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


Text for Cantata 177
Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ

Original German Text

English Translation

1. CHOR

Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ,
ich bitt, erhör mein Klagen,
verleih mir Gnad zu dieser Frist,
laß mich doch nicht verzagen;
den rechten Glauben, Herr, ich mein,
den wollest du mir geben,
dir zu leben,
meinm Nächsten nütz zu sein,
dein Wort zu halten eben.

I cry to you, Lord Jesus Christ,
I beg, hear my lament,
impart grace to me at the appointed time,
let me indeed not despair;
I intend, Lord, a true faith
which you would grant me,
to live for you,
to be of benefit to my neighbor,
to keep straight your word.

2. ARIA (Alt)

Ich bitt noch mehr, o Herre Gott,
du kannst es mir wohl geben:
daß ich werd nimmermehr zu Spott,
die Hoffnung gib darneben,
voraus, wenn ich muß hier davon,
daß ich dir mög vertrauen
und nicht bauen
auf alles mein Tun,
sonst wird michs ewig reuen.

What’s more, O Lord God, I beg,
you can surely grant this to me:
that I nevermore be derided,
grant me hope along with this
anticipating when I must leave here,
that I might trust in you
and not depend
upon my deeds alone
lest it be to my eternal regret.

3. ARIA (Sopran)

Verleih, daß ich aus Herzensgrund
mein' Feinden mög vergeben,
verzeih mir auch zu dieser Stund,
gib mir ein neues Leben;
dein Wort mein Speis laß allweg sein,
damit mein Seel zu nähren,
mich zu wehren,
wenn Unglück geht daher,
das mich bald möcht abkehren.

Grant, that I, from the heart’s foundation,
might forgive my enemies,
pardon me as well at this hour,
grant me a new life;
let your word be everywhere my fare
by which I nurture my soul,
defending me
when harm draws near
trying swiftly to undo me.

4. ARIA (Tenor)

Laß mich kein Lust noch Furcht von dir
in dieser Welt abwenden.
Beständigsein ans End gib mir,
du hasts allein in Händen;
und wem dus gibst, der hats umsonst:
es kann niemand ererben
noch erwerben
durch Werke deine Gnad,
die uns errett' vom Sterben.

Let no desire nor fear
in this world avert me from you.
Grant me perseverance to the end,
it is in your hands alone;
and whomever you grant this has it for free:
no one can inherit it
nor by works
acquire your grace
which saves us from dying.

5. CHORAL

Ich lieg im Streit und widerstreb,
hilf, o Herr Christ, dem Schwachen!
An deiner Gnad allein ich kleb,
du kannst mich stärker machen.
Kömmt nun Anfechtung, Herr, so wehr,
daß sie mich nicht umstoßen.
Du kannst maßen,
daß mirs nicht bring Gefahr;
ich weiß, du wirsts nicht lassen.

I lie midst strife and am reluctant,
help, O Lord Christ, this weak one!
To your grace alone I cling,
you can bolster me.
If temptation now comes, Lord, then defend
that it not topple me.
You can curtail it
that it not bring me to peril;
I know you will not allow this.


COMPOSED: July 6, 1732 (Leipzig) for the 4th Sunday after Trinity
LIBRETTO: Johann Agricola, Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ (?1529)
TRANSLATION: 2017 © Tobin Schmuck, NYC
Print by permission only, please. Click here.

Cantata BWV 177: Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ for 4th Sunday after Trinity (1732)
Discography: Details & Complete Recordings | Recordings of Individual Movements
Discussions: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

BWV 177 Text: German-1 | German-6 | German-7 | NBA Text
Translations: English-1 | English-3I | English-3P | English-6 | English-10 | English-14
Catalan-1 | Chinese-2 | Danish-1 | Dutch-0 | Dutch-1 | Dutch-6 | French-4 | French-5 | French-6 | Hebrew-1 | Indonesian-1 | Italian-2 | Norwegian-1 | Polish-1 | Polish-2 | Russian-1 | Russian-3 | Spanish-3 | Spanish-7 | Spanish/English-8
Chorale Text: Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ [BWV 177/1-5]

English Translations (English-10): Index by BWV Number | Index by Title | Index by Event | Note on English Translations


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




 

Back to the Top


Last update: Tuesday, December 12, 2023 14:10