Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ
Text and Translation of Chorale |
EKG: 15
Author: Martin Luther (1524)
Chorale Melody: Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ | Composer: Anon (1370) / Martin Luther (1524) |
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Vocal Works by J.S. Bach: |
Ver |
Work |
Mvt. |
Year |
Br |
RE |
KE |
Di |
BC |
Type |
|
7 |
BWV 64 |
Mvt. 2 |
1723 |
160 |
108 |
160 |
13 |
A15:2 |
Chorale [S, A, T, B] |
|
1 |
BWV 91 |
Mvt. 1 |
1724 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
A9:1 |
Chorus (Chorale) [S, A, T, B] |
|
2 |
BWV 91 |
Mvt. 2 |
1724 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
A9:2 |
Recitative & Chorale [S] |
|
3-4~ |
BWV 91 |
Mvt. 3 |
1724 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
A9:3 |
Aria [T] |
|
5~ |
BWV 91 |
Mvt. 4 |
1724 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
A9:4 |
Recitative [B] |
|
6~ |
BWV 91 |
Mvt. 5 |
1724 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
A9:5 |
Aria (Duet) [S, A] |
|
7 |
BWV 91 |
Mvt. 6 |
1724 |
53 |
109 |
51 |
130 |
A9:6 |
Chorale [S, A, T, B] |
|
6 |
BWV 248 |
Mvt. 7 |
1734 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
D7:7 |
Chorale & Recitative [S, B] |
|
7 |
BWV 248 |
Mvt. 28 |
1734 |
- |
110 |
- |
123 |
D7:28 |
Chorale [S, A, T, B] |
|
* |
BWV 314 |
- |
? |
287 |
107 |
288 |
65 |
FC69.1 |
Chorale [S, A, T, B] |
|
7 |
BWV Anh 199 |
Mvt. 6 |
1724? |
|
|
|
|
|
Chorale [music lost] |
|
BWV 91 is a chorale cantata based on Luther's famous Christmas hymn of the same title. The first and last strophes of the hymn are used unaltered, the second strophe is expanded with a commentary in movement 2, and movements 3-5 paraphrase the intervening strophes. |
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German Text (verses in bold print set by Bach) |
English Translation |
1 |
Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ,
Daß du Mensch geboren bist
Von einer Jungfrau, das ist wahr;
Des freuet sich der Engel Schar.
Kyrieleis! |
Praised be you, Jesus Christ
that you have been born as a man
from a virgin - this is true-
at which the host of angels rejoices. |
2 |
Des ew'gen Vaters einzig Kind
Jetzt man in der Krippen findt,
In unser armes Fleisch und Blut
Verkleidet sich das ewig Gut.
Kyrieleis! |
The only child of the eternal father
is now found in the manger,
in our poor flesh and blood
eternal goodness has clothed itself. |
3 |
Den aller Welt Kreis nie beschloß,
Der liegt in Marien Schoß;
Er ist ein Kindlein worden klein,
Der alle Ding' erhält allein.
Kyrieleis! |
He whom the whole globe of the earth could not enclose
now lies in Mary's bosom;
he has become a little baby
who alone maintains everything. |
4 |
Das ew'ge Licht geht da herein,
Gibt der Welt ein'n neuen Schein;
Es leucht't wohl mitten in der Nacht
Und uns des Lichtes Kinder macht.
Kyrieleis! |
The eternal light enters here,
it gives the world a new splendour;
it shines in the midst of the night
and makes us children of the light) |
5 |
Der Sohn des Vaters, Gott von Art,
Ein Gast in der Welt hier ward
Und führt uns aus dem Jammertal,
Er macht uns Erben in sein'm Saal.
Kyrieleis! |
The Father's son, God by nature,
became a guest here in the world,
and leads us from the vale of sorrow
he makes us heirs in his hall) |
6 |
Er ist auf Erden kommen arm,
Daß er unser sich erbarm',
Und in dem Himmel machet reich
Und seinen lieben Engeln gleich.
Kyrieleis. |
He has come on the earth in poverty
to have compassion on us,
and in heaven he makes us rich
and like his dear angels. |
7 |
Das hat er alles uns getan,
Sein' groß' Lieb' zu zeigen an.
Des freu' sich alle Christenheit
Und dank' ihm des in Ewigkeit.
Kyrieleis! |
He has done all this for us
to show his great love,
at this all Christendom rejoices
and thanks him for this in eternity) |
-- |
English Translation by Francis Browne (April 2003)
Contributed by Francis Browne (April 2003) |