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Discussions: Texts: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Translations: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4


Ach Gott und Herr
Text and Translation of Chorale

EKG: 168
Author:
Martin Rutilius (1604) or Johann Major (1613)
Chorale Melody: Ach Gott und Herr | Composer: Anon

 

Vocal Works by J.S. Bach:

Ver

Work

Mvt.

Year

Br

RE

KE

Di

BC

Type

 

4

BWV 48

Mvt. 3

1723

279

4

279

37

144:3

Chorale [S, A, T, B]

 

-

BWV 255

-

?

40

3

40

-

F2:1

Chorale [S, A, T, B]

 
 
 

German Text (verses in bold print set by Bach)

English Translation

1

Ach Gott und Herr,
wie groß und schwer
sind mein begangne Sünden !
Da ist niemand,
der helfen kann,
in dieser Welt zu finden.

Ah, my Lord and God,
how great and heavy
are the sins I have committed!
There is nobody
who can help me
to be found in this world.

2

Lief ich gleich weit,
zu dieser Zeit,
bis an der Welt ihr Ende,
und wollt los seyn
des Kreuzes mein,
würd ich doch solchs nicht wenden.

If I ran far and wide
in this lifetime
right up to the world’s end
and wanted to be free
of my cross,
I would not succeed in this.

3

Zu dir flieh ich,
verstoß nicht mich,
wie ichs wol hab verdienet.
Ach Gott, zörn nicht,
geh nicht ins Gricht,
dein Sohn hat mich versöhnet.

To you I fly,
do not reject me
as I have deserved.
AhGod, do not be angry,
do not bring me to court,
your son has reconciled me. I

4

Solls ja so seyn,
daß Straf und Pein
auf Sünde folgen müssen :
so fahr hie fort,
und schone dort,
und laß mich hie wohl büssen
.

If it indeed must be
that punishment and pain
must follow sin,
then here continue [to treat me in this way]
and there take care of me
and here let me do penance.

5

Gieb, Herr, Geduld,
vergiß die Schuld,
schenk ein gehorsams Herze,
daß ich nur nicht
wie's oft geschicht,
mein Heil murrend verscherze.

Give, Lord, patience,
forgive my guilt,
Grant me an obedient heart
so that I may not
-as often happens-
forfeit my salvation by grumbling discontent

6

Handle mit mir,
wie's dünket dir,
durch dein Gnad will ichs leiden:
laß nur nicht mich
dort ewiglich
Von dir sein abgeschieden.

Deal with me
as seems best to you,
through your grace I shall endure it:
only grant that I may not
there forever
be separated from you.

7

Gleichwie sich fein
ein Vögelein
in hole Bäum verstecket,
wenns trüb hergeht,
die Luft unstet,
Menschen und Vieh erschrecket.

Just as a little bird
lies well concealed
in a high tree
when the weather is stormy,
the unsettled breeze
frightens men and animals.

8

Also, Herr Christ,
mein Zuflucht ist
die Höle deiner Wunden :
wenn Sünd und Tod
mich bracht in Noth,
hab ich mich drein gefunden.

So, Christ my lord,
my refuge is
the depths of your wounds:
when Sin and death
cause me distress,
there I have been found.

9

Darinn ich bleib,
ob hie der Leib
und Seel vonander scheiden :
so werd ich dort
bey dir mein Hort,
seyn in ewigen Freuden.

Therein may I remain
even if my soul
and body part from one another:
then there I shall be
by you my stronghod
in everlasting joy.

10

Ehre sey nun
Gott Vater, Sohn,
und heilgen Geist zusammen !
Zweifle auch nicht,
weil Christus spricht :
wer glaubt, wird selig, Amen !

Now glory be
to God the Father, Son
and also to the Holy Spirit!
And do not doubt
since Christ speaks:
whoever believes will be blessed.Amen!

--

Source: Colmarisches Gesangbuch
English Translation by Francis Browne (October 2005)
Contributed by Francis Browne (October 2005)

Cantata BWV 48: Complete Recordings | Recordings of Individual Movements | Discussions: Part 1 | Part 2
German Text | Translations: Dutch-4 | English-1 | English-3 | French-1 | French-4 | French-6 | Hebrew-1 | Indonesian | Italian-2 | Russian-1 | Spanish-2


Chorales BWV 250-438: Details and Recordings
Individual Recordings: Hilliard - Morimur | Chorales - N. Matt | Chorales - H. Rilling | Preludi ai Corali - Quartetto Italiani di Viola Da Gamba
Discussions: Motets & Chorales for Events in the LCY / Chorales by Theme | General Discussions: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Chorales in Bach Cantatas: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Passion Chorale
References: Chorales BWV 250-300 | Chorales BWV 301-350 | Chorales BWV 351-400 | Chorales BWV 401-438 | 371 4-Part Chorales sorted by Breitkopf Number | Texts & Translations of Chorales BWV 250-438
Chorale Texts: Sorted by Title | Chorale Melodies: Sorted by Title | 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] | Hidden Chorale Melody Allusions [T. Braatz] | The History of the Breitkopf Collection of J. S. Bach’s Four-Part Chorales [T. Braatz] | The World of the Bach Chorale Settings [W.L. Hoffman]
Hymnals: Hymnals used by Bach | Wagner Hymnal 1697 | Evangelisches Gesangbuch 1995 | Dietel Chorale List c1734
Abbreviations used for the Chorales | Links to other Sites about the Chorales

Texts & English Translations of Chorales: Sorted by Title

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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