Tracks
Liner Notes
Kaiser’s Empor zu Gott, Mein Lobgesang is a setting of a German text by Rabbi Benjamin Szold (see the Introduction to Volume 1), which he included in his own prayerbook and which Kaiser published to his own music in the 1876 edition of Zimrath Yah (see Kaiser's biography). It is typical of the German settings that enjoyed significant popularity among Classical Reform congregations.
Lyrics
Sung in German
Zimrath Yah 1875
Words: Rev. Dr. B. Szold
Up to the Lord arise, my song! Resound, my lay, with harps well strung! God's day has come, the choicest of all days, sing Hallelujah to his praise!
From heaven came in splendor bright the Law that guideth us aright; its tender beams shine on our ways, as in the dale the morning's rays.
It leads us o'er to heaven's domain through this our vale of gloom and pain, and consecrates our fleeting days, to things no time can e'er erase.
Empor zu Gott, mein Lobgesang,
Ertön' mein Lied mit Harfenklang!
Der hohe Freudentag ist da!
Lobsinget ihm, halleluja! Lobsinget ihm, halleluja!
Vom Himmel kam in heller Pracht,
Die Lehr', die uns das Heil gebracht;
Nun leuchtet uns ein milder Strahl,
Ein Morgenrot im dunklen Tal,
Und führt uns alle Himmel an
Auf dieser dunklen Erdenbahn,
Und weihet unsre Lebenszeit
Für Gott, und Heil, und Ewigkeit!
Für Gott, für Gott, und Heil, und Ewigkeit!
Credits
Composer: Alois KaiserPerformers: Carolina Chamber Chorale; Margery Dodds, Organ; Timothy Koch, Conductor
Translation: Jastrow 1873
