Chorale Texts used in Bach's Vocal Works
Jesu, meines Lebens Leben
Text and Translation of Chorale

Ref. in hymnals/hymn books: EG 86
Author: Ernst Christoph Homburg (1659), bassed on Matt. 26:64-67
Chorale Melody: Jesu, meines Lebens Leben (Zahn 6794) | Composer: Wolfgang Weßnitzer (1661)
Theme: Passiontide

Description:

"Jesu meines Lebens Leben:. Passiontide. 1659, pt. i. p. 318, in 8 stanzas of 8 lines, entitled, "Hymn of Thanksgiving to his Redeemer and Saviour for His bitter Sufferings." This is Ernst Christoph Homburg's his most popular hymn, and has passed into many recent collections, including the Berlin Geistliche Lieder (ed. 1863), Kirchengesangbuch (Darmstadt, 1687),.
The hymn was wranslated into English as: 1. Jesu! life! the life of heaven. Translation of stanzas i., ii., vi.-viii., by A. T. Russell, for his Psalms & Hymns (1851), No. 88; 2. Of my life the Life, O Jesus. A good translation of stanzas i., ii., v., vii., viii., contributed by R. Massie to the 1857 edition of Mercer's The Church Psalter & Hymnbook, No. 404 (Ox. ed. 1864, No. 185), repeated in the Methodist New Connexion Hymn Book (1863); 3. Christ the life of all the living. A good translation of stanzas i., ii., v., vii., viii., by Catherine Winkworth, in her Chorale Book for England (1863), No. 49. Repeated in full in Dr. Thomas' Augustine Hymn Book (1866), and the Ohio Lutheran Hymnal (1880); and abridged in the Pennsylvania Lutheran Ch. Book (1868), the Hymnary (1872), and others; 4. Thou eternal life bestowest. Translations of stanzas i.-iii., viii., by Miss Borthwick, contributed to Dr. Pagenstecher's Collection (1864), No. 73, and repeated in Hymns from the Land of Luther (ed. 1884), p. 257. Other translations are: (1) "Jesu, Source of my Salvation," by J. C. Jacobi (1732), p. 29, repeated in the Moravian Hymn Book, 1754 (1886, No. 97). (2) "Jesus! Source of life eternal," by Miss Burlingham, in the British Herald (August 1865), p. 120, and Reid's Praise Book (1872), No. 389. (3) "Jesus, of my life the living," by N. L. Frothingham (1870), p. 198.
The composer of the tune is unknown; it was first published in Das grosse Cantional: oder Kirchen-Gesangbuch (Darmstadt, 1687) to the text "Alle Menschen müssen sterben" by Johann Georg Albinus; some Baroque organ works are associated with that text. The tune became associated with E.C. Homburg's text since they were published together in Anhang, An das Gothaische Cantional (1776). The meditative tune is a good match for this text. It is in bar form (AAB) with a dotted pattern in each of the four lines, which provides rhythmic interest. Sing either in parts or in unison. Use a larger organ registration for the refrain. The tune is easily adapted for organ trio-style accompaniment (played on two manuals and pedal).
Source: Psalter Hymnal Handbook; John Julian: Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Vocal Works by J.S. Bach:

Chorale Man hat Dich sehr hart verhöhnet (Mvt. 36) from Markus-Passion BWV 247/36 (1731) (verse 4) [music lost]

German Text (verses in bold print set by Bach)

English Translation

1. Jesu, meines Lebens Leben,
Jesu, meines Todes Tod,
der du dich für mich gegeben
in die tiefste Seelennot,
in das äußerste Verderben,
nur dass ich nicht möchte sterben:
Tausend-, tausendmal sei dir,
liebster Jesu, Dank dafür.

1. Christ, the Life of all the living,
Christ the Death of death, our foe,
Who Thyself for us once giving
To the darkest depths of woe,
Patiently didst yield Thy breath
But to save my soul from death;
Praise and glory ever be,
Blessèd Jesus, unto Thee.

2. Du, ach du hast ausgestanden
Lästerreden, Spott und Hohn,
Speichel, Schläge, Strick und Banden,
du gerechter Gottessohn,
nur mich Armen zu erretten
von des Teufels Sündenketten.
Tausend-, tausendmal sei dir,
liebster Jesu, Dank dafür.

2. Thou, O Christ, hast taken on Thee
Bitter strokes, a cruel rod;
Pain and scorn were heaped upon Thee,
O Thou sinless Son of God,
Only thus for me to win
Rescue from the bonds of sin;
Praise and glory ever be,
Blessèd Jesus, unto Thee.

3. Du hast lassen Wunden schlagen,
dich erbärmlich richten zu,
um zu heilen meine Plagen,
um zu setzen mich in Ruh;
ach du hast zu meinen Segen
lassen dich mit Fluch belegen.
Tausend-, tausendmal sei dir,
liebster Jesu, Dank dafür.

3. Thou didst bear the smiting only
That it might not fall on me;
Stoodest falsely charged and lonely
That I might be safe and free;
Comfortless that I might know
Comfort from Thy boundless woe.
Praise and glory ever be,
Blessèd Jesus, unto Thee.

4. Man hat dich sehr hart verhöhnet,
dich mit großem Schimpf belegt,
gar mit Dornen dich gekrönet:
was hat dich dazu bewegt?
Dass du möchtest mich ergötzen,
mir die Ehrenkron aufsetzen.
Tausend-, tausendmal sei dir,
liebster Jesu, Dank dafür.

4. Heartless scoffers did surround Thee,
Treating Thee with shameful scorn
And with piercing thorns they crowned Thee,
All disgrace Thou, Lord, hast borne
That as Thine Thou mightest own me
And with heavenly glory crown me.
Thousand, thousand thanks shall be,
Dearest Jesus, unto Thee.

5. Du hast wollen sein geschlagen,
zu befreien mich von Pein,
fälschlich lassen dich anklagen,
dass ich könnte sicher sein;
dass ich möge Trost erlangen,
hast du ohne Trost gehangen.
Tausend-, tausendmal sei dir,
liebster Jesu, Dank dafür.

5. Thou hast suffered men to bruise Thee
That from pain I might be free;
Falsely did Thy foes accuse Thee,
Thence I gain security;
Comfortless Thy soul did languish
Me to comfort in my anguish.
Thousand, thousand thanks shall be,
Dearest Jesus, unto Thee.

6. Du hast dich in Not gestecket,
hast gelitten mit Geduld,
gar den herben Tod geschmecket,
um zu büßen meine Schuld;
dass ich würde losgezählet,
hast du wollen sein gequälet.
Tausend-, tausendmal sei dir,
liebster Jesu, Dank dafür.

6. Thou hast suffered great affliction,
And hast borne it patiently,
Even death by crucifixion,
Fully to atone for me;
Thou didst choose to be tormented
That my doom should be prevented.
Thousand, thousand thanks shall be,
Dearest Jesus, unto Thee.

7. Deine Demut hat gebüßet
meinen Stolz und Übermut,
dein Tod meinen Tod versüßet;
es kommt alles mir zugut.
Dein Verspotten, dein Verspeien
muss zu Ehren mir gedeihen.
Tausend-, tausendmal sei dir,
liebster Jesu, Dank dafür.

8. Nun, ich danke dir von Herzen,
Herr, für die gesamte Not:
für die Wunden, für die Schmerzen,
für den herben, bittern Tod;
für dein Zittern, für dein Zagen,
für dein tausendfaches Plagen,
für dein Angst und tiefe Pein
will ich ewig dankbar sein.

8. Then, for all that wrought our pardon,
For Thy sorrows deep and sore,
For Thine anguish in the garden,
I will thank Thee evermore;
Thank Thee with my latest breath
For Thy sad and cruel death,
For that last and bitter cry
Praise Thee evermore on high.

Source of German Text: Die Christliche Liederdatenbank
English Translation: Catherine Winkworth (1863) | Source of English Translation: Catherine Winkworth: Chorale Book for England (London: Longman, Green, Longman, Roberts and Green, 1865), No. 49, on Hymn Time | The Lutheran Hymnal | Hymnary.org
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (September 2018)