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Cantata BWV 91
Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ
English Translation in Interlinear Format
Cantata BWV 91 - Praised be you, Jesus Christ |
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Event: Chorale Cantata for Christmas Day
Readings: Epistle: Titus 2: 11-14 / Isaiah 9: 2-7; Gospel: Luke 2: 1-14
Text: Martin Luther (Mvts. 1, 2, 6); Anon (Mvts. 3-5)
Chorale Text: Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ |
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Biblical quotations in green font , chorales in purple |
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1 |
Chorus [S, A, T, B] |
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Corno I/II, Timpani, Oboe I-III, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo |
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Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ,
Praised be you, Jesus Christ,
Daß du Mensch geboren bist
that you have been born as a man
Von einer Jungfrau, das ist wahr,
from a virgin - this is true-
Des freuet sich der Engel Schar.
at which the host of angels rejoices.
Kyrie eleis!
Kyrie eleison [Greek : Lord, have mercy] |
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2 |
Chorale and Recitative [Soprano] |
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Continuo |
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Der Glanz der höchsten Herrlichkeit,
The splendour of the highest glory,
Das Ebenbild von Gottes Wesen,
the exact likeness of God's being,
Hat in bestimmter Zeit
has at the appointed time
Sich einen Wohnplatz auserlesen.
chosen a place to dwell.
Des ewgen Vaters einigs Kind,
The only child of the eternal father,
Das ewge Licht von Licht geboren,
the eternal light born from light,
Itzt man in der Krippe findt.
is now found in the manger.
O Menschen, schauet an,
O humanity, behold
Was hier der Liebe Kraft getan!
what here the power of love has done!
In unser armes Fleisch und Blut,
In our poor flesh and blood,
(Und war denn dieses nicht verflucht, verdammt, verloren?)
and was this then not cursed,doomed, lost?)
Verkleidet sich das ewge Gut.
eternal goodeness has clothed itself.
So wird es ja zum Segen auserkoren.
Thus it is chosen for blessedness. |
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3 |
Aria [Tenor] |
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Oboe I-III, Continuo |
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Gott, dem der Erden Kreis zu klein,
God, for whom the orbit of the earth is too small,
Den weder Welt nocht Himmel fassen,
whom neither the world nor heaven can contain,
Will in der engen Krippe sein.
is willing to be in the narrow manger.
Erscheinet uns dies ewge Licht,
There appears for us this eternal light,
So wird hinfüro Gott uns nicht
Als dieses Lichtes Kinder hassen.
therefore henceforth God will not hate us
since we are children of this light. |
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4 |
Recitative [Bass] |
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Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo |
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O Christenheit! Wohlan, so mache dich bereit,
O Christendom! Come now, prepare yourself
Bei dir den Schöpfer zu empfangen.
to welcome the creator amongst you.
Der grosse Gottessohn
The mighty Son of God
Kömmt als ein Gast zu dir gegangen.
has descended and comes to you as a guest.
Ach, laß dein Herz durch diese Liebe rühren;
Ah, let your heart be moved by this love;
Er kömmt zu dir, um dich for seinen Thron
Durch dieses Jammertal zu führen.
He comes to you, in order to lead you
through this vale of sorrow to his throne. |
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5 |
Aria (Duet) [Soprano, Alto] |
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Violino I/II all' unisono, Continuo |
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Die Armut, so Gott auf sich nimmt,
The poverty that God takes upon himself
Hat uns ein ewig Heil bestimmt,
has appointed for us an everlasting salvation,
Den Überfluß an Himmelsschätzen.
the abundance of the treasures of heaven.
Sein menschlich Wesen machet euch
His human existence makes you
Den Engelsherrlichkeiten gleich,
like the glory of the angels,
Euch zu der Engel Chor zu setzen.
and places you among the choir of angels. |
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6 |
Chorale [S, A, T, B] |
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Oboe I-III e Violino I col Soprano, Violino II coll'Alto, Viola col Tenore, Corno I/II, Timpani, Continuo |
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Das hat er alles uns getan,
He has done all this for us
Sein groß Lieb zu zeigen an;
to show his great love;
Des freu sich alle Christenheit
at this all Christendom rejoices
Und dank ihm des in Ewigkeit.
and thanks him for this in eternity.
Kyrie eleis!
Kyrie eleison! (Greek: Lord, have mercy) |
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This Translation in Parallel Format |
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English Translation by Francis Browne (April 2003)
Contributed by Francis Browne (April 2003) |
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