Chorale Texts used in Bach's Vocal Works
Das alte Jahr vergangen ist
Text and Translation of Chorale

Ref. in hymnals/hymn books: EKG 38; EG 59; NLGB 44
Author: Johann Steurlein (verses 1-2: Erfurt 1588); Jakob Tapp (verses 3-6: 1588)
Chorale Melody: Das alte Jahr vergangen ist (Zahn 381a-b) | Composer: Johann Steurlein (1588)
Theme: New Year

Description:

The New Year hymn, “Das alte Jahr vergangen ist,” is first found, as a single stanza of eight lines (stanzas i and ii of the translation), in Clement Stephani’s Schöner ausserlessner deutscher Psalm, und anderer künstlicher Moteten und Geistlichen lieder XX (Nürnberg, 1568). Twenty years later Johannes Steurlein included the hymn, in six stanzas of four lines, in his Sieben und Zwantzigk Newe Geistliche Gesenge, Mit vier Stimmen Componiret und in druck der lieben Jugend zu gut verordnet (Erfurt, 1588). Three of the twenty-seven hymns in the collection are marked as Steurlein’s. “Das alte Jahr” is not among them, a fact which makes his alleged authorship doubtful. As early as 1609 the whole hymn was attributed to Jakob Tapp (d. 1630).
On the other hand, the melody (supra), which has borne the name of the hymn since 1608, is generally attributed to Johannes Steurlein, son of the first Lutheran pastor at Schmalkalden, where he was born in 1546. About 1580 he became Town-clerk of Wasungen, whence he passed in 1589 to Meiningen, of which he became Mayor. He died there in 1613. He was an excellent musician and published various melodies and four-part settings by himself. In 1588 his melody was set to Nikolaus Herman’s “Gott Vater, der du deine Sonn,” though the latter has a four-line stanza. In 1608 Erhart Bodenschatz attached the tune to “Das alte Jahr vergangen ist” in his Harmoniae angelicae Cantionum Ecclesiasticarum (Leipzig, 1608), and thenceforward the hymn and melody have been associated invariably. A four-lined reconstruction of the tune is set to the hymn in the Darmstadt Cantional of 1687, and a six-lined version of it, which J.S. Bach follows literally in the Orgelbuchlein and Choralgesänge, Nos. 55, 56 (BWV 288, BWV 289), is found in Witt (No. 57), but not earlier in print.
Source: Charles Sanford Terry: Johann Sebastian Bach, Bach’s Chorals, vol. 3 The Hymns and Hymn Melodies of the Organ Works (1921), pp 126-128

“Das alte Jahr vergangen ist” (J. Steurlein 1588, NLGB 44, NY) BWV 288 (6), BWV 289 (1, 2), BWV 614(OB), BWV 1091 (NC); German text is found on-line at Musicanet, http://www.musicanet.org/robokopp/Lieder/dasaltej.html. There is Catherine Winkworth 1863 English translation of all six stanzas, “The Old Year Now hath Passed way,” Cyber Hymnal, http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/o/y/e/oyearnwp.htm.
Source: Motets & Chorales for Turning Time (William Hoffman, February 28, 2015)

Vocal Works by J.S. Bach:

Chorale Das alte Jahr vergangen ist, BWV 288
Ref: RE 162; Br 162; KE 55; Birnstiel 166; Dietel 5; AmB 46II p.135; Penzel 129; BGA 35; BC F36.1

Chorale Das alte Jahr vergangen ist, BWV 289
Ref: RE 314; Br 313; KE 56; AmB 46II p.105; BGA 36; BC F36.2

Description:

German Text (verses in bold print set by Bach)

English Translation

1. Das alte Jahr vergangen ist;
Wir danken dir, Herr Jesu Christ,
Dass du uns in so groß Gefahr
Bewahrt hast lange Zeit und Jahr.

The old year now hath passed away;
We thank Thee, O our God, today
That Thou hast kept us through the year
When danger and distress were near.

2. Und bitten dich, ewigen Sohn
Des Vaters in dem höchsten Thron,
Du wollst dein arme Christenheit
Bewahren ferner allezeit.

We pray Thee, O eternal Son,
Who with the Father reign’st as One,
To guard and rule Thy Christendom
Through all the ages yet to come.

3. Entzeuch uns nicht dein heilsam Wort,
Welchs ist der Seelen höchster Hort:
Vors Papst Lehr und Abgötterei
Behüt uns, Herr, und seh uns bei.

Take not Thy saving Word away,
Our souls’ true comfort, staff, and stay.
Abide with us and keep us free
From errors, following only Thee.

4. Hilf, dass wir fliehn der Sünde Bahn
Und fromm zu werden fangen an;
Der Sünd' im alten Jahr nicht denk,
Ein gnadenreiches Jahr uns schenk.

Oh, help us to forsake all sin,
A new and holier course begin!
Mark not what once was done amiss;
A happier, better year be this,

5. Christlich zu leben, seliglich
Zu sterben und hernach fröhlich
Am jüngsten Tage aufzustehn,
Mit dir in' Himmel einzugehn.

Wherein as Christians we may live
Or die in peace that Thou canst give,
To rise again when Thou shalt come
And enter Thine eternal home.

6. Zu loben und zu preisen dich
Mit allen Engeln ewiglich.
O Jesu, unsern Glauben mehr'
Zu deines Namens Ruhm und Ehr.

There shall we thank Thee and adore
With all the angels evermore.
Lord Jesus Christ, increase our faith
To praise Thy name through life and death.

Source of German Text: Bach Digital | Die Christliche Liederdatenbank | Musicanet | Christliche Gedichte & Lieder | Hymnary.org
English Translation: Catherine Winkworth (Chorale Book for England, 1863, number 171) | Source of English Translation: Hymn Time + Charles Sanford Terry: Johann Sebastian Bach, Bach’s Chorals, vol. 3 The Hymns and Hymn Melodies of the Organ Works (1921), pp 126-128
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (September 2018)