mrs. Findlater, in Hymns from the Land of Luther, 1855, p. 60. (2) "Once, happy hours with blessings crowned," by A. B. H., in the Day of Rest, 1877, p. 405. xix. Ich komme, Herr, und suche dich. Holy Communion. 1757, p. 89, in 5 stanzas. The translations are: (1) "I come, 0 Lord, and seek for Thee," by Miss Manington, 1863, p. 14. (2) “Weary and laden with my load, I come," by Dr. B. Maguire, 1872, p. 178. xx. Ich komme vor dein Angesicht. Supplication. 1757, p. 140. in 13 stanzas. The translations are: (1) "Great God, I bow before Thy face," by Dr. J. D. Lang, 1826, p. 23. (2) “Now in Thy presence I appear," by Dr. H. Mills, 1845 (1856, p. 137). xxi. Mein erst Gefühl sei Preis und Dank. Morning. 1757, p. 55, in 12 stanzas. Translated as, "I bless Thee, Lord, Thou God of might," beginning with st. vi., by H. J. Buckoll, 1842, p. 56. xxii. Nach einer Prüfung kurzer Tage. Eternal Life. 1757, p. 158, in 12 stanzas, as "The Consolation of Eternal Life." Though hardly a hymn for congregational use and too individualised, it has been a very great favourite in Germany. In the Berlin Gesang-Buch, 1765, 132, and the Berlin Geistliche Liedersegen, ed. 1863, No. 1483. The translations are: (1) "A few short days of trial past," in Miss Knight's Prayers and Hymns from the German, 1812 (1832, p. 107). (2) "A few short hours of transient joy," by Dr. J. D. Lang, 1826, p. 123. (3) “When these brief trial-days are past," by J. Sheppard, 1857, p. 98. (4) “A few short days of trial here,” by Miss Burlingham, in the British Herald, July 1865, p. 98. (5) "Our few short years of trial o'er," by Dr. J. Guthrie, 1869, d. 124. (6) “When these brief trial-days are spent," by Miss Winkworth, 1869, p. 318. (7) "A few more days, a few more years," by Dr. R. Maguire, 1883, p. 165. xxiii 0 Herr, mein Gott! durch den ich bin und lebe. Resignation to the will of God. 1757, p. 152. in 7 st. Translated as, "In Thee, my God, I live and move," by Dr. R. Maguire, 1883, p. 113. xxiv. So hoff’ ich denn mit festem Muth . Assurance of the Grace of God. 1757, p. 115, in 4 stanzas. The translations are: (1) "Firm is my hope of future good," by Dr. H. Mills, 1845 (1856, p. 188). (2) “In Thee, O Lord, my hope hath stood," by Dr. R. Maguire, 1872. zzv. Was ists dast ich mich quäle. Patience. 1757, p. 17, in 7 stanzas. The translations are: (1) "O foolish heart, be still," by Miss Warner, 1858 (1861, p. 452), repeated in Bishop Ryle's Collection, 1860, No. 181 (2) “What billows these that o'er thee roll," by Dr. R. Maguire, 1872. xxvi. Wie sicher lebt der Mensch, der Staub. For the Dying. 1757, p. 149, in 14 stanzas. Translated as, "How heedless, how secure is man!" by Dr. H. Mills, 1845 (1856, p. 238). One or two recasts from Gellert's Lehrgedichte und Erzählungen, Leipzig, 1754, came into German common use, and one has passed into English, viz.:— xxvii. Mensch, der du Christus schmähst, was ist in ihrer Lehre. Love to Mankind. 1754, pp. 27-56, being a poem entitled “The Christian." A recast from portions of this made by J. S. Diterich, beginning "Gieb mir, O Gott, ein Herz," in 9 stanzas, appears as No. 219 in the Berlin Gesang-Buch, 1765; and has been translated as "Grant me, O God! a tender heart," by Miss Knight, 1812 (1832, p. 97). [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Ernst Moritz Arndt

1769 - 1860 Author of "Gaa nu hen og grav min grav" Arndt, Ernst Moritz, son of Ludwig Nicolaus Arndt, estate manager for Count Putbus, in the island of Rugen, was b. at Schoritz in Rugen, Dec. 26, 1769. After studying at the Universities of Greifswald and Jena, where he completed his theological course under Paulus, he preached for two years as a candidate, but in 1798 abandoned theology. After a pedestrian tour through South Germany, Hungary, Northern Italy, France, and Belgium, he became, at Easter 1800, lecturer at the University of Greifswald, and in 1805 professor of history there. But in 1806, lamenting over the tyranny of France, he wrote his fiery Gent der Zeit (pt. ii. 1809, iii. 1813, iv. 1818) which awakened the patriotism of his countrymen, but drew on him the hatred of Napoleon, so that he had to flee to Sweden, and was not able to return to Greifswald till 1810. He again left Greifswald in 1812, and found a home with Baron v. Stein at St. Petersburg. After various wanderings, daring which he wrote many pamphlets inciting his countrymen, as none else could, to deeds of valour, and composed his well-known songs (all of date 1813), " Der Gott, der Eisen wachsen Hess. O du Deutschland, ich muss marscbieren. Was blasen die Trompeten? Was ist des Deutschen Vaterland ?" which were said to have done more to inspire the troops than a victory wou, he settled for some time at Cologne as editor of a patriotic newspaper. In 1818 he was appointed professor of history in the newly-founded University of Bonn, Being accused by the Conservative leaders then in power of teaching Republicanism, he was, in 1820, unjustly deposed (though his salary was continued to him), and was not restored till the accession of Friedrich Wilhelm IV. to the throne of Prussia in 1840. In token of respect he was elected Rector of the University 1840-1841, and lectured as professor till 1854. He continued his tranquil life at Bonn, varied by delusive hopes of better things from the Revolutionary periods of 1848 and 1859, till after having passed his ninety-first birthday (when he received some three hundred messages of congratulation which he personally answered) he departed (o the Heavenly Fatherland, Jan. 29,1860.A man of learning, a true patriot, a distinguished poet, and a man greatly revered and beloved of the people, he was a worthy modern representative of the "old Arndt," author of the True Christianity; a man of deep religious feeling, and a true-hearted and earnest witness for the Evangelical Faith. By his well-known Von dem Wort und von dem Kirchenliede, Bonn, 1819, he was one of the prime movers in the reaction which has now rescued most of the German lands from the incubus of xviii. cent. Rationalistic hymn-books. To this pamphlet he annexed 33 hymns, his best known. Of the remaining 50 some 37 appeared in his Geistliche Lieder, Berlin, 1855, and the rest in the Frankfurt, 1818, and later editions of his Gedichte—the so-called complete edition of which, pub. at Berlin 1860, contains 427 secular and sacred pieces, ranging from 1787 to 1859, with a preface dated in Christmas week 1859. (Koch, vii. 140-148; Allg. Deutsche Biog., i. 540-548.)The following 14 hymns by him have been tr. into English :— i. Der heil'ge Christ ist kommen. [Christmas] 1st pub. in 1818, vol. i. p. 319, and tr. as "The blessed Christ is coming," by C. T Astley, 1860, p. 24, in 4 st. of 8 1. ii. Dich Geiat der Wahrheit, Oeist der Kraft. [Whitsuntide.] A Prayer to the Holy Spirit. 1st pub. 1819 (No. 32), "as above, in 8 st. of 4 1. Tr. by J. Kelly, 1885, p. 67, "O Spirit, Thou of love and might." iii, Die Welt thut ihre Augen zu. [Child's Evening Hymn.] 1st pub. 1818 (vol. i. p. 265), as above, in 4 st. of 8 1. Tr. by J. Kelly, 1885, p. 109, " The busy world its eyes doth close." iv. Es lebt ein Geist, durch welchen alles lebt. [The Spirit of God.] 1st pub. 1818 (vol. i. p. 281) as above in 5 st. of 4 1., and tr. as:— " There is a Spirit—universal Source," by C. T. Astley, 1860, p. 14. v. Gegangen ist dat Sonnenlicht. [Evening.] Written in 1813, and 1st pub. 1818 (vol. ii. p. 230) as above, in 5 st. of 8 1., entitled: " The traveller's evening hymn." Tr. as (1) " The sunlight has departed," by Dr. Maguire, 1883, p. 49; (2) "The fields and woods all silence keep," by J. Kelly, 1885, p. 112. vi. Geht nun hin und grabt mein Grab. [Burial of the Dead.] Written in 1818, and 1st pub. 1819 (No. 19) as above in 9 st. of 6 1., and included in Bunsen's Versuch, 1833, and since in many other collections, e.g. Unv. L. S. 1851, No. 815. It is the most popular of his hymns and was sung at his own funeral at Bonn, Feb. 1, 1860 (Koch, vii. 147). The trs. in C. U. are :— (1) Go and dig my grave today! A good and full tr. in the 1st Series, 1855, of Miss Winkworth's Lyra Ger., p. 241 (ed. 1856, p. 243), and repeated as No. 188 in her C. B.for England, 1863. In Schaffs Christ in Song, ed. 1879, p. 536. (2) Weary now of wandering here. A tr. of st. i., iv., vi., ix., signed "F. C. C.," as No. 280, in Dr. Pagenstecher's Coll.. 1864. Other trs. are: (1) “Go! and let my grave be made," by Miss Cox, 1841, p. 83 (1861, p. 83); (2) “Prepare me now my narrow bed," by Lady Eleanor Fortescue, 1843 (1847, p. 26); (3) "Go now, my friends, and dig my grave," by Dr. G. Walker, 1860, p. 109; (4) " Now go forth and dig my grave," by A. M. Jeaffreson, in Golden Hours, 1873, p. 52. vii. Oott, deine Kindlein treten. [Children.] 1st pub. 1818 (vol. i. p. 275) as above, in 5 st. of 4 1. It is tr. as " Oh, gracious God ! Thy children come before Thee," by C. T. Astley, 1860, p. 38. viii. Ich weiss, woran ich glaube. [The Rock of Salvation.] Written in 1818, and 1st pub. 1819 (No. 28) as above in 6 st. of 8 1. In Knapp's Ev. L. S., 1837, No. 1396 (ed. 1865, No. 1348), it begins "Ich weiss, an wen ich glaube” The trs. in C. U. are:— (1) I know in Whom I put my trust. A good tr. of st. i., iv.-vi. of Knapp's text in the 2nd Series, 1858, of Miss Winkworth's Lyra Ger., p. 162. Included as No. 1170 in Kennedy, 1863, and recently in Schaff’s Christ in Song, ed. 1879, p. 426, and Lib. of Rel. Poetry, ed. 1883, p. 670. (2) I know Whom I believe in, a tr. from Knapp, omitting st. ii., iii-, as No. 288 in the Ohio Luth. Hymnal, 1880. ix. Xann ich beten, 1st in Nothen. [The Power of Prayer.] Written in 1818, and 1st pub. 1819 (No. 29) ns above in 8 st. of 7 1., and tr. " When I can pray, Without delay," by C. T. Astley, 1860, p. 10. x. Und klingst du immer Liebe wieder. [The Love of Christ.] 1st pub. 1855, as above, p. 57, in 5 st. of 6 1. Tr. by J. Kelly, 1885, p. 34, “ And dost thou always love proclaim." xi. Und willst du gar verzagen. [Trust in God.] Written in 1854, and 1st pub. as above, 1855, p. 81, in 6 st. of 81. It is tr. as " And art thou nigh despairing," in the Family Treasury, 1877, p. 110. xii. Was ist die Macht, was ist die Kraft. [Holy Scripture.] Written in 1818, and 1st pub. 1819 (No. 30) as above in 6 st. of 6 1., and included in Hofer's Pilgerharfe, Basel, 1863, No. 31. Tr. (1) "What is the Christian's power and might ?" by R. Massie, in the British Herald, April, 1865, p. 61. (2) " What is the Christian soldier's might, What is," by R. Massie in the Day of Rest, 1878, vol. viii. p. 335. xiii. Wenn aus dem Dunkeln ich mich sehne. [Hope in God.] Written in 1818, and 1st pub. 1819 (No. 18) as above, in 7 st. of 6 1. Included, omitting st. ii., as No. 2401 in Knapp's Ev. L. S. 1837 (ed. 1865, No. 2128). Tr. as " When in the depths of night I'm sighing," in the British Herald, Aug. 1866, p. 312, repeated as No. 410, in Reid's Praise Bk., 1872. xiv. Wer hat den Sand gezahlt, welcher ixn Wasser haust. [The Almighty God.] 1st pub. 1818 (i. p. 297) and included in 1819 (No. 6) as above, in 4 st. of 8 1. Tr. as " Who can on the seashore," in Dr. Dwlcken's Golden Harp, 1864, p. 32. There is also a free tr. in the Unitarian Hys. for Children, Glasgow, 1855, No. 28, beginning :—" Who has counted the leaves that fall?” - John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907) ===================== Arndt, E. M., p. 80, No. 10. "Und klingst du" was written in 1836, and first published in his Gedichte, 1840, p. 570. --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, Appendix, Part II (1907)

Johan Olof Wallin

1779 - 1839 Person Name: J. O. Wallin Paraphraser of "Menska! o, hvi dröjer du" in Svenska Psalm-Boken af År 1819 Johan Olaf Wallin was born at Stora Tuna, in 1779, and early displayed his poetical powers. In 1805, and again in 1809, he gained the chief prize for poetry at Upsala. In the latter year he became pastor at Solna; here his ability as a preacher was so striking that he was transferred to Stockholm, in 1815, as "pastor primarius," a title for which we have no exact equivalent. In 1818 he was made Dean of Westeras, and set about the task of editing a revised hymn-book for the whole of Sweden. This task he completed in 1819, and published it as, Den Swenska Psalmboken, af Konungen gillad och stadfästad (The Swedish hymn-book, approved and confirmed by the King). To it he contributed some 150 hymns of his own, besides translations and recastings; and the book remains now in the form in which he brought it out. It is highly prized by the Swedes, and is in use everywhere. --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, p. 1000 (1907)

Carl Døving

1867 - 1937 Person Name: C. Doving Translator of "Jesus, Master, at Thy Word" in Concordia Born: March 21, 1867, Norddalen, Norway. Died: October 2, 1937, Chicago, Illinois. Buried: Decorah, Iowa.

F. Melius Christiansen

1871 - 1955 Person Name: F. Melius Christiansen Arranger of "GAA NU HEN" in Concordia F. Melius Christiansen (April 1, 1871-June 1, 1955) was a Norwegian-born violinist and choral conductor in the Lutheran choral tradition. Fredrik Melius Christiansen, the son of a Norwegian factory worker, was born in Eidsvold, municipality in Akershus county, Norway and emigrated to the United States at the age of 17. He settled in Washburn, Wisconsin. He studied at Augsburg College. In 1897, he returned to Europe to study three years at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Leipzig, Germany. In 1901, Christiansen was recruited by St. Olaf College president John N. Kildahl. The St. Olaf Choir was founded as an outgrowth of the St. John's Lutheran Church Choir in Northfield. For the next 30 years, Christiansen led the St. Olaf Choir, striving for perfect intonation, blend, diction and phrasing. He was a skilled conductor, directing bands and choirs alike. He assumed direction of the St. Olaf Band in 1903, and took the ensemble on tour to Norway in 1906 to play for King Haakon VII, making it the first college music ensemble to conduct a tour abroad. Though his first love was the violin, he received international fame as founding director of the St. Olaf Choir of St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, USA from 1912 to 1944. Christiansen was considered a pioneer in the art of a cappella (unaccompanied) choral music. Christiansen composed and arranged over 250 musical selections and his choral techniques were spread throughout the U.S. by St. Olaf graduates. The great Christiansen choral tradition is a recognized feature of American Lutheranism. Four of Dr. Christiansen's children survived to adulthood two of them adding their own legacy to the Christiansen tradition of choral music in America. --en.wikipedia.org/wiki/