Cantata BWV 209 - English Translation [interlinear format]

Cantata BWV 209 Non sa che sia dolore English Translation in Interlinear Format Cantata BWV 209 - He does not know what sorrow is
Event: Farewell Cantata for Johann Matthias Gesner on his posting to Ansbach ? Text: Anon

1	Sinfonia
	Flauto traverso, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo

2	Recitative [Soprano]
	Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo
	Non sa che sia dolore He does not know what sorrow is *Chi dall' amico suo parte e non more.* who parts from his friend and does not die. *Il fanciullin' che plora e geme* The child who weeps and groans *Ed allor che più ei teme,* and then is more afraid, *Vien la madre a consolar.* his mother comes to console. *Va dunque a cenni del cielo,* Go therefore at the signs from heaven, *Adempi or di Minerva il zelo.* fulfil now the zeal of Minerva.

3	Aria [Soprano]
	Flauto traverso, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo
	Parti pur e con dolore Depart then and with sorrow *Lasci a noi dolente il core.* leave to us sorrowing hearts. *La patria goderai,* You will delight your fatherland, *A dover la servirai;* in its service you will do your duty; *Varchi or di sponda in sponda,* Cross now from shore to shore, *Propizi vedi il vento e l'onda.* may you see the wind and waves favourable to you.

4	Recitative [Soprano]
	Continuo
	Tuo saver al tempo e l'età contrasta, Your knowledge contrasts with the time and age, *Virtù e valor solo a vincer basta;* virtue and valour alone are sufficient to conquer; *Ma chi gran ti farà più che non fusti* but who will make you greater than you were *Ansbaca, piena di tanti Augusti.* Ansbach, full of so many distinguished people ?

5	Aria [Soprano]
	Flauto traverso, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo
	Ricetti gramezza e pavento, Do away with anxiety and dread, *Qual nocchier, placato il vento,* like the steersman, when the wind is calmed, *Più non teme o si scolora,* who no more fears or turns pale *Ma contento in su la prora* but content on his prow *Va cantando in faccia al mar.* goes singing in the face of the sea.

Note on the text
The principal source of BWV 209 is a copy made by J.N. Forkel in 1800. The authenticity of the work has been much discussed. It may have been conceived as a farewell cantata on the departure of a teacher. But the text seems rather to be addressed to a young man leaving for military service and in two separate passages makes reference to the sea All this suggests that the cantata relates to the departure from a port (Hamburg, perhaps?) of a young marine officer. The cantata uses a composite text by an unknown author (perhaps a German); it includes passages from G. B. Guarini's 'Partita dolorosa' (madrigal no. 41 from his Rime, published in Venice in 1598) and Pietro Metastasio's opera Semiramide riconosciuta (Act 2, scene 6) and his azione teatrale Galatea, together with other verses probably freely invented. It is not known why Bach had recourse to an Italian text which is, among other things, somewhat irregular and disconnected, showing an incomplete mastery of the language. (information taken from The Oxford Composer Companion : J.S.Bach)
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English Translation by Francis Browne (August 2003) Contributed by Francis Browne (August 2003)
Cantata BWV 209: Complete Recordings \| Recordings of Individual Movements \| Discussions Italian Text \| Translations: Catalan-1 \| Dutch \| English-1 \| English-3 \| French-4 \| Hebrew-2 \| Hebrew-3 \| Spanish-2
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Last update: ýJuly 5, 2009 ý22:31:56