These are translations of hymns found in Christian Worship, used in the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Church. Many of these hymns, with slight variations, can be found in The Lutheran Hymnal, also. Each document contains the hymn and translation on the first page and the hymn alone on the second page. This is to allow you to print the hymn without the translation if it is needed. Tips to help you translate hymns are found at the bottom of this page. The hymn verses are in font 12, while the glossing is done in font 14. I have found that it is easier to read when I'm standing during the service. Note: I am constantly revisiting my translations to make sure they are accurately conveying the meaning.
Note: If a hymn is listed but does not have a link, it is because there is still a copyright on the text of the hymn. I can type it and translate it for my own use, but I cannot post that translation here.
As you translate each hymn verse, go through the following steps:
-read the entire verse and tell yourself what you think it's trying to say. -read to get the first entire thought (it may not be only the first phrase). -write your gloss for the "ideal" (most accurate) way to translate that thought. -hum the verse (or if you are not musical, note the number of syllables) and sign your gloss to that melody. -if the "beats" of your signs don't match the beats in the song, adjust your translation until it fits. Always maintain the essential idea and leave out the flowery descriptors. The best choice is to first eliminate any words which could be synonyms for each other and combine into one [sign]. -continue for the next thought until you've glossed the entire verse. -sign the whole verse while you hum it or sing the melody but with your words instead of the original words. -when you've finished the entire hymn, practice all verses together. -watch yourself signing in a mirror to see if you look like you are singing (i.e. can you see the beat?) -practice again. -practice some more until you can sign it with looking at your paper at a minimum.