Chorale Texts used in Bach's Vocal Works
Herzlich lieb hab' ich dich, o Herr
Text and Translation of Chorale

Ref. in hymnals/hymn books: NLGB 324; MHB 459
Author: Martin Schalling (1569), based on Psalms 18 & 73
Melody: Herzlich lieb hab ich dich, O Herr (Zahn 8326) | Composer: Mathias Gastritz (Kurtze vnnd sonderliche Newe Symbola etlicher Fürsten (Nürnberg/Amberg, 1571), modified by Bernhard Schmid (Zwey Bücher einer Neuen Künstlichen Tabulatur auf Orgel und Instrument, Straßburg, 1577)
Theme: Death and Dying; Feast of St Michael and All Angels

Description:

"Herzlich lieb hab ich dich, o Herr" (From my heart I hold you dear, o Lord), was written by Martin Schalling written in Amberg in 1569 and first printed in 1571. The hymn has 3 stanzas, and is often used for funerals, especially the 3rd and last stanza, Ach, Herr, laß dein' lieb' Engelein/ Am letzten End' die Seele mein/ In Abrahams Schoß tragen! (Ah Lord, let your dear angels/ at my last end carry my soul/ to Abraham's bosom). It is based on Psalms 18 (The Lord rewarded me) and 73 (Here this, all ye peoples).
The first theme of the hymn is the love to God and one's neighbour, following the Great Commandment. M. Schalling included thoughts from Psalms 18:3. The hymn is regarded as a Sterbelied (song for the dying), as Schalling expressed stations of the transition after death in the last stanza, according to Lutheran doctrine as understood in the 17th century. The soul is seen as carried by angels to Abrahams schos (Abraham's bosom), according to Luke 16:22, the body transforming in the grave, rising on the last day ("am Jüngsten Tage") to be reunited with the soul. The final line is "Ich will dich preisen ewiglich!" (I want to praise you for ever!). Besides "Herr Gott, dich loben alle wir," it was the "other hymn attested for this festival in the hymn schedules" of Dresden and Leipzig, as well as Weißenfels", says Stiller (Ibid.). It is found in the NLGB No. 324, "Death and Dying." The full text and Francis Browne's English translation is at BCW, http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Texts/Chorale006-Eng3.htm
The anonymous melody (Zahn 8326) was first found in the Orgeltabulatur-Buch (Straßburg, 1577). The source of the melody, is found in Thomas Braatz (December 11, 2002): BWV 19 - Commentary: http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Guide/BWV19-Guide.htm: The "music/melody evolved as follows: in its 1st incarnation the melody by Mathias Gastritz appeared in Kurtze vnnd sonderliche Newe Symbola etlicher Fürsten (Nürnberg/Amberg, 1571), where it is set to the Hymn whose name it bears; it was later modified by Bernhard Schmid in Zwey Bücher einer Neuen Künstlichen Tabulatur auf Orgel und Instrument (Straßburg, 1577) - [this is the melody that remained associated with the chorale text, "Herzlich lieb hab ich dich, o Herr," a chorale that still appears in German Lutheran hymnals up to the present day"; "Lord, Thee I love with all my heart," Lutheran Book of Worship, No 325, "Christian Hope."
"Herzlich lieb hab ich dich, o Herr" appears in three Picander texts for J.S. Bach cantatas, two for the Feast of St Michael and All Angels, BWV 149/7(S.3) in the Picander 1728 cycle text, P-62, and Cantata BWV 19/5 from Picander poetry (tenor aria, trumpet melody only, as well as the Whit Monday Cantata BWV 174/5 (S.1), Picander cycle text, P-39, and also in the St. John Passion, BWV 245/40 (S.3) plain chorale BWV 340. J.S. Bach’s treatment of the tune is not uniform in the four places in which he employs it. There does not appear to be earlier authority for the F sharp which he substitutes for F natural at the fifth and thirteenth notes (supra) in BWV 149/7, nor does he repeat it elsewhere.
"Herzlich lieb hab ich dich, o Herr" is part of the current German Protestant hymnal Evangelisches Gesangbuch (EG) under number 397.
Translations of the Hymn into English are noted in the Dictionary of Hymnology, pp. 1004, 1648.
Source: Motets & Chorales for St. Michael and All Angels (William Hoffman, February 10, 2013) with additions by Aryeh Oron (October 2018)

Vocal Works by J.S. Bach:

Chorale Ach Herr, lass dein lieb Engelein (Mvt. 7) from Cantata BWV 149 (verse 3)

Chorale Herzlich lieb hab ich dich, o Herr (Mvt. 5) from Cantata BWV 174 (verse 1);

Chorale Ach Herr, lass dein lieb Engelein (Mvt. 40[68]) from Johannes-Passion BWV 245 (verse 3);

Chorale Herzlich lieb hab ich dich, o Herr, BWV 340
Ref: RE 277; Br 277; KE 152; Dietel 53; AmB 46II p.266; BGA 87; BC F 91.1; CST 154

German Text (verses in bold print set by Bach)

English Translation

1. Herzlich lieb hab' ich dich, o Herr,
Ich bitt', woll'st sein von mir nicht fern
Mit deiner Güt' und Gnaden.
Die ganze Welt nicht freuet mich,
Nach Himmel und Erd' nicht frag' ich,
Wenn ich dich nur kann haben;
Und wenn mir gleich mein Herz zerbricht,
So bist doch du mein' Zuversicht,
Mein Teil und meines Herzens Trost,
Der mich durch sein Blut hat erlöst.
Herr Jesu Christ,
Mein Gott und Herr, mein Gott und Herr,
In Schanden laß mich nimmermehr!

1. From my heart I hold you dear, o Lord,
I ask that it may be your will to be not far from me
with your kindness and mercy.
The whole world gives me no delight,
I do not ask for heaven and earth,
if only I can have you.
And even if my heart at once breaks,
you are still my reassurance,
my portion and my heart's comfort,
who has redeemed me through his blood.
Lord Jesus Christ,
my God and Lord, my God and Lord,
never again let me be put to shame!

2. Es ist ja, Herr, dein G'schenk und Gab'
Mein Leib und Seel' und was ich hab'
In diesem armen Leben.
Damit ich's brauch' zum Lobe dein,
Zu Nutz und Dienst des Nächsten mein,
Woll'st mir dein' Gnade geben!
Behüt mich, Herr, vor falscher Lehr',
Des Satans Mord und Lügen wehr,
In allem Kreuz erhalte mich,
Auf daß ich's trag' geduldiglich!
Herr Jesu Christ,
Mein Herr und Gott, mein Herr und Gott,
Tröst mir mein' Seel' in Todesnot!

2. It is, Lord, your present and gift,
my body and soul and what I have
in this poor life.
So that I may use this for your praise,
for the benefit and service of my neighbour
may it be your will to grant me your grace!
Guard me, Lord, from false teaching,
defend me from Satan's murder and lies,
sustain me in every affliction [cross],
so that I may endure with patience!
Lord Jesus Christ,
my Lord and God, my Lord and God,
comfort my soul in death's distress.

3. Ach, Herr, laß dein' lieb' Engelein
Am letzten End' die Seele mein
In Abrahams Schoß tragen!
Der Leib in sein'm Schlafkämmerlein
Gar sanft, ohn' ein'ge Qual und Pein,
Ruh' bis am Jüngsten Tage.
Alsdenn vom Tod erwecke mich
Daß meine Augen sehen dich
In aller Freud', o Gottes Sohn,
Mein Heiland und mein Gnadenthron!
Herr Jesu Christ,
Erhöre mich, erhöre mich,
Ich will dich preisen ewiglich!

3. Ah Lord, let your dear angels
at my last end carry my soul
to Abraham's bosom,
while my body in its narrow chamber of sleep
gently without pain andtorment
rests until the last day!
Then awaken me from death,
so that my eyes may see you
in all joy, o God's son,
my saviour and throne of mercy!
Lord Jesus Christ,
hear me, hear me,
I want to praise you for ever!

English Translation by Francis Browne (June 2003)
Contributed by Francis Browne (June 2003), Aryeh Oron (October 2018)