Herzlich lieb hab' ich dich, o Herr
Text and Translation of Chorale

EKG:
Author: Martin Schalling (1569)
Melody: anonymous, Orgeltabulatur-Buch, Straßburg (1577)
Vocal Works: BWV 149, BWV 174, (BWV 19/5 melody only); BWV 245/40: St John Passion

Vocal Works by J.S. Bach:

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Work

Mvt.

Year

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KE

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BC

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German Text (verses in bold print set by Bach)

English Translation

1

Herzlich lieb hab' ich dich, o Herr,
Ich bitt', woll'st sein von mir nicht fern
Mit deiner Güt' und Gnaden.
Die ganze Welt nicht freuet mich,
Nach Himmel und Erd' nicht frag' ich,
Wenn ich dich nur kann haben;
Und wenn mir gleich mein Herz zerbricht,
So bist doch du mein' Zuversicht,
Mein Teil und meines Herzens Trost,
Der mich durch sein Blut hat erlöst.
Herr Jesu Christ,
Mein Gott und Herr, mein Gott und Herr,
In Schanden laß mich nimmermehr!

From my heart I hold you dear, o Lord,
I ask that it may be your will to be not far from me
with your kindness and mercy.
The whole world gives me no delight,
I do not ask for heaven and earth,
if only I can have you.
And even if my heart at once breaks,
you are still my reassurance,
my portion and my heart's comfort,
who has redeemed me through his blood.
Lord Jesus Christ,
my God and Lord, my God and Lord,
never again let me be put to shame!

2

Es ist ja, Herr, dein G'schenk und Gab'
Mein Leib und Seel' und was ich hab'
In diesem armen Leben.
Damit ich's brauch' zum Lobe dein,
Zu Nutz und Dienst des Nächsten mein,
Woll'st mir dein' Gnade geben!
Behüt mich, Herr, vor falscher Lehr',
Des Satans Mord und Lügen wehr,
In allem Kreuz erhalte mich,
Auf daß ich's trag' geduldiglich!
Herr Jesu Christ,
Mein Herr und Gott, mein Herr und Gott,
Tröst mir mein' Seel' in Todesnot!

It is, Lord, your present and gift,
my body and soul and what I have
in this poor life.
So that I may use this for your praise,
for the benefit and service of my neighbour
may it be your will to grant me your grace!
Guard me, Lord, from false teaching,
defend me from Satan's murder and lies,
sustain me in every affliction [cross],
so that I may endure with patience!
Lord Jesus Christ,
my Lord and God, my Lord and God,
comfort my soul in death's distress.

3

Ach, Herr, laß dein' lieb' Engelein
Am letzten End' die Seele mein
In Abrahams Schoß tragen!
Der Leib in sein'm Schlafkämmerlein
Gar sanft, ohn' ein'ge Qual und Pein,
Ruh' bis am Jüngsten Tage.
Alsdenn vom Tod erwecke mich
Daß meine Augen sehen dich
In aller Freud', o Gottes Sohn,
Mein Heiland und mein Gnadenthron!
Herr Jesu Christ,
Erhöre mich, erhöre mich,
Ich will dich preisen ewiglich!

Ah Lord, let your dear angels
at my last end carry my soul
to Abraham's bosom,
while my body in its narrow chamber of sleep
gently without pain and torment
rests until the last day!
Then awaken me from death,
so that my eyes may see you
in all joy, o God's son,
my saviour and throne of mercy!
Lord Jesus Christ,
hear me, hear me,
I want to praise you for ever!

--

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

Cantata BWV 19: Complete Recordings | Recordings of Individual Movements | Discussions
German Text | Translations: Dutch | English-1 | English-3 | English-5 | English-6 | French-1 | French-4 | French-6 | Hebrew-1 | Indonesian | Italian-2 | Portuguese-2 | Russian-1 | Spanish-2

Cantata BWV 149: Complete Recordings | Recordings of Individual Movements | Discussions
German Text | Translations: Dutch | English-1 | English-3 | English-6 | French-4 | French-6 | Hebrew-1 | Indonesian | Italian-2 | Russian-1 | Spanish-5

Cantata BWV 174: Complete Recordings | Recordings of Individual Movements | Discussions
German Text | Translations: Dutch | English-1 | English-3 | English-6 | French-4 | French-6 | Hebrew-1 | Indonesian | Italian-2 | Spanish-3

Chorales BWV 250-438
Recordings | General Discussions: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Chorales in Bach's Vocal Works: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Hidden Chorale Melody Allusions | Passion Chorale
Individual Recordings: Hilliard - Morimur | Chorales - Matt | Chorales - Rilling | Preludi ai Corali - Quartetto Italiani di Viola Da Gamba
References: Chorales BWV 250-300 | Chorales BWV 301-350 | Chorales BWV 351-400 | Chorales BWV 401-438
Texts & English Translations of Chorales: Sorted by Title
Chorale Melodies: Sorted by Title | 371 4-Part Chorales sorted by Breitkopf Number | Explanation
MIDI files of the Chorales: Cantatas BWV 1-197 | Other Vocal Works BWV 225-248 | Chorales BWV 250-438
Articles: The Origin of the Texts of the Chorales [A. Schweitzer] | The Origin of the Melodies of the Chorales [A. Schweitzer] | The Chorale in the Church Service [A. Schweitzer] | Choral / Chorale [C.S. Terry] | The History of the Breitkopf Collection of J. S. Bach’s Four-Part Chorales [T. Braatz] | Chorale Melody Allusions in Bach's Vocal Works [T. Braatz]
Hymnals used by Bach | Abbreviations used for the Chorales | Links to other Sites on the Chorales

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