Event: Cantata for the Town Council Inauguration
Text: Psalm 74: 12 (Mvt. 1); 2 Samuel 19: 35 & 37 (Johann Heermann) (Mvt. 2); Deuteronomy 33: 25 & Genesis 21: 22 (Mvt. 3); Psalm 74: 16-17 (Mvt. 4); Psalm 74: 19 (Mvt. 6); Anon (Mvts. 5, 7)
Chorale Text: O Gott, du frommer Gott

1

Chorus [S, A, T, B]

Tromba I-III, Timpani, Flauto I/II, Violoncello, Oboe I/II, Fagotto, Violino I/II, Viola, Violone, Continuo

Gott ist mein König von altersher,
God is my king from ages past
der alle Hilfe tut, so auf Erden geschicht. (Psalm 74:12)
who gives all the help that happens on the earth.

2

Aria [Tenor] with Chorale in Canto [Soprano]

Organo obligato

Aria [Tenor]

Chorale in Canto [Soprano]

Ich bin nun achtzig Jahr

Soll ich auf dieser Welt

I am now eighty years old

If in this world I should

warum soll dein Knecht sich mehr beschweren?

Mein Leben höher bringen,

why should your servant be burdened more ?

live my life longer,

Ich will umkehren, daß ich sterbe in meiner Stadt,

Durch manchen sauren Tritt

I shall turn back, so that I may die in my town

through many a bitter step

bei meines Vaters und meiner Mutter Grab.

Hindurch ins Alter dringen,

by my father's and mother's grave.

press on to old age

(2 Samuel 19:37)

So gib Geduld, für Sünd

Then give me patience, from sin

Und Schanden mich bewahr,

and shame preserve me

Auf daß ich tragen mag

that I may carry

Mit Ehren graues Haar.

with honour my grey hair

3

Chorus [S, A, T, B]

Continuo

Dein Alter sei wie deine Jugend, und Gott ist mit dir in allem, das du tust.
May your old age be as your youth, and God is with you in all you do. (Deuteronomy :33:25,Exodus 21:22)

4

Arioso [Bass]

Flauto I/II, Oboe I/II, Fagotto, Violoncello, Continuo

Tag und Nacht ist dein.
Day and night are yours
Du machest, daß beide, Sonn und Gestirn,
You make them both, the sun and the stars,
ihren gewissen Lauf haben.
follow their appointed course.
Du setzest einem jeglichen Lande seine Grenze.
You set for each land its boundaries. (Psalm 74 :16-17)

5

Aria [Alto]

Tromba I-III, Timpani, Continuo

Durch mächtige Kraft
Through mighty strength
Erhältst du unsre Grenzen,
you maintain our boundaries,
Hier muß der Friede glänzen,
Here must peace shine,
Wenn Mord und Kriegessturm
though murder and the storm of war
Sich allerort erhebt.
arise everywhere.
Wenn Kron und Zepter bebt,
Though crown and sceptre totter
Hast du das Heil geschafft
you have created prosperity
Durch mächtige Kraft!
through mighty strength!

6

Chorus [S, A, T, B]

Flauto I/II, Violoncello, Oboe I/II, Fagotto, Violino I/II, Viola, Violone, Continuo

Du wollest dem Feinde nicht geben die Seele deiner Turteltauben.
You will not give to the enemy the soul of your turtledove. (Psalm 74:19)

7

Chorus [S, A, T, B]

Tromba I-III, Timpani, Flauto I/II, Violoncello, Oboe I/II, Fagotto, Violino I/II, Violone, Organo obligato

Das neue Regiment
The new government
Auf jeglichen Wegen
in every way
Bekröne mit Segen!
crown with blessing !
Friede, Ruh und Wohlergehen,
May peace, rest and prosperity
Müsse stets zur Seite stehen
always stand by the side
Dem neuen Regiment.
of the new government.
Glück, Heil und großer Sieg
Good fortune, salvation and great victory
Muss täglich von neuen
must daily anew
Dich, Joseph, erfreuen,
delight you, Joseph,
Daß an allen Ort und Landen
so that in all lands and places
Ganz beständig sei vorhanden
there may be continually by you
Glück, Heil und großer Sieg!
good fortune, salvation and great victory!

Note on the text

This cantata was written for the annual change of administration in Mühlhausen. It was performed on 4^th February 1708 in the Marienkirche and the score was printed at the expense of the council. The author of the text is unknown, but both Archdeacon Georg Christian Eilmar, the pastor of the Marienkirche, and Bach himself have been suggested as possibilities. The text is a combination of Biblical quotations, a hymn – stanza and original matter.

Most of the text is based on Psalm 74 (movements 1, 4 and 6). Other texts are used in movements 2 and 3 to pay homage to aged burgomasters. In movement 2 stanza 6 of the chorale O Gott, du frommer Gott is used (Johann Heermann 1630). Movements 5 and 7 use specially written verses. These contain references to the Emperor Joseph I and the war of the Spanish Succession then raging.

(Information based on the Oxford Composer Companion)

Printable version of this translation

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English Translation by Francis Browne (March 2002, revised February 2005)
Contributed by Francis Browne (March 2002)

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Chorale Text: O Gott, du frommer Gott

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