Cantata BWV 143
Lobe den Herrn, meine Seele
English Translation in Parallel Format
Cantata BWV 143 - Praise the Lord, my soul |
Event: Cantata for New Year's Day [Circumcision of Christ, Holy Name]
Readings: Epistle: Galatians 3: 23-29; Gospel: Luke 2: 21
Text: Psalm 146: 1 (Mvt. 1); Psalm 146: 5 (Mvt. 3); Psalm 146: 10 (Mvt. 5); Jakob Ebert (Mvts. 2, 7); Anon [both Christian Weiss, Sr., and Bach have been suggested] (Mvts. 4, 6)
Chorale Text: Du Friedefürst, Herr Jesu Christ |
Biblical quotations in green font , chorales in purple |
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Original German Text |
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English Translation |
1 |
Coro |
1 |
Chorus [S, A, T, B] |
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Corno ca caccia I-III, Timpani, Fagotto, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo |
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Lobe den Herrn, meine Seele. |
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Praise the Lord, my soul. |
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2 |
Choral S |
2 |
Chorale [Soprano] |
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Violino, Continuo |
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Du Friedefürst, Herr Jesu Christ,
Wahr' Mensch und wahrer Gott,
Ein starker Nothelfer du bist
Im Leben und im Tod;
Drum wir allein
Im Namen dein
Zu deinem Vater schreien. |
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You prince of peace, Lord Jesus Christ,
true man and true God,
you are a strong help in affliction,
in life and in death
Therefore we alone
in your name
cry out to the Father. |
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3 |
Recitativo T |
3 |
Recitative [Tenor] |
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Continuo |
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Wohl dem, des Hülfe der Gott Jakob ist,
des Hoffnung auf dem Herrn, seinem Gotte, stehet. |
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Fortunate is the man whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope depends upon the Lord, his God. |
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4 |
Aria T |
4 |
Aria [Tenor] |
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Violino I/II, Viola, Fagotto, Continuo |
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Tausendfaches Unglück, Schrecken,
Trübsal, Angst und schneller Tod,
Völker, die das Land bedecken,
Sorgen und sonst noch mehr Not
Sehen andre Länder zwar,
Aber wir ein Segensjahr. |
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Thousandfold misfortune, terrors
affliction, anxiety and sudden death,
mobs who overrun the land,
sorrows and otherwise still more distress
-[ these things] other lands see, it is true,
but we [see] a year of blessing. |
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5 |
Aria B |
5 |
Aria [Bass] |
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Corno ca caccia I-III, Timpani, Fagotto, Continuo |
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Der Herr ist König ewiglich,
dein Gott, Zion, für und für. |
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The Lord is king eternally
your God,Zion, for ever and ever. |
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6 |
Aria T |
6 |
Aria [Tenor] |
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Fagotto, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo |
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Jesu, Retter deiner Herde,
Bleibe ferner unser Hort,
Dass dies Jahr uns glücklich werde,
Halte Wacht an jedem Ort.
Führ, o Jesu, deine Schar
Bis zu jenem neuen Jahr. |
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Jesus, deliverer of your flock,
remain our refuge in the future.
So that this year may be fortunate for us,
keep watch at every place.
Lead, o Jesus, your flock
up to that new year. |
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7 |
Coro |
7 |
Chorus [S, A, T, B] |
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Corno ca caccia I-III, Timpani, Fagotto, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo |
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Halleluja.
Gedenk, Herr, jetzund an dein Amt,
Dass du ein Friedfürst bist,
Und hilf uns gnädig allesamt
Jetzund zu dieser Frist;
Laß uns hinfort
Dein göttlich Wort
Im Fried noch länger schallen. |
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Alleluia.
Think, Lord, now of your ministry,
that you are a prince of peace
and help us all graciously
now at this time.
From now onwards let us make
your divine Word
resound in peace still longer. |
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This Translation in Interlinear Format |
English Translation by Francis Browne (March 2002) |
Contributed by Francis Browne (March 2002) |