Die güldne Sonne voll Freud und Wonne

Die güldne Sonne voll Freud und Wonne. Paul Gerhardt* (1607-1676). This vigorous morning hymn, with the sun full of joy and delight, was first published in Johann Georg Ebeling*’s Pauli Gerhardti Geistliche Andachten (1666-67). It had twelve 10-line stanzas, all of which are found in EG 449. It is remarkable for its short lines and insistent rhyming. These suit the topic of the sun rising, full of joy and bliss; although the hymn, while celebrating God as creator of morning and evening, also recognises the transience of human life, especially in stanza 7: Menschliches Wesen, / was ist’s gewesen?/ In einer Stunde / geht es zugrunde, / sobald das Lüftlein / des Totes drein bläst. / Alles in...