Chorale Texts used in Bach's Vocal Works
Christus ist erstanden, hat überwunden
Text and Translation of Chorale

EKG:
Author: Michael Weisse (1531), adapted from the c1090 antiphon Surgit in hac dies
Chorale Melody: Christus ist erstanden, hat überwunden (Zahn 6240c) | Composer: Anon (Bohemian Brethren, 1531)
Theme: Easter

Description:

Bohemian Brethren Michael Weisse's "Christus ist erstanden, hat überwunden" (Christ has risen, has overcome) is an Easter hymn in 13 eight-line stanzas (ABABCCDD) in 1531 with its associated melody (Zahn 6240c, Christus ist erstanden, hat überwunden), adapted from the c.1090 antiphon Surgit in hac dies (Wackernagel II: 948; text https://www.bach-digital.de/receive/BachDigitalWork_work_00000354?XSL.Style=detail). It is a devotional, reflective view of the personal Jesus. This hymn was published in the Joseph Klug Geistliches Gesangbuch (Wittenberg 1533). It was suggested by the older Luther/Walther hymn, the third stanza, "Christ ist erstanden," "Alleluja! Alleluja! Alleluja! / Des soll'n wir alle froh sein" (For this we should all be joyful), with the closing Leise refrain, "Kyrie eleis" (Lord, have mercy). M. Weisse also wrote a seven-stanza Easter hymn, "Christus ist erstanden / Von des todes banden" (https://hymnary.org/text/christus_ist_erstanden_von_des_todesband, https://hymnary.org/person/Weisse_M), but not set by J.S. Bach.
J.S. Bach set it as a plain chorale, BWV 284 (http://www.bach-chorales.com/BWV0284.htm, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TxR4Grc8ag). It is found in the NLGB as No. 105 (Easter, https://books.google.com/books?id=UmVkAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA306#v=onepage&q&f=false) but not in the Schmelli Gesangbuch or the Orgelbüchlein. In English it is known as "Christ the Lord has risen again," of Catherine Winkworth (https://hymnary.org/hymn/LH1941/190).
Source: Easter Season Chorales (William Hoffman, April 11, 2018)

Vocal Works by J.S. Bach:

Chorale Christus ist erstanden, BWV 284
Ref: RE 200; Br 200; KE 51; AmB 46II p.148; Penzel 139; BGA 31; BC F32.1; CST 53

Vocal Works by J.S. Bach:

German Text (verses in bold print set by Bach)

English Translation

1. Christus ist erstanden,
Hat überwunden!
Gnad ist nun vorhanden,
Wahrheit wird funden!
Darum, lieben Leute,
Freut euch heute!
Lobt euren Herren,
Jesum, den König der Ehren!

1. Christ to-day is risen,
Hath broke Death's prison,
Grace to man hath given
And sent truth from heaven!
Be ye therefore joyous,
Praise Him glorious,
Loud His praises singing,
Jesu Who on high is reigning!

12. Seht an, lieben Leute,
Den König und Held,
Und höret ihn heute,
Tut, was ihm gefällt!
Denn es wird vernommen,
Dass er kommen
Jedermann belohnen,
Keines Bösen will verschonen.

2. People all, behold Him,
Who is your Lord King,
Give your ear unto Him,
Serve in everything!
For He came to save us,
Not enslave us,
Every one rewarding,
All that's evil from us warding.

13. Singet alle Zungen,
Sprecht: Halleluja!
Lob sei dir gesungen
Und Halleluja!
Der du erstanden bist,
O Jesu Christ!
Preis sei deinem Namen
Nun und in Ewigkeit. Amen.

13. Sing then with loud voices
Your Alleluja!
Tell your heart rejoices
With Alleluia!
To Him, with the Highest,
Jesus Lord Christ,
Praise be sung by all men
Henceforth now and ever ! Amen.

Source of German Text: Bach Digital (verse 1,12,13)
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 54
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (September 2018 - November 2018)