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Discussions: Texts: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Translations: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4


Text for Cantata 120
Gott, man lobet dich in der Stille zu Zion, I

Original German Text

English Translation

1. ARIA (Alt)

Gott, man lobet dich in der Stille zu Zion,
und dir bezahlet man Gelübde.

God, one praises you in the stillness of Zion,
and one renders a solemn vow to you.

2. CHOR

Jauchzet, ihr erfreuten Stimmen,
steiget bis zum Himmel nauf!
Lobet Gott im Heiligtum
und erhebet seinen Ruhm;
seine Güte,
sein erbarmendes Gemüte
hört zu keinen Zeiten auf!

Rejoice, you gladsome voices,
soar upward to heaven!
Praise God in the sanctuary
and exalt his renown;
his goodness,
his merciful disposition
ceases at no time!

3. REZITATIV (Baß)

Auf, du geliebte Lindenstadt,
komm, falle vor dem Höchsten nieder,
erkenne, wie er dich in deinem Schmuck und Pracht
so väterlich erhält, beschützt, bewacht
und seine Liebeshand noch über dir beständig hat.
Wohlan, bezahle die Gelübde,
die du dem Höchsten hast getan,
und singe Dank- und Demutslieder!
Komm, bitte, daß er Stadt und Land
unendlich wolle mehr erquicken
und diese werte Obrigkeit,
so heute Sitz und Wahl verneut,
mit vielem Segen wolle schmücken!

Arise, you beloved city of lindens
come, fall down before the Most High,
recognize by your decoration and splendor how
he so paternally preserves, shelters and guards you
and still holds his loving hand constantly over you.
So then, render the solemn pledge
which you have made to the Most High,
and sing songs of thanks and humility!
Come, bid that he would revitalize
city and land without ceasing
and these esteemed authorities
thus today renewing seat and election
be adorned with many a blessing!

4. ARIA (Sopran)

Heil und Segen
soll und muß zu aller Zeit
sich auf unsre Obrigkeit
in erwünschter Fülle legen,
daß sich Recht und Treue müssen
miteinander freundlich küssen.

Salvation and blessing
shall and must at all times
rest upon our authorities
in desired abundance
that justice and devotion must
caress each other in friendship.

5. REZITATIV (Tenor)

Nun, Herr, so weihe selbst das Regiment
mit deinem Segen ein,
daß alle Bosheit von uns fliehe
und die Gerechtigkeit in unsern Hütten blühe,
daß deines Vaters reiner Same
und dein gebenedeiter Name
bei uns verherrlicht möge sein!

Now, Lord, so consecrate yourself this governance
with your blessing,
that all malice flees from us
and justice blooms in our shelters,
that your father’s chaste seed
and your blessed name
might be glorified within us!

6. CHORAL

Nun hilf uns, Herr, den Dienern dein,
die mit deinm Blut erlöset sein!
Laß uns im Himmel haben teil
mit den Heilgen im ewgen Heil!
Hilf deinem Volk, Herr Jesu Christ,
und segne, was dein Erbteil ist;
wart und pfleg ihr zu aller Zeit
und heb sie hoch in Ewigkeit!

Now help us, Lord, these servants, yours,
who are redeemed by your blood!
Let us partake in heaven
with the saints in everlasting salvation!
Aid your people, Lord Jesus Christ,
and bless what is your inheritance;
watch and care for them at all times
and elevate them into eternity!


COMPOSED: September 29, 1729 (Leipzig) for the Inauguration of the Town Council
LIBRETTIST: unknown, likely Christian Friedrich Henrici (Picander); Mvt. 1: Psalm 65:1; Mvt. 6: Martin Luther from the Te Deum (1529)
TRANSLATION: 2017 © Tobin Schmuck, NYC
Print by permission only, please. Click here.

Cantata BWV 120: Gott, man lobet dich in der Stille for Council Election (1729 or earlier)
Discography: Details & Complete Recordings | Recordings of Individual Movements
Discussions: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

BWV 120 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-2 | Dutch-0 | Dutch-3 | French-4 | French-5 | French-6 | Hebrew-1 | Indonesian-1 | Italian-2 | Norwegian-1 | Polish-1 | Polish-2 | Russian-1 | Russian-3 | Spanish-5 | Spanish-7 | Spanish/English-8
Chorale Text: Herr Gott, dich loben wir [The German Tedeum] [BWV 120/6]

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