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Text for Cantata 107
Was willst du dich betrüben

Original German Text

English Translation

1. CHOR

Was willst du dich betrüben,
o meine liebe Seel,
ergib dich, den zu lieben,
der heißt Immanuel.
Vertraue ihm allein;
er wird gut alles machen
und fördern deine Sachen.
Wie dirs wird selig sein.

Why do you grieve,
O my dear soul,
surrender yourself to loving him
he is named Emmanuel.
Trust in him alone,
he will make all well
and advance your cause.
How this will be to your blessing.

2. REZITATIV (Baß)

Denn Gott verlässet keinen,
der sich auf ihn verlässt;
er bleibt getreu den Seinen,
die ihm vertrauen fest.
Läßt sichs an wunderlich,
so laß dir doch nicht grauen;
mit Freuden wirst du schauen,
wie Gott wird retten dich.

For God forsakes no one
who abandons himself to him;
he remains devoted to his own
who firmly trust in him.
Though it seems strange
still do not let yourself dread;
with joy you will behold
how God will redeem you.

3. ARIA (Baß)

Auf ihn magst du es wagen
mit unerschrocknem Mut;
du wirst mit ihm erjagen,
was dir ist nütz und gut.
Was Gott beschlossen hat,
das kann niemand hindern
aus allen Menschenkindern;
es geht nach seinem Rat.

You may venture toward him
with undaunted courage,
with him you will ensnare
what is to your benefit and good.
What God has resolved
this no one can hinder
among all humanity’s children;
it proceeds at his directive.

4. ARIA (Tenor)

Wenn auch gleich aus der Höllen
der Satan wollte sich
dir selbst entgegenstellen
und toben wider dich,
so muß er doch mit Spott
von seinen Ränken lassen,
damit er dich will fassen;
denn dein Werk fördert Gott.

If also suddenly out of hell
Satan himself wanted
to confront you
and rail against you,
then he actually would have to
abandon his schemes in ridicule
whereby he wants to grab you;
for God advances your works.

5. ARIA (Sopran)

Er richts zu seinen Ehren
und deiner Seligkeit;
solls sein, kein Mensch kanns wehren,
und wärs ihm noch so leid.
Wills denn Gott haben nicht,
so kanns niemand forttreiben,
es muß zurücke bleiben;
was Gott will, das geschicht.

He aligns it to his glory
and your blessedness;
it shall be, no human can contest it,
no matter how hard he tries.
If it is not God’s will
then no one can bring it about,
it must be left behind;
what God wills, that is done.

6. ARIA (Tenor)

Drum ich mich ihm ergebe,
ihm sei es heimgestellt;
nach nichts ich sonst mehr strebe,
denn nur was ihm gefällt.
Drauf wart ich und bin still,
sein Will der ist der beste,
das glaub ich steif und feste,
Gott mach es, wie er will!

Thus I surrender myself to him
it is left up to him;
I strive otherwise for nothing more
than only that which pleases him.
I wait for this and remain still,
his will is for the best,
I believe this firm and fast,
God does it, as he wills!

7. CHORAL

Herr, gib, daß ich dein Ehre
ja all mein Leben lang
von Herzensgrund vermehre,
dir sage Lob und Dank.
O Vater, Sohn und Geist,
der du aus lauter Gnaden
abwendest Not und Schaden,
sei immerdar gepreist!

Lord grant me to increase your glory,
yes, all my life long
from my heart’s foundation
speaking praise and thanks to you.
O Father, Son and Spirit,
you who out of vast grace
avert agony and injury,
evermore be praised!


COMPOSED: July 23, 1724 (Leipzig) for the 7th Sunday after Trinity
LIBRETTO: Johann Heerman, Was willst du dich betrüben (1630)
TRANSLATION: 2017 © Tobin Schmuck, NYC
Print by permission only, please. Click here.

Cantata BWV 107: Was willst du dich betrüben for 7th Sunday after Trinity (1724)
Discography: Details & Complete Recordings | Recordings of Individual Movements
Discussions: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

BWV 107 Text: German-1 | German-6 | German-7 | NBA Text
Translations: English-1 | English-3I | English-3P | English-6 | English-10 | English-14
Catalan-1 | Chinese-1 | Chinese-2 | Danish-1 | Dutch-0 | Dutch-6 | French-4 | French-5 | French-6 | Hebrew-1 | Hungarian-1 | Indonesian-1 | Italian-2 | Norwegian-1 | Polish-1 | Polish-2 | Russian-1 | Russian-3 | Spanish-3 | Spanish-7 | Spanish/English-8
Chorale Text: Was willst du dich betrüben [BWV 107/1-7]

English Translations (English-10): Index by BWV Number | Index by Title | Index by Event | Note on English Translations


Texts & Translations: Main Page | Cantatas BWV 1-50 | Cantatas BWV 51-100 | Cantatas BWV 101-150 | Cantatas BWV 151-200 | Cantatas BWV 201-224 | Other Vocal BWV 225-249 | Chorales BWV 250-438 | Geistliche Lieder BWV 439-507 | AMN BWV 508-524 | Other Vocal 1081-1164 | BWV Anh | Chorale Texts | Emblemata | Sources | Poets & Composers
Discussions: Texts: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Translations: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4




 

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Last update: Tuesday, December 12, 2023 14:09