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Cantata BWV 57
Selig ist der Mann
English Translation in Interlinear Format
Cantata BWV 57 - Blessed is the man
Dialogue

Event: Solo Cantata in Dialogue (for Soprano & Bass) for 2nd Day of Christmas [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 : James I: 12 (Mvt. 1); Ahasverus Fritsch (Mvt. 8); Georg Christian Lehms (Mvts. 2-7)
Chorale Text: Hast du denn, Jesu, dein Angesicht
Dialogue: Soul (Soprano), Jesus (Bass)

Biblical quotations in green font, chorales in purple

1

Aria [Bass]

Oboe I e Violino I all' unisono, Oboe II e Violino II all' unisono, Taille e Viola all' unisono, Organo, Continuo

Selig ist der Mann, der die Anfechtung erduldet;
Blessed is the man who endures temptation
denn, nachdem er bewähret ist,
for after he has proved himself,
wird er die Krone des Lebens empfahen.
he will receive the crown of life.

2

Recitative [Soprano]

Organo obligato e Continuo

Ach! dieser süße Trost
Ah,this sweet consolation
Erquickt auch mir mein Herz,
revives my heart also
Das sonst in Ach und Schmerz
which otherwise in grief and sorrow
Sein ewige Leiden findet
find everlasting pain for itself
Und sich als wie ein Wurm in seinem Blute windet.
and twists around like a worm in its blood.
Ich muss als wie ein Schaf
I have to live like a sheep
Bei tausend rauhen Wölfen leben;
among a thousand wild wolves;
Ich bin ein recht verlassnes Lamm,
I am a lamb that is really abandoned
Und muss mich ihrer Wut
and I must submit to their rage
Und Grausamkeit ergeben.
and cruelty
Was Abeln dort betraf,
What Abel met with in this life,
Erpresset mir auch diese Tränenflut.
wrings also from me this flood of tears.
Ach! Jesu, wüsst ich hier
Ah! Jesus,if I knew here
Nicht Trost von dir,
no consolation from you
So müßte Mut und Herze brechen,
then my heart and courage would have to break
Und voller Trauren sprechen:
and full of sadness say:

3

Aria [Soprano]

Violino I/II, Viola e Continuo

Ich wünschte mir den Tod, den Tod,
I would wish for myself death, death,
Wenn du, mein Jesu, mich nicht liebtest.
If you my Jesus, did not love me.
Ja wenn du mich annoch betrübtest,
Indeed, if you were still causing me distress,
So hätt ich mehr als Höllennot.
I would have anguish greater than hell.

4

Recitative (Dialogue) [Bass , Soprano]

Continuo

Bass:
Ich reiche dir die Hand
I reached out my hand to you
Und auch damit das Herze.
and also with it my heart.

Soprano:
Ach! süßes Liebespfand,
Ah!sweet pledge of love,
Du kannst die Feinde stürzen
you can overthrow my enemies
Und ihren Grimm verkürzen.
and shorten their fury.

5

Aria [Bass]

Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo

Ja, ja, ich kann die Feinde schlagen,
Yes indeed, I can strike the enemies
Die dich nur stets bei mir verklagen,
who are always bringing to me accusations against you.
Drum fasse dich, bedrängter Geist.
Then take a grip on yourself , you spirit in distress
Bedrängter Geist, hör auf zu weinen,
spirit in distress, cease to weep,
Die Sonne wird noch helle scheinen,
the sun will again shine brightly,
Die dir itzt Kummerwolken weist.
which now shows you clouds of woe.

6

Recitative (Dialogue ) [Bass, Soprano]

Continuo

Bass:
In meiner Schoß liegt Ruh und Leben,
In my bosom there lie rest and life,
Dies will ich dir einst ewig geben.
Which I will give you one day forever.

Soprano:
Ach! Jesu, wär ich schon bei dir
Ah! Jesus, I wish that I were already with you,
Ach striche mir
Der Wind schon
über Gruft und Grab,
Ah,I wish the wind blew over my tomb and grave,
So könnt ich alle Not besiegen.
Then I could conquer all distress.
Wohl denen, die im Sarge liegen
Blessed are those who lie in their coffin
Und auf den Schall der Engel hofften!
and hope for the sound of angels!
Ach! Jesu, mache mir doch nur,
Ah, Jesus, make for me also
Wie Stephano, den Himmel offen!
the heavens open as they did for Stephen.
Mein Herz ist schon bereit,
My heart is already prepared
Zu dir hinaufzusteigen.
to mount up to you.
Komm, komm, vergnügte Zeit!
Come, come, delightful time!
Du magst mir Gruft und Grab
As well as my tomb and grave
Und meinen Jesum zeigen.
you may show me my Jesus.

7

Aria [Soprano]

Violino solo, Continuo

Ich ende behände mein irdisches Leben
I end quickly my life on earth,
Mit Freuden zu scheiden verlang ich itzt eben.
With joy I am now longing to depart
Mein Heiland, ich sterbe mit höchster Begier,
My Saviour, I die with the greatest eagerness,
Hier hast du die Seele, was schenkest du mir?
Here you have my soul, what will you bestow on me?

8

Chorale [S, A, T, B]

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

Richte dich, Liebste, nach meinem Gefallen und gläube
Govern yourself, my beloved , according to my pleasure and believe
Dass ich dein Seelenfreund immer und ewig verbleibe,
so that forever and always I shall remain the friend of your soul,
Der dich ergötzt
who gives you delight.
Und in den Himmel versetzt
and transports you to heaven
Aus dem gemarterten Leibe.
from your tortured body.

--

This Translation in Parallel Format

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

Cantata BWV 57: Selig ist der Mann for 2nd Day of Christmas (1725)
Discography: Details & Complete Recordings | Recordings of Individual Movements
Discussions: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

BWV 57 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-1 | Dutch-3 | French-4 | French-5 | French-6 | Hebrew-1 | Hungarian-1 | Indonesian-1 | Italian-2 | Norwegian-1 | Polish-1 | Russian-1 | Russian-3 | Spanish-2 | Spanish-3 | Spanish-7 | Spanish/English-8
Chorale Text: Hast du denn, Jesu, dein Angesicht [BWV 57/8]

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 14:25