Morning Shine of Eternity by Christian Knorr von Rosenroth

[Rafael_Chiron]

In a German songbook of the Roman Catholic Church I have found following text from Christian Knorr von Rosenroth, which is the first verse of a poem. (Christian Knorr von Rosenroth was the author of the “Kabbala Denudata” which was translated in its whole parts as “Kabbala Unveiled” by Mac Gregor Mathers!) I first give the original German text followed by my own translation:

Morgenglanz der Ewigkeit

Morgenglanz der Ewigkeit,
Licht vom unerschöpften Lichte,
Schick uns diese Morgenzeit
Deine Strahlen zu Gesichte:
Und vertreib durch deine Macht
Unsre Nacht.

Translation:

Morning shine of eternity

Morning shine of eternity
Light of never created light
Send us this morning age
Your shine upon the face:
And drive away by your power
Our Night

“Never created” could also translated literally as “not able to scoop”, this means the light of ain soph. “Face” belongs to the microposophus especially tiphareth. The implied cabbalistic symbolism seems a anticipation towards the Golden Dawn.

Rafael Chiron

[dawnof93]

“Never created” could also translated literally as “not able to scoop”, this means the light of ain soph. “Face” belongs to the microposophus especially tiphareth. The implied cabbalistic symbolism seems a anticipation towards the Golden Dawn.

This is lovely, thanks for posting it! It does seem to me to tap into the same stream that led to the Golden Dawn.

[Frater Tandu]

Do you have the music that this is set to, as well? Could you send it? PM me and I'll give you an email address. Thanks!

[BrAugustine]

Morgenglanz der Ewigkeit

Morgenglanz der Ewigkeit,
Licht vom unerschöpften Lichte,
Schick uns diese Morgenzeit
Deine Strahlen zu Gesichte:
Und vertreib durch deine Macht
Unsre Nacht.

“Never created” could also translated literally as “not able to scoop”, this means the light of ain soph. “Face” belongs to the microposophus especially tiphareth. The implied cabbalistic symbolism seems a anticipation towards the Golden Dawn.

"Unerschöpft" means "inexhaustible," but "Limitless Light" is certainly suggested. "Die Schöpfung" means "Creation" (as in "the created universe") but i think (though i haven't studied German theological vocabulary) that one would say "unerschaffen" for "uncreated." See e.g., the discussion here on the LEO German -> <- English dictionary forum:

http://dict.leo.org/forum/viewWrongentr ... de&lang=de

Nice catch though!!!

[non sum qualis eram]

Very neat! So this was a poem by Rosenroth first, then acquired by the Roman Catholic Churchs' songbook?

[Rafael_Chiron]

"Unerschöpft" means "inexhaustible," but "Limitless Light" is certainly suggested. "Die Schöpfung" means "Creation" (as in "the created universe") but i think (though i haven't studied German theological vocabulary) that one would say "unerschaffen" for "uncreated."

.

"Unerschöpft" for "inexhaustible" would be the best translation, but in this context it doesn't fit. "Unerschöpft" is clearly used with regard to "Creation"(Schöpfung) and in this case it means the same as "unerschaffen".

Very neat! So this was a poem by Rosenroth first, then acquired by the Roman Catholic Churchs' songbook?

Yes, but only the first verse of the poem was adapted into the song.

Rafael_Chiron

[non sum qualis eram]

Here is another translation of the hymn to add to the erudition in this thread.
http://www.ccel.org/a/anonymous/luth_hymnal/tlh539.htm
It gives the song as wholly by Rosenroth; maybe he wrote the music too? (there is a midi of the tune on that page.)

"Come, Thou Bright and Morning Star"
by Christian K. von Rosenroth, 1636-1689
Translated by Richard Massie, 1800-1887

1. Come, Thou Bright and Morning Star,
Light of light, without beginning!
Shine upon us from afar
That we may be kept from sinning.
Drive away by Thy clear light
Our dark night.

2. Let Thy grace, like morning dew
Falling soft on barren places,
Comfort, quicken, and renew
Our dry souls and dying graces;
Bless Thy flock from Thy rich store
Evermore.

3. May Thy fervent love destroy
Our cold works, in us awaking
Ardent zeal and holy joy
At the purple morn's first breaking.
Let us truly rise ere yet
Life has set.

4. Ah! thou Dayspring from on high,
Grant that at Thy next appearing
We who in the graves do lie
May arise, Thy summons hearing,
And rejoice in our new life,
Far from strife.

5. Light us to those heavenly spheres,
Sun of grace, in glory shrouded;
Lead us through this vale of tears
To the land where days unclouded,
Purest joy, and perfect peace
Never cease.

[non sum qualis eram]

I'm sure the above translation is "loose" to rhyme for the song. There are still a lot of lines that could be interpreted qabalistically.