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


Cantata BWV 248/2
Und es waren Hirten in derselben Gegend
(Weihnachts-Oratorium II)
English Translation in Interlinear Format
Cantata BWV 248/2 - And there were shepherds in the same area
Christmas Oratorio II

Event: Cantata for the 2nd Day of Christmas [St. Stefanus Day]
Readings: Epistle: Titus. 3: 4-7 / Acts 6: 8-15 & 7: 55-60; Gospel: Matthew 23: 35-39 / Luke 2: 15-20
Text:
Christian Friedrich Henrici (Picander); Johann Rist (Mvt. 3); Paul Gerhardt (Mvts. 8, 14)
Chorale Texts:
Ermuntre dich, mein schwacher Geist | Schaut, schaut, was ist für Wunder dar? | Wir singen dir, Immanuel

Biblical quotations in green font, chorales in purple

[10] 1

Sinfonia

Flauto traverso I/II, Oboe d'amore I/II, Oboe da caccia I/II, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo

[11] 2

Recitative [Tenor]

Continuo

Evangelist:
Und es waren Hirten in derselben Gegend
And there were shepherds in the same area
auf dem Felde bei den Hürden,
in the fields with their flocks,
die hüteten des Nachts ihre Herde.
they watched over their flocks by night.
Und siehe, des Herren Engel trat zu ihnen,
And see, the angel of the Lord came to them
und die Klarheit des Herren leuchtet um sie,
and the glory of the Lord shone around them
und sie furchten sich sehr
and they were very afraid.

[12] 3

Chorale [S, A, T, B]

Flauto traverso I/II in octava e Oboe d'amore I/II e Violino I col Soprano, Oboe da caccia I e Violino II coll'Alto, Oboe da caccia II e Viola col Tenore, Continuo

Brich an, o schönes Morgenlicht,
Break out, O beautiful light of morning,
Und lass den Himmel tagen!
and let the heavens dawn!
Du Hirtenvolk, erschrecke nicht,
You shepherd folk, do not fear
Weil dir die Engel sagen,
because the angels tell you
Dass dieses schwache Knäbelein
that this weak baby boy
Soll unser Trost und Freude sein,
shall be our consolation and joy,
Dazu den Satan zwingen,

subdue Satan
Und letztlich Friede bringen!
and bring peace at last!

[13] 4

Recitative [Tenor, Soprano]

Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo Evangelist (T), Angel (S)

Tenor:
Und der Engel sprach zu ihnen:
And the angel said to them:

Soprano:
Fürchtet euch nicht,
Do not fear,
siehe, ich verkündige euch große Freude,
See, I announce to you great joy
die allem Volke widerfahren wird.
which will befall all the people.
Denn euch ist heute der Heiland geboren,
For the saviour is born for you today,
welcher ist Christus, der Herr, in der Stadt David.
who is Christ,the Lord, in the city of David.

[14] 5

Recitative [Bass]

Oboe d'amore I/II, Oboe da caccia I/II, Continuo

Was Gott dem Abraham verheißen,
What God promised to Abraham
Das lässt er nun dem Hirtenchor
He now allows to the band of shepherds
Erfüllt erweisen.
To be shown as fulfilled.
Ein Hirt hat alles das zuvor
A shepherd had all beforehand
Von Gott erfahren müssen.
to learn from God.
Und nun muss auch ein Hirt die Tat,
And now also a shepherd must of the deed
Was er damals versprochen hat,
that was promised in the past
Zuerst erfüllet wissen.
first know of the fulfilment

[15] 6

Aria [Tenor]

Flauto traverso I, Continuo

Frohe Hirten, eilt, ach eilet,
Joyful shepherds, hurry, ah hurry,
Eh ihr euch zu lang verweilet,
in case you linger too long,
Eilt, das holde Kind zu sehn!
Hurry to see the lovely child!
Geht, die Freude heißt zu schön,
Go, the joy is too beautiful,
Sucht die Anmut zu gewinnen,
seek to gain that loveliness,
Geht und labet Herz und Sinnen!
go and refresh your heart and mind!

[16] 7

Recitative [Tenor]

Continuo

Evangelist:
Und das habt zum Zeichen:
And you shall have this for a sign:
Ihr werdet finden das Kind in Windeln gewickelt und in einer Krippe liegen.
You will find the child wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.

[17] 8

Chorale [S, A, T, B]

Flauto traverso I/II in octava e Oboe d'amore I/II e Violino I col Soprano, Oboe da caccia I e Violino II coll'Alto, Oboe da caccia II e Viola col Tenore, Continuo

Schaut hin, dort liegt im finstern Stall,
Look, there lies in the dark stable
Des Herrschaft gehet überall!
one who has dominion over all!
Da Speise vormals sucht ein Rind,
Where once an ox sought food
Da ruhet itzt der Jungfrau'n Kind.
now rests the Virgin's child.

[18] 9

Recitative [Bass]

Oboe d'amore I/II, Oboe da caccia I/II, Continuo

So geht denn hin, ihr Hirten, geht,
Then go there, you shepherds, go,
Dass ihr das Wunder seht:
that you may see the wonder:
Und findet ihr des Höchsten Sohn
And if you find the son of the Highest
In einer harten Krippe liegen,
lying in a hard manger,
So singet ihm bei seiner Wiegen
then sing to him in his cradle
Aus einem süßen Ton
in a sweet tone
Und mit gesamtem Chor
and with the whole choir
Dies Lied zur Ruhe vor!
this song for his rest!

[19] 10

Aria [Alto]

Flauto traverso I, Oboe d'amore I/II, Oboe da caccia I/II, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo

Schlafe, mein Liebster, genieße der Ruh,
Sleep, my dearest, enjoy your rest.
Wache nach diesem vor aller Gedeihen!
wake after this so that all may thrive!
Labe die Brust,
Comfort the breast,
Empfinde die Lust,
feel the pleasure
Wo wir unser Herz erfreuen!
with which we make glad our hearts!

[20] 11

Recitative [Tenor]

Continuo

Evangelist:
Und alsobald war da bei dem Engel
And at once there was with the angel
die Menge der himmlischen Heerscharen,
a multitude of the heavenly host
die lobten Gott und sprachen:
who praised God and said:

[21] 12

Chorus

Flauto traverso I/II, Oboe d'amore I/II, Oboe da caccia I/II, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo

Angels:
Ehre sei Gott in der Höhe und Friede auf Erden und den Menschen ein Wohlgefallen.
Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth and goodwill towards men.

[22] 13

Recitative [Bass]

Continuo

So recht, ihr Engel, jauchzt und singet,
It is right, you Angels, that you should rejoice and sing
Dass es uns heut so schön gelinget!
that it has turned out so well for us today!
Auf denn! wir stimmen mit euch ein,
Up then! We shall join with you,
Uns kann es so wie euch erfreun.
It can delight us as well as you.

[23] 14

Chorale [S, A, T, B]

Flauto traverso I/II, Oboe d'amore I/II, Oboe da caccia I/II, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo

Wir singen dir in deinem Heer
We sing to you in your host
Aus aller Kraft, Lob, Preis und Ehr,
with all our might: “Praise, honour and glory,”
Dass du, o lang gewünschter Gast,
that you,o guest we have long desired,
Dich nunmehr eingestellet hast.
have now appeared.

--

English Translation by Francis Browne (November 2008)
Contributed by Francis Browne (November 2008)

BWV 248/2 :Parody

[15] 6. Aria [Tenor]

5. Aria: Pallas [Alto] BWV 214/5

Flauto traverso I, Continuo

Oboe I/II, Continuo

Frohe Hirten, eilt, ach eilet,
Joyful shepherds, hurry, ah hurry,
Eh ihr euch zu lang verweilet,
in case you linger too long,
Eilt, das holde Kind zu sehn!
Hurry to see the lovely child!
Geht, die Freude heißt zu schön,
Go, the joy is too beautiful,
Sucht die Anmut zu gewinnen,
seek to gain that loveliness,
Geht und labet Herz und Sinnen!
go and refresh your heart and mind!

Fromme Musen! meine Glieder!
Devoted Muses! My companions!
Singt nicht längst bekannte Lieder!
Do not sing songs that have been long known!
Dieser Tag sei eure Lust!
Let this day be your delight!
Füllt mit Freuden eure Brust!
Fill your hearts with joy!
Werft so Kiel als Schriften nieder
Throw down both quill and writings
Und erfreut euch dreimal wieder!
and rejoice with triple joy!

19 [10]. Aria [Alto]

3. Aria: Pleasure [Soprano] BWV 213/3

Flauto traverso I, Oboe d'amore I/II, Oboe da caccia I/II, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo

Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo

Schlafe, mein Liebster, genieße der Ruh,
Sleep, my dearest, enjoy your rest.
Wache nach diesem vor aller Gedeihen!
wake after this so that all may thrive!
Labe die Brus,
Comfort the breast,
Empfinde die Lust,
feel the pleasure
Wo wir unser Herz erfreuen!
with which we make glad our hearts!

Schlafe, mein Liebster, und pflege der Ruh,
Sleep, my darling, and get used to ease,
Folge der Lockung entbrannter Gedanken.
follow the enticement of inflamed thoughts.
Schmecke die Lust
Savour the delight
Der lüsternen Brust
of a lustful heart
Und erkenne keine Schranken.
and recognise no limits.

--

This Translation in Parallel Format

English Translation by Francis Browne (May 2009)
Contributed by Francis Browne (May 2009)

Weihnachts-Oratorium BWV 248 (1734-1735): Details
Complete Recordings: 1900-1949 | 1950-1959 | 1960-1969 | 1970-1979 | 1980-1989 | 1990-1999 | 2000-2009 | 2010-2019 | 2020-2029 | Recordings of Individual Movements
General Discussions: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8
Systematic Discussions: Cantata 1 | Cantata 2 | Cantata 3 | Cantata 4 | Cantata 5 | Cantata 6 | Part 7: Summary
Individual Recordings: BWV 248 – Collegium Aureum | BWV 248 - H. Christophers | BWV 248 - J.E. Gardiner | BWV 248 - N. Harnoncourt | BWV 248 - P. Herreweghe | BWV 248 - R. Jacobs | BWV 248 - N. McGegan | BWV 248 - R. Otto | BWV 248 - K. Richter | BWV 248 - H. Rilling | BWV 248 - P. Schreier | BWV 248 - M. Suzuki | BWV 248 - K. Thomas | BWV 248 - J.v. Veldhoven
Articles: A Bottomless Bucket of Bach - Christmas Oratorio [D. Satz] | BWV 248/19 “Schlafe, mein Liebster” - A Background Study with Focus on the Colla Parte Flauto Traverso Part [T. Braatz]

BWV 248/2 Text: German-1 | NBA
Translations: English-1 | English-3I | English-3P | English-6 | English-10 | English-14
Chinese-2 | Danish-2 | Dutch-0 | Dutch-3 | French-4 | French-6 | Hebrew-1 | Hebrew-2 | Hungarian-1 | Indonesian-1 | Russian-1 | Spanish-7 | Spanish/English-8
Chorale Texts: Ermuntre dich, mein schwacher Geist [BWV 248/12] | Schaut, schaut, was ist für Wunder dar? [BWV 248/17] | Wir singen dir, Immanuel [BWV 248/23]

English Translations in Interlinear/Parallel Format (English-3): Sorted by BWV Number | Sorted by Title | Sorted 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: Thursday, October 19, 2023 06:25