Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland
Text and Translation of Chorale |
EKG: 1
Author: Martin Luther (1524), based on Veni, redemptor gentium (by Saint Ambrose)
Chorale Melody: Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland | Composer: Anon |
|
Vocal Works by J.S. Bach: |
Ver |
Work |
Mvt. |
Year |
Br |
RE |
KE |
Di |
BC |
Type |
|
1 |
BWV 36 |
Mvt. 2 |
1731 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
A3:2 |
Chorale [S, A] |
|
6 |
BWV 36 |
Mvt. 6 |
1731 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
A3:6 |
Chorale [T] |
|
8 |
BWV 36 |
Mvt. 8 |
1731 |
28 |
264 |
28 |
- |
F151:1
A3:8 |
Chorale [S, A, T, B] |
|
1 |
BWV 61 |
Mvt. 1 |
1714 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
A1:1 |
Chorus (Overture) [S, A, T, B] |
|
1 |
BWV 62 |
Mvt. 1 |
1724 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
A2:1 |
Chorus (Chorale) [S, A, T, B] |
|
2-3~ |
BWV 62 |
Mvt. 2 |
1724 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
A2:2 |
Aria [T] |
|
4-5~ |
BWV 62 |
Mvt. 3 |
1724 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
A2:3 |
Recitative [B] |
|
6~ |
BWV 62 |
Mvt. 4 |
1724 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
A2:4 |
Aria [B] |
|
7~ |
BWV 62 |
Mvt. 5 |
1724 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
A2:5 |
Recitative (Duet) [S, A] |
|
8 |
BWV 62 |
Mvt. 6 |
1724 |
170 |
265 |
170 |
96 |
A2:6 |
Chorale (Duet) [S, A, T, B] |
|
|
|
German Text (verses in bold print set by Bach) |
English Translation |
1 |
Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland,
Der Jungfrauen Kind erkannt!
Dass sich wundre alle Welt,
Gott solch' Geburt ihm bestellt. |
Now come, Saviour of the gentiles,
recognised as the child of the Virgin,
so that all the world is amazed
God ordained such a birth for him. |
2 |
Nicht von Mann's Blut noch von Fleisch,
Allein von dem Heil'gen Geist
Ist Gott's Wort worden ein Mensch
Und blüht ein' Frucht Weibesfleisch. |
Not from man’s flesh and blood
but only from the Holy Spirit
has God’s Word became man
and flourishes as the fruit of a woman’s body. |
3 |
Der Jungfrau Leib schwanger ward,
Doch blieb Keuschheit rein bewahrt,
Leucht't hervor manch' Tugend schön,
Gott da war in seinem Thron. |
The virgin’s body was pregnant,
but her chastity remained pure,
in this way her many virtues shine clearly,
God was there on his throne. |
4 |
Er ging aus der Kammer sein,
Dem kön'glichen Saal so rein,
Gott von Art und Mensch ein Held,
Sein'n Weg er zu laufen eilt. |
He went forth from his chamber,
from the royal palace so pure,
by nature God and man, a hero,
he hastens to run his way. |
5 |
Sein Lauf kam vom Vater her
Und kehrt' wieder zum Vater,
Fuhr hinunter zu der Höll'
Und wieder zu Gottes Stuhl. |
His course came from the Father
and leads back to the Father,
he went down to Hell
and back to God’s throne. |
6 |
Der du bist dem Vater gleich,
Führ' hinaus den Sieg im Fleisch,
Dass dein' ew'ge Gott'sgewalt
In uns das krank' Fleisch erhalt'. |
You who are equal to the Father,
be victorious in the flesh
so that your eternal divine power
may support our weak flesh. |
7 |
Dein' Krippe glaenzt hell und klar,
Die Nacht gibt ein neu Licht dar,
Dunkel mus nicht kommen drein,
Der Glaub' bleibt immer im Schein. |
Your crib shines bright and clear,
in the night there is a new light,
darkness must not overpower it,
faith remains always radiant. |
8 |
Lob sei Gott dem Vater g'tan,
Lob sei Gott sein'm ein'gen Sohn,
Lob sei Gott dem Heil'gen Geist
Immer und in Ewigkeit. |
Praise be given to God the Father,
praise be to God his only Son;
praise be to god the Holy Ghost
for ever and always. |
-- |
English Translation by Francis Browne (March 2005)
Contributed by Francis Browne (March 2005) |