"Segne, Vater, diese Gaben" (Bless, Father, these gifts) is a Christian

hymn A hymn is a type of song, and partially synonymous with devotional song, specifically written for the purpose of adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification. The word ''hymn'' ...

. The authors of text and melody are unknown. It is meant to be sung as a

round Round or rounds may refer to: Mathematics and science * The contour of a closed curve or surface with no sharp corners, such as an ellipse, circle, rounded rectangle, cant, or sphere * Rounding, the shortening of a number to reduce the number ...

. The song, which is often used for a prayer before a meal, has appeared in German hymnals and songbooks. It is regarded as a song of the genre

Neues Geistliches Lied ''Neues Geistliches Lied'' (, ''new spiritual song''), abbreviated NGL, is a music genre of songs in German intended for church usage, and based on contemporary lyrics and with music by contemporary composers. History The idea to reach youn ...

(NGL), and has been used in schools and events for young people.

History

It is unknown who created the text, of one line followed by a twofold Amen, and the melody of "Segne, Vater, diese Gaben". The song is a prayer to bless gifts in general, but is mostly used as a prayer before a meal, saying

grace Grace may refer to: Places United States * Grace, Idaho, a city * Grace (CTA station), Chicago Transit Authority's Howard Line, Illinois * Little Goose Creek (Kentucky), location of Grace post office * Grace, Carroll County, Missouri, an uninco ...

. It is a round for two voices. The song was included in the 2013 German Catholic hymnal ''

Gotteslob ''Gotteslob'' ("Praise of God") is the title of the hymnbook authorized by the Catholic dioceses in Germany, Austria, South Tyrol, Luxembourg and Liège, Belgium. First published in Advent 2013, it is the current official hymnal for German-speaki ...

'' as GL 88, in the section ''Tischgebete'' (Grace), also with an alternate text: "Dank dir, Vater, für die Gaben" (Thank you, Father, for the gifts). It is regarded as a song of the genre

(NGL), from the 20th century. The song was also printed in other songbooks, including the popular ', a collection of (2001). It has been recommended for use in elementary schools, and is listed among successful in youth services. The song is part of the collection ''Kinder-Kirchen-Hits'' (''Children's Church Hits''), a songbook aimed at children in kindergarten, elementary schools, and for services for children and young people. The first line is the title of a collection of prayers around a meal edited by Stephan Schaefer, and published by Verlag Neue Stadt in 2012. The same publishing house added a selection of graces in pocket format by Gabriele Hartl, titled ''Segne, Vater, diese Gaben. Tischgebete'', in 2021.

References

External links

* Burkhard Knipping
Beständiger Segen
(in German)

Diocese of Cologne The Archdiocese of Cologne ( la, Archidioecesis Coloniensis; german: Erzbistum Köln) is an archdiocese of the Catholic Church in western North Rhine-Westphalia and northern Rhineland-Palatinate in Germany. History The Electorate of Colo ...

2022 {{Authority control German Christian hymns 20th-century hymns in German Songwriter unknown