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Cantata BWV 164
Ihr, die ihr euch von Christo nennet
English Translation in Interlinear Format
Cantata BWV 164 - You, who take your name from Christ

Event: Solo Cantata for 13th Sunday after Trinity
Readings: Epistle: Galatians 3: 15-22; Gospel: Luke 10: 23-37
Text: Salomo Franck (Mvts. 1-5); Elisabeth Kreuziger (Mvt. 6)
Chorale Text: Herr Christ, der einge Gottessohn

Biblical quotations in green font, chorales in purple

1

Aria [Tenor]

Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo

Ihr, die ihr euch von Christo nennet,
You, who take your name from Christ,
Wo bleibet die Barmherzigkeit,

where is to be found the mercy
Daran man Christi Glieder kennet?

by which people recognize members of Christ?
Sie ist von euch, ach, allzu weit.

It is far, far away from you.
Die Herzen sollten liebreich sein,

Your hearts should be rich in love,
So sind sie härter als ein Stein.

but they are harder than a stone.

2

Recitative [Bass]

Continuo

Wir hören zwar, was selbst die Liebe spricht:
We do indeed here what love itself says:
Die mit Barmherzigkeit den Nächsten hier umfangen
those who here embrace their neighbour with mercy
Die sollen vor Gericht
when they come to judgement shall
Barmherzigkeit erlangen.

obtain mercy.
Jedoch, wir achten solches nicht!

And yet we pay no attention to this!
Wir hören noch des Nächsten Seufzer an!

We hear our neighbour's sighs,
Er klopft an unser Herz; doch wirds nicht aufgetan!

he knocks at our heart, but it is not opened.
Wir sehen zwar sein Händeringen,

We see his wringing of hands,
Sein Auge, das von Tränen fleußt;

his eyes overflow with tears;
Doch lässt das Herz sich nicht zur Liebe zwingen.
but our heart is not moved to love.
Der Priester und Levit,
The priest and the Levite
Der hier zur Seite tritt,

who here pass by on the other side
Sind ja ein Bild liebloser Christen;
are indeed an image of Christians without love;
Sie tun, als wenn sie nichts von fremdem Elend wüssten,

they act as if they know nothing of compassion for the stranger,
Sie gießen weder Öl noch Wein
they pour neither oil nor wine
Ins Nächsten Wunden ein.

in their neighbour's wounds.

3

Aria [Alto]

Flauto traverso I/II, Continuo

Nur durch Lieb und durch Erbarmen
Only through love and through compassion
Werden wir Gott selber gleich.
do we become like God.
Samaritergleiche Herzen
Hearts like that of the Samaritan
Lassen fremden Schmerz sich schmerzen
are moved to sorrow for the sorrow of others
Und sind an Erbarmung reich.
and are rich in pity.

4

Recitative [Tenor]

Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo

Ach, schmelze doch durch deinen Liebesstrahl
Ah, melt through the rays of your love
Des kalten Herzens Stahl,
the steel of cold heartst
Dass ich die wahre Christenliebe,

so that true Christian love,
Mein Heiland, täglich übe,

my saviour, may inspire what I do each day,
Dass meines Nächsten Wehe,

so that my neighbour's woe
Er sei auch, wer er ist,

-whoever he may be,
Freund oder Feind, Heid oder Christ,
friend or foe, pagan or Christian-
Mir als mein eignes Leid zu Herzen allzeit gehe!

may always touch my heart as if it were my own sorrow!
Mein Herz sei liebreich, sanft und mild,

May my heart be filled with love, gentle and tender,
So wird in mir verklärt dein Ebenbild.

then your image will be transfigured in me.

5

Aria (Duet) [Soprano, Bass]

Flauto traverso I/II e Oboe e Violino I/II, tutti all'unisono, Continuo

Händen, die sich nicht verschließen,
Hands that are not clasped shut
Wird der Himmel aufgetan.

will open heaven,
Augen, die mitleidend fließen,

eyes that flow with compassion
Sieht der Heiland gnädig an.

are looked upon with mercy by the Saviour,
Herzen, die nach Liebe streben,

To hearts that strive for love
Will Gott selbst sein Herze geben.

God himself will give his heart.

6

Chorale [S, A, T, B]

Oboe I/II e Violino I col Soprano, Violino II coll'Alto, Viola col Tenore, Continuo

Ertöt uns durch dein Güte,
Kill us with your kindness,
Erweck uns durch dein Gnad
!
awaken us through your grace!
Den alten Menschen kränke
,
weaken the old man
Dass der neu' leben mag
so that the new man may live
Wohl hier auf dieser Erden
,
even here on this earth,
Den Sinn und all Begehrden
and we may devote all our mind and desire
Und Gdanken habn zu dir
.
and thoughts to you.

--

Printable version of this translation

English Translation by Francis Browne (July 2007)
Contributed by Francis Browne (July 2007)

Cantata BWV 164: Complete Recordings | Recordings of Individual Movements | Discussions
German Text | Translations: Dutch | English-1 | English-3 | English-6 | French-4 | French-6 | Hebrew-1 | Indonesian | Italian-2 | Italian-4 | Spanish-4
Chorale Text:
Herr Christ, der einge Gottessohn

English Translations in Interlinear Format (English-3): Sorted by BWV Number | Sorted by Title | Sorted by Event | Note on English Translations

Texts & Translations: 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 1081-1089 | BWV Anh | Chorale Texts | Sources | Poets & Composers | Discussions: Texts | Translations: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

Introduction | Cantatas | Other Vocal | Non-Vocal | Performers | General Topics | Articles | Books | Movies
Biographies | Texts & Translations | Scores | References | Commentary | Music | Concerts | Bach Tour | Memorabilia
Chorale Texts | Chorale Melodies | Lutheran Church Year | Readings | Poets & Composers | Transcriptions
Search Website | Search Works/Movements | Terms & Abbreviations | Copyright Notice | How to contribute | Links

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Last update: ýApril 1, 2008 ý13:54:58