Friday, December 13, 2019

My Home in Heaven — Мой Дом На Небе

I am noticing that this Russian hymn is being covered by a number of artists and groups.  I have translated this hymn so that English speakers can sing it and enter into worship with our Slavic brothers and sisters — those who have gone before us and those who still remain here awaiting that Heavenly Home!

I will list some of them here with link so that you can explore the variety of interpretations of this song of hope and waiting.  I will also present my English version of the lyrics.

Special thanks to TG for finding which churches these were.

A note about this song and who composed it.
«Песня написанная в 1937 году на ссылке в узах неизвестным автопом.»
"A song written in 1937 in prison in bonds (ie, in the Gulag) by unknown author."


Consider that!  This Christian brother, in the midst of severe troubles, looked to Heaven and the joy that awaited him there.  John Trapp (English Bible commentator from the 17th Century) wrote: “He that rides to be crowned, will not think much of a rainy day.”





My home in Heaven beyond the clouds here,
Is where new life starts—eternal days;
There friends and fam'ly will gather with us
To sing the Father our songs of praise.

As in a storm then a sailor seeks rest
A quiet place then his boat to dock;
So my heart longs for the dwelling of light
Where rest awaits us 'neath this strong Rock.

       O home of Heaven, O how I long for,
       So that etern'lly I'll live within;
       And there will be God whom I will praise then
       And in His light serve Christ without sin.

  
Eternal homeland, O pleasant country!
There will my spirit see my Dear Friend,
Who on Golgotha for our sins suffered
And reconciled us—world without end!

The sor'ws of bitter tears we pour not now,
For evermore then the glory sing!
Illness and parting and tears forgotten—
All swept away on that Heav'nly wing!

———The Russian Lyrics———



Мой дом на небе, за облаками,
Где жизни новой уж нет конца,
Друзья, родные где будут с нами
Петь песни славы там у Отца.

Как в бурю с моря моряк стремится
Причалить в гавань, чтоб отдохнуть,
Так рвусь я сердцем в жилище света,
Где отдых ждет всех, свершивших путь.

     О дом небесный, где быть желаю,
     Туда стремлюсь я, чтоб вечно жить;
     Там буду Бога я вечно славить
     И в свете чудном Христу служить.


Отрадно будет в том вечном доме,
Увижу Друга души моей,
Кто на Голгофе за грех наш умер
И примирил нас с Отцом людей.

В печалях горьких слез лить не будем,
Навеки славу мы будем петь;
Разлуки, скорь  би, болезнь забудем,
Не будем больше нужды терпеть.
 

5 comments:

  1. The first unknown church appears to be Sulamita Slavic Evangelical Church in Portland, Oregon. https://sulamitachurch.org/
    The second is Westfield Russian Evangelical Baptist Church in Massachusetts. https://wrebc.org/

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  2. Is there English version of this song?

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    1. The only English version that I know of is my translation as posted above (and at https://speakingofthings.blogspot.com/2018/11/my-home-heaven.html ). Note, in both cases I have the music posted as a lead sheet (melody, chords and English words).

      If there is another English version, I would love to know also.

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  3. Thanks for this translation, David. If you don't mind, I'll use it for worship in my church.

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    1. Hi, Markus. I'm glad the translation is useful. By all means use this. It's been in use in the Russian church for nearly a century, so it would be good to use it in the English speaking world too. If you get a recording of your church singing it, I would love to hear it!

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