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Event: Whit Tuesday [3rd Day of Pentecost]
Readings: Epistle: Acts 8: 14-17; Gospel: John 10: 1-10
Text: Anarg von Wildenfels (Mvt. 5); Anon (Mvt. 1-4, 6)
Chorale Text: O Herre Gott, dein göttlichs Wort |
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1 |
Recitative [Tenor] |
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Flauto traverso I/II, Continuo |
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Erwünschtes Freudenlicht,
Longed-for light of joy,
Das mit dem neuen Bund anbricht
that dawns with the new covenant
Durch Jesum, unsern Hirten!
through Jesus, our shepherd!
Wir, die wir sonst in Todes Tälern irrten,
We, who once used to go astray in the valleys of death,
Empfinden reichlich nun,
feel abundantly now
Wie Gott zu uns den längst erwünschten Hirten sendet,
how God sends to us the shepherd we have long desired,
Der unsre Seele speist
who feeds our souls
Und unsern Gang durch Wort und Geist
and through his word and spirit
Zum rechten Wege wendet.
turns our course into the right way.
Wir, sein erwähltes Volk, empfinden seine Kraft;
We, his chosen people, feel his strength;
In seiner Hand allein ist, was uns Labsal schafft,
in his hand alone is what creates comfort for us,
Was unser Herze kräftig stärket.
what mightily strengthens our hearts.
Er liebt uns, seine Herde,
He loves us, his flock,
Die seinen Trost und Beistand merket.
that is aware of his consolation and assistance.
Er ziehet sie vom Eitlen, von der Erde,
He draws them away from vanity, from the earth,
Auf ihn zu schauen
to look towards him
Und jederzeit auf seine Huld zu trauen.
and at all times to trust in his grace.
O Hirte, so sich vor die Herde gibt,
O shepherd, who gives himself for the flock,
Der bis ins Grab und bis in Tod sie liebt!
who loves them even in the grave and even in death!
Sein Arm kann denen Feinden wehren,
His arm is able to restrain our enemies,
Sein Sorgen kann uns Schafe geistlich nähren,
his care can spiritually feed us sheep,
Ja, kömmt die Zeit, durchs finstre Tal zu gehen,
yes, when the time comes to go through the dark valley
So hilft und tröstet uns sein sanfter Stab.
then his gentle staff helps and comforts us.
Drum folgen wir mit Freuden bis ins Grab.
Therefore we follow with joy even in the grave.
Auf! Eilt zu ihm, verklärt vor ihm zu stehen.
Arise! Hurry to him, to stand transfigured before him. |
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2 |
Aria (Duetto) [Soprano, Alto] |
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Flauto traverso I/II, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo |
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Gesegnete Christen, glückselige Herde,
Blessed Christians, blissful flock,
Kommt, stellt euch bei Jesu mit Dankbarkeit ein!
come, present yourselves with gratitude to Jesus!
Verachtet das Locken der schmeichlenden Erde,
Despise the enticements of the flattering earth
Daß euer Vergnügen vollkommen kann sein!
so that your enjoyment may be perfect! |
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3 |
Recitative [Tenor] |
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Continuo |
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So freuet euch, ihr auserwählten Seelen!
Then rejoice, you chosen souls!
Die Freude gründet sich in Jesu Herz.
Your joy is founded on Jesus' heart.
Dies Labsal kann kein Mensch erzählen.
No man can tell of this refreshment.
Die Freude steigt auch unterwärts
The joy reaches even down below
Zu denen, die in Sündenbanden lagen,
to those who lay in the bonds of sin,
Die hat der Held aus Juda schon zuschlagen.
which the hero from Judah has now struck hard.
Ein David steht uns bei.
A David comes to our aid,
Ein Heldenarm macht uns von Feinden frei.
the arm of a hero makes us free from our enemies.
Wenn Gott mit Kraft die Herde schützt,
When God protects his flock with his might,
Wenn er im Zorn auf ihre Feinde blitzt,
when in his wrath he blazes out against their enemies,
Wenn er den bittern Kreuzestod
when the bitter death on the cross
Vor sie nicht scheuet,
for their sake he does not shun,
So trifft sie ferner keine Not,
then no further distress befalls them,
So lebet sie in ihrem Gott erfreuet.
then they live rejoicing in their God.
Hier schmecket sie die edle Weide
Here they taste the fine pastures
Und hoffet dort vollkommne Himmelsfreude.
and hope there for perfect joy in heaven. |
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4 |
Aria [Tenor] |
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Violino solo, Continuo |
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Glück und Segen sind bereit,
Happiness and blessing are ready
Die geweihte Schar zu krönen.
to crown the consecrated flock,
Jesus bringt die güldne Zeit,
Jesus brings the golden time
Welche sich zu ihm gewöhnen.
to those who get to know him. |
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5 |
Chorale [S, A, T, B] |
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Flauto traverso I/II, Violino I col Soprano, Violino II coll'Alto, Viola col Tenore, Continuo |
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Herr, ich hoff je, du werdest die
Lord, I hope that you will
In keiner Not verlassen,
in no trouble abandon
Die dein Wort recht als treue Knecht
those who as loyal servants rightly hold your word
Im Herzn und Glauben fassen;
in their hearts and faith;
Gibst ihn' bereit die Seligkeit
You give them already blessedness
Und läßt sie nicht verderben.
and do not let them perish.
O Herr, durch dich bitt ich, laß mich
O Lord, through you I ask that you grant
Fröhlich und willig sterben.
that I may die joyfully and willingly. |
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6 |
Chorus [S, A, T, B] |
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Flauto traverso I/II all' unisono, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo |
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Guter Hirte, Trost der Deinen,
Good shepherd, comfort of your people,
Laß uns nur dein heilig Wort!
grant to us only your holy word!
Laß dein gnädig Antlitz scheinen,
Let your merciful shine,
Bleibe unser Gott und Hort,
remain our God and refuge,
Der durch allmachtsvolle Hände
who through his almighty hands
Unsern Gang zum Leben wende!
turns our way to life! |
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Note on the text |
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This cantata for the third day of Pentecost was first performed at Leipzig on 30 May 1724 and repeated there in 1731. It is a parody of a secular cantata composed at Cöthen, of which the text is lost and only a few instrumental parts survive among the Leipzig performing material. The main structural difference between the two works is that the penultimate movement of the Cöthen version, a recitative has been replaced by a plainly harmonised setting of the eighth strophe from Anarg von Wildenfels' hymn O Herre Gott, dein göttlich Wort (1526). The anonymous librettist has fitted a new text which relates to the Gospel reading for the day, St. John 10: 1-10, telling of Jesus as the good shepherd.
Extract from the Oxford Composer Companion: J.S. Bach |
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English Translation by Francis Browne (July 2003)
Contributed by Francis Browne (July 2003) |
