Versos English Hezekiah Butterworth Thanksgiving.

English poem

Thanksgiving.

by (1839–1905)

Listen in the reader

"DIE FELDER WIR PFLUeGEN UND STREUEN."

We plow the fields and scatter The good seed on the land, But it is fed and watered By God's Almighty hand, He sends the snow in winter, The warmth to swell the grain, The breezes, and the sunshine And soft, refreshing rain, All, all good gifts around us Are sent from heaven above Then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord For all His love!

Matthias Claudius, who wrote the German original of this little poem, was a native of Reinfeld, Holstein, born 1770 and died 1815. He wrote lyrics, humorous, pathetic and religious, some of which are still current in Germany.

The translator of the verses is Miss Jane Montgomery Campbell, whose identity has not been traced. Hers is evidently one of the retiring names brought to light by one unpretending achievement. English readers owe to her the above modest and devout hymn, which was first published here in Rev. C.S. Bere's Garland of Songs with Tunes, 1861.

Little is known of Arthur Cottman, composer to Miss Campbell's words. He was born in 1842, and died in 1879.