(translation by Art Funkhouser)
\n1.
\nThis is what we want to begin,
\nTo sing about an old man
\nWho was from Haslibach,
\nHe was called Haslibacher,
\nFrom the district of Sumiswald.
\n2.
\nWhen the loving God let it come to pass
\nThat he was harshly accused,
\nVerily because of his faith,
\nThen men caught him roughly,
\nLed him toward Bern, indeed into the city.
\n3.
\nAnd now when he was apprehended,
\nTormented and tortured severely,
\nVerily because of his faith alone,
\nNevertheless he remained steadfast
\nIn his torture, anguish, and pain.
\n4.
\nOn a Friday, I do understand,
\nThe learned ones came to him,
\nInto the prison indeed,
\nAnd began to dispute with him,
\nThat he should renounce his faith.
\n5.
\nHaslibacher, at that point,
\nHad out-debated them,
\nThen he promptly said to them:
\nFrom my faith I will not depart,
\nSooner would I give my body and life.
\n6.
\nAnd now when it was Saturday,
\nThe learned men went there again,
\nSpeaking to him earnestly,
\nYou must leave your faith,
\nOr man will strike off your head.
\n7.
\nVery quickly he gave them this answer:
\nI will not depart from my faith,
\nI hold to it steadfastly,
\nFor my faith is acceptable before God;
\nHe will keep me in His protection and care.
\n8.
\nAnd thus it was on Saturday night,
\nAn angel of God came with might
\nThither to Haslibacher,
\nSaying, God has sent me to you
\nTo comfort you before your end.
\n9.
\nFurther do I counsel you,
\nFrom your faith do not depart,
\nThereupon stand firm and steadfast,
\nYour faith is precious before God,
\nHe will keep your soul in good care.
\n10.
\nEven if man will threaten you severely
\nAnd would judge you with the sword,
\nDo not be afraid thereof;
\nI will stand by your side,
\nNo pain will you receive through this.
\n11.
\nAnd so when it was Monday,
\nThe officials came once again
\nTo where Haslibacher was,
\nStarted to talk with him,
\nThat he should deny his faith.
\n12.
\nIf not, said they without mockery,
\nTomorrow you must suffer death.
\nThen Haslibacher said:
\nBefore I give up my faith,
\nI would sooner let my head be cut off.
\n13.
\nListen how it was on Monday night,
\nWhen Haslibacher was fast asleep,
\nUntil about midnight.
\nThen he dreamed it was day,
\nAnd men wanted to behead him.
\n14.
\nThereupon Haslibacher woke up,
\nThen about him it was bright as day;
\nA book lay before him.
\nAn angel of God said to him,
\nRead what is written in this booklet.
\n15.
\nThen when he read this booklet,
\nHe found written therein
\nThat men would behead him.
\nThree signs would God let appear,
\nThat man had done him injustice.
\n16.
\nAnd when he had finished reading it,
\nThe darkness of night returned.
\nQuickly he fell asleep again,
\nAnd slept until the dawn of day.
\nThen the men came to him in prison.<\/p>\n
17.
\nThe men bade him \u201cgood day\u201d,
\nAs soon as he thanked them.
\nThe men said to him
\nThat he should listen to God\u2019s Word,
\nOr he must eat the \u201changman\u2019s meal\u201d.
\n18.
\nFrom my faith I will not depart,
\nThe Word of God I know myself,
\nMy cause I commit to God,
\nIt is to my heart a light atonement,
\nThat innocently I must die.
\n19.
\nThey then led him into the inn
\nAnd offered him food and drink,
\nWith the executioner beside him,
\nReminding him of the coming horror
\nIf he would not recant his faith.
\n20.
\nThe Anabaptist spoke kindly to the executioner,
\nNow eat and drink, and be of good spirit,
\nYou will this very day
\nTake my life and offer up my innocent blood.
\nHowever, it is well with my soul.
\n21.
\nHe also said, God will let you see
\nThree signs that you will understand indeed;
\nMan will see these shortly.
\nWhen you will cut off my head,
\nIt will spring into my hat and laugh aloud.
\n22.
\nThe second sign will take place,
\nThis will men see on the sun.
\nThe third notice carefully,
\nThe sun will become red as blood
\nAnd the town well will also sweat blood.
\n23.
\nThe judge to the lords said,
\nOn these three signs take notice
\nAnd see on this indeed,
\nWhen all this should happen
\nIt will be woe to your soul.
\n24.
\nAnd when the meal was ended,
\nThey wanted to tie his hands,
\nThen Haslibacher said,
\nI request from you, Master Lorenz,
\nThat you leave me unbound.<\/p>\n
25.
\nI am willing and prepared,
\nMy death certainly brings me great joy,
\nThat I shall depart from hence.
\nBut may God be merciful
\nTo those who sentenced me to death.
\n26.
\nWhen he came to the place of execution,
\nHe took his hat off his head
\nAnd laid it before the people.
\nGood Master Lorenz, I bid you,
\nLet me lay my hat here.
\n27.
\nWith this he fell upon his knees,
\nThe Lord\u2019s Prayer, once or twice
\nHe there did pray.
\nMy cause is now committed to God,
\nNow let your sentence be carried out.
\n28.
\nAfter man had cut off his head,
\nIt sprang back into his hat.
\nThe signs they did now see;
\nThe sun was red as blood
\nAnd the town well sweated blood.
\n29.
\nThen spoke an old gentleman well,
\nThe Anabaptist\u2019s mouth laughed in the hat
\nThen said a venerable old man,
\nHad you let the Anabaptist live,
\nIt would have forever gone well with you
\n30.
\nThe lords said secretly,
\nNo more Anabaptists will we judge
\nThen said an aged man,
\nWould it have gone according to my will,
\nMan would have let the Anabaptist live
\n31.
\nThe executioner said with displeasure,
\nToday I have judged innocent blood
\nThen said an older gentleman,
\nThe Anabaptist\u2019s mouth laughed in the hat,
\nThis signifies God\u2019s judgment and rod
\n32.
\nHe that wrote this song for us
\nWas in prison for his life\u2019s sake;
\nHe did it with love for sinners.
\nA man brought him quill and ink,
\nHe gave us this as a farewell fit.<\/p>\n
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