Many also of the popular songs were translated, if one may so call it, into a religious form, often in the most tasteless and absurd manner, but occasionally with so much success, that the religious entirely superseded the secular version. This was the case with the following little hymn, the idea of which was taken from the song of a wandering artisan, that begins, "Innsbruck, I must forsake thee." In its sacred form, however, it speedily became very popular, and many other hymns were afterwards written on its simple and pathetic melody.FAREWELL.

7,7,6,7,7,6

O Welt, ich muz dich lassen

[31]Anon.

trans. by Catherine Winkworth, 1869

O World, I must forsake thee,

And far away betake me,

To seek my native shore;

So long I've dwelt in sadness

I wish not now for gladness,

Earth's joys for me are o'er.

Sore is my grief and lonely,

And I can tell it only

To Thee, my Friend most sure!

God, let Thy hand uphold me,

Thy pitying heart enfold me,

For else I am most poor.

My Refuge where I hide me,

From Thee shall nought divide me,

No pain, no poverty:

Nought is too bad to bear it,

If Thou art there to share it

My heart asks only Thee.