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Chorales BWV 250-438: Details and Recordings
Individual Recordings: Hilliard - Morimur | Chorales - N. Matt | Chorales - H. Rilling | Preludi ai Corali - Quartetto Italiani di Viola Da Gamba
Discussions: Motets & Chorales for Events in the LCY / Chorales by Theme | General Discussions: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Chorales in Bach Cantatas: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Passion Chorale
References: Chorales BWV 250-300 | Chorales BWV 301-350 | Chorales BWV 351-400 | Chorales BWV 401-438 | 371 4-Part Chorales sorted by Breitkopf Number | Texts & Translations of Chorales BWV 250-438
Chorale Texts: Sorted by Title | Chorale Melodies: Sorted by Title | Explanation
MIDI files of the Chorales: Cantatas BWV 1-197 | Other Vocal Works BWV 225-248 | Chorales BWV 250-438
Articles: The Origin of the Texts of the Chorales [A. Schweitzer] | The Origin of the Melodies of the Chorales [A. Schweitzer] | The Chorale in the Church Service [A. Schweitzer] | Choral / Chorale [C.S. Terry] | Hidden Chorale Melody Allusions [T. Braatz] | The History of the Breitkopf Collection of J. S. Bach’s Four-Part Chorales [T. Braatz] | The World of the Bach Chorale Settings [W.L. Hoffman]
Hymnals: Hymnals used by Bach | Wagner Hymnal 1697 | Evangelisches Gesangbuch 1995 | Dietel Chorale List c1734
Abbreviations used for the Chorales | Links to other Sites about the Chorales


Es ist das Heil uns kommen her
Text and Translation of Chorale

EKG:
Author:
Paul Speratus (1523)
Chorale Melody: Es ist das Heil uns kommen her | Composer: Anon

 

Vocal Works:

Ver

Work

Mvt.

Year

Br

RE

KE

Di

BC

Type

 

1

BWV 9

Mvt. 1

1731-35

-

-

-

-

A107:1

Chorus [S, A, T, B]

 

2-4~

BWV 9

Mvt. 2

1731-35

-

-

-

-

A107:2

Recitative [B]

 

5-7~

BWV 9

Mvt. 4

1731-35

-

-

-

-

A107:4

Recitative [B]

 

8~

BWV 9

Mvt. 5

1731-35

-

-

-

-

A107:5

Aria (Duet) [S, A]

 

9&11~

BWV 9

Mvt. 6

1731-35

-

-

-

-

A107:6

Recitative [B]

 

12

BWV 9

Mvt. 7

1731-35

289

290

87

70

A107:7

Chorale [S, A, T, B]

 

9

BWV 86

Mvt. 6

1724

4

4

86

-

A73:6

Chorale [S, A, T, B]

 

12

BWV 155

Mvt. 5

1716

334

88

335

-

A32:5

Chorale [S, A, T, B]

 

10

BWV 186

Mvt. 6

1723

-

-

-

-

A108:6

Chorus [S, A, T, B]

 

9

BWV 186

Mvt. 11

1723

-

-

-

-

A108:11

Chorus [S, A, T, B]

 

Remark:
In various collections the chorale text "Es ist das Heil uns kommen her" and its associated melody has been grouped together with similar hymns under the category of "Bekenntnislied" ["a song of faith, or confession of one's faith"]. Samuel Scheidt has it categorized as "Von der Rechtfertigung" ["about justification or defence of one's beliefs"] and another has it as a "Glaubenslied" ["a song of belief, faith or creed."]

 
 

German Text (verses in bold print set by Bach)

English Translation

1

Es ist das Heil uns kommen her
Von Gnad' und lauter Güte,
Die Werke helfen nimmermehr,
Sie mögen nicht behüten,
Der Glaub' sieht Jesum Christum an
Der hat g'nug für uns all' getan,
Er ist der Mittler worden.

Salvation has come to us
from grace and sheer kindness
Works never help,
they cannot protect us.
Faith looks towards Jesus Christ
who has done enough for all of us.
He has become our mediator

2

Was Gott im G'setz geboten hat,
Da man es nicht konnt' halten,
Erhub sich Zorn und große Not
Vor Gott so mannigfalten;
Vom Fleisch wollt' nicht heraus der Geist,
Vom G'setz erfordert allermeist,
Es war mit uns verloren.

Since we could not keep
what God had commanded in the law,
there arose wrath and great distress
in many ways before God;
the spirit was unwilling to get away from the flesh,
especially when the law demanded,
our situation was desperate.

3

Es war ein falscher Wahn dabei,
Gott hätt' sein G'setz drum geben,
Als ob wir möchten selber frei
Nach seinem Willen leben;
So ist es nur ein Spiegel zart,
Der uns zeigt an die sünd'ge Art,
In unserm Fleisch verborgen.

It was a misleading delusion to think
that God had given his law
as if we ourselves could freely
live according to his will.
The law is in fact a subtle mirror
that reveals to us the sinful nature
hidden within our flesh

4

Nicht möglich war es, diese Art
Aus eignen Kräften laßen.
Wiewohl es oft versuchet ward,
Doch mehrt' sich Sünd' ohn Maßen;
Denn Gleisnerswerk Gott hoch verdammt,
Und je dem Fleisch der Sünde Schand'
Allzeit war angeboren.

It was not possible to escape from
this nature through our own strength.
Though attempts were often made,
sin increased without measure.
For God greatly condemns hypocrisy
and the shame of sin
was always innate in the flesh

5

Doch mußt' das G'setz erfüllet sein,
Sonst wär'n wir all' verdorben;
Darum schickt' Gott sein'n Sohn herein,
Der selber Mensch ist worden;
Das ganz' Gesetz hat er erfüllt,
Damit sein's Vaters Zorn gestillt,
Der über uns ging alle.

Yet the law had to be fulfilled,
or else we were all ruined.
God therefore sent his Son to us,
who himself became man;
he fulfilled the whole law,
and so appeased his Father’s wrath
which hung over all of us

6

Und wenn es nun erfüllet ist
Durch den, der es konnt' halten,
So lerne jetzt dein frommer Christ
Des Glaubens recht' Gestalte.
Nicht mehr, denn: Lieber Herre mein,
Dein Tod wird mir das Leben sein,
Du hast für mich bezahlet!

And since the law has now been fulfilled
through him who was able to keep it,
each pious Christian should now understand
the right form of faith.
Nothing more than this:my dear Lord,
your death becomes my life,
you have paid the price for me.

7

Daran ich keinen Zweifel trag',
Dein Wort kann nicht betrügen.
Nun sagst du, daß kein Mensch verzag',
Das wirst du nimmer lügen:
Wer glaubt an mich und wird getauft,
Demselben ist der Himm'l erkauft,
Daß er nicht wird verloren.

In this matter I have no doubt,
your word cannot deceive.
Now you say that nobody should despair,
you will never lie about this:
anyone who believes in me and is baptized
has heaven bought for him,
so that he will not be lost.

8

Es ist gerecht vor Gott allein,
der diesen Glauben fasset;
der Glaub gibt von sich aus den Schein,
so er die Werk nicht lasset;
mit Gott der Glaub ist wohl daran,
dem Nächsten wird die Lieb Guts tun,
bist du aus Gott geboren.

Before God only that person is just
who grasps this faith,;
faíth shines out,
when it does not neglect works;
for God faith is very much a matter
of loving to do good to your neighbour,
if you are born from God.

9

Es wird die Sünd' durchs G'setz erkannt
Und schlägt das G'wissen nieder,
Das Evangelium kommt zuhand
Und stärkt den Sünder wieder
Und spricht: Nur kreuch zum Kreuz herzu,
Im G'setz ist weder Rast noch Ruh'
Mit allen seinen Werken!

Sin is known through the law
and strikes down our conscience.
The gospel comes to our aid
And strengthens the sinner again
And tells us :only creep close to the cross,
In the law is neither rest nor peace
With all its works.

10

Die Werk', die kommen g'wisslich her
Aus einem rechten Glauben;
Denn das nicht rechter Glaube wär',
Wollt'st ihn der Werk' berauben.
Doch macht allein der Glaub' gerecht,
Die Werke sind des Nächsten Knecht'.
Dabei wir'n Glauben merken.

Works surely come from a true faith.
For if faith were not true,
you would be willing to deprive it of works.
But faith alone makes just ,
Works are service to our neighbour,
By which we perceive faith.

11

Die Hoffnung wart' der rechten Zeit,
was Gottes Wort zusage;
wann das geschehen soll zur Freud,
setzt Gott kein gwisse Tage.
Er weiß wohl, wanns am besten ist,
und braucht an uns kein arge List;
des solln wir ihm vertrauen.

Hope waits for the right time
which God’s word has promised,
but as to when things will turn out joyfully,
God sets no certain day.
He knows well when it is best
and uses no cunning deceit against us,
and so we should trust him.

12

Ob sichs anließ, als wollt er nicht,
laß dich es nicht erschrecken,
denn wo er ist am besten mit,
da will ers nicht entdecken.
Sein Wort laß dir gewisser sein,
und ob dein Fleisch spräch lauter Nein,
so laß doch dir nicht grauen.

Although it seems that he is unwilling,
do not be dismayed,
for when he is most present with us,
then he does not want to reveal that fact.
Regard his word as certain for you,
and even if the flesh can only say no,
you should not be appalled

13

Sei Lob und Ehr' mit hohem Preis
Um dieser Gutheit willen
Gott Vater, Sohn, Heiligen Geist!
Der woll' mit Gnad' erfüllen,
Was er in uns ang'fangen hat
Zu Ehren seiner Majestät,
Daß heilig werd' sein Name.

May there be glory and honour with great praise
on account of this kindness
to God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
May He be willing in his mercy to fulfil
what He has begun in us
for the glory of His majesty,
so that His name may become holy.

14

sein Reich zukomm; sein Will auf Erd
gscheh wie im Himmelsthrone;
das täglich Brot noch heut uns werd;
woll unsrer Schuld verschonen,
als wir auch unsern Schuldnern tun;
laß uns nicht in Versuchung stehn;
lös unvom Übel. Amen.

may His kingdom come; may his will be done on earth
as in the throne of heaven;
may there be daily bread for us today;
forgive our wrongs,
as we do likewise to those who wrong us;
do not leave us where we are tempted;
free us from evil. Amen.

--

English Translation by Francis Browne (August 2005)
Contributed by Francis Browne (August 2005)


Chorales BWV 250-438: Details and Recordings
Individual Recordings: Hilliard - Morimur | Chorales - N. Matt | Chorales - H. Rilling | Preludi ai Corali - Quartetto Italiani di Viola Da Gamba
Discussions: Motets & Chorales for Events in the LCY / Chorales by Theme | General Discussions: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Chorales in Bach Cantatas: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Passion Chorale
References: Chorales BWV 250-300 | Chorales BWV 301-350 | Chorales BWV 351-400 | Chorales BWV 401-438 | 371 4-Part Chorales sorted by Breitkopf Number | Texts & Translations of Chorales BWV 250-438
Chorale Texts: Sorted by Title | Chorale Melodies: Sorted by Title | Explanation
MIDI files of the Chorales: Cantatas BWV 1-197 | Other Vocal Works BWV 225-248 | Chorales BWV 250-438
Articles: The Origin of the Texts of the Chorales [A. Schweitzer] | The Origin of the Melodies of the Chorales [A. Schweitzer] | The Chorale in the Church Service [A. Schweitzer] | Choral / Chorale [C.S. Terry] | Hidden Chorale Melody Allusions [T. Braatz] | The History of the Breitkopf Collection of J. S. Bach’s Four-Part Chorales [T. Braatz] | The World of the Bach Chorale Settings [W.L. Hoffman]
Hymnals: Hymnals used by Bach | Wagner Hymnal 1697 | Evangelisches Gesangbuch 1995 | Dietel Chorale List c1734
Abbreviations used for the Chorales | Links to other Sites about the Chorales




 

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Last update: Thursday, January 20, 2022 22:53