Event: Cantata for the 2^nd Day of Christmas [Christmas Monday, St. Stefanus Day]
Readings: Epistle: Titus. 3: 4-7 / Acts 6: 8-15 & 7: 55-60; Gospel: Matthew 23: 35-39 / Luke 2: 15-20
Text: 1 John 3: 8 (Mvt. 1); Kaspar Füger (Mvt. 3); Paul Gerhardt (Mvt. 6); Christian Keymann (Mvt. 8); Anon [probably Christian Weiss, Sr., or J.S. Bach] (Mvts. 2, 4, 5, 7)
Chorale Text: Wir Christenleut habn jetzund Freud | Schwing dich auf zu deinem Gott | Freuet euch, ihr Christen alle

1

Chorus [S, A, T, B]

Corno I/II, Oboe I/II, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo

Darzu ist erschienen der Sohn Gottes,
For this reason the Son of God appeared,
daß er die Werke des Teufels zerstöre.
so that he might destroy the works of the devil.

2

Recitative [Tenor]

Continuo

Das Wort ward Fleisch und wohnet in der Welt,
The Word became flesh and dwells in the world,
Das Licht der Welt bestrahlt den Kreis der Erden,
the light of the world illuminates the circle of the earth,
Der große Gottessohn
the great Son of God
Verläßt des Himmels Thron,
forsakes the throne of heaven,
Und seiner Majestät gefällt,
and it pleases his majesty
Ein kleines Menschenkind zu werden.
to become a little human child.
Bedenkt doch diesen Tausch, wer nur gedenken kann;
Think then about this exchange, whoever can think;
Der König wird ein Untertan,
the king becomes a subject,
Der Herr erscheinet als ein Knecht
the Lord appears as a slave,
Und wird dem menschlichen Geschlecht
and for the human race
- O süßes Wort in aller Ohren! -
- o sweet word in every ear-
Zu Trost und Heil geboren.
is born to be their comfort and salvation.

3

Chorale [S, A, T, B]

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

Die Sünd macht Leid;
Sin causes sorrow,
Christus bringt Freud,
Christ brings joy,
Weil er zu Trost in diese Welt ist kommen.
since he has come into this world for our consolation.
Mit uns ist Gott
God is with us
Nun in der Not:
now in our need:
Wer ist, der uns als Christen kann verdammen?
Who is there who can condemn us as Christians?

4

Aria [Bass]

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

Höllische Schlange,
Infernal serpent,
Wird dir nicht bange?
are you not afraid?
Der dir den Kopf als ein Sieger zerknickt,
The one who as a conqueror crushes your head
Ist nun geboren,
has now been born,
Und die verloren,
and those who were lost
Werden mit ewigem Frieden beglückt.
will be made happy with everlasting peace.

5

Recitative [Alto]

Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo

Die Schlange, so im Paradies
The serpent, that in paradise
Auf alle Adamskinder
on all the children of Adam
Das Gift der Seelen fallen ließ,
let fall the souls' poison
Bringt uns nicht mehr Gefahr;
causes us danger no more;
Des Weibes Samen stellt sich dar,
the woman's seed is present,
Der Heiland ist ins Fleisch gekommen
the Saviour has come in the flesh
Und hat ihr allen Gift benommen.
and has taken all the poison away.
Drum sei getrost! betrübter Sünder.
Therefore be comforted, grieving sinner.

6

Chorale [S, A, T, B]

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

Schüttle deinen Kopf und sprich:
Shake your head and say:
Fleuch, du alte Schlange!
flee, you old serpent!
Was erneurst du deinen Stich,
Why do you renew your sting
Machst mir angst und bange?
and make me anxious and fearful?
Ist dir doch der Kopf zerknickt,
Now your head is crushed,
Und ich bin durchs Leiden
and through the suffering
Meines Heilands dir entrückt
of my Saviour I am taken from you
In den Saal der Freuden.
into the hall of joy.

7

Aria [Tenor]

Corno I/II, Oboe I/II, Continuo

Christenkinder, freuet euch!
Children of Christ, rejoice!
Wütet schon das Höllenreich,
The kingdom of hell now rages,
Will euch Satans Grimm erschrecken:
Satan's fury wants to frighten you:
Jesus, der erretten kann,
Jesus, who can rescue you,
Nimmt sich seiner Küchlein an
takes care of his little chicks
Und will sie mit Flügeln decken.
and wants to cover them with his wings.

8

Chorale [S, A, T, B]

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

Jesu, nimm dich deiner Glieder
Jesus, take care of your members
Ferner in Genaden an;
for the future in your mercy;
Schenke, was man bitten kann,
Grant what can be asked for
Zu erquicken deine Brüder:
to give life to your brothers :
Gib der ganzen Christenschar
give to the Christian flock
Frieden und ein selges Jahr!
peace and a blessed year!
Freude, Freude über Freude!
Joy, joy upon joy!
Christus wehret allem Leide.
Christ protects from all suffering.
Wonne, Wonne über Wonne!
Delight, delight upon delight!
Er ist die Genadensonne.
He is the son of mercy.

--

English Translation by Francis Browne (January 2003)
Contributed by Francis Browne (January 2003)

Cantata BWV 40: Complete Recordings | Recordings of Individual Movements | Discussions: Part 1 | Part 2
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Chorale Texts: Wir Christenleut habn jetzund Freud | Schwing dich auf zu deinem Gott | Freuet euch, ihr Christen alle

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