真実に清く生きたい
　　　　
讃美歌２１　５２０　真実に清く生きたい
I would be true
クリスチャンとしての信仰的な生き方を簡潔・明快に教えてくる大変有名な讃美歌です。作詞者ハワード・アーノルド・ウォルター(Howard Arnold Walter, 1883-1918)は米国の名門プリストン大学を首席卒業、スコットランドの古都エジンバラとグラスゴー、更にドイツのゲッティンゲンで学び、23歳のとき1年間早稲田大学で英語を教えました。コネチカットのハートフォードのアシュラムヒル会衆派教会(the Asylum Hill Congregational Church)の副牧師を務め、のちにはインドとスリランカのYMCA関係の宣教師となりました。医師は心臓が弱いので渡航に反対しましたが、「真実でありたい"must be true"」として、これを敢行し、インドはラホールのフォアマン・クリスチャン・カレッジで仕事中に天に召されました。(The Cyber Hymnalより)
１
真実(しんじつ)に　清(きよ)く生(い)きたい、
誠実(せいじつ)な　友(とも)のために。
恐(おそ)れず　強(つよ)くありたい、
なすべきわざのために。

2
まことの　友(とも)となりたい、
友(とも)なき　人(ひと)の友(とも)と、
与(あた)えて　報(むく)い求(もと)めぬ
まことの愛(あい)の人(ひと)と。

3
謙虚(けんきょ)に　進(すす)みゆきたい、
弱(よわ)さを　自覚(じかく)しつつ。
ゆく手(て)は　なお遠(とお)くても
心(こころ)を高(たか)くあげよう。


                  




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I would be true, for there are those who trust me;
I would be pure, for there are those who care;
I would be strong, for there is much to suffer;
I would be brave, for there is much to dare;
I would be brave, for there is much to dare.

I would be friend of all—the foe, the friendless;
I would be giving, and forget the gift;
I would be humble, for I know my weakness;
I would look up, and laugh, and love and lift.
I would look up, and laugh, and love and lift.

I would be faithful through each passing moment;
I would be constantly in touch with God;
I would be strong to follow where He leads me;
I would have faith to keep the path Christ trod;
I would have faith to keep the path Christ trod.

Who is so low that I am not his brother?
Who is so high that I’ve no path to him?
Who is so poor, that I may not feel his hunger?
Who is so rich I may not pity him?
Who is so rich I may not pity him?

Who is so hurt I may not know his heartache?
Who sings for joy my heart may never share?
Who in God’s heaven has passed beyond my vision?
Who to Hell’s depths where I may never fare?
Who to Hell’s depths where I may never fare?

May none, then, call on me for understanding,
May none, then, turn to me for help in pain,
And drain alone his bitter cup of sorrow,
Or find he knocks upon my heart in vain.
Or find he knocks upon my heart in vain.