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Discussions: Texts: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Translations: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4


Text for Cantata 23
Du wahrer Gott und Davids Sohn

Original German Text

English Translation

1. ARIA (Sopran, Alt)

Du wahrer Gott und Davids Sohn,
der du von Ewigkeit in der Entfernung schon
mein Herzeleid und meine Leibespein
umständlich angesehn, erbarm dich mein!
Und laß durch deine Wunderhand,
die so viel Böses abgewandt,
mir gleichfalls Hilf und Trost geschehen.

You true God and David’s Son,
you who from eternity afar have already
acutely considered my heartache and bodily pain,
have mercy on me!
And allow by your miraculous hand
which averts so much evil
help and comfort similarly to transpire for me.

2. REZITATIV (Tenor)

Ach! gehe nicht vorüber;
du, aller Menschen Heil,
bist ja erschienen,
die Kranken und nicht die Gesunden zu bedienen.
Drum nehm ich ebenfalls
an deiner Allmacht teil;
ich sehe dich auf diesen Wegen,
worauf man mich hat wollen legen,
auch in der Blindheit an.
Ich fasse mich und lasse dich
nicht ohne deinen Segen.

Oh! do not pass me by;
you, salvation of all humanity,
have appeared indeed
to tend the sick not the healthy.
Therefore I as well will partake
in your omnipotence;
I recognize you along this path
where someone left me lying,
in spite of my blindness.
I compose myself and will not let go of you
without your blessing.

3. CHOR

Aller Augen warten, Herr,
du allmächtger Gott, auf dich,
und die meinen sonderlich.
Gib denselben Kraft und Licht,
laß sie nicht
immerdar in Finsternissen!
Künftig soll dein Wink allein
der geliebte Mittelpunkt
aller ihrer Werke sein,
bis du sie einst durch den Tod
wiederum gedenkst zu schließen.

The eyes of all wait upon you, Lord,
you almighty God,
and particularly these of mine.
Grant these same [eyes] power and light,
leave them not
evermore in darkness!
Henceforth your signal alone
shall be the precious focal point
of all their works
until that day when you
choose to close them in death.

4. CHORAL

 

Christe, du Lamm Gottes,
der du trägst die Sünd der Welt,
erbarm dich unser!
Christe, du Lamm Gottes,
der du trägst die Sünd der Welt,
erbarm dich unser!
Christe, du Lamm Gottes,
der du trägst die Sünd der Welt,
gib uns dein' Frieden. Amen.

Christ, you Lamb of God,
you who bear the sin of the world,
have mercy upon us!
Christ, you Lamb of God,
you who bear the sin of the world,
have mercy upon us!
Christ, you Lamb of God,
you who bear the sin of the world,
grant us your peace. Amen.


COMPOSED: February 7, 1723 (Cöthen) for Estomihi (Quinquagesima) for Bach’s cantorship audition in Leipzig
LIBRETTIST: unknown; Mvts 1-3 commentary on Luke 18:35-43; Mvt 4. Agnus Dei (1528) added in later additions
TRANSLATION: 2023 © Tobin Schmuck, NYC
Print by permission only, please. Click here.

Cantata BWV 23: Du wahrer Gott und Davids Sohn for Quinquagesima Sunday (1723)
Discography: Details & Complete Recordings | Recordings of Individual Movements
Discussions: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

BWV 23 Text: German-1 | German-6 (1) | German-6 (2) | German-6 (3) | German-7 (1) | German-7 (2) | German-7 (3) | NBA Text
Translations: English-1 | English-3I | English-3P | English-6 | English-10 | English-13 | English-14
Catalan-1 | Chinese-1 | Chinese-2 | Danish-1 | Dutch-0 | Dutch-4 | Dutch-6 | French-1 | French-3 | French-4 | French-5 | French-6 | Hebrew-1 | Hungarian-1 | Hungarian-2 | Indonesian-1 | Italian-2 | Norwegian-1 | Polish-1 | Polish-2 | Russian-1 | Russian-3 | Spanish-2 | Spanish-7 | Spanish/English-8
Chorale Text: Christe, du Lamm Gottes [BWV 23/4]

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




 

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Last update: Tuesday, December 12, 2023 14:11