Chorale Texts used in Bach's Vocal Works
Es ist gewisslich an der Zeit
Text and Translation of Chorale

EKG: NLBG 232; ELG 685; EG 149
Author: Bartholomäus Ringwaldt (c1565 / 1582 / 1586), based on an earlier Latin text
Chorale Melody: Nun freut euch, lieben Christen gmein (II) (Es ist gewisslich) (Zahn 4429a; NLBG 391) | Composer: Martin Luther (?) (Wittenberg, 1529), based on a 15th century melody of secular origin
Theme: Last Judgmen

Description:

"Nun freut euch/Es ist gewißlich” (NLGB 391, BWV 307); Pulpit Hymn for the 27^th Sunday after Trinity. "Nun freut euch lieben Christen g'mein" (Martin Luther 1524), often is known by the alternate title "Es ist gewißlich an der Zeit" (It is certainly time) appears in the NLGB (No. 232) as a Catechism "Justification" hymn following Catechism Communion hymns. For text and translation, see http://www.musicanet.org/robokopp/Lieder/nunfreut.html. "Es ist gewißlich an der Zeit" (It is certainly time, NLGB Puplit Hymn) is Bartholomäus Ringwaldt's 1582 seven-stanza setting of the Latin Requiem, Dies ire sequence. It is found in the NLGB 390, in the last of the Trinity Time omnes tempore topics, "Judgement Day." Its only specific listing in the NLGB as a service hymn is for the 25^th Sunday after Trinty. "This hymn was sung in Leipzig and Dresden as the hymn of the day for this Sunday," says Günther Stiller. Text and translation, http://www.musicanet.org/robokopp/Lieder/esistgew.html. It is sung to the Joseph Klug/Martin Luther 1529 melody, also set to the Martin Luther popular omnes tempore Catechism Communion text, "Nun freut euch, lieChristen g'mein" ((Now rejoice ye, dear Christians all) often known by the alternate title "Es ist gewißlich an der Zeit," appears in the NLGB as No. 232 under "Justification," following Communion hymns. In addition, "Es ist gewißlich an der Zeit" is found in the Sebastian Bach Choral-Buch (SBCB), Page 258 a (Zahn melody 4429), under "Last Judgment."
J.S. Bach set the B. Ringwaldt text, "Es ist gewißlich an der Zeit," to music once as a plain chorale but utilized the melody (Zahn 4429a) four other times: 1. In the four-voice plain chorale setting of B-flat Major, catalogued as BWV 307 (http://www.bach-chorales.com/BWV0307.htm, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sxmn2IEiE4), 2. As a trumpet canto in No. 9, bass recitative with chorale trope, "Ach, soll nicht dieser große Tag,/ Der Welt Verfall" (Ah, should not this great day, the ruin of the world) in Cantata BWV 70, "Wachet! Betet! Betet! Wachet!" (Watch, pray, pray, watch) for the 26th Sunday after Trinity, November 21, 1723; 3. With the melody in the tenor voice in the early, Miscellaneous Organ Chorale, BWV 734 in G Major, with the double title of "Es ist gewißlich an der Zeit" and "Nun freut euch, lieben Christen g'mein." (Editions of the music, for two manuals, also include the melody and figured bass with the pedal playing the bass line); 4. In the four-voice plain chorale, BWV 388, in G Major, with the title "Nun freut euch, lieben Christen g'mein" (http://www.bach-chorales.com/BWV0388.htm, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCYnR9hVFec). 5. In the four-voice early questionable Miscellaneous Organ Chorale, BWV 755, in G Major, similar in style to the Neumeister Collection, and identified as "Es ist gewißlich an der Zeit." J.S. Bach also designated "Nun freut euch, lieben Christen g'mein" as No. 85, as Catechism Communion hymn, listed but not set in the Orgelbüchlein (Little Organ Book) chorale preludes composed in Weimar.
Source: Eschatological Chorales, Coming in Judgement (William Hofman, December 24, 2017)

The Lutheran Hymnal, No. 611
Moravian Hymn-book (Ed. 1877), No. 215
Text: Luke 21:25-36

Vocal Works by J.S. Bach:

Chorale Es ist gewisslich an der Zeit, BWV 307
Ref: RE 260; Br 260; KE 262; Dietel 22; AmB 46II p.232; BGA 54; BC F150.1; CST 270

Other Harmonizations: BWV 248.59

German Text (verses in bold print set by Bach)

English Translation

1. Es ist gewisslich an der Zeit,
Dass Gottes Sohn wird kommen
In seiner großen Herrlichkeit,
Zu richten Bös und Frommen.
Da wird das Lachen werden teur,
Wenn alles wird vergehn im Feur,
Wie Petrus davon schreibet.

1. The day is surely drawing near
When God's Son, the Anointed,
Shall with great majesty appear
As Judge of all appointed.
All mirth and laughter then shall cease
When flames on flames will still increase,
As Scripture truly teacheth.

2. Posaunen wird man hören gehn
An aller Welte Ende,
Darauf bald werden auferstehn
All Toten gar behende;
Die aber noch das Leben han,
Die wird der Herr von Stunden an
Verwandeln und erneuen.

2. A trumpet loud shall then resound
And all the earth be shaken.
Then all who in their graves are found
Shall from their sleep awaken;
But all that live shall in that hour
By the Almighty's boundless pow'r
Be changed at His commanding.

3. Darnach wird man ablesen bald
Ein Buch, darin geschrieben,
Was alle Menschen, jung und alt,
Auf Erden han getrieben;
Da denn gewiss ein jedermann
Wird hören, was er hat getan
In seinem ganzen Leben.

3. A book is opened then to all,|
A record truly telling
What each hath done, both great and small,
When he on earth was dwelling;
And ev'ry heart be clearly seen,
And all be known as they have been
In tho'ts and words and actions.

4. O weh, demselben, welcher hat
Des Herren Wort verachtet,
Und nur auf Erden früh und spat
Nach großem Gut getrachtet!
Der wird fürwahr ganz kahl bestehn,
Und mit dem Satan müssen gehn
Von Christo in die Hölle.

4. Then woe to those who scorned the Lord
And sought but carnal pleasures,
Who here despised His precious Word
And loved their earthly treasures!
With shame and trembling they will stand
And at the Judge's stern command
To Satan be delivered.

5. O Jesu, hilf zur selben Zeit
Von wegen deiner Wunden,
Dass ich im Buch der Seligkeit
Wird eingezeichnet funden.
Daran ich denn auch zweifle nicht;
Denn du hast ja den Feind gericht
Und meine Schuld bezahlet.

5. O Jesus, who my debt didst pay
And for my sin wast smitten,
Within the Book of Life, oh, may
My name be also written!
I will not doubt; I trust in Thee,
From Satan Thou hast made me free
And from all condemnation.

6. Derhalben mein Fürsprecher sei,
Wenn du nun wirst erscheinen,
Und lies mich aus dem Buche frei,
Darinnen stehn die Deinen,
Auf dass ich samt den Brüdern mein
Mit dir geh in den Himmel ein,
Den du uns hast erworben.

6. Therefore my Intercessor be
And for Thy blood and merit
Declare my name from judgment free
With all who life inherit,
That I may see Thee face to face
With all Thy saints in that blest place
Which Thou for us hast purchased.

7. O Jesu Christ, du machst es lang
Mit deinem Jüngsten Tage;
Den Menschen wird auf Erden bang
Von wegen vieler Plage.
Komm doch, komm doch, du Richter groß,
Und mach uns bald in Gnaden los
Von allem Übel. Amen.

7. O Jesus Christ, do not delay,
But hasten our salvation;
We often tremble on our way
In fear and tribulation.
Then hear us when we cry to Thee;
Come, mighty Judge, and make us free
From every evil! Amen.

Source of German Text: Bach Digital | Hymnary.org | Die Christliche Liederdatenbank
English Translation: Philip A. Peter (1880) | Source of English Transalation: The Lutheran Hymnal
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (September 2018 - Ovtober 2018)