Chorale Texts used in Bach's Vocal Works
Christe, der du bist Tag und Licht
Text and Translation of Chorale

Ref. in hymnals/hymn books: NLGB 205; EG 469, EKG 354
Author: Wolfgang Meuslin (Wittenberg, 1526), after early hymn Christe qui lux es et dies (c600), based on John 8:12
Chorale Melody: Christe, der du bist Tag und Licht (Zahn 343) | Composer: Martin Luther (1529), after early hymn Christe qui lux es et dies
Theme: Evening; Passion

Description:

“Christe, der du bist Tag und Licht" (Christ, you are the day and light) is a Martin Luther Catechism evening song composed in 1526 to the early Latin hymn Christe qui lux es et dies with the associated melody (Zahn 343). The text was published in Wittenberg in 1525 (seven-stanzas, EG 469, EKG 354), attributed to Wolfgang Meuslin (1526) and published in Joseph Klug's Geistliche Lieder, 1543. The English hymn version is “O Christ, who art the light and day.” This hymn, "Christe, der du bist Tag und Licht” is found in the NLGB No. 205 (based on Psalm 4, Hear me when I call, O God, KJV), Catechism Evening Song, which also is a Passion hymn, attributed to Martin Luther (1529), published in Wittenberg 1533 and Valentin Bapst (1545). It is found in the Schemelli as No. 430.
About 1700, J.S. Bach set this melody as a Neumeister organ chorale prelude, BWV 1096 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X05kd-j8iWg), possibly by Johann Pachelbel. J.S. Bach also set this hymn as a liturgical plain chorale, BWV 274 in g minor (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pq2xhYZaVBc, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ercIuO6Rads (Rilling vol. 85, http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Vocal/BWV250-438-Rilling.htm). The melody also is listed but not set in the Orgelbüchlein, No. 149 (Evening Song, http://www.orgelbuechlein.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/NOB-149-chorale.pdf). The melody is related to the anonymous 1535 Passion melody, "Wir danken dir, Herr Jesu Christ, dass du für uns gestorben" (We thank you, Lord Jesus Christ, that you have died for us). About 1714, J.S. Bach set the same melody "Wir danken dir . . . ," in the Weimar Orgelbüchlein organ chorale prelude OB 26, BWV 623, as a Passion hymn (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtW-g67ra-k).
Source: Devotional Hymns: Morning, Evening Songs (William Hoffman, December 14, 2017)

Vocal Works by J.S. Bach:

Chorale Christe, der du bist Tag und Licht, BWV 274
Ref: RE 245; Br 245; KE 34; AmB 46II p.202; Penzel 171; BGA 22; BC F27.1

Latin Text

English Translation

1. Christe, qui lux es et dies,
noctis tenebras detegis,
Lucisque Lumen crederis,
lumen beatum praedicans.

1. Christ, who art the light and day,
You drive away the darkness of night,
You are called the light of light,
For you proclaim the blessed light.

2. Precamur, Sancte Domine,
defende nos in hac nocte,
sit nobis in te requies,
quietam noctem tribue.

2. We beseech you, Holy Lord,
Protect us this night.
Let us take our rest in you;
Grant us a tranquil night.

3. Ne gravis somnus irruat,
nec hostis nos surripiat,
nec caro illi consentiens
nos tibi reos statuat.

3. Let our sleep be free from care;
Let not the enemy snatch us away,
Nor flesh conspire within him,
And make us guilty in your sight.

4. Oculi somnum capiant,
cor ad te semper vigilet;
dextera tua protegat
famulos qui te diligunt.

4. Though our eyes be filled with sleep,
Keep our hearts forever awake to you.
May your right hand protect
Your willing servants.

5. Defensor noster, aspice,
insidiantes reprime:
guberna tuos famulos,
quos sanguine mercatus es.

5. You who are our shield, behold;
Restrain those that lie in wait.
And guide your servants whom
You have ransomed with your blood.

6. Memento nostri,Domine,
in gravi isto corpore,
qui es defensor animae,
adesto nobis, Domine.

6. Remember us, O Lord,
Who bear the burden of this mortal form;
You who are the defender of the soul,
Be near us, O Lord.

7. Deo patri sit gloria,
ejusque soli Filio,
cum spiritu Paracleto
nunc et per omne Seculum.

7. Glory be to God the Father,
And to his only Son,
With the Spirit, Comforter,
Both now and evermore.

Amen.

Amen.

German Text (verses in bold print set by Bach)

English Translation

1. Christe, der du bist Tag und Licht,
Vor dir ist, Herr, verborgen nichts:
Du väterliches Lichtes Glanz,
Lehr uns den Weg der Wahrheit ganz.

1. O Christ, who art the light and day,
Thou drivest night and gloom away;
O Light of light, whose Word doth show
The light of heav'n to us below.

2. Wir bitten dein göttliche Kraft:
Behüt uns, Herr, in dieser Nacht;
Bewahr uns, Herr, vor allem Leid,
Gott Vater der Barmherzigkeit.

2. All-holy Lord, in humble prayer,
We ask tonight Thy watchful care.
O grant us calm repose in Thee,
A quiet night, from perils free.

3. Vertreib des schweren Schlafens Frist,
Dass uns nicht schad des Feindes List;
Das Fleisch in Züchten reine sei,
So sind wir mancher Sorge frei.

3. Our sleep be pure from sinful stain;
Let not the tempter vantage gain
Or our unguarded flesh surprise
And make us guilty in Thine eyes.

4. So unsre Augen schlafen schier,
Lass unser Herze wachen dir,
Beschirm uns, Gottes rechte Hand,
und lös uns von der Sünde Band.

4. Asleep though wearied eyes may be,
Still keep the heart awake to Thee;
Let Thy right hand outstretched above
Guard those who serve the Lord they love.

5. Beschirmer, Herr der Christenheit,
Dein Hilf allzeit sei uns bereit;
Hilf uns, Herr Gott, aus aller Not
Durch dein heilig fünf Wunden rot.

5. Behold, O God, our shield, and quell
The crafts and subtleties of hell;
Direct Thy servants in all good,
Who Thou hast purchased with Thy blood.

6. Gedenke, Herr, der schweren Zeit,
Darin der Leib gefangen leit;
Der Seele, die du hast erlöst,
Der gib, Herr Jesu, deinen Trost.

6. O Lord, remember us who bear
The burden of the flesh we wear;
Thou who dost e'er our souls defend,
Be with us even to the end.

7. Gott Vater sei Lob, Ehr und Preis,
Auch seinem Sohne gleicherweis,
Des Heilgen Geistes Gütigkeit
Von nun an bis in Ewigkeit.

7. All praise to God the Father be,
All praise, eternal Son, to Thee,
Whom with the Spirit we adore
Forever and forevermore.

Source of Latin Text: Hymnary.org | CPDL
English Translation of the Latin hymn: not mentioned | Source of English Translation: CPDL
Source of German Text: Bach Digital | Hymnary.org | CPDL | Christliche Gedichte & Lieder
English Translation: William John Copeland (1848) | Source of English Translation: The English Hymnal (London: Oxford University Press, 1906), No. 81, on Hymnary.org | Lutheran Hymnal | Hymn Time
Another English Tra: Coverdale (1535) | Source of English Translation: Lyrics Translate
Another English Translation: Christopher J. Neuendorf (2014) | Source of English Translation: The Free Lutheran Chorale-BAook
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (September 2018 - November 2018)