Cantata BWV 127
Herr Jesu Christ, wahr'
Mensch und Gott
English Literal &
Metrical Translation
Cantata BWV 127 - Lord Jesus Christ, true man and God
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Event: Estomihi Sunday (Quinquagesima Sunday, the last Sunday before
Ash Wednesday and Lent) [To print
may need landscape format.]
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German Source Text
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Rough, Literal Translation
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Metrical Translation for Performance
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1. Choral
Herr Jesu Christ, wahr’
Mensch und Gott,
Der du litt’st Marter, Angst und Spott,
Fr mich am Kreuz auch endlich starbst
Und mir deins Vaters Huld erwarbst,
Ich bitte durchs bitt’re Leiden dein:
Du wollst mir Snder gnädig sein.
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1.
Chorus [S, A, T, B]
Lord Jesus Christ, true man and
God
you who suffered torture, anguish, and derision,
for me on the cross also finally died
and for me Thy Father’s grace earned,
I pray you through Thy bitter suffering:
that Thou may’st wish to me, sinner, merciful be.
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1. Chorale
Lord Jesus Christ, true man and
God,
who suffered torture, fear and scorn
for me on cross and finally died –
and won for me your Father’s smile –
I pray that through your bitter pain
this sinner might receive your grace.
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2. Rezitativ [Tenor]
Wenn alles sich zur letzten
Zeit entsetzet,
Und wenn ein kalter Todesschwei
Die Schon erstarten Glieder netzet,
Wenn meine Zunge nichts, als nur durch Seufzer
spricht
Und dieses Herze bricht:
Genung, da Jesus bei mir steht,
Der mit Geduld zu seinem Leiden geht
Und diesen schweren Weg auch mich geleitet
Und mir die Ruhe zubereitet.
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2. Recitative [Tenor]
When all at the last time is
horrified
and when a cold, death sweat
the already paralyzed limbs soaks,
when my tongue nothing but only through
sighs speaks
and this heart breaks:
[It is] enough, that Jesus by me stands,
who with patience to his suffering goes
and this difficult path also me has led
and for me peace prepares.
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2. Recitative [Tenor]
When everything at the last
hour is terror
and when the failing heart’s death sweat
soaks limbs which are already torpid,
and I can make no words except for moans
and sighs
and this my heart shall break:
Enough that Jesus by me stands,
who patiently to his own suffering goes
and through this heavy path shows me the way
and for me peace and place makes ready.
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3. Arie [Soprano]
Die Seele ruht in Jesu
Händen,
Wenn Erde diesen Leib bedeckt.
Ach ruft mich bald, ihr Sterbeglocken,
Ich bin zum Sterben unerschrocken,
Weil mich mein Jesus wieder weckt.
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3. Aria [Soprano]
My soul rests in Jesus’ hands,
when earth this body covers.
Ah, call me soon, you death/funeral bells,
I am to die unterrified
because me my Jesus will again wake.
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3. Aria [Soprano]
My spirit rests in Jesus’
keeping
when earth my body covers up,
ah, call me soon, you death bells tolling,
I am not terrified of dying:
In Jesus’ hands, I shall wake up.
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4. Rezitativ und Arie [Bass]
Wenn einstens die Posaunen
schallen,
Und wenn der Bau der Welt
Nebst denen Himmelsfesten
Zerschmettert wird zerfallen,
So denke mein, mein Gott, im besten;
Wenn sich dein Knecht einst fors Gerichte stellt,
Da die Gedanken sich verklagen,
Sol wollest du allein,
O Jesu, mein Frsprecher sein
Und meiner Seele Tröstlich sagen:
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4.
Recitative and Aria [Bass]
When one day the last trumpets
sound
and when the structure of the world
as well as the firmament of heaven
shattered will fall
so think of me, my God, in the best light;
when this Thy servant once stands before
judgement/stands arraigned or indicted,
there the thoughts themselves accuse
then may you alone
O Jesu be my advocate
and to my soul consolingly say:
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4. Recitative and Aria [Bass]
When, once the last trombones
have sounded,
and when Earth’s very frame
and all the sky’s alignment
are ruined, smashed and pounded,
so look on me, my God, in best light,
when then your servant in your court must stand,
while my own thoughts there will accuse me.
so may you please alone,
O Jesu, be my advocate.
Console my spirit, gently saying,
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Frwahr, frwahr, euch sage ich:
Wenn Himmel und Erde im Feuer vergehen,
So soll doch ein Gläubiger ewig bestehen.
Er wird nich kommen ins Gericht
Und den Tod ewig schmecken nicht.
Nur halte dich,
Mein Kind, an mich:
Ich breche mit starker und helfender Hand
Des todes gewaltig geschlossenes Band.
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“Truly truly I say to you:
when/if heaven and earth in fire pass away,
so shall yet a believer forever endure/prevail.
He will not come into judgement,
and [will] the death eternal taste not.
Only hold on
my child to me:
I break with strong and helping hand
Death’s mighty shut, seamless bond/band.
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“Amen, amen, to you I say:
When heaven and earth pass away in the fire
yet shall a believer come through it forever.
He shall not come into judgment
and shall not taste eternal Death –
But only cling
my child to me:
I break down with powerful and helping hand
Death’s mighty, shut, welded imprisoning bond.”
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5. Choral
Ach, Herr, vergib all unsre
Schuld,
Hilf, da wir warten mit Geduld,
Bis unser Stndlein kömmt herbei,
Auch unser Glaub stets wacker sei,
Dein’m Wort zu trauen festiglich,
Bis wir einschlafen seliglich.
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5. Chorale [S, A, T, B]
Ah, Lord, forgive all our guilt
help that we wait with patience
until our little hour may come hither,
Also, our faith always be stout hearted,
[and grant that we] Thy word to trust solidly,
until we fall asleep blessedly.
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5. Chorale
Ah, Lord, forgive all of our
guilt,
Help, that with patience we may wait
till our short hour may arrive,
And may our faith be always brave,
your Word with solid trust to hold
until we sleep and You enfold.
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– Verses 1 and 5 from a hymn by Paul
Eber, balance perhaps by Christian
Friedrich Henrici (Picander)
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– Translation © 2009 by Paul Farseth
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– Verse translation © 2009 by Paul
Farseth
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English Translation by Paul Farseth (2009)
Contributed by Paul Farseth (August 2009) |