Cantata BWV 193 - English Translation [interlinear format]

Event: Cantata for the Town Council Inauguration [Incomplete] Text: Anon
1	Chorus [S, A, T, B]
	Oboe I/II, Violino I/II, Viola
	Ihr Pforten/Tore zu Zion, ihr Wohnungen Jakobs, freuet euch! You gates/doors to Zion, you dwellings of Jacob, rejoice! *Gott ist unsers Herzens Freude,* God is the joy of our heart, *Wir sind Völker seiner Weide,* we are people of his pasture, *Ewig ist sein Königreich.* everlasting is his kingdom.

2	Recitative [Soprano]

	Der Hüter Israels entschläft noch schlummert nicht, The guardian of Israel neither sleeps nor slumbers, *Es ist annoch sein Angesicht* his face is continually *Der Schatten unsrer rechten Hand;* the shadow at our right hand; *Und das gesamte Land* and the whole land *Hat sein Gewächs im Überfluß gegeben.* has produced its harvest in abundance. *Wer kann dich, Herr, genug davor erheben?* Who can sufficeintly exalt you for this, Lord?

3	Aria [Soprano]
	Oboe I, Violino I/II, Viola
	Gott, wir danken deiner Güte, God, we give thanks for your kindness, *Denn dein väterlich Gemüte* since your fatherly disposition *Währet ewig für und für.* lasts eternally for ever and ever. *Du vergibst das Übertreten,* You forgive our transgression, *Du erhörest, wenn wir beten,* you listen when we pray, *Drum kömmt alles Fleisch zu dir.* therefore all flesh comes to you.

4	Recitative [Alto]

	O Leipziger Jerusalem, vergnüge dich an deinem Feste! O Jerusalem of Leipzig, take delight in your festival! *Der Fried ist noch in deinen Mauern,* Peace is still within your walls, *Es stehn annoch die Stühle zum Gericht,* the seats of judgement still stand, *Und die Gerechtigkeit bewohnet die Paläste.* and justice inhabits the palaces. *Ach bitte, daß dein Ruhm und Licht* Ah pray that your fame and light *Also beständig möge dauern!* may endure so steadfastly!

5	Aria [Alto]
	Oboe solo
	Sende, Herr, den Segen ein, Send your blessing, Lord, *Laß die wachsen und erhalten,* may those people grow and prosper *Die vor dich das Recht verwalten* who administer justice in your presence *Und ein Schutz der Armen sein!* and are a protection for the poor! *Sende, Herr, den Segen ein!* Send your blessing , Lord!

6	Chorus [S, A, T, B]

	Ihr Pforten/Tore zu Zion, ihr Wohnungen Jakobs, freuet euch! You gates/doors to Zion, you dwellings of Jacob, rejoice! *Gott ist unsers Herzens Freude,* God is the joy of our heart, *Wir sind Völker seiner Weide,* we are people of his pasture, *Ewig ist sein Königreich.* everlasting is his kingdom.

Note on the text
This cantata for the installation of the Leipzig city council was performed on 25 August 1727, and perhaps also in the following year. What we possess is only a fragment. The work survives in an incomplete set of original manuscript parts (two oboes, two violins ,soprano and alto). Three movements were parodied from an earlier secular cantata (BWV 193a) of which only the text survives. Dürr speculates that both cantatas may go back to an earlier work, possibly from Bach's time in Köthen. BWV 193a was a dramma per musica for the nameday of the reigning Augustus II, performed at Leipzig on 3 August 1727. The text was by Picander, who may have therefore been involved in its sacred parody just three weeks later. The manuscript parts for BWV 193 show numerous corrections, including a copyist's substitution in the soprano part of Pforten for Tore. Hence the title of the work sometimes varies. In the first movement there is reference to Psalm 87:2, and in the second movement to Psalm 121:4. The surviving parts indicate that there was a recitative for tenor or bass before the final chorus. (Information from Dürr, Die Kantaten and Oxford Composer Companion: J S Bach)
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English Translation by Francis Browne (August 2003) Contributed by Francis Browne (August 2003)

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Last update: �July 26, 2006 �22:16:38