Chorale Texts used in Bach's Vocal Works
Nun danket all und bringet Ehr
Text and Translation of Chorale

Ref. in hymnals/hymn books: EKG 231; EG 322; GL 403; ELG 7
Author: Paul Gerhardt (1647)
Chorale Melody: Lobt Gott, ihr Christen, allzugleich (Zahn 198) | Composer: Anon / Nikolaus Herman (1554)
Theme: General Song of Thanks

Description:

"Nun danket all und bringet Ehr" (Now thank all and bring honour) is a German Lutheran hymn, with a text written by Paul Gerhardt and first published in 1647. Melody by Nikolaus Herman (1554) to his 'Kommt her, ihr lieben Schwesterlein'. It has inspired musical settings by composers from the 17th to the 21st century.
When P. Gerhardt wrote "Nun danket all und bringet Ehr", he was 40 years old, had completed his theological studies but had not found a suitable position as a pastor yet. The Thirty Years' War was in its final year. Nonetheless, he wrote a hymn of praise, in nine stanzas of four lines each. The song is related to a biblical passage, Wisdom of Sirach 50:22–26, expressing thanks and praise to God, and requesting further help.
It appeared first in Johann Crüger's hymnal Praxis pietatis melica in the 1647 edition, among the first 18 songs by P. Gerhardt to be published, which also include the Passion hymn "Ein Lämmlein geht trägt die Schuld", the Easter hymn "Auf, auf! mein Herz, mit Freuden", the morning song "Wach auf, mein Herz, und singe", and the evening song "Nun ruhen alle Wälder". In the 1653 edition of the hymnal, it was printed with a melody by J. Crüger. As a general song of thanks, it has appeared in several hymnals. In the German Protestant hymnal Evangelisches Gesangbuch, it appears as EG 322. In the Catholic hymnal Gotteslob, it is GL 403 with stanzas 1, 2, 5, 6, 8 and 9.
J. Crüger published the hymn in the (lost) 1647 edition of his hymnal Praxis pietatis melica, possibly without a melody. It appears in the 1653 edition with a melody by J. Crüger and a figured bass. In 1657-1658, J. Crüger composed a four-part setting, using the melody and bass line. The hymn is part of the Neu Leipziger Gesangbuch with the melody of "Lobt Gott, ihr Christen, allzugleich". It is this melody that J.S. Bach set to close his cantata Dem Gerechten muß das Licht, BWV 195.
The hymn tune became known as "Gräfenberg", which appears in 173 hymnals. In the current German hymnals, the hymn appears with J. Crüger's melody.
Source: Wikipedia (June 4, 2018), with additions by Aryeh Oron (November 2018)

Vocal Works by J.S. Bach:

Chorale Nun danket all und bringet Ehr (Mvt. 6) from Cantata BWV 195 (1727-1732) (verse 1)
Ref: RE 236; BC B14:6; CST 239

German Text (verses in bold print set by Bach)

English Translation

1. Nun danket all und bringet Ehr,
Ihr Menschen in der Welt,
Dem, dessen Lob der Engel Heer
Im Himmel stets vermeldt,

1. Now, mortals all, your voices raise,
Acclaim God lustily,
Whom angel hosts throng with their praise
Before His throne on high ! (bis)

2. Ermuntert euch und singt mit Schall
Gott, unserm höchsten Gut,
Der seine Wunder überall
Und große Dinge thut.

2. Lift up your voice right heartily
To Him Who reigns above,
Who worketh for us wondrously
And showers on us His love ! (bis)

3. Der uns vom Mutterleibe an
Frisch und gesund erhält
Und, wo kein Mensch nicht helfen kann,
Sich selbst zum Helfer stellt.

3. He since our mother gave us birth
In surety doth us hold,
And when man's aid's of little worth
Will in His care enfold. (bis)

4. Der, ob wir ihn gleich hoch betrübt,
Doch bleibet gutes Muths,
Die Straf erläßt, die Schuld vergibt
Und thut uns alles Guts.

5. Er gebe uns ein fröhlich Herz,
Erfrische Geist und Sinn,
Und werf all Angst, Furcht, Sorg und Schmerz
Ins Merres Tiefe hin.

6. Er lasse seinen Frieden ruhn
In Israelis Land,
Er gebe Glück zu unserm Thun
Und Heil zu allem Stand.

6. He showers peace and plenteousness
Upon our Motherland,
With happiness He doth her bless
And strengthens her right hand. (bis)

7. Er lasse seine Lieb und Güt
Um, bei und mit uns gehn,
Was aber ängstet und bemüht,
Gar ferne von uns stehn.

8. So lange dieses Leben währt
Sei er stets unser Heil
Und bleib auch, wann wir von der Erd
Abscheiden, unser Theil.

8. So long as we have life and breath
His watch still may He keep!
And when we hear the call of death
In Jesus may we sleep! (bis)

9. Er drucke, wenn das Herze bricht,
Uns unsre Augen zu
Und zeig uns drauf sein Angesicht
Dort in der ewgen Ruh

Source of German Text: Hymnary.org
English Translation: Charles Sanford Terry | Source of English Translation: Charles Sanford Terry: The Four-Part Chorals of J.S. Bach (Oxford University Press, 1929), p 258
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (November 2018)