Chorale Texts used in Bach's Vocal Works
Christ, der du bist der helle Tag
Text and Translation of Chorale

Ref. in hymnals/hymn books: NLGB 205; EG 354; EG 469
Author: Erasmus Albeus (1556)
Bases on the Latin hymn: Te lucis ante terminum (NLGB 204) | Author: Ambrosius (4th century)
Chorale Melody: Christ, der du bist der helle Tag (Zahn 384), based on the popular 6th century Ambrosian Lenten Compline, Christe qui lux es et dies | Composer: Cyriakus Spangenberg (Eisleben, 1568)
Theme: Evening

Description:

“Christ, der du bist der helle Tag” (Christ, you are the bright day) is an Erasmus Albeus evening hymn (1556) in seven 4-line stanzas to the associated melody (Zahn 384), based on the popular 6th century Ambrosian Lenten Compline, Christe qui lux es et dies (O Christ who art the light and day), first published in the Die Morgengeseng fur die Kinder (Nürnberg c1556), says Charles S. Terry (Organ Works, Ibid.) Gesangbuch der Böhm Brüder (Eisleben 1568). The Latin hymn (NLGB 204), set by various composers, is also known as the Evening Song Te lucis ante terminum (To Thee before the close of day, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Te_lucis_ante_terminum). The hymn “Christ, der du bist der helle Tag” is found in the NLGB as No. 205, listed in the Orgelbüchlein as Ov. 148, and in Schemelli as No 431 (without music) - all as Evening Hymns. J.S. Bach composed three settings (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aN8yHkICe9c): plain chorale BWV 273 (http://www.bach-chorales.com/BWV0273.htm, organ Chorale Variations (Partita) BWV 766 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rG0qcAwU9g) and as Neumeister chorale prelude, BWV 1120 (https://library.musicaneo.com/sheetmusic/purchase/sm-87666_christ_der_du_bist_der_helle_tag_bwv_1120.html?key=43FmjqJD8iS6yB2LIULj-ldi-Q6AKwTW#87666).
Source: Devotional Hymns: Morning, Evening Songs (William Hoffman, December 14, 2017)

Vocal Works by J.S. Bach:

Chorale Christ, der du bist der helle Tag, BWV 273
Ref: RE 230; Br 230; KE 32; AmB 46II p.202; Penzel 172; BGA 21; BC F24:1

Latin Text

English Translation

1. Te lucis ante términum,
rerum Creátor, póscimus,
ut sólita cleméntia
sis præsul ad custódiam.

1. To Thee before the close of day,
Creator of the world, we pray
That, with Thy wonted favour, Thou
Wouldst be our guard and keeper now.

2. Procul recédant sómnia
et nóctium phantásmata;
hostémque nostrum cómprime,
ne polluántur córpora.

2. From all ill dreams defend our sight,
From fears and terrors of the night;
Withhold from us our ghostly foe,
That spot of sin we may not know.

3. Præsta, Pater omnípotens,
per Iesum Christum Dóminum,
qui tecum in perpétuum
regnat cum Sancto Spíritu.

3. O Father, that we ask be done,
Through Jesus Christ, Thine only Son,
Who, with the Holy Ghost and Thee,
Doth live and reign eternally.

Amen.

Amen.

German Text (verses in bold print set by Bach)

English Translation

1. Christ, der du bist der helle Tag,
Vor dir die Nach nicht bleiben mag;
Du leuchtest uns vom Vater her
Und bist des Lichtes Prediger.

1. Lord Christ, Thou art the heavenly Light
Who dost disperse the shades of night.
All radiant, Thou, the Father’s Son,
Dost spread the brightness of His throne.

2. Ach lieber Herr, behüt uns heut
In dieser Nacht vorm bösen Feind;
Und lass uns in dir ruhen fein
Und vor dem Satan sicher sein.

2. O dearest Lord, e’er guard our sleep,
From foes’ assault our slumbers keep,
And let us find in Thee our rest,
Nor be by Satan’s wiles opprest.

3. Obschon die Augen schlafen ein,
So lass das Herz doch wacker sein;
Halt über uns dein rechte Hand,
Dass wir nicht falln in Sünd und Schand.

3. E’en though our weary eye-lids fall,
O keep our hearts true to Thy call.
Above us stretch Thy sheltering hand,
Lest Sin or Shame our dreams should brand.

4. Wir bitten dich, Herr Jesu Christ:
Behüt uns vor des Teufels List,
Der stets nach unsrer Seele tracht',
Dass er an uns hab keine Macht.

4. We pray Thee, Jesus, Christ and Lord,
’Gainst Satan’s cunning help afford;
May he whose fell hosts camp around
Ne’er drag us with him to the ground.

5. Sind wir doch dein ererbtes Gut,
Erworben durch dein heiligs Blut;
Das war des ewgen Vaters Rat,
Als er uns dir geschenket hat.

5. Sure, ’tis Thy heart’s most precious Blood
Has won our souls Thy brotherhood;
And so indeed the Father meant
Ere to our world Thyself He sent.

6. Befiehl dem Engel, dass er komm
Und uns bewach, dein Eigenthum;
Gib uns die lieben Wächter zu,
Dass wir vorm Satan haben Ruh.

6. O set Thine angels round our bed,
And may our thoughts to Thee be led;
That guarded so, north, east, south, west,
From Satan’s lures we find sure rest.

7. So schlafen wir im Namen dein,
Dieweil die Engel bei uns sein.
Du heilige Dreieinigkeit,
Wir loben dich in Ewigkeit.

7. Safe in Thy care so shall we sleep,
While wakeful angels watch do keep.
O God Eternal, Three in One,
For ever may Thy praises run.

Source of Latin Text: Wikipedia
Source of German Text: Bach Digital | Hymnary.org
English Translation of the Latin hymn: J.M. Neale (1818-1866) | Source of English Translation: Wikipedia
English Translation of the German hymn: Charles Sanford Terry (1921) | Source of English Translation: Chrales Stanford Terry: Johann Sebastian Bach, Bach’s Chorals, vol. 3 The Hymns and Hymn Melodies of the Organ Works (1921), pp 101-103
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (September 2018)