"For Me to Live Is Jesus"
                            by unknown, 1609, 1612
           Translated by Catherine Winkworth, 1829-1878; stanzas 1-7
                                  Text From:
                       THE HANDBOOK TO THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL
               (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1942)p.425



	1. For me to live Is Jesus.  
	To die is gain for me;
	Then, whensoe'er He pleases,
	I meet death willingly.
	
	2. For Christ, my Lord and Brother,
	I leave this world so dim
	And gladly seek that other,
	Where I shall be with Him.
	
	3. My woes are nearly over,
	Though long and dark the road;
	My sin His merits cover,
	And I have peace with God.
	
	4. Lord, when my powers are failing,
	My breath comes heavily,
	And words are unavailing.
	Oh, hear my sighs to Thee!
	
	5. When mind and thought, 0 Savior,
	Are flickering like a light
	That to and fro doth waver
	Ere 'tis extinguished quite,
	
	6. In that last hour, oh, grant me
	To slumber soft and still,
	No doubts to vex or haunt me,
	Safe anchored on Thy will;
	
	7. And so to Thee still cleaving
	Through all death's agony,
	To fall asleep believing
	And wake in heaven with Thee.
	
	8.Amen! Thou, Christ, my Savior.
	Wilt grant this unto me.
	Thy Spirit lead me ever
	That I fare happily.

        

        Notes:
        Hymn #597 from _The Handbook to the Lutheran Hymnal_
        Text: Phil. 1:21
        Author: unknown, 1609, 1612
        Translated by: Catherine Winkworth, 1863, alt; st. 1-7
        Translated by: unknown, st. 8
        Titled: "Christus, der ist mein Leben"
        Composer: Melchior Vulpius, 1609
        Tune: "Christus, der ist mein"