Von Guten Mächten (English cover)

To greet the beginning of the new year 1945, Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote a poem
from his prison cell. He was a German pastor and theologian who had been
imprisoned in Berlin at Flossenburg by the Nazi's for his resistance to Adolf
Hitler. On April 9, 1945, just a few months after this poem was written, Pastor
Bonhoeffer was hanged by the Nazi's in Berlin. The Allies liberated Berlin in
May 1945, just one month after Bonhoeffer's execution. Von guten Mächten wunderbar geborgen, -by D. Bonhoeffer.

By gracious powers wonderfully sheltered.

By gracious powers wonderfully sheltered,
and confidently waiting, come what may,
we know that God is with us night and morning,
and never fails to greet us each new day.

Yet is this heart by its old foe tormented,
still evil days bring burdens hard to bear;
O give our frightened souls the sure salvation
for which, O Lord, you taught us to prepare.

And when this cup you give is filled to brimming
with bitter sorrow, hard to understand,
we take it thankfully and without trembling,
out of so good and so beloved hand.

Yet when again in this same world you give us
the joy we had, the brightness of your sun,
we shall remember all the days we lived through,
and our whole life shall then be yours alone.

English translation by: Thomas Schmidt
***performed by Terence Sid Lelis
***additional vocals added on post-live recording

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