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Cantata BWV 155
Mein Gott, wie lang, ach lange?
English Translation in Parallel Format
Cantata BWV 155 - My God, how long, ah how long? |
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Event: Solo Cantata for the 2nd Sunday after Epiphany
Readings: Epistle: Romans 12: 6-16; Gospel: John 2: 1-11
Text: Salomo Franck (Mvts. 1-4); Paul Speratus (Mvt. 5)
Chorale Text: Es ist das Heil uns kommen her |
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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 |
Recitativo S |
1 |
Recitative [Soprano] |
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Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo |
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Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo |
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Mein Gott, wie lang, ach lange?
Des Jammers ist zuviel,
Ich sehe gar kein Ziel
Der Schmerzen und der Sorgen!
Dein süßer Gnadenblick
Hat unter Nacht und Wolken sich verborgen,
Die Liebeshand zieht sich, ach! ganz zurück,
Um Trost ist mir sehr bange.
Ich finde, was mich Armen täglich kränket,
Der Tränen Maß wird stets voll eingeschenket,
Der Freuden Wein gebricht;
Mir sinkt fast alle Zuversicht. |
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My God, how long, ah how long?
my misery is too much,
I see no end at all
to my sorrows and anxieties!
Your sweet look of mercy
is hidden beneath night and clouds,
your loving hand, alas, has been completely withdrawn,
I am most anxious about my comfort.
Each day in my wretchedness I find something that pains me,
my cup of tears is always filled to overflowing
but I have no wine of joy
Almost all my reassurance sinks. |
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2 |
Aria (Duetto) A T |
2 |
Aria (Duetto) [Alto, tenor] |
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Fagotto, Continuo |
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Fagotto, Continuo |
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Du musst glauben, du musst hoffen,
Du musst gottgelassen sein!
Jesus weiß die rechten Stunden,
Dich mit Hilfe zu erfreun.
Wenn die trübe Zeit verschwunden,
Steht sein ganzes Herz dir offen. |
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You must believe, you must hope
You must be calm before God!
Jesus knows the right time
to make you rejoice with his help,
when the troubled times have vanished
His whole heart will be open to you. |
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3 |
Recitativo B |
3 |
Recitative [Bass] |
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Continuo |
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Continuo |
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So sei, o Seele, sei zufrieden!
Wenn es vor deinen Augen scheint,
Als ob dein liebster Freund
Sich ganz von dir geschieden;
Wenns er dich kurze Zeit verlässt,
Herz! glaube fest,
Es wird ein Kleines sein,
Da er für bittre Zähren
Den Trost- und Freudenwein
Und Honigseim für Wermut will gewähren!
Ach! denke nicht,
Dass er von Herzen dich betrübe,
Er prüfet nur durch Leiden deine Liebe,
Er machet, dass dein Herz bei trüben Stunden weine,
Damit sein Gnadenlicht
Dir desto lieblicher erscheine;
Er hat, was dich ergötzt,
Zuletzt
Zu deinem Trost dir vorbehalten;
Drum lass ihn nur, o Herz, in allem walten! |
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Then be, O soul, be at peace!
if it seems to your eyes
that your dearest friend
has gone away from you completely;
if he has left you for a short time
heart ! Have firm faith
it will only be for a little
before in place of your bitter tears
he will grant you the wine of consolation and joy
And fresh honey in place of wormwood!
Ah, do not think
that he causes you sorrow from his heart,
he is only testing your love through suffering,
he makes you weep during times of trouble
so the light of his grace
may shine on you more dearly;
what delights you he has
for the end
kept back for your consolation.
Therefore,o heart, let him rule in all things! |
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4 |
Aria S |
4 |
Aria [Soprano] |
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Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo |
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Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo |
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Wirf, mein Herze, wirf dich noch
In des Höchsten Liebesarme,
Dass er deiner sich erbarme.
Lege deiner Sorgen Joch,
Und was dich bisher beladen,
Auf die Achseln seiner Gnaden. |
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Throw yourself,my heart, just throw yourself
into the loving arms of the Almighty,
so that he may feel compassion for you.
Place the yoke of your cares
and what has burdened you up till now
on the shoulders of his grace. |
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5 |
Choral |
5 |
Chorale [S, A, T, B] |
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Violino I col Soprano, Violino II coll'Alto, Viola col Tenore, Continuo |
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Ob sichs anließ, als wollt er nicht,
Laß dich es nicht erschrecken,
Denn wo er ist am besten mit,
Da will ers nicht entdecken.
Sein Wort lass dir gewisser sein,
Und ob dein Herz spräch lauter Nein,
So lass doch dir nicht grauen. |
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Although it may seem as if he is not willing,
do not be alarmed
for when he is closest to you
He does not reveal himself.
Let his word be more certain for you
and although your heart only says no
do not let yourself be terrified. |
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This Translation in Interlinear Format |
English Translation by Francis Browne (November 2008) |
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Contributed by Francis Browne (November 2008) |
