O Welt, ich muß dich lassen
Text and Translation of Chorale

EKG: 312
Author: Anon (1555)
Chorale Melody: O Welt, ich muß dich lassen | Composer: Heinrich Isaac (1490)

Vocal Works by J.S. Bach: None.

German Text (verses in bold print set by Bach)

English Translation

1

O Welt, ich muß dich lassen,
ich fahr dahin mein Straßen
ins ewig Vaterland.
Mein' Geist will ich aufgeben,
dazu mein' Leib und Leben
legen in Gottes gnädig Hand.

O World, I must leave you,
I travel from here along my way
to the everlasting fatherland.
I will give up my spirit
so that my body and life
lie in God’s merciful hand

2

Mein Zeit ist nun vollendet,
der Tod das Leben endet,
Sterben ist mein Gewinn;
kein Bleiben ist auf Erden;
das Ewge muß mir werden,
mit Fried und Freud ich fahr dahin.

My time is now completed,
death ends my life,
to die is to my advantage,
there is no staying on earth,
I must gain eternity,
with peace and joy I travel hence.

3

Auf Gott steht mein Vertrauen,
sein Antlitz will ich schauen
wahrhaft durch Jesus Christ,
der für mich ist gestorben,
des Vaters Huld erworben
und so mein Mittler worden ist.

My trust is placed in God,
I will behold his face,
truly through Jesus Christ
who has died for me,
gained the fathers grace
and so has become my mediator

--

English Translation by Francis Browne (April 2006)
Contributed by Francis Browne (April 2006)

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 - N. Matt | Chorales - H. 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

Texts & English Translations of Chorales: Sorted by Title