Recordings/Discussions
Background Information
Performer Bios

Poet/Composer Bios

Additional Information

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


English Translations of Bach's Vocal Works (English-10)
Index by Event

Sacred Cantatas:

New Year’s Day (The Circumcision of Christ): Cantata BWV 16 Lord God, you we praise
Cantata BWV 41 Jesus, now be praised
Cantata BWV 143 Praise the Lord, my soul
Cantata BWV 171 God, like your name
Cantata BWV 190 Sing to the Lord a new song!, I
Cantata BWV 248/4 Bow down in thanks, bow down in praise (Christmas Oratorio, Part 4)

Sunday after New Year’s Day:
Cantata BWV 58 Oh God, such great heartache
Cantata BWV 153 Behold, dear God, how my foes
Cantata BWV 248/5 Glory to you God be sung (Christmas Oratorio, Part 5)

Epiphany:
Cantata BWV 65 They will all come from Sheba
Cantata BWV 123 Dearest Immanuel, duke of the devout
Cantata BWV 248/6 Lord, when the arrogant foe snarls (Christmas Oratorio, Part 6)

1st Sunday after Epiphany:
Cantata BWV 32 Dearest Jesus, my desire
Cantata BWV 124 I will not let go of my Jesus
Cantata BWV 154 My dearest Jesus is lost
Cantata BWV 217 Consider, Lord, how it goes for us

2nd Sunday after Epiphany:
Cantata BWV 3 Oh God, so much heartache
Cantata BWV 13 My sighs, my tears
Cantata BWV 155 My God how long, oh so long?

3rd Sunday after Epiphany:
Cantata BWV 72 All according to God’s will alone
Cantata BWV 73 Lord, as you will, so do by me
Cantata BWV 111 What my God wills, may that always occur
Cantata BWV 156 I stand with one foot in the grave

4th Sunday after Epiphany:
Cantata BWV 14 Were God not with us at this time
Cantata BWV 81 Jesus sleeps, what hope do I have?

Septuagesima Sunday (3rd Sunday before Lent):
Cantata BWV 84 I delight in my good fortune
Cantata BWV 92 I have unto God’s heart and mind
Cantata BWV 144 Take what is yours and go

Sexagesima Sunday (2nd Sunday before Lent):
Cantata BWV 18 Just as the rain and snow fall from the sky
Cantata BWV 126 Preserve us Lord, by your word
Cantata BWV 181 Simpleminded fickle souls

Estomihi - Quinquagesima (the Sunday before Lent):
Cantata BWV 22 Jesus gathered the twelve and said
Cantata BWV 23 You true God and David’s Son
Cantata BWV 127 Lord Jesus Christ, true human and God
Cantata BWV 159 Come, do look, my senses

Oculi (3rd Sunday in Lent):
Cantata BWV 54 Resist sin indeed
Cantata BWV 80a All that is born of God

Palm Sunday:
Cantata BWV 182 King of Heaven be welcomed

Good Friday:
The Passion According to St. Matthew BWV 244
The Passion According to St. John BWV 245

Easter Sunday:
Cantata BWV 4 Christ lay in the bonds of death
Cantata BWV 15 My Jesus was dead
Cantata BWV 31 The heavens laugh! the earth jubilates
Cantata BWV 160 I know that my Redeemer lives
Easter Oratorio BWV 249 Come, hasten and run, you fleeting feet

2nd Day of Easter (Easter Monday):
Cantata BWV 6 Stay with us, for it is becoming evening
Cantata BWV 66 Rejoice, you hearts

3rd Day of Easter (Easter Tuesday):
Cantata BWV 134 A heart that knows its Jesus lives
Cantata BWV 145 Arise, my heart, the day of the Lord
Cantata BWV 158 Peace be with you

Quasimodogeniti (1st Sunday after Easter):
Cantata BWV 42 On that same Sabbath evening
Cantata BWV 67 Bear in remembrance Jesus Christ

Misericordias Domini (2nd Sunday after Easter):
Cantata BWV 85 I am a good shepherd
Cantata BWV 104 You shepherd of Israel, hear
Cantata BWV 112 The Lord is my faithful shepherd

Jubilate (3rd Sunday after Easter):
Cantata BWV 12 Weeping, wailing, worries, woes
Cantata BWV 103 You will weep and wail
Cantata BWV 146 We must traverse great tribulation

Cantate (4th Sunday after Easter):
Cantata BWV 108 It is for your good that I depart
Cantata BWV 166 Where are you going?

Rogate (5th Sunday after Easter):
Cantata BWV 86 Truly, truly, I say to you
Cantata BWV 87 Until now you have prayed for nothing in my name

Ascension Day:
Cantata BWV 11 Praise God in his realm
Cantata BWV 37 Whoever so believes and is baptized
Cantata BWV 43 God ascends midst exaltation
Cantata BWV 128 Upon Christ’s accession alone

Exaudi (The Sunday after Ascension):
Cantata BWV 44 They will banish you
Cantata BWV 183 They will banish you, II

1st Day of Pentecost:
Cantata BWV 34 O eternal fire, O origin of love
Cantata BWV 59 Whoever loves me will keep my words
Cantata BWV 74 Whoever loves me will keep my words, II
Cantata BWV 172 Resound, you songs
Cantata BWV 218 May the God of hope fill you

2nd Day of Pentecost:
Cantata BWV 68 For God so loved the world
Cantata BWV 173 Exalted flesh and blood
Cantata BWV 174 I love the Most High with all my heart

3rd Day of Pentecost:
Cantata BWV 175 He calls his sheep by name
Cantata BWV 184 Desired light of joy

Trinity Sunday:
Cantata BWV 129 Praise be the Lord
Cantata BWV 165 O holy font of spirit and water
Cantata BWV 176 It is a defiant and despondent thing
Cantata BWV 194 Supremely desirable feast of joy

1st Sunday after Trinity:
Cantata BWV 20 O eternity you thunderous word
Cantata BWV 39 Break your bread with the hungry
Cantata BWV 75 The destitute shall eat

2nd Sunday after Trinity:
Cantata BWV 2 Oh God, look down from heaven|
Cantata BWV 76 The heavens declare the glory of God

3rd Sunday after Trinity:
Cantata BWV 21 I had great distress in my heart
Cantata BWV 135 Oh Lord, me a poor sinner

4th Sunday after Trinity:
Cantata BWV 24 An untainted character
Cantata BWV 177 I cry to you, Lord Jesus Christ
Cantata BWV 185 Compassionate heart of eternal love

5th Sunday after Trinity:
Cantata BWV 88 Behold, I will send out many fishermen
Cantata BWV 93 Whoever simply lets dear God prevail

6th Sunday after Trinity:
Cantata BWV 9 Salvation has come unto us
Cantata BWV 170 Contented rest, beloved soul’s desire

7th Sunday after Trinity:
Cantata BWV 107 Why do you grieve
Cantata BWV 186 Be not concerned, O soul, I
Cantata BWV 187 All wait upon you

8th Sunday after Trinity:
Cantata BWV 45 It has been told you, human, what is good
Cantata BWV 136 Examine me, God
Cantata BWV 178 Were God the Lord not beside us

9th Sunday after Trinity:
Cantata BWV 94 What would I ask of the world
Cantata BWV 105 Lord, do not bring judgment against your servant
Cantata BWV 168 Tally the bill! thunderous word

10th Sunday after Trinity:
Cantata BWV 46 Do look and see, whether any a pain exists like my pain
Cantata BWV 101 Remove from us Lord, you faithful God
Cantata BWV 102 Lord, your eyes look upon faith!

11th Sunday after Trinity:
Cantata BWV 113 Lord Jesus Christ, you highest good
Cantata BWV 179 See to it that your fear of God is not hypocrisy
Cantata BWV 199 My heart is bathed in blood

12th Sunday after Trinity:
Cantata BWV 35 Spirit and soul will be confounded
Cantata BWV 69a Praise the Lord, my soul, II
Cantata BWV 137 Praise the Lord, the mighty King of Glory

13th Sunday after Trinity:
Cantata BWV 33 In you alone Lord Jesus Christ
Cantata BWV 77 You shall love God, your Lord, with whole heart
Cantata BWV 164 You who claim to be of Christ

14th Sunday after Trinity:
Cantata BWV 17 Whoever offers thanks he praises me
Cantata BWV 25 There is nothing sound in my flesh
Cantata BWV 78 Jesus you who my soul

15th Sunday after Trinity:
Cantata BWV 51 Exalt God in all lands!
Cantata BWV 99 Whatever God does, it is done for the good, II
Cantata BWV 138 Why are you afflicted my heart?

16th Sunday after Trinity:
Cantata BWV 8 Dearest God, when will I die?
Cantata BWV 27 Who knows how near my ending is?
Cantata BWV 95 Christ, he is my life
Cantata BWV 161 Come, you sweet hour of death

17th Sunday after Trinity:
Cantata BWV 47 Whoever exalts himself
Cantata BWV 114 Oh, dear Christians, take comfort
Cantata BWV 148 Bring to the Lord the honor due his name

18th Sunday after Trinity:
Cantata BWV 96 Lord Christ, the Son of God united
Cantata BWV 169 God alone shall have my heart

19th Sunday after Trinity:
Cantata BWV 5 To where shall I flee
Cantata BWV 48 I, a wretched human
Cantata BWV 56 I will gladly bear the staff of the cross

20th Sunday after Trinity:
Cantata BWV 49 I go and seek with longing
Cantata BWV 162 Alas! I presently behold as I approach the wedding
Cantata BWV 180 Adorn yourself, o dear soul

21st Sunday after Trinity:
Cantata BWV 38 Out of deep agony I cry to you
Cantata BWV 98 Whatever God does, it is done for the good, I
Cantata BWV 109 I believe, dear Lord, help my disbelief!
Cantata BWV 188 I have my confidence

22nd Sunday after Trinity:
Cantata BWV 55 I a poor man, I a slave of sin
Cantata BWV 89 What shall I make of you, Ephraim?
Cantata BWV 115 Make yourself ready, my spirit

23rd Sunday after Trinity:
Cantata BWV 52 Deceptive world, I do not trust you!
Cantata BWV 139 Blessed is he, who unto his God
Cantata BWV 163 Unto to each his own!

24th Sunday after Trinity:
Cantata BWV 26 Oh how fleeting, oh how futile
Cantata BWV 60 O eternity, you thunderous word

25th Sunday after Trinity:
Cantata BWV 90 A horrific ending is heading for you
Cantata BWV 116 You, Prince of Peace, Lord Jesus Christ

26th Sunday after Trinity:
Cantata BWV 70 Watch! Pray! Pray! Watch!, I

27th Sunday after Trinity:
Cantata BWV 140 Awake, the voices call to us

1st Sunday of Advent:
Cantata BWV 36 Resound joyously on high
Cantata BWV 61 Come now, Savior of the heathens, I
Cantata BWV 62 Come now, Savior of the heathens,, II

2nd Sunday of Advent:
Cantata BWV 70a Watch! Pray! Pray! Watch! II

3rd Sunday in Advent:
Cantata BWV 141 It is ever certainly truez
Cantata BWV 186a Be not concerned, O soul, II

4th Sunday of Advent:
Cantata BWV 132 Prepare the way, prepare the path!
Cantata BWV 147a Heart and mouth and deed and life, II

Christmas Day:
Cantata BWV 63 Christians, etch this day
Cantata BWV 91 Praised be you, Jesus Christ
Cantata BWV 110 Our mouths be full of laughter
Cantata BWV 142 Unto us a child is born
Cantata BWV 191 Glory to God in the highest
Cantata BWV 197a Glory be to God on high
Cantata BWV 248/1 Rejoice, jubilate! arise, praise the days (Christmas Oratorio, Part 1)

2nd Day of Christmas (Feast of St. Stephen):
Cantata BWV 40 For this the Son of God has appeared
Cantata BWV 57 Blessed is the man who endures temptation
Cantata BWV 121 We shall yet praise Christ
Cantata BWV 248/2 And there were shepherds in that same region (Christmas Oratorio, Part 2)

3rd Day of Christmas:
Cantata BWV 64 Behold what a love the Father has shown us
Cantata BWV 133 I rejoice myself in you
Cantata BWV 151 Sweet comfort, my Jesus is coming
Cantata BWV 248/3 Ruler of heaven lend ear to our prattle s (Christmas Oratorio, Part 3)

Sunday after Christmas:
Cantata BWV 28 Praise God! the year now comes to an end
Cantata BWV 122 The newborn little child
Cantata BWV 152 Step along the path of faith

Events with Fixed Date:

Purification (Feb 2):
Cantata BWV 82 I have enough
Cantata BWV 83 Gladsome time in the new covenant
Cantata BWV 125 With peace and joy I journey there
Cantata BWV 157 I will not let go of you
Cantata BWV 158 Peace be with you
Cantata BWV 161 Come, you sweet hour of death
Cantata BWV 200 I will confess his name
Cantata BWV 222 My breath is weak

Annunciation (Mar 25):
Cantata BWV 1 How lovely shines the morning star

Feast of St. John the Baptist (Jun 24):
Cantata BWV 7 Christ our Lord came to the Jordan
Cantata BWV 30 Rejoice, redeemed throng
Cantata BWV 167 You people, extol the love of God
Cantata BWV 220 Praise him with heart and voice

Visitation (Jul 2):
Cantata BWV 10 My soul magnifies the Lord
Cantata BWV 147 Heart and mouth and deed and life, I
Cantata BWV 189 My soul extols and praises

Feast of St. Michael and All Angels (Sep 29):
Cantata BWV 19 There ensued a battle
Cantata BWV 50 Now is come the salvation and the power
Cantata BWV 130 Lord God, we all praise you
Cantata BWV 149 One sings with joy of the victory
Cantata BWV 219 Behold! the lion has triumphed

Reformation (Oct 31):
Cantata BWV 79 God the Lord is sun and shield
Cantata BWV 80 A secure fortress is our God
Cantata BWV 192 Now all thank God

New Tow Council:

Inauguration of the new town council:
Cantata BWV 29 We thank you, God, we thank you
Cantata BWV 69 Praise the Lord, my soul, I
Cantata BWV 71 God is my king from ages past
Cantata BWV 119 Praise, Jerusalem, the Lord
Cantata BWV 120a Lord God, ruler over all things
Cantata BWV 120b God, one praises you in the stillness of Zion
Cantata BWV 193 You gates of Zion

Other Sacred Events:

200th Anniversary of the Augsburg Confession:
Cantata BWV 190a Sing to the Lord a new song, II

Wedding:
Cantata BWV 120 God, one praises you in the stillness of Zion
Cantata BWV 195 For the righteous the light must dawn over and over
Cantata BWV 196 The Lord remembers us likely for the marriage of the pastor, Johann Lorenz Stauber to Regina Wedemann, aunt of Maria Barbara Bach, in Dornheim
Cantata BWV 197 God is our assurance

Funeral:
Cantata BWV 53 Do strike, desired hour
Cantata BWV 106 God’s time is the time best of all for a funeral, perhaps for Bach's uncle, Tobias Lämmerhirt Cantata BWV 118 O Jesus Christ, light of my life for an unknown occasion, likely a funeral
Cantata BWV 131 Out of the depths I cry, Lord, to you for an unknown occasion (perhaps a penance service following a fire)
Cantata BWV 157 I will not let go of you for the funeral of ?Johann Christoph von Ponickau
Cantata BWV 198 Allow, princess, allow just one ray [Funeral Ode] for the funeral of Christiane Eberhardine, Electress of Saxony and Queen of Poland, wife of the Elector Augustus II
Cantata BWV 244a Lament, children, lament it to all the world for the Funeral of Prince Leopold of Anhalt-Cöthen

Dedication of a new church and organ:
Cantata BWV 194 Supremely desirable feast of joy

Unknown event:
Cantata BWV 97 In all my deeds
Cantata BWV 100 Whatever God does, it is done for the good, III
Cantata BWV 117 Laud and honor be to the highest good
Cantata BWV 150 For you Lord do I long
Cantata BWV 192 Now all thank God
Cantata BWV 221 Whoever seeks glory, whoever wishes for splendor
Cantata BWV 224 Wrest yourselves free, ill pondering
Cantata BWV 223 My soul shall praise God

 

Secular Cantatas:

Birthday / Name Day:
Cantata BWV 36a Rise joyfully through the air for Birthday of Charlotte Friederike Amalie, second wife of Prince Leopold of Anhalt-Cöthen Cantata BWV 36c Resound joyously on high for Birthday of Johann Matthias Gesner, a teacher
Cantata BWV 66a Heaven considered Anhalt’s glory and fortune for Birthday of Prince Leopold of Anhalt-Cöthen Cantata BWV 173a Serene Highness Leopold for the birthday of Prince Leopold of Anhalt-Cöthen Cantata BWV 193a You houses of heaven, you shining lights for the Name Day of King August II of Poland (Kurfürst Friedrich August I of Saxony)
Cantata BWV 205 Shred, scatter, shatter the vault for the Nameday Dr. August Friedrich Müller, Leipzig University Professor Cantata BWV 206 Glide along, playful waves and softly murmur for the Birthday (7 October) and Nameday (3 August) of Augustus III, Elector of Saxony and King of Poland
Cantata BWV 207a Arise, blaring tones of lively trumpets for the name day of Augustus III, Elector of Saxony and King of Poland
Cantata BWV 208 What contents me is a spirited hunt! [The Hunting Cantata] for the birthday of Fürst Christian von Sachsen-Weißenfels Cantata BWV 208a What contents me is only a spirited hunt, II for the Nameday of Augustus III, Elector of Saxony and King of Poland
Cantata BWV 213 Let us attend, let us watch [Dramma per musica] for the eleventh birthday of Friedrich Christian, Prince Elector of Saxony, at Café Zimmermann Cantata BWV 214 Resound you tympanis! Ring out, trumpets! [Dramma per musica] for the birthday of Maria Josepha, Princess Elector of Saxony and Queen of Poland, at Café Zimmermann Cantata BWV 249a Take flight, vanish, yield, you worries [Dramma per musica] for the 43rd Birthday of Herzog Christian von Sachsen-Weißenfels Cantata BWV 249b Blow away, .dissipate, break up, you stars for the Birthday of Count Joachim Friedrich von Flemming

Wedding:
Cantata BWV 34a O eternal fire, O origin of love for an unknown Wedding
Cantata BWV 202 Just yield, gloomy shadows for a wedding (secular cantata)
Cantata BWV 210 O fair day, desirable time Wedding feast cantata for Hofrat Dr. Georg Ernst Stahl with Johanna Elisabeth Schrader
Cantata BWV 216 Pleasant town on the Pliesse for the Wedding of Johann Heinrich Wolff and Susanna Regina Hempel

Congratulations:
Cantata BWV 30a Pleasant Wiederau for acquisition of a manor and court at Wiederau by Johann Christian von Heinnicke
Cantata BWV 36b Joy is aroused Congratulation Cantata for Johann Florens Rivinus
Cantata BWV 207 United dissonance of alternating strings for the promotion of Dr. Gottlieb Kortte to Professor at the University of Leipzig
Cantata BWV 216a Chosen/pleasant town on the Pleisse Congratulatory Cantata for the Leipzig Town Council

New Year:
Cantata BWV 134a Time, made up of day and year New Year’s cantata for the House of the Prince Leopold of Anhalt-Cöthen

Coronation:
Cantata BWV 205a Sound the alarm, you foes! bolster your might for the coronation of Augustus III, Elector of Saxony as King of Poland
Cantata BWV 215 Praise your fortune, blessed Saxony [Dramma per musica] for the Anniversary of the Election of August III as King of Poland

Farewell:
Cantata BWV 209 No one knows the pain likely a farewell to a scholar, Lorenz Albrecht Beck (1723-1768,)called to a position in Ansbach (Franconia)

Hommage:
Cantata BWV 210a O pleasant melody! Homage Cantata for Herzog Christian von Weißenfels, upon his New Year visit to Leipzig

Honor:
Cantata BWV 212 We have a new governor [Cantata Burlesque; The Peasant Cantata] in Honor of Carl Heinrich von Dieskau as new Manor Lord in Klein-Zschocher

Unknown Secular Event:
Cantata BWV 201 Be quick, you swirling winds [The Contest between Apollo and Pan] likely for performance at Café Zimmerman Cantata BWV 203 Treacherous Amore for for an unknown occasion (likely in Köthen) Cantata BWV 204 I take pleasure with myself for an unknown occasion
Cantata BWV 211 Be silent, no more chatting [The Coffee Cantata] likely for performance at Café Zimmerman

 

Contributed by Tobin Schmuck (July 2017 - April 2023)