Martinus von Biberach

Magister Martinus von Biberach ({{IPA|de|fɔn ˈbiːbəʁax|lang|Martinus von Biberach.ogg}}; died 1498) was a theologian from Heilbronn, Germany. He is mostly remembered because of a priamel that has allegedly been his epitaph.

Epitaph

{{Verse translation|

{{lang|de|Ich leb und ich waiß nit, wie lang

Ich stirb und waiß nit wann

Ich far und waiß nit, wahin

Mich wundert, daß ich froelich bin.}}

|

I live and don't know how long,

I'll die and don't know when,

I am going and don't know where,

I wonder that I am happy.}}

Reception

While the attribution of the poem to Biberach is controversial, it has been cited and modified widely. Martin Luther in particular took issue with it, offering a contrary version in a sermon on John 8:46-59 for Judica Sunday: Ich lebe, so lang Gott will, / ich sterbe, wann und wie Gott will, / ich fahr und weiß gewiß, wohin, / mich wundert, daß ich traurig bin!I am living as long God wants, / I'll die when and how God wants, / I am going and certainly know where,
I wonder that I am sad. Martin Luther, Gesammelte Werke, hg. von Kurt Aland, Bd. 8, S. 153 = Weimarer Ausgabe Bd. 37, S. 328 f.

Martinus von Biberach

Epitaph

Reception

Notes

Further reading