Event : Funeral
First performance: October 24, 1729
Text : Romans 8: 26-27; Martin Luther (1524)
Choral Text: Komm, Heiliger Geist, Herre Gott

Biblical quotations in green font, chorales in purple

Original German Text

English Translation

1

Coro I/II: S A T B

1

Chorus I/II [S, A, T, B]

Oboe I/II, Taille, Fagotto, Violino I/II, Viola, Violoncello, Continuo (+ Violone)

Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf, denn wir wissen nicht, was wir beten sollen, wie sich's gebühret;
sondern der Geist selbst vertritt uns aufs beste mit unaussprechlichem Seufzen.
Der aber die Herzen forschet, der weiß, was des Geistes Sinn sei; denn er vertritt die Heiligen nach dem, das Gott gefället.

The spirit comes to help our weakness,
For we do not know
What we should pray,
As we ought to pray;
But the spirit itself pleads
For us in the best way with inexpressible groans.
But he who searches our hearts knows
what the Spirit means
since he pleads for the saints
In the way that pleases God.

2

Coro I/II: S A T B

2

Chorale [Chorus I/II: S, A, T, B]

Oboe I/II, Taille, Fagotto, Violino I/II, Viola, Violoncello, Continuo (+ Violone)

Du heilige Brunst, süßer Trost
Nun hilf uns, fröhlich und getrost
In deinem Dienst beständig bleiben,
Die Trübsal uns nicht abtreiben.
O Herr, durch dein Kraft uns bereit
Und stärk des Fleisches Blödigkeit,
Dass wir hie ritterlich ringen,
Durch Tod und Leben zu dir dringen.
Halleluja, halleluja.

You sacred warmth, sweet consolation,
now help us joyful and comforted
in your service, always to remain
do not let sorrow drive us away!
O Lord, through your power make us ready
and strengthen the feebleness of our flesh
so that we may bravely struggle
through life and death to reach you!
Alleluia, alleluia.

This Translation in Interlinear Format

English Translation by Francis Browne (June 2008)

Contributed by Francis Browne (June 2008)

English Translations in Interlinear/Parallel Format (English-3): Sorted by BWV Number | Sorted by Title | Sorted by Event | Note on English Translations