YSG 的部落格

At the close of the day, when you kneel to pray,
Will you remember me?
I need help every day, this is why I pray,
Will you remember me?

When you pray, will you pray for me?
For I need His love and His care.
When you pray, will you pray for me?
Will you whisper my name in your prayer?

At the break of the day, when I kneel to pray,
I will remember you.
You need help every day, this is why I pray,
(And) I will remember you.

When I pray, I will pray for you,
For you need His love and His care.
When I pray, I will pray for you,
I will whisper your name in my prayer.

"When You Pray"
Audrey Mieir

　　又一次因著要揀選回應詩而認識新詩歌。
　　這一回要回應的講題是〈代禱的操練〉，經文選自以弗所書 6:18-19、雅各書 5:14-16 和哥林多後書 1:11。
　　說祈禱的詩歌當然不少，但講代禱的，我只想起一首〈主愛常繫〉——記得是龍飛哥哥的介紹，不覺已是十多年前的事了。
　　所謂想起，其實也只是個模糊的印象，既沒有歌名，也沒有旋律，甚至連歌詞也沒有一句半句，只記得內容是要告訴即將離別的友人，此處仍有人為你禱告守望。
　　可幸的是知道自己有保存歌譜，雖然是數字譜，但也用得上，哪料卻是遍尋不獲。也試過問龍飛哥哥，但由於我的印象太過模糊，說了等如沒說，所以問了也等如沒問。
　　於是只好另找詩歌，於是求諸互聯網，於是便學了這首 When You Pray¹。

* * *

　　When You Pray 的歌詞的確簡單，兩節拼起來不過就是：

　　　　我們早晚屈膝禱告
　　　　天天求父幫助，慈愛看顧
　　　　為此，你為我，我為你，禱告

　　彷彿簡單到托不起一堂道。
　　然而，誰說代禱必定是複雜的？
　　耶穌在主禱文中點出，人生在世最基本的需要，就是祈求天父賜下供應和保守²。

* * *

　　翻譯「底本」來自 CantonHymn，兩節歌詞正歌「你我」對調，第一次「問你」，第二節「說我」。然而，在《青年聖歌》以至網上其他版本中，只有副歌「你我」對調，第二節正歌依然是「問你」。此外，CantonHymn 版本第二節正歌尾句多了個 "And"，也是其他版本所無。
　　有時，在敬拜讚美的時候，領詩員會請會眾對調歌詞中的你我，加深對內容的感受。我想，「你我」對調這個做法，在彼此代求的詩歌中別有一番意義。

* * *

　　誤打誤撞，讀到一篇網誌，是仇勁剛傳道記述神學院老師溫張蓮教授的小品³。
　　文章寫於 2016 年，前半記述唸書時期與老師的往還，後半速記溫太從患病到治療到康復的過程，讀來深深感受到師徒兩人情誼殊深。
　　我對溫太印象不多，只記得她往日似乎不時會到教會證道和講授聖樂知識。我們現在的詩班指揮和她熟稔，間中也有提及她的情況。現時網上崇拜盛行，也會見到溫太在詩班獻詩的身影。
　　仇傳道文末一句「……一直為你祈禱。」不就是「禱告時，我必給你求，我必輕呼你名代禱告」嗎？

註：

1. 當時還找到了另一首講代求的詩歌 Someone Is Praying For You，同樣頗有感受。兩首對自己、對會眾而言都是新歌，只是 When You Pray 的曲詞相對簡單，用作回應詩當較為合適。
2. 馬太福音 6:11-13：「我們日用的飲食，今日賜給我們。免我們的債，如同我們免了人的債。不叫我們遇見試探，救我們脫離兇惡。」其中，「免我們的債，如同我們免了人的債」似乎不完全是禱文，因為有後半作為前半的前提（或者說，我們的祈求也包含回應），也有第 14、15 節作為註腳：「你們饒恕人的過犯，你們的天父也必饒恕你們的過犯；你們不饒恕人的過犯，你們的天父也必不饒恕你們的過犯。」
3. 仇勁剛．〈太后吉祥溫張蓮〉，2016-10-28
   https://kingkonget.wordpress.com/2016/10/28/太后吉祥溫張蓮/

I hear my blessed Saviour say:
"Follow me, follow me, follow me;"
His voice is calling all the day,
"Follow me, follow me, follow me;
For thee I trod the bitter way,
For thee I gave my life away,
And drank the gall thy debt to pay,
Follow me, follow me, follow me."

"Tho' thou hast sinn'd, I'll pardon thee,
Follow me, follow me, follow me;
From ev'ry sin I'll set thee free,
Follow me, follow me, follow me;
In all thy changing life I'll be
Thy God, thy guide on land and sea,
Thy bliss thro' all eternity,
Follow me, follow me, follow me."

"Bring unto me thy many cares,
Follow me, follow me, follow me;
Thy heavy load my arm upbears,
Follow me, follow me, follow me;
Lean on my breast, dismiss thy fears,
And trust me thro' thy future years,
My hand shall wipe away all tears,
Follow me, follow me, follow me."

"Follow Me"
Words: George Watson
Tune: TUCKER

留下一些譯寫記錄：

• 第一次聽這首詩歌不過是近兩年的事，是藍青的二重唱版本。旋律簡單，「跟隨我，跟隨我，跟隨我」直接。唔啱音有唔啱音嘅好處。
• 前兩天聽道又想起這首詩歌。譯寫吧！
• 最需要處理的當然是鑰句「跟隨我，跟隨我，跟隨我」。借用了林國璋牧師的譯詞：「來吧！專一跟隨我！」
• 這首詩歌似乎有其他常用的調子，歌詞因此也略有不同。參見The Cyber Hymnal 和 Hymnary.org。
• 勉勉強強押了些韻。第二節學原文不依旋律斷句，卻學不了原文押韻。
• 以往少落標點，不過這首詩歌要用引號，於是索性全篇都加上標點。
• 第三節「放開、蔭下、投靠」連用，很可能是受玻璃海〈投靠〉、原始和聲〈避難所〉、共享詩歌〈放開手中一切〉影響吧……

Teach me Thy way, O Lord, teach me Thy way!
Thy guiding grace afford, teach me Thy way!
Help me to walk aright, more by faith, less by sight;
Lead me with heav'nly light, teach me Thy way!

When I am sad at heart, teach me Thy way!
When earthly joys depart, teach me Thy way!
In hours of loneliness, in times of dire distress,
In failure or success, teach me Thy way!

When doubts and fears arise, teach me Thy way!
When storms o'erspread the skies, teach me Thy way!
Shine thro' the cloud and rain, thro' sorrow, toil and pain;
Make Thou my pathway plain, teach me Thy way!

Long as my life shall last, teach me Thy way!
Where'er my lot be cast, teach me Thy way!
Until the race is run, until the journey's done,
Until the crown is won, teach me Thy way!

"Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord"
Benjamin M. Ramsey, 1919

God be with you till we meet again;
By His counsels guide, uphold you,
With His sheep securely fold you:
God be with you till we meet again.

God be with you till we meet again;
'Neath His wings protecting hide you,
Daily manna still provide you:
God be with you till we meet again.

God be with you till we meet again;
When life's perils thick confound you,
Put His arms unfailing round you:
God be with you till we meet again.

God be with you till we meet again;
Keep love's banner floating o'er you,
Smite death's threatening wave before you:
God be with you till we meet again.

"God Be With You Till We Meet Again"
Words: Jeremiah E Rankin, 1880
Music: Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1906 (RANDOLPH)

　　這原是我第一首「翻譯」的詩歌。
　　所謂翻譯，實在是只取其意而另行創作之舉：譯文沒有一句出自原詩，字數又節節不同，還幸押了些韻（恐怕那也只是撞彩）。

　　當年「翻譯」的緣由沒有記下，如今只餘零散印象。
　　認識這首詩歌，在高中寄宿學校的教堂。那兩年，經常當師兄的琴僮，跟他到教堂練管風琴：他練琴，我翻譜。"God Be With You Till We Meet Again" 是唯一一首記在心裡的歌，隱約記得師兄說過音樂是風琴老師的老師編寫的。現在和師兄久無來往，不知他一切可好？
　　上了大學，入了團契，認識了好些做博士後研究的師兄，Daniel 是當中最德高望重的一位——他們喚他「太公」——不是說他的學術知識（我猜也有一點），而是指他在聖經教導上的「級數」。我和他見面相處的日子未及一年，感情說不上深厚，竟爾因為他離開而想起這首詩歌，憑譯寄意。這個寄，自是寄託；我沒有把譯文給他。回港後和他碰過一兩次面，不知他一切可好？

　　這幾年對譯寫詩歌的認識漸深，覺得用亂嚟來形容自己的舊作也不過分，所以想重新譯寫：這些詩歌都值得有個好譯本。"God Be With You Till We Meet Again" 就成了第一首重譯的詩歌。
　　想不到，這次重譯，卻竟也在臨別之時。

* * *

　　"God Be With You Till We Meet Again" 有兩個調，大多數詩集收錄的〈再相會歌〉都不是我聽慣的 RANDOLPH 調。RANDOLPH 調有個特點，就是一如歌詞般重複每節首尾兩句。
　　原詩八節，不過中外詩集大多只取其中四節，那我就躲躲懶，不把八節全數譯寫了。

　　詩歌寫出在道別之際，詩人祈求直至再會的那一天，上帝會指引、供應友人（第一、二節），保護友人跨過生死（第三、四節），直至再會的那一天。
　　譯寫之時，曾參考過數個譯本。當中，最工整的可說是《普天頌讚》的劉廷芳譯本（僅抄錄每節第二、三句）：

1. 主為良師常指導你，主為牧人常養護你。
2. 主展全能羽翼護你，主賜日用糧食養你。
3. 生活危機雖侵擾你，仁愛聖臂必衞護你。
4. 愛的旌旗常率引你，死的冷波不能傷你。

　　原詩最難解的一句，無疑是第四節的第二句："Keep love's banner floating o'er you"，語出〈雅歌〉2:4：

He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. (KJV)
He brought me into the banquet hall, and he looked at me lovingly. (NET)
他帶領著我進了宴飲室，他的旗幟就只是「愛」覆庇著我。（呂振中譯本）
他帶我進他的宴會廳，在我頭上飄揚愛情的旗幟。（現代中文譯本）
他帶我進入酒室，含情脈脈地望著我。（新譯本）

　　甚麼是「以愛為旗」（和合本）呢？覆庇即是蓋在身上嗎？那和在頭上飄揚有沒有分別？既然有譯本譯作 "looked at me lovingly"，那我就大膽用意譯的方法，取藏在主懷內的意象。

　　也說說押韻。原詩看似除了重複 "again" 和 "you" 便無押韻，但每節第二、三句倒數第二字其實同韻。我的譯寫沒有押韻，雖然想偷偷把第二句末字聯上第三句倒數第三字（失敗了）。

* * *

　　道別向來傷感。年年柳色，灞陵傷別。
　　與師兄、太公道別，以至許許多多的別離，不過是分道揚鑣的等閒事，不過是人生軌跡交會後幾近必然的異路，這些相遇本就注定了要相分。只是，人生在世，還有一些無可如何的別離，或許是離開一些似曾相識卻已恍若陌生的故人故地，或許是作別一些不得不出走的境地、不得不放手的人情。
　　然而，詩人卻說，創作 "God Be With You Till We Meet Again"，是因為 "goodbye" 一詞源自 "God be with you"。原來，我們在道別時還能說一句「Goodbye，願上主與你同在，直到我們再會之時」是多麼美好，尤其在這個連「一生平安」都彷彿成了諱語的時代。

　　麥傳道，千萬珍重，珍重千萬。

1995 + 26 年 6 月 20 + 3 日

延伸閱讀：

• "God Be With You Till We Meet Again", The Cyber Hymnal, http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/g/b/e/w/gbewiyou.htm
• "God Be With You Till We Meet Again", Hymnary.org, https://hymnary.org/text/god_be_with_you_till_we_meet_again

Forgiven, I've been forgiven;
God has looked beyond my sin,
Saved me from what I might have been,
Gave me a new life within.
I am forgiven by his grace.

Though he had chosen me to be his own,
I turned my back and walked away;
And when he often urged me to return,
I simply said, "Another day."

The path of sinful life I chose to go;
I did not care what others thought.
But still he loved my life more than his own,
And with his life my soul he bought, my soul he bought!

"Forgiven"
Words by Mark Blankenship and music by Buryl Red, 1983

得赦免　今得著赦免
上帝已除去我罪
從罪惡中把我贖回
叫我重獲新生命
靠主恩典我得赦免

雖然祂已選我作祂兒女
我竟然轉身離棄祂
救主不斷地呼召我轉回
我總是推卻不理會

我自甘沉迷罪惡生活中
親友的勸告不聽從
但是主愛我這卑微生命
竟犧牲自己來救我　祂拯救我

〈赦免〉
Mark Blankenship 曲．鄭棣聲譯

　　也簡單寫幾句。

　　幾年前，師母指揮給我們詩班選了這首詩歌。
　　很喜歡。
　　師母指揮說，鄭棣聲是她的神學院老師，一位很熱心的聖樂人。他唱詩、他譯詞、他指揮。
　　他的名字我自然是從唱詩那裡知道的。《世紀頌讚》就選了他 29 首譯作。我想，他的譯作也許不比《青年聖歌》團隊多，但有一點卻是相同的，就是都陪伴了好幾代信徒，尤其是詩班員。

* * *

　　因為喜歡，所以著手譯寫。這個「著」，自然又是漫長的現在進行式。
　　時寫時停。
　　這星期把放下了大半年的譯稿取出來看。與音樂比對下又找出好幾個錯處，需要修正。記憶果然不可靠。

　　"Forgiven" 的旋律不難，起承轉合十分自然，所以一直以為是會眾詩歌，加上 SSik 當時發現《世紀頌讚》也有收錄（但不是鄭先生的翻譯），雖然只有正歌部分，究竟加強了我這個想法。
　　後來，上網搜尋，「所有證據」卻都指向只有正歌是會眾詩，副歌則只在詩班聲部譜才出現。因是之故，順手加了幾句較叶男聲的歌詞，〈蒙赦宥〉就成了詩班用的譯本。

* * *

　　最近看到歌唱家陳供生先生的訪問，他說：「最大的恩典，是赦罪的恩典；不是因為我比別人好，也不是因為我比別人壞，是因為祂赦免我。十字架的恩典，是赦免的恩典。」
　　此言甚是。

I once was lost in sin's dark night,
God's love I spurned, I wandered from the right;
Rejecting Him, I knew not why,
The One who for my soul did bleed and die.

He ransomed me, from sin He set me free,
He paid my debt on rugged Calvary,
He's taken all my sin and guilt away,
And turned my darkness into day.

I never dreamed I could possess
Such peace and joy as now is in my breast;
The Christ who set my poor soul free
Can save your soul and give you victory.

"He Ransomed Me"
Burl Sparks, 1929

Overwhelmed by love
Deeper than oceans, high as the heavens
Ever living God,
your love has rescued me

All my sin was laid
On your dear Son, your precious one
All my debt He paid
Great is Your love to me

No one could ever earn Your love
Your grace and mercy is free
Lord, these words are true
So is my love for You

"Overwhelmed By Love"
Noel Richard, 1994

In the image of God, we were made long ago,
with the purpose divine, here his glory to show.
But we failed him one day, and like sheep went astray,
thinking not of the cost, we his likeness had lost.

But from eternity God had in mind
the work of Calvary, the lost to find.

From his heaven so broad, Christ came down earth to trod,
so that men might live again in the image of God.

Now that I have believed, and the Savior received;
now that I from the cry of my guilt am relieved.
I will live for my Lord, not for gain nor reward,
but for love, thinking of what His grace has restored.

I'll never comprehend Redemption's plan:
How Christ could condescend to die for men.

Such a Savior I'll praise to the end of my days,
as I upward onward trod in the image of God.

"In The Image Of God"
John W Peterson, 1966

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord!
Unnumbered blessings, give my spirit voice;
tender to me the promise of his word;
in God my Saviour shall my heart rejoice.

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his Name!
Make known his might, the deeds his arm has done;
his mercy sure, from age to age the same;
his holy Name—the Lord, the Mighty One.

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his might!
Pow'rs and dominions lay their glory by.
Proud hearts and stubborn wills are put to flight,
the hungry fed, the humble lifted high.

Tell out, my soul, the glories of his word!
Firm is his promise, and his mercy sure.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord
to children's children and for evermore!

"Tell Out, My Soul"
Words: Timothy Dudley-Smith, 1961, based on the New English Bible translation of the Magnificat
Music: Walter Greatorex, 1919 (WOODLANDS)

　　很多年後，才知道詩歌據馬利亞的尊主頌寫成。

And Mary said:
"Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord,
rejoice, rejoice, my spirit, in God my saviour;
so tenderly has he looked upon his servant,
humble as she is.
For, from this day forth,
all generations will count me blessed,
so wonderfully has he dealt with me,
the Lord, the Mighty One.

His name is Holy;
his mercy sure from generation to generation
toward those who fear him;
the deeds his own right arm has done disclose his might:
the arrogant of heart and mind he has put to rout,
he has brought down monarchs from their thrones,
but the humble have been lifted high.
The hungry he has satisfied with good things,
the rich sent empty away.

He has ranged himself at the side of Israel his servant;
firm in his promise to our forefathers,
he has not forgotten to show mercy to Abraham
and his children's children, for ever.' (Luke 1:46-55, New English Bible)

馬利亞說：
「我的心尊崇主，
我的靈因神我的救主而歡欣，
因為他顧念他婢女的卑微。
看啊，今後萬代都要稱我有福，
因為全能者為我做了大事，
他的名字是神聖的。
他向敬畏他的人施憐憫，
直到世世代代。
他用手臂施展大能：
他使心高氣傲的人四散；
他使統治者下台，
使卑微者高升；
他讓飢餓的人飽享美食，
使富有的人空手離去；
他扶助自己的僕人以色列，
沒有忘記施憐憫，
正如他對我們先祖所說的，
要憐憫亞伯拉罕和他的後裔，
直到永遠。」（〈路加福音〉1:46-55，新漢語譯本）

I can almost see Your holiness
As I look around this place
With my hands stretched out to receive Your love
I can see You on each face

Spirit of God, lift me up
Spirit of God, lift me up
Fill me again with Your love
Sweet Spirit of God

"I Can Almost See" (Spirit Of God)
Hanneke Jacobs, 1984

Jesus is King and I will extol Him,
Give Him the glory and honour His name.
He reigns on high, enthroned in the heavens,
Word of the Father, exalted for us.

We have a hope that's steadfast and certain,
Gone through the curtain and touching the throne.
We have a Priest who's there interceding,
Pouring His grace on our lives day by day.

We come to Him, our Priest and Apostle,
Clothed in His glory and bearing His name,
Laying our lives with gladness before Him;
Filled with His Spirit we worship the King.

"O Holy One, our hearts do adore You;
Thrilled with Your goodness we give you our praise."
Angels in light with worship surround Him,
Jesus, our Saviour, forever the same.

"Jesus Is King"
Wendy Churchill, 1982

（一）

　　那天，崇拜前聽電琴奏樂，有一首好不熟悉。走近問問，原來是 "Jesus Is King"，一首只在 CD 聽過、卻從未唱過的詩歌。接著兩個星期，這首詩歌不時在腦中響起。一邊響，一邊想。很自然就譯寫歌詞起來。

　　最喜歡第二節。
　　歌詞寫我們得以經過幔子，坦然無懼地走到施恩的寶座前。這盼望之所以如此堅固牢靠，全因那位已經升入高天尊榮，並為我們祈求，且恩待我們的大祭司。
　　整首詩歌沒有提及耶穌為我們受死復活，只說出祂本是滿有榮耀的君王，卻不斷地為我們代求，好叫我們能夠走到施恩座前，得憐恤、蒙恩惠。

（二）

　　是〈希伯來書〉說的。
　　這刻才知道，自己對聖經原來那麼陌生。例如，第三節歌詞第三節提到耶穌是 our Priest and Apostle。使徒不是彼得、約翰或者保羅他們嗎？卻原來，〈希伯來書〉這樣說：

Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession. (Hebrews 3:1, NASB)
同蒙天召的聖潔弟兄啊，你們應當思想我們所認為使者、為大祭司的耶穌。（〈希伯來書〉3:1，和合本）

　　我一向以為 apostle 是使徒，但此處和合本譯作「使者」；這個字原文大概就是「打發、傳信」的意思。網上有文章引述 Charles Spear 的見解，說 apostle 一字隱含三件事：一定是受差遣的；一定有特定的使命；一定獲賦與足以完成使命的能力。以此看來，耶穌確是神的 apostle：祂受天父差遣；祂來為要拯救世人；祂帶著神的權能。
　　蘇佐揚牧師解答「何以稱耶穌為『使徒』？」時，提到耶穌曾祈禱說：「你怎樣差我到世上，我也照樣差他們到世上。」（〈約翰福音〉 17:17）他認為這無異是說：「主耶穌作神的使徒，那十二人是主耶穌的使徒。」

（三）

　　「大祭司」的英文大多是 high priest 或 great high priest。作者以大楷 P 的 Priest 作專有名詞，特指耶穌。中文沒有這種文法，只能老老實實用「大祭司」，可是整首詩歌我卻找不到可以入詞的地方，唯有寫作「至聖祭司」。歌詞又提及施恩座，我也暗暗換成了至聖所。此外，還有幾個字拗了音。

　　除了字詞變易，譯詞還有一項不可饒恕的錯，就是改了原曲。
　　對此，我當然有解釋：這是多年前從 CD 聽到這首詩歌的版本。
　　然而，我沒有對著歌譜譯寫，就是犯了錯。相異之處雖不多亦不少，音高改了，節奏也轉了。要把差別用文字寫出來，似乎不易明白，那就打份歌譜，做個聲音檔好了。

（四）

　　直至目前，我只見過一份 "Jesus Is King" 的中譯：〈耶穌是君王〉。譯詞是蔡張敬玲女士的手筆，編入《恩頌聖歌》內。我譯寫時多少有參考過，其中一句就明顯得自「披戴祢尊榮，屬祢恩名下」。
　　謹此申報。

相關經文：

（英譯採自 New American Standard Version，中譯採自和合本）

Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession. (Hebrews 3:1)
同蒙天召的聖潔弟兄啊，你們應當思想我們所認為使者、為大祭司的耶穌。（〈希伯來書〉3:1）

Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
所以，我們只管坦然無懼地來到施恩的寶座前，為要得憐恤，蒙恩惠，作隨時的幫助。（〈希伯來書〉4:16）

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil. (Hebrews 6:19)
我們有這指望，如同靈魂的錨，又堅固又牢靠，且通入幔內。（〈希伯來書〉6:19）

The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing, but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently. Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:23-25)
那些成為祭司的，數目本來多，是因為有死阻隔，不能長久。這位既是永遠常存的，他祭司的職任就長久不更換。凡靠著他進到神面前的人，他都能拯救到底；因為他是長遠活著，替他們祈求。（〈希伯來書〉7:23-25）

延伸閱讀：

• "How Was Jesus an Apostle?"，http://www.jesus.org/is-jesus-god/names-of-jesus/how-was-jesus-an-apostle.html
• 〈希伯來書第三章拾穗〉，http://www.ccbiblestudy.org/New%20Testament/58Heb/58GT03.htm

Shepherd of love, You knew I had lost my way.
Shepherd of love, You cared when I'd gone astray.

You sought and found me, placed around me
Strong arms that carry me home.
No foe can harm me, or alarm me,
Never again will I roam.

Shepherd of love, Savior and Lord and guide
Shepherd of love, Forever I'll stay by Your side.

"Shepherd Of Love"
John W Peterson, 1966

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head.
The stars in the bright sky looked down where He lay,
The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the Baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes;
I love you, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky
And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask You to stay
Close by me forever, and love me, I pray;
Bless all the dear children in Your tender care,
And fit us for heaven to live with You there.

"Away In A Manger"
Words: Anonymous, 1885, vv.1-2, and John T McFarland, 1892, v.3
Music: William J Kirkpatrick, 1895 (CRADLE SONG)

O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There's light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
O'er us sin no more hath dominion -
For more than conqu'rors we are!

His Word shall not fail you, He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well;
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!

"Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus"
Helen H Lemmel, 1922

All heaven declares the glory of the risen Lord.
Who can compare with the beauty of the Lord?

Forever He will be the Lamb upon the throne;
I gladly bow the knee and worship Him alone.

I will proclaim the glory of the risen Lord,
Who once was slain to reconcile man to God.

"All Heaven Declares"
Noel and Tricia Richards, 1987

Jesus, keep me near the cross, there a precious fountain;
Free to all, a healing stream, flows from Calv'ry's mountain.

In the cross, in the cross, be my glory ever,
Till my ransomed soul shall find rest beyond the river.

Near the cross, a trembling soul, love and mercy found me;
There the Bright and Morning Star shed His beams around me.

Near the cross! O Lamb of God, bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day with its shadow o'er me.

Near the cross! I'll watch and wait, hoping, trusting ever;
Till I reach the golden strand just beyond the river.

"Near The Cross"
Words: Fanny J Crosby, 1869
Music: William H Doane, 1869 (NEAR THE CROSS)

一五．復活節、也是清明節的凌晨

If I have wounded any soul today,
If I have caused one foot to go astray,
If I have walked in my own willful way,
Dear Lord, forgive!

If I have uttered idle words or vain,
If I have turned aside from want or pain,
Lest I myself shall suffer through the strain,
Dear Lord, forgive!

If I have been perverse or hard, or cold,
If I have longed for shelter in Thy fold,
When Thou hast given me some fort to hold,
Dear Lord, forgive!

Forgive the sins I have confessed to Thee;
Forgive the secret sins I do not see;
O guide me, love me and my keeper be,
Dear Lord, Amen.

"An Evening Prayer"
C Maude Battersby
Arranged by Charles H Gabriel, c. 1911

　　譯寫的時候，間中也會想起曾子的話：「吾日三省吾身：為人謀而不忠乎？與朋友交而不信乎？傳不習乎？」

Come let us sing, come let us sing,
Come with praise and adoration to the King,
Come let us sing, come let us sing,
Come with praise and adoration to the King.

For He is worthy of praise, for He is Lord,
Who was, and is, and is to come,
Every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess,
He is Jesus Christ,
He is Jesus Christ,
He is Jesus Christ the Lord.

"Come Let Us Sing"
Danny Reed, 1990

　　當然是第一次參加公司的退修營。

　　有幸參與敬拜隊的事奉。兩天退修營共有三場敬拜讚美，我們的是第三場，安排在離營前。
　　我給大家的感覺一定甚為拘謹，因為在後來的隊友營後重聚中，同事問我對這種敬拜模式會否不適應，我坦白回答說：的確不適應。
　　只是還有沒說出來的話：可是，這卻是有感動的一場敬拜啊。尤其在唱最後兩首詩歌〈走進每個角落〉、〈燃盡每一分〉的時候，看見一眾弟兄姊妹全情投入，流露恩主的愛，心下著實感動。敬拜當要應該從聖靈而得感動，但是能見到大家的反應而受觸動的敬拜，於我來說卻真的不多啊。

　　不過，縈繞耳際的，倒不是我們的敬拜詩歌，而是這首 "Come, Let Us Sing"。
　　最牽動我心的是副歌前段，唯獨耶穌。

　　口中經常唱，筆下不時寫，但腳卻從來都不會做——膝頭的功課從來沒有做過。

歌詞譯寫完於九月卅日
文章寫於十一月十一日