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Cantata BWV 169
Gott soll allein mein Herze haben
English Translation in Interlinear Format
Cantata BWV 169 - God alone should possess my heart

Event: Solo Cantata for the 18^th Sunday after Trinity
Readings: Epistle: 1 Corinthians 1: 4-8; Gospel: Matthew 22: 34-46
Text: Martin Luther (Mvt. 7); Anon (Mvts. 2-6)

Biblical quotations in green font, chorales in purple

1

Sinfonia

Oboe I/II, Taille, Violino I/II, Viola, Organo obligato e Continuo

2

Arioso [Alto]

Continuo

Gott soll allein mein Herze haben.
God alone should possess my heart.
Zwar merk ich an der Welt,
But I am well aware that the world,
Die ihren Kot unschätzbar hält,
which considers its excrement to be priceless,
Weil sie so freundlich mit mir tut,
since it treats me in such a friendly fashion,
Sie wollte gern allein
would willingly be alone
Das Liebste meiner Seele sein.
what my soul loves best.
Doch nein; Gott soll allein mein Herze haben:
But no - God alone should possess my heart:
Ich find in ihm das höchste Gut.
I find in him my highest good.
Wir sehen zwar
We do indeed see
Auf Erden hier und dar
here and there on the earth
Ein Bächlein der Zufriedenheit,
a small stream of contentment
Das von des Höchsten Güte quillet;
that flows from the goodness of the Highest;
Gott aber ist der Quell, mit Strömen angefüllet,
but God is the source, overflowing with rivers,
Da schöpf ich, was mich allezeit
from this source I derive what for eternity
Kann sattsam und wahrhaftig laben:
can refresh me truly and sufficiently:
Gott soll allein mein Herze haben.
God alone should possess my heart.

3

Aria [Alto]

Organo obligato e Continuo

Gott soll allein mein Herze haben,
God alone should possess my heart,
Ich find in ihm das höchste Gut.
I find in him the highest good
Er liebt mich in der bösen Zeit
He loves me in evil times
Und will mich in der Seligkeit
and wants in heavenly bliss
Mit Gütern seines Hauses laben.
to refresh me with the good things of his house.

4

Recitativo [Alto]

Continuo

Was ist die Liebe Gottes?
What is the love of God?
Des Geistes Ruh,
The spirit's inner peace,
Der Sinnen Lustgenieß,
the mind's delight,
Der Seele Paradies.
the soul's paradise.
Sie schließt die Hölle zu,
It shuts off hell
Den Himmel aber auf;
but opens up heaven;
Sie ist Elias Wagen,
it is Elias' chariot,
Da werden wir in Himmel nauf
in which we shall be carried up to heaven
In Abrahms Schoß getragen.
to Abraham's bosom.

5

Aria [Alto]

Violino I/II, Viola, Organo obligato e Continuo

Stirb in mir,
Die in me,
Welt und alle deine Liebe,
you world and all your loves
Daß die Brust
so that my heart
Sich auf Erden für und für
on earth for ever and ever
In der Liebe Gottes übe;
may practise God's way of love;
Stirb in mir,
Die in me,
Hoffart, Reichtum, Augenlust,
arrogance, wealth and greedy lust of the eyes,
Ihr verworfnen Fleischestriebe!
you abject promptings of the flesh.

6

Recitative [Alto]

Continuo

Doch meint es auch dabei
But keep in mind also
Mit eurem Nächsten treu!
to be sincere with your neighbour!
Denn so steht in der Schrift geschrieben:
For it is written in the scriptures:
Du sollst Gott und den Nächsten lieben.
you should love God and your neighbour.

7

Chorale [S, A, T, B]

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

Du süße Liebe, schenk uns deine Gunst,
You sweet love, grant us your favour,
Laß uns empfinden der Liebe Brunst,
let us feel the ardour of love
Daß wir uns von Herzen einander lieben
so that we may love one another from our hearts
Und in Friede auf einem Sinn bleiben.
and remain with one mind in peace.
Kyrie eleis.
Lord, have mercy.

--

English Translation by Francis Browne (September 2002)
Contributed by Francis Browne (September 2002)

Cantata BWV 169: Complete Recordings | Recordings of Individual Movements | Discussions
German Text | Translations: Dutch | English-1 | English-3 | English-6 | French-4 | French-6 | Hebrew-1 | Hungarian-2 | Indonesian | Italian-5 | Spanish-3

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