Cantata BWV 142
Uns ist ein Kind Geoboren
English Translation in Parallel Format
Cantata BWV 142 - A child is born to us |
Event: Cantata for Christmas Day
Readings: Epistle: Titus 2: 11-14 / Isaiah 9: 2-7; Gospel: Luke 2: 1-14
Text: Erdmann Neumeister
Composer: Probably Johann Kuhnau |
Biblical quotations in green font , chorales in purple |
Original German Text |
English Translation |
1. Concerto |
1. Concerto |
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2. Coro [S, A, T, B] |
2. Chorus [S, A, T, B] |
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Uns ist ein Kind geboren,
ein Sohn ist uns gegeben. |
A child has been born to us,
a son has been given to us. |
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3. Aria [Bass] |
3. Aria [Bass] |
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Dein Geburtstag ist erschienen,
so erfordert meine Pflicht,
dich, mein Jesu zu bedienen.
Doch, ich Armer weiß gar nicht,
was ich suche, was ich finde,
welches dir zum Angebinde
als ein heilig Opfer trügt (taugt),
dich, o großer Gott, vergnügt. |
Your birthday has appeared.
and so my duty requires
that I should serve you, my Jesus.
But I -poor man- do not know at all
what I could look for, what I could find
that as a gift for you
might be considered a holy offering
that would please you, o great God. |
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4. Coro [S, A, T, B] |
4. Chorus [S, A, T, B] |
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Ich will den Namen Gottes loben mit einem Liede,
und will ihn hoch ehren mit Dank. |
I wish to praise God’s name with a song
and honour him highly with my gratitude. |
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5. Aria [Tenor] |
5. Aria [Tenor] |
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Jesu, dir sei Preis gesungen,
Jesu, dir sei Ehr' und Ruhm!
Denn das Los ist mir in allen
auf das Lieblichste gefallen,
du, du bist mein Eigentum. |
Jesus, may praise be sung to you
Jesus, may you have honour and glory!
For the lot that has fallen to me
is the most delightful of all,
you, you belong to me. |
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6. Recitativo [Alt] |
6. Recitative [Alto] |
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Immanuell! Du wollest dir gefallen lassen,
daß dich mein Geist und Glaube kann umlassen;
kann ich die Freude gleich so herzlich nicht entdecken,
die dein Geburtstag will erwecken,
wird doch mein schwaches Lallen
dir durch Lob und Preis gefallen. |
Immanuel, it has been your pleasure to allow
my spirit and faith to grasp you;
even if I am not able wholeheartedly to reveal all the joy
that the day of your birth will inspire ,
yet my feeble stammering will still
please you through giving praise and honour. |
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7. Aria [Alt] |
7. Aria [Alto] |
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Jesu, dir sei Preis gesungen,
denn ich bin durch dich erlöst,
Nichts betrübet das Gemüte,
da mein Herz durch deine Güte
überschwenglich wird getröst't. |
Jesus, may praise be sung to you
for it is through you that I have been redeemed.
Nothing troubles my soul
since my heart through your kindness
has been abundantly consoled. |
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8. Choral [S, A, T, B] |
8. Chorale [S, A, T, B] |
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Alleluja, Alleluia, gelobet sei Gott,
singen wir aus unsres Herzen Grunde,
denn Gott hat heut'
gemacht solch Freud'
der wir vergessen soll'n
zu keiner Stunde. |
Alleluia, alleluia, may God be praised,
let us sing from the bottom of our hearts,
for God has today
created such joy
that at no time
should we ever forget it. |
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This Translation in Interlinear Format |
English Translation by Francis Browne (November 2005) |
Contributed by Francis Browne (November 2005) |