1. O Father-heart, who hast created all
   In wisest love, we pray:
   Look on this babe, who, at Thy gracious call,
   Is ent’ring on life’s way;
   Upon this weak and poor one coming,
   Bend down, make something out of nothing,
   O Father-heart! :|:

2. O Son of God, who diedst for us, behold,
   We bring our child to Thee;
   Thou tender Shepherd, take it to Thy fold,
   Thine own fore’er to be;
   Throughout this earthly strife protect it,
   Upon the path of life direct it,
   O Son of God! :|:

3. O Holy Ghost, who broodest o’er the wave,
   Descend upon this child;
   Give it undying life, its spirit lave
   With waters undefiled;
   Though here on earth it still must wrestle,
   Make it Thy child and holy temple,
   O Holy Ghost! :|:

4. O Triune God, what Thou command’st is done,
   We speak, but Thine the might:
   This child hath scarce yet seen our earthly sun,
   Yet may it find Thy light,
   In faith and hope and joy to love Thee,
   Thou Sun of heav’n, with naught above Thee,
   O Triune God! :|:

O Vaterherz, das Erd’ und Himmel schuf
Albert Knapp, 1841
Tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1858, alt.
Source: Lyra Germanica, Second Series: The Christian Life, 1858, pp. 124f.