Hans Haslibacher

By Troy

Haslibacher An old man from Haslibach Switzerland

God allowed men to accuse him because of his true faith - they dragged him to the city prison, tortured and tormented him severely for holding to his faith
Yet did he steadfast still remain,
In torture, anguish, and in pain.

On Friday Morning, the religious scholars came to his prison cell and told him to abandon his faith

Haslibacher "Gave all their babblings to the air "he said"My faith I never will forsake
Though life and body you should take."

On Saturday they clanged on his cell bars (dungeon door) again , threatening mounths, "renounce your heresy or be beheaded "Thou must renounce thy heresy, Or else thou must beheaded be."

Instant he answered with bold heart,
"From this my faith I'll ne'er depart,
But firmly cleave thereto;
For God accepts my faith as right,
And he'll protect me by his might."

That night God's mighty angel came and said,
In Haslibacher's ear " God sent me
To comfort you before your end.

ï¿½"I counsel you, remain stong in your unwavering faith,
For God accepts your belief
He'll keep your soul and bring relief .

And though they threaten with the sword,
To execute thee, let your word,
In you cause no dismay;
For at your side I will remain,
To succor you from every pain,

And thus again when Monday came,
Those tutored men of priestly fame,
To Haslibacher went;
with words they plied, deny your faith.

"If not," they said, and meant it too,
"Tomorrow's morn brings death to you,"
But Haslibacher said,
"This body you may put to death,
I'll give my head, But not my faith."

When night again her mantle spread,
Deep sleep fell on his weary head,
Until the clock struck twelve;
He dreamed he was in day time fair,
Led forth to be beheaded there.
This dream wakes him up,
And about his prison cell all is supernatural light,
A little book before him lies,
And Angels Holy voice explains:
" Read."

The books says:
That his tormentors set their minds,
That they would behead him.
But God would let three signs appear,
To show that his death is unjust.

When he had read it to the end ,
Nights darkness did again descend,
And sleep his eye lids closed,
'Til day light brought these murderous men,
Into His prison cell again.

ï¿½"Good morning, friend," he from them hears,
And he says, "Thanks, good morning to you."
Then they said:
Has God told you we;re right and you're wrong yet? If not, you're gonna eat with the executioner today.

Haslibacher replied, "From this my faith I'll ne'er let go, The word of God full well I know;
My cause to God I give;
Even though deep regret fills my heart,
Innocent I must depart."

They led him to an inn in haste,
And meat and drink before him placed,
The hangman by his side:
Hoping that deep disgust and fear of death,
Might make him yet renounce his faith.

Haslibacher said to the man:
"Eat, drink; make merry while you can,
For upon this day,
You offer up my guiltless blood,
The more innocent my death, the more quickly My soul will soar to God."
"The Lord will show
Three signs, to let you plainly know,
That I die innocent ;
1) when my head's struck off,
it'will roll into my hat, and laugh.
2) The sun will, like my blood, glow red,
3) The town's well will flow with blood.

The judge, unto the priests (lords) decreed:
if these 3 sgns should happen
It will work your soul's eternal woe."

When Haslibacher finished eating
They tried to tie his hands
But Haslibacher said:
PLease don't tie my hands, I'm not going to fight you
"I'm ready now and do rejoice,
That you have let me have my choice
To die and pass from this evil world.
But Lord, show mercy unto them,
Who me this day to death condemn."

ï¿½When he at last faced the chopping block ,
He took off his hat and placed it
before the crowd

With this he bowed his knees in prayer,
He earnestly prayed,
He said: "To God I've given my cause,
Act now, according to your laws."

Down comes the sword, look, the head
rolls end over end and Springs into his hat, as he had said;
And all the signs were seen-
The sun was red and looked like blood,
The town's well shed a crimson flood.

Amazed, an aged sire said:
"The Anabaptist laughs, though dead."
Then said another sire:
"If you had let this Baptist live,
Eternally you would not grieve."

With one accord the people said,

"Henceforth no Baptist's blood we'll shed."
Then said an old sire:
"Had you not acted against my will,
This Baptist would be living still."

The hangman too was heard to say:
" 'Tis guiltless blood I've shed today."
Then said a Yeoman old:
"The Anabaptist's mouth did laugh,
Which surely indicates God's wrath."

He who composed this little hymn,
Received his death in prison dim,
A sinful mob to please;
They brought him pen and ink to write,
And thus he bade us all "Goodnight."

FROM Developing Songs

NEXT: Forever and Ever

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