Christum wir sollen loben schon
Text and Translation of Chorale

EKG: --
Author: Martin Luther (1524), based on the Latin hymn by Caelius Sedulius (5^th cebtury)
Chorale Melody: Christum wir sollen loben schon | Composer: Anon (1524)

Vocal Works by J.S. Bach:

Ver

Work

Mvt.

Year

Br

RE

KE

Di

BC

Type

1

BWV 121

Mvt. 1

1724

-

-

-

-

A13:1

Chorus (Chorale) [S, A, T, B]

2-7~

BWV 121

Mvt. 2

1724

-

-

-

-

A13:2

Aria [T]

2-7~

BWV 121

Mvt. 3

1724

-

-

-

-

A13:3

Recitative [A]

2-7~

BWV 121

Mvt. 4

1724

-

-

-

-

A13:4

Aria [B]

2-7~

BWV 121

Mvt. 5

1724

-

-

-

-

A13:5

Recitative [S]

8

BWV 121

Mvt. 6

1724

55

42

56

-

F29
A13:6

Chorale [S, A, T, B]

BWV 121 is a chorale cantata whose text is based on Luther's Christmas hymn, which in turn is derived from the famous 5^th - century Latin hymn, A solis ortu cardine. This was written by Caelius Sedulius (d c 450) in iambic dimeter. This hymn, which is used for Lauds during the Christmas season, is the first seven verses of a much longer alphabetic hymn.

Latin / English

German / English

1

A solis ortus cardine
adusque terrae limitem
Christum canamus Principem,
natum Maria Virgine.

Christum wir sollen loben schon,
Der reinen Magd Marien Sohn,
Soweit die liebe Sonne leucht't
Und an aller Welt Ende reicht.

From the point where the sun rises
right up to the end of the world
let us sing of Christ the king
born from the virgin Mary.

We should now praise Christ,
son of the chaste virgin Mary,
as far as the dear sun gives light
and reaches to the end of all the world

2

Beatus auctor saeculi
servile corpus induit,
ut carne carnem liberans
non perderet quod condidit.

Der selig' Schöpfer aller Ding'
Zog an ein's Knechtes Leib gering,
Daß er das Fleisch durchs Fleisch erwürb'
Und sein Geschöpf nicht all's verdürb'.

The blessed creator of the world
put on a slave’s body
so that freeing flesh by flesh
he might not lose what he had made

The blessed creator of all things
put on the mean body of a servant
so that he might win the flesh through flesh
and all his creation might not be ruined.

3

Clausae parentis viscera
caelestis intrat gratia;
venter puellae baiulat
secreta quae non noverat.

Die göttlich' Gnad' vom Himmel groß
Sich in die keusche Mutter goß;
Ein Mägdlein trug ein heimlich Pfand,
Das der Natur war unbekannt.

Into the womb of the chaste mother
there enters heavenly grace;
the girl’s belly bears
secrets which she does not know.

The divine grace from heaven abundantly
was poured into the chaste mother;
a girl bore a heavenly pledge
that was unknown to nature.

4

Domus pudici pectoris
templum repente fit Dei;
intacta nesciens virum
verbo concepit Filium.

Das züchtig' Haus des Herzens zart
Gar bald ein Tempel Gottes ward;
Die kein Mann rühret noch erkannt,
Von Gottes Wort man schwanger fand.

The house of a chaste breast
suddenly becomes the temple of God;
she who was untouched and did not know man
conceived the Son through a word.

The chaste house of a tender heart
at once became a temple of God;
she who was still untouched and unknown by any man
was found to be with child by God’s word.

5

Enixa est puerpera
quem Gabriel praedixerat,
quem matris alvo gestiens
clausus Ioannes senserat.

Die edle Mutter hat gebor'n
Den Gabriel verhiess zuvorn,
Den Sankt Johann's mit Springen zeigt',
Da er noch lag im Mutterleib.

The expectant woman has given birth
to him who was predicted by Gabriel,
whom John recognised and leapt for joy when he was shut in his mother’s womb.

The noble mother has given birth
to him who was promised beforehand by Gabriel,
whom Saint John indicated with a leap when he still lay in his mother’s womb.

6

Feno iacere pertulit,
praesepe non abhorruit,
parvoque lacte pastus est
per quem nec ales esurit.

Er lag im Heu mit Armut groß,
Die Krippe hart ihn nicht verdroß;
Es ward ein' kleine Milch sein' Speis',
Der nie kein Vöglein hungern liess.

He endured to lie on hay,
he did not shrink from the crib,
he was fed on a little milk
- he who does not allow even a bird to go hungry.

He lay on hay, great in his poverty,
the hard crib did not vex him;
a little milk was his food
- he who allows no bird ever to go hungry..

7

Gaudet chorus caelestium
et Angeli canunt Deum,
palamque fit pastoribus
Pastor, Creator omnium.

Des Himmels Chör' sich freuen drob,
Und die Engel singen Gott Lob;
Den armen Hirten wird vermeld't
Der Hirt und Schöpfer aller Welt.

The heavenly chorus rejoices
and the angels sing of God,
there is revealed to shepherds
the Shepherd, who is the creator of the universe.

The heavenly chorus rejoices on high,
and the angels sing God’s praise;
to the poor shepherds is announced
the shepherd and creator of all the world.

8

Iesu, tibi sit gloria,
qui natus es de Virgine,
cum Patre et almo Spiritu,
in sempiterna saecula. Amen.

8. Lob, Ehr' und Dank sei dir gesagt,
Christ, gebor'n von der reinen Magd,
Mit Vater und dem Heil'gen Geist
Von nun an bis in Ewigkeit!

Jesus, glory be to you,
who were born from the virgin.
together with the Father and the lifegiving Spirit
through everlasting ages. Amen

Praise, honour and thanks be said to you, Christ,
who were born from the pure virgin,
with the Father and the Holy Spirit
from now until eternity!

--

English Translation by Francis Browne (April 2003)
Contributed by Francis Browne (April 2003)