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Cantata BWV 121
Christum wir sollen loben schon
English Translation in Parallel Format
Cantata BWV 121 - We should now praise Christ |
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Event: Chorale Cantata for the 2nd Day of Christmas [Christmas Monday, St. Stefanus Day]
Readings: Epistle: Titus. 3: 4-7 / Acts 6: 8-15 & 7: 55-60; Gospel: Matthew 23: 35-39 / Luke 2: 15-20
Text: Martin Luther (Mvts. 1, 6); Anon (Mvts. 2-5)
Chorale Text: Christum wir sollen loben schon |
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Biblical quotations in green font , chorales in purple |
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Original German Text |
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English Translation |
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1 |
Coro |
1 |
Chorus [S, A, T, B] |
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Cornetto e Oboe d'amore e Violino I col Soprano, Trombone I e Violino II coll'Alto, Trombone II e Viola col Tenore, Trombone III col Basso, Continuo |
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Christum wir sollen loben schon,
Der reinen Magd Marien Sohn,
So weit die liebe Sonne leucht
Und an aller Welt Ende reicht. |
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We should now praise Christ,
son of the pure maiden Mary,
as far as the dear sun shines
and reaches to the end of the world. |
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2 |
Aria T |
2 |
Aria [Tenor] |
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Oboe d'amore, Continuo |
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Oboe d'amore, Continuo |
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O du von Gott erhöhte Kreatur,
Begreife nicht, nein, nein, bewundre nur:
Gott will durch Fleisch des Fleisches Heil erwerben.
Wie groß ist doch der Schöpfer aller Dinge,
Und wie bist du verachtet und geringe,
Um dich dadurch zu retten vom Verderben. |
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O you creature who are exalted by God,
don't try to understand, no, no, just be content to wonder:
God wants through flesh to accomplish the salvation of the flesh.
How great is the creator of everything,
and how slight and contemptible you are,
when it comes to saving yourself from ruin. |
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3 |
Recitativo A |
3 |
Recitative [Alto] |
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Continuo |
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Continuo |
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Der Gnade unermesslich's Wesen
Hat sich den Himmel nicht
Zur Wohnstatt auserlesen,
Weil keine Grenze sie umschließt.
Was Wunder, dass allhie Verstand und Witz gebricht,
Ein solch Geheimnis zu ergründen,
Wenn sie sich in ein keusches Herze gießt.
Gott wählet sich den reinen Leib zu einem Tempel seiner Ehren,
Um zu den Menschen sich mit wundervoller Art zu kehren. |
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The being whose grace is immeasurable
has not chosen the heavens
for his dwelling place
since no bounds can encompass his grace.
What wonder that here reason and wit fail
to fathom such a mystery,
when grace is poured into a chaste heart.
God chooses a pure body to be a temple of his honour,
in order that in a marvellous way he might come among mankind. |
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4 |
Aria B |
4 |
Aria [Bass] |
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Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo |
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Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo |
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Johannis freudenvolles Springen
Erkannte dich, mein Jesu, schon.
Nun da ein Glaubensarm dich hält,
So will mein Herze von der Welt
Zu deiner Krippe brünstig dringen. |
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John's joyful leap
already recognised you, my Jesus.
Since now the arm of one who believes holds you,
my heart wants to flee from this world
and press ardently to your crib. |
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5 |
Recitativo S |
5 |
Recitative [Soprano] |
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Continuo |
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Continuo |
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Doch wie erblickt es dich in deiner Krippe?
Es seufzt mein Herz: mit bebender und fast geschlossner Lippe
Bringt es sein dankend Opfer dar.
Gott, der so unermesslich war,
Nimmt Knechtsgestalt und Armut an.
Und weil er dieses uns zugutgetan,
So lasset mit der Engel Chören
Ein jauchzend Lob- und Danklied hören! |
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But how does my heart gaze on you in your crib?
My heart sighs : with lips trembling and almost closed
it brings its grateful offering before you.
God, who was so immeasurably great
takes on the form of a servant and poverty.
And since he has done this for our benefit,
let me with the choirs of angels
raise a joyful song of praise and thanks! |
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6 |
Choral |
6 |
Chorale [S, A, T, B] |
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Cornetto e Oboe d'amore e Violino I col Soprano, Trombone I e Violino II coll'Alto, Trombone II e Viola col Tenore, Trombone III, Continuo |
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Lob, Ehr und Dank sei dir gesagt,
Christ, geborn von der reinen Magd,
Samt Vater und dem Heilgen Geist
Von nun an bis in Ewigkeit. |
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Let praise, honour and thanks be said to you,
Christ, born from the pure maiden,
and also to the Father and to the Holy Spirit
from now until eternity. |
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This Translation in Interlinear Format |
English Translation by Francis Browne (April 2003) |
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Contributed by Francis Browne (April 2003) |
