Cantata BWV 174
Ich liebe den Höchsten von ganzem Gemüte
English Translation in Interlinear Format
Cantata BWV 174 - I love God most high |
Event: Cantata for Whit Monday [2nd Day of Pentecost]
Readings: Epistle: Acts 10: 42-48; Gospel: John 3: 16-21
Text: Christian Friedrich Henrici (Picander) (Mvts. 2-4); Martin Schalling (Mvt. 5)
Chorale Text: Herzlich lieb hab' ich dich, o Herr |
Biblical quotations in green font , chorales in purple |
1 |
Sinfonia |
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Corno da caccia I/II, Oboe I/II, Taille, Violino I-III, Viola I-III, Violoncello I-III, Continuo (+ Fagotto, Violone) |
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2 |
Aria [Alto] |
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Oboe I/II, Continuo |
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Ich liebe den Höchsten von ganzem Gemüte,
I love God most high with all my heart,
Er hat mich auch am höchsten lieb.
he holds me dear also in the highest degree.
Gott allein
God alone
Soll der Schatz der Seelen sein,
should be the treasure of my soul,
Da hab ich die ewige Quelle der Güte.
where I have the eternal source of goodness. |
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3 |
Recitative [Tenor] |
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Violino I-III all' unisono, Viola I-III all' unisono, Continuo |
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O Liebe, welcher keine gleich!
O love with which none cane compare !
O unschätzbares Lösegeld!
O inestimable ransom!
Der Vater hat des Kindes Leben
The Father has given his child's life
Vor Sünder in den Tod gegeben
for sinners in death
Und alle, die das Himmelreich
and all for whom the kingdom of heaven
Verscherzet und verloren,
was forfeited and lost
Zur Seligkeit erkoren.
are chosen for blessedness.
Also hat Gott die Welt geliebt!
God has so loved the world!
Mein Herz, das merke dir
My heart, mark this for yourself
Und stärke dich mit diesen Worten;
and strengthen yourself with these words:
Vor diesem mächtigen Panier
before this mighty banner
Erzittern selbst die Höllenpforten.
the gates of hell themselves tremble. |
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4 |
Aria [Bass] |
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Violini e Viole, tutti all'unisono, Continuo |
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Greifet zu,
Seize the opportunity,
Faßt das Heil, ihr Glaubenshände!
take hold of salvation, you believing hands!
Jesus gibt sein Himmelreich
Jesus gives his heavenly kingdom
Und verlangt nur das von euch:
and requires only this from you:
Gläubt getreu bis an das Ende!
believe faithfully to the end! |
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5 |
Chorale [S, A, T, B] |
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Oboe I e Violino I/II col Soprano, Oboe II e Violino III coll'Alto, Taille e Viola I-III col Tenore, Continuo |
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Herzlich lieb hab ich dich, o Herr.
From my heart I hold you dear, o Lord.
Ich bitt, wollst sein von mir nicht fern
I pray that it may be your will to be be not far from me
Mit deiner Hülf und Gnaden.
with your help and grace.
Die ganze Welt erfreut mich nicht,
The whole world gives me no delight,
Nach Himml und Erden frag ich nicht,
I do not ask for heaven and earth,
Wenn ich dich nur kann haben.
if only I can have you.
Und wenn mir gleich mein Herz zerbricht,
And even if my heart at onve breaks,
So bist du doch mein Zuversicht,
you are still my reassurance,
Mein Heil und meines Herzens Trost,
my salvation and comfort of my heart,
Der mich durch sein Blut hat erlöst.
who has redeemed me through his blood.
Herr Jesu Christ,
Lord Jesus Christ,
Mein Gott und Herr, mein Gott und Herr,
my God and Lord, my God and Lord,
In Schanden laß mich nimmermehr!
never again let me be put to shame! |
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Note on the text |
The text is by Picander (Christian Friedrich Henrici, 1700-1764) and was published in his Cantaten auf die Sonn- und Fest-tage durch das ganze Jahr (1728). It is based on the opening words of the gospel reading for Whit Monday, John 3: 16-21; 'For God so loved the world'. These words are quoted in the tenor recitative, but the first aria and indeed the cantata as a whole is concerned more with the love the Christian should show towards God.
The concluding chorale is the first verse of Martin Schalling's hymn for the dying (1569; complete text at: Herzlich lieb hab' ich dich, o Herr). |
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This Translation in Parallel Format |
English Translation by Francis Browne (June 2003)
Contributed by Francis Browne (June 2003) |