The New Year has already taken on a new color

1. The Old Year has already taken on a new color, ; The expected guest has greeted us. ; Falling on our knees, O great God ; Our lips here tremble with gratitude. ; ; 2. The first beat of our heart, ; The first prayer of our soul's flame, ; Be thine, good Creator, ; Our faithful caretaker, our deliverer from trouble. ; ; 3. Give us abundant grace today, ; May thy holy love embrace us. ; You were our Father in the past, ; We will be thy children in the new. ; ; 4. Hear our prayer, we beseech thee, ; Comfort the mourner yet. ; The widow and the orphan, ; Your holy hands enclose. ; ; 5. Oh, do not cast us away from Thee, ; Do not look upon our sins, ; From death and danger, ; Protect us, even from all evil. ; ; 6. Give us strength and health, ; Give our lands abundance, ; So that our work may be crowned, ; The abundant blessing of your hands. ; ; 7. In this new year we vow, ; That we may cease from sin, ; We live for you alone, ; Until all our blood is shed.