Cantata BWV 174 - English Translation [interlinear format]

Cantata BWV 174 Ich liebe den Höchsten von ganzem Gemüte English Translation in Interlinear Format Cantata BWV 174 - I love God most high
Event: Whit Monday [2^nd 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
	Corno da caccia I/II, Oboe I/II, Taille, Violino I-III, Viola I-III, Violoncello I-III, Continuo (+ Fagotto, Violone)

2	Aria [Alto]
	Oboe I/II, Continuo
	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.

3	Recitative [Tenor]
	Violino I-III all' unisono, Viola I-III all' unisono, Continuo
	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.

4	Aria [Bass]
	Violini e Viole, tutti all'unisono, Continuo
	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!

5	Chorale [S, A, T, B]
	Oboe I e Violino I/II col Soprano, Oboe II e Violino III coll'Alto, Taille e Viola I-III col Tenore, Continuo
	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!

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).
--
English Translation by Francis Browne (June 2003) Contributed by Francis Browne (June 2003)
Cantata BWV 174: 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 \| Spanish-3 Chorale Text: Herzlich lieb hab' ich dich, o Herr
English Translations in Interlinear Format (English-3): Sorted by BWV Number \| Sorted by Title \| Sorted by Event \| Note on English Translations

Back to the Top

Last update: �July 7, 2008 �16:28:45