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Cantata BWV 176
Es ist ein trotzig und verzagt Ding
English Translation in Interlinear Format
Cantata BWV 176 - There is something obstinate and desperate

Event: Cantata for Trinity Sunday
Readings:
Epistle: Romans 11: 33-36; Gospel: John 3: 1-15
Text:
Jeremiah 17: 9 (Mvt. 1); Paul Gerhardt (Mvt. 6); Christiane Mariane von Ziegler (Mvts. 2-5) (amended by J.S. Bach)
Chorale Text:
Was alle Weisheit in der Welt

Biblical quotations in green font, chorales in purple

1

Chorus [S, A, T, B]

Oboe I/II, Oboe da caccia, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo

Es ist ein trotzig and verzagt Ding um aller Menschen Herze.
There is something obstinate and desperate in the heart of every human being.

2

Recitative [Alto]

Continuo

Ich meine, recht verzagt,
I think that really desperate
Daß Nikodemus sich bei Tage nicht,
Nicodemus not by day
Bei Nacht zu Jesu wagt.
But by night dared to meet Jesus.
Die Sonne mußte dort bei Josua so lange stille stehn,
There the sun had to stand still so long for Joshua,
So lange bis der Sieg vollkommen war geschehn;
so long until the victory was achieved;
Hier aber wünschet Nikodem: O säh ich sie zu Rüste gehn!
But here Nicodemus wishes: “Oh, if only I saw it setting"!

3

Aria [Soprano]

Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo

Dein sonst hell beliebter Schein
Your beloved light which is otherwise bright
Soll vor mich umnebelt sein,
for me must be covered over with clouds,
Weil ich nach dem Meister frage,
so that I may ask for the master,
Denn ich scheue mich bei Tage.
for I am afraid by day.
Niemand kann die Wunder tun,
No man can do the miracles
Denn sein Allmacht und sein Wesen,
since his omnipotence and essence,
Scheint, ist göttlich auserlesen,
it seems, is divinely chosen,
Gottes Geist muß auf ihm ruhn.
God's spirit must rest on him.

4

Recitative [Bass]

Continuo

So wundre dich, O Meister, nicht,
Therefore do not be astonished, O Master,
Warum ich dich bei Nacht ausfrage!
that I question you by night!
Ich fürchte, daß bei Tage
I fear that by day
Mein Ohnmacht nicht bestehen kann.
my weakness cannot endure.
Doch tröst ich micht, du nimmst mein Herz und Geist
Yet I comfort myself, my heart and spirit
Zum Leben auf und an,
are accepted and taken up by you into life,
Weil alle, die nur an dich glauben, nicht verloren werden.
for all who only believe in you will not be lost.

5

Aria [Alto]

Oboe I/II e Oboe da caccia all' unisono, Continuo

Ermuntert euch, furchtsam und schüchterne Sinne,
Take courage, fearful and timid spirits,
Erholet euch, höret, was Jesus verspricht:
recover, hear what Jesus promises:
Daß ich durch den Glauben den Himmel gewinne.
that through faith I shall gain heaven,
Wenn die Verheißung erfüllend geschicht,
when the promise is fulfilled,
Werd ich dort oben
there above
Mit Danken und Loben
with thanks and praise
Vater, Sohn und Heilgen Geist
I shall glorify the father, son and holy spirit
Preisen, der dreieinig heißt.
who are called triune.

6

Chorale [S, A, T, B]

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

Auf daß wir also allzugleich
In this way therefore we
Zur Himmelspforten dringen
break through to the gates of heaven
Und dermaleinst in deinem Reich
and one day in your kingdom
Ohn alles Ende singen,
we shall sing without end
Daß du alleine König seist,
that you alone are King,
Hoch über alle Götter,
high above all the gods,
Gott Vater, Sohn und Heilger Geist,
God the Father, son and holy spirit
Der Frommen Schutz und Retter,
protector and saviour of the devout
Ein Wesen, drei Personen.
one being, three persons.

--

This Translation in Parallel Format

English Translation by Francis Browne (October 2008)
Contributed by Francis Browne (October 2008)

Cantata BWV 176: Es ist ein trotzig und verzagt Ding for Trinity Sunday (1725)
Discography: Details & Complete Recordings | Recordings of Individual Movements
Discussions: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

BWV 176 Text: German-1 | German-6 | German-7 | NBA Text
Translations: English-1 | English-3I | English-3P | English-6 | English-10 | English-14
Catalan-1 | Chinese-2 | Danish-1 | Dutch-0 | Dutch-3 | French-4 | French-5 | French-6 | Hebrew-1 | Indonesian-1 | Italian-5 | Norwegian-1 | Polish-1 | Polish-2 | Russian-1 | Russian-3 | Spanish-3 | Spanish-7 | Spanish/English-8
Chorale Text: Was alle Weisheit in der Welt [BWV 176/6]

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


Texts & Translations: Main Page | 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 1081-1164 | BWV Anh | Chorale Texts | Emblemata | Sources | Poets & Composers
Discussions: Texts: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Translations: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4




 

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Last update: Monday, January 09, 2023 14:23