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Cantata BWV 150
Nach dir, Herr, verlanget mich
English Translation in Interlinear Format
Cantata BWV 150 - For you, Lord, is my longing |
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Event: Penitential Service / Occasion unspecified
Text: Psalm 25: 1-2 (Mvt. 2); Psalm 25: 5 (Mvt. 4); Psalm 25: 15 (Mvt. 6); Anon (Mvts. 3, 5, 7) |
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1 |
Sinfonia |
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Fagotto, Violino I/II, Continuo |
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2 |
Coro [S, A, T, B] |
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Fagotto, Violino I/II, Continuo |
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Nach dir, Herr, verlanget mich.
For you, Lord, is my longing.
Mein Gott, ich hoffe auf dich.
My God, I hope in you.
Laß mich nicht zuschanden werden,
Let me not be put to shame,
daß sich meine Feinde nicht freuen über mich.
so that my enemies may not rejoice over me. |
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3 |
Aria [Soprano] |
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Violino I/II all' unisono, Continuo |
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Doch bin und bleibe ich vergnügt,
But I am and remain content,
Obgleich hier zeitlich toben
although here for a time there rage
Kreuz, Sturm und andre Proben,
cross, storm and other trials,
Tod, Höll und was sich fügt.
death, hell and what is ordained.
Ob Unfall schlägt den treuen Knecht,
Even if misfortune strikes your faithful servant,
Recht ist und bleibet ewig Recht.
right is and always remains right. |
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4 |
Chorus [S, A, T, B] |
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Fagotto, Violino I/II, Continuo |
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Leite mich in deiner Wahrheit und lehre mich;
Lead me in your truth and teach me:
denn du bist der Gott, der mir hilft,
for you are the God, who helps me,
täglich harre ich dein.
everyday I wait on you. |
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5 |
Aria (Terzetto) Alto [Tenor, Bass] |
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Fagotto, Continuo |
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Zedern müssen von den Winden
Cedars must before the wind
Oft viel Ungemach empfinden,
often feel much hardship,
Oftmals werden sie verkehrt.
often they are overturned.
Rat und Tat auf Gott gestellet,
Thought and action entrust to God,
Achtet nicht, was widerbellet,
pay no attention to what howls against you,
Denn sein Wort ganz anders lehrt.
for his word teaches quite otherwise. |
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6 |
Chorus [S, A, T, B] |
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Fagotto, Violino I/II, Continuo |
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Meine Augen sehen stets zu dem Herrn;
My eyes look always towards the Lord
denn er wird meinen Fuß aus dem Netze ziehen.
for he will pull my foot out of the net. |
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7 |
Chorus [S, A, T, B] |
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Fagotto, Violino I/II, Continuo |
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Meine Tage in dem Leide
My days spent in sorrow
Endet Gott dennoch zur Freude;
God ends nevertheless with joy;
Christen auf den Dornenwegen
Christians on the thorny ways
Führen Himmels Kraft und Segen.
are led by heaven's strength and blessing.
Bleibet Gott mein treuer Schutz,
If God remains my faithful protection,
Achte ich nicht Menschentrutz,
I do not care for men’s spite.
Christus, der uns steht zur Seiten,
Christ, who stands at our side,
Hilft mir täglich sieghaft streiten.
helps me everyday to strive victoriously. |
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Note on the text |
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The authenticity of this cantata has been doubted. Those who accept it as Bach’s work argue that stylistic immaturities suggest this is Bach’s earliest surviving cantata and may be dated to 1704-7, when Bach was at Arnstadt.
The text, by an unidentified author, is based on verses from Psalm 25 in movements 2, 4 and 6. In the remaining movements rhymed verse with varied metrical structure expresses the theme that mankind faces many hardships but salvation comes from trust in God.
In the concluding chorus a variant text is sometimes used :
Bleibet Gott mein treuer Schatz,
If God remains my faithful treasure,
Achte ich nicht Menschenkreuz
I do not care for men’s cruelty. |
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This Translation in Parallel Format |
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English Translation by Francis Browne (March 2002, revised December 2004)
Contributed by Francis Browne (March 2002, December 2004) |
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