Hymn of the Week: We Gather Together

Tune: “Kremser” Dutch folk song arranged by Eduard Kremser

Text: Dutch original translated by Theodore Baker

Lyrics: See text at the bottom of this post

Thumbnail Picture: Laborum dulce lenimen," G. Schirmer’s adopted motto, may be translated as “Sweet solace of my labors,” and is a quotation from an ode to his lyre by Horace, the Roman lyric poet (65 – 8 B.C.).

This inspiring and powerfully unifying hymn featured in the November 8 liturgy (in the sixth minute of worship) has its roots in the Netherlands, going back over four centuries. The text is both a petition to the Lord to lift the oppressive yoke of evil and a celebration of God’s never-failing care for us. It is also notable for its links with ethno-musicology, as its creators were fruitfully and respectfully involved with folk music in Europe and the music of Native Americans in America. 

“We Gather Together” was originally a Dutch patriotic song, “Wilt heden nu treden,” written around 1600 and first published in 1626. The song celebrated the (Protestant) Netherlands freedom from (Catholic) Spanish rule.  Under King Phillip II of Spain, the Dutch had been forbidden to gather for worship: thus the words had an enhanced meaning for Dutch Protestants.

The musical tune “Kremser” is named for the arranger of the melody, Eduard Kremser (1838-1914), an Austrian choir director, conductor, composer and musicologist.  Kremser produced arrangements of Dutch, German and Austrian folk songs, including “Wilt heden nu treden.” While interest in folk music and its incorporation into the religious sphere waxed and waned over the centuries, it was quite strong in the 19th century, due to nationalist and religious revivalist movements. Kremser was keen to promote folk tunes, and his arrangements were quite successful.

The hymn was imported to the United States in 1894, in a translation by Theodore Baker (1851-1934). It became immensely popular. Baker was born in New York City and started his musical career as an organist in Concord, Massachusetts. He traveled to Leipzig, Germany to pursue a doctorate and wrote his thesis on the music of the Seneca Nation. He lived for a time with the Seneca in New York State, and was initiated as a member of the tribe; his firsthand observations of their music and dancing gave him a unique perspective. His dissertation, which appeared in 1882 as Über die Musik der nordamerikanischen Wilden (On the music of the North American Indians) was the first published study of its kind.

Baker became a literary editor and translator for G. Schirmer music publishing company in New York. (Many of us will easily bring to mind G. Schirmer’s distinctive yellow editions with the border of laurel leaves and the lyre at the bottom of the cover, both symbols of Apollo, Greek god of music.) Baker authored Baker’s Biographical Dictionary of Musician in 1900, the first compendium to include American composers. It is going strong to the present day, currently in its 9th edition.

Faithfully yours,

Mary Therese

Lyrics:

1 We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing;
He chastens and hastens his will to make known;
The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing.
Sing praises to his name; he forgets not his own.

2 Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,
Ordaining, maintaining his kingdom divine;
So from the beginning the fight we were winning;
Thou, Lord, wast at our side; all glory be thine!

3 We all do extol thee, thou leader triumphant,
And pray that thou still our defender wilt be.
Let thy congregation escape tribulation;
Thy name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!