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Cantata BWV 128
Auf Christi Himmelfahrt allein
English Literal & Metrical Translation
Cantata BWV 128 - On Christ=s Ascent to Heaven, Alone |
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Event: Cantata for Ascension Day |
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German Original Text |
Very Literal Translation |
Verse Translation for Performance |
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1. Chorus (S.A.T.B) |
1. Chorus (S.A.T.B) |
1. Chorus (S.A.T.B) |
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Auf Christi Himmelfahrt allein
Ich meine Nachfahrt gründe
Und allen Zweifel, Angst und Pein
Hiermit stets überwinde;
Denn weil das Haupt im Himmel ist,
Wird seine Glieder Jesus Christ
Zu rechter Zeit nachholen. |
On Christ=s heaven-journey alone
I my following journey ground
And all doubt, anxiety, and pain
Herewith steadily/constantly overcome;
For because the head in heaven is,
Will his members Jesus Christ
At the right time retrieve. |
On Christ=s ascent to heaven, alone,
My hope to follow=s grounded.
And every worry, doubt, and pain
By that are all confounded.
For since our head in heaven is
The body=s members Jesus Christ
Will at the right time summon. |
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2. Recitative (Tenor) |
2. Recitative (Tenor) |
2. Recitative (Tenor) |
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Ich bin bereit, komm, hole mich!
Hier in der Welt
Ist Jammer, Angst und Pein;
Hingegen dort, in Salems Zelt,
Werd ich verkläret sein.
Da seh ich Gott von Angesicht zu Angesicht,
Wie mir sein heilig Wort verspricht. |
I am prepared/ready, come, fetch me!
Here in the world
Is misery, anxiety, and pain;
On the other hand, there, in [the new Jeru]
Salem=s tent/tabernacle/dome of heaven
Will I transfigured/radiant be.
There see I God from face to face,
As to me his holy word promises. |
I am prepared, oh come for me!
Here in the world
It=s mis=ry, dread, and pain.
But go where =Salem=s tent’s unfurled,
A new me I=ll attain.
There I=ll see God, an actual face to actual face
As His own holy word gives pledge. |
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3. Aria and Recitative (Bass) |
3. Aria and Recitative (Bass) |
3. Aria and Recitative (Bass) |
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Auf, auf, mit hellem Schall
Verkündigt überall:
Mein Jesus sitzt zur Rechten!
Wer sucht mich anzufechten?
Ist er von mir genommen,
Ich werd einst dahin kommen,
Wo mein Erlöser lebt.
Mein Augen werden ihn in größter Klarheit
schauen. |
Up, up, with bright/brilliant sound!
Proclaim everywhere:
My Jesus sits at the right [hand of the Father]!
Who seeks me to attack/duel/tempt?
Is he [Jesus] from me taken,
I shall once [some actual time] thither come,
Where my redeemer lives.
My eyes shall him in greatest clarity look
upon. |
Up, up, with brilliant sound
Proclaim it all around:
My Jesus sits at God’s right!!
Whose challenge can give me fright?
Though he from me is taken,
One day I=ll there awaken
Where my redeemer lives.
My eyes will look on him with perfect clear-
eyed vision. |
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O könnt ich im voraus mir eine Hütte bauen!
Wohin? Vergebner Wunsch!
Er wohnet nicht auf Berg und Tal,
Sein Allmacht zeigt sich überall;
So schweig, verwegner Mund,
Und suche nicht dieselbe zu ergründen! |
Oh could I [would that I could] in advance for
for me [myself] a shelter/tabernacle build!
To what end? Useless wish!
He dwells not on mountain and valley,
His omnipotence shows itself over all;
So be silent, presumptuous/blathering mouth,
And seek not this same [this] to penentrate! |
Oh could I build today a shrine for worship’s
passion!
What for? Oh useless wish!
His dwelling=s not on crag or vale:
His might shows forth on all, in all,
So hush, o blath’ring mouth.
And do not seek to make sense of this power. |
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4. Aria (Duet, Alto, Tenor) |
4. Aria (Duet, Alto, Tenor) |
4. Aria (Duet, Alto, Tenor) |
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Sein Allmacht zu ergründen,
Wird sich kein Mensche finden,
Mein Mund verstummt und schweigt.
Ich sehe durch die Sterne,
Dass er sich schon von ferne
Zur Rechten Gottes zeigt. |
His omnipotence to comprehend/fathom,
Will himself no human find [to achieve],
My mouth becomes dumb and is silent.
I see through the stars,
That he himself even [seen] from far away
At [the] right of God shows/is manifest. |
His boundless pow=r to fathom
Is past man=s comprehension.
My mouth is stopped and dumb.
I see through starry heavens
Already at this distance
He on God=s right appears. |
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5. Chorus (S.A.T.B.) |
5. Chorus (S.A.T.B.) |
5. Chorus (S.A.T.B.) |
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Alsdenn so wirst du mich
Zu deiner Rechten stellen
Und mir als deinem Kind
Ein gnädig Urteil fällen,
Mich bringen zu der Lust,
Wo deine Herrlichkeit
Ich werde schauen an
In alle Ewigkeit. |
Since then so wilt thou me
At thy right [hand] place/set
And me as thy child
A gracious judgment drop/lay upon,
Me bring to the pleasure/joy,
Where thy majesty
I shall look upon
In all eternity. |
So then since you will me
At your right hand be placing
And to me as your child
A gracious judgment giving,
Then bring me to the joy
Where your own majesty
I will delight to see
For all eternity. |
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B Ernst Sonnemann (verse 1 of hymn, after Josua Wegelin), Christiane Mariane von Ziegler (2-4, alt), Matthäus Avenarius .(5) |
B Translation 8 2010 by Paul Farseth |
B Translation 8 2010 by Paul Farseth |
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