1. I am a poorly exile
And so I must write
They put me out of the Fatherland
Banished for the Word of God
2. But I do know, my dear Lord Jesus,
It happened to you the same
And if I am to follow you
Do with me as you desire
3. A pilgrim I am again
Must travel foreign parts
I ask you then my God and Lord
Never from me depart
4. O stand by me, you mighty God
To you I have surrendered,
Leave me not in my distress
Even should it cost my life
5. The faith have I freely confessed
Of which I must not be ashamed;
Even if they called me heretic
And took my life away
6. Chains and bands were an honour to me
To bear for Jesus' sake;
For these prove the teaching of the faith
And not my evil fault.
7. Even if from me Satan and the world
were to rob my all;
I would still onto this treasure hold:
God and the true faith.
And so I must write
They put me out of the Fatherland
Banished for the Word of God
2. But I do know, my dear Lord Jesus,
It happened to you the same
And if I am to follow you
Do with me as you desire
3. A pilgrim I am again
Must travel foreign parts
I ask you then my God and Lord
Never from me depart
4. O stand by me, you mighty God
To you I have surrendered,
Leave me not in my distress
Even should it cost my life
5. The faith have I freely confessed
Of which I must not be ashamed;
Even if they called me heretic
And took my life away
6. Chains and bands were an honour to me
To bear for Jesus' sake;
For these prove the teaching of the faith
And not my evil fault.
7. Even if from me Satan and the world
were to rob my all;
I would still onto this treasure hold:
God and the true faith.
8. God ! As you will, I give in,
With you do I want to stay.
To your will do I desire
To patiently subscribe.
9. If I had to leave for misery now,
I would not put up a fight.
Still do I hope, God would in that place
Bless me with friendships sweet.
10. Now I must leave, in the name of God,
For all my possessions are taken;
But yet I know that I one day
Will receive the crown of heaven.
11. So I must depart this day my house,
My children I leave behind;
My God! the tears, they start to stream
As I wander foreign paths
12. O lead me God! into a town
Where I can have your Word;
On that will I both early and late
Feast within my heart.
13. Were I in this here vale of tears
long in poverty to live;
God will there in heaven's halls
A better dwelling give.
14. The one who made this little song,
Is not hereby mentioned;
The Pope's teaching he has ridiculed,
And Christ openly acknowledged.
J.S.
With you do I want to stay.
To your will do I desire
To patiently subscribe.
9. If I had to leave for misery now,
I would not put up a fight.
Still do I hope, God would in that place
Bless me with friendships sweet.
10. Now I must leave, in the name of God,
For all my possessions are taken;
But yet I know that I one day
Will receive the crown of heaven.
11. So I must depart this day my house,
My children I leave behind;
My God! the tears, they start to stream
As I wander foreign paths
12. O lead me God! into a town
Where I can have your Word;
On that will I both early and late
Feast within my heart.
13. Were I in this here vale of tears
long in poverty to live;
God will there in heaven's halls
A better dwelling give.
14. The one who made this little song,
Is not hereby mentioned;
The Pope's teaching he has ridiculed,
And Christ openly acknowledged.
J.S.
| An Exile's Song of Comfort |
Translation courtesy of Rev. Rhys Bezzant
