Draw Us to Thee, Lord Jesus

Author: Friedrich Funcke

Funcke, Friedrich, was born at Nossen in the Harz, where he was baptised March 27, 1642. After receiving a general and musical education at Freiberg and Dresden, he became cantor at Perleberg, and then, in 1664, Stadt Cantor at Luneburg. He was, in 1694, appointed pastor at Römstedt, a few miles south of Lüneburg, and died there Oct. 20, 1699. He revised the Lüneburg Gesangbuch, 1686, and contributed to it 43 melodies and 7 hymns (Blätter für Hymnologie, 1884, pp. 115, 135, 146; 1885, p. 121). One has passed into English, viz.:— Zeuch uns nach dir, so kommen wir. [Ascensiontide!] First published in the Lüneburg Stadt Gesang-Buch, 1686, No. 593y? in 5 st. of 4 l., signed "F. F.," and founded on Canticles i. 4. Repeated in F… Go to person page >

Translator: Catherine Winkworth

Catherine Winkworth (b. Holborn, London, England, 1827; d. Monnetier, Savoy, France, 1878) is well known for her English translations of German hymns; her translations were polished and yet remained close to the original. Educated initially by her mother, she lived with relatives in Dresden, Germany, in 1845, where she acquired her knowledge of German and interest in German hymnody. After residing near Manchester until 1862, she moved to Clifton, near Bristol. A pioneer in promoting women's rights, Winkworth put much of her energy into the encouragement of higher education for women. She translated a large number of German hymn texts from hymnals owned by a friend, Baron Bunsen. Though often altered, these translations continue to be used i… Go to person page >