|
Chorale Texts used in Bach's Vocal Works
Erstanden ist der heilig Christ
Text and Translation of Chorale |
|
EKG: EKG 78; EG 105; NLGB 101
Author: Anon (Paraphraser: Martin Luther; 1544), after a 1372 German translation of the Latin Hymn "Surrexit Christus hodie"
Chorale Melody 1: Surrexit Christus hodie (Zahn 1747a) | Composer: Anon (1531)
Chorale Melody 2: Erstanden ist der heilge Christ (Zahn 1746) | Composer: Anon (Bohemian Brethren, 1501/1531), based on a 14th century melody
Chorale Melody 3: Erstanden ist der herrliche Christ (Zahn 288) | Composer: Valentin Triller (1555)
Theme: Easter
Comments: Hymnary.org presents 19 verses; Die Christliche Liederdatenbank presents 17 verses; Bach Digital presents only 9 verses; there are slight diffrences between them; therefore both are presented below (Hymnary.org 1st, Bach Digital 2nd). |
|
Description: |
|
The Easter Carol, “Surrexit Christus hodie,” of which “Erstanden ist der heil’ge Christ” is a translation, dates at least from the 14fth century and exists in several forms. The German hymn also is found in many versions, the one here translated being from a broadsheet printed at Nürnberg in 1544. The melody (supra) proper to the Latin Carol is found in Michael Weisse’s Ein New Gesengbuchlen (Jung Bunzlau, 1531), and is the descant melody of a four-part setting (supra) in Michael Praetorius’ Musae Sioniae (Part V, 1607).
The Easter section closely follows Witt’s order. J.S. Bach begins it with introductory hymns (Nos. 34-36) which summon us to the festival. The last two hymns are songs of triumph, “Heut’ triumphiret” being placed out of Witt’s order so as to end on the thought of Death conquered. The centre of the section is held by “Erstanden ist der heil’ge Christ,” a dialogue between the Virgin Mary and the Angel at the Tomb, which states the circumstances of the Resurrection, the central thought of the festival.
Source: C.T. Terry Johann Sebastian Bach, Bach’s Chorals, vol. 3 The Hymns and Hymn Melodies of the Organ Works [1921]. p. 43, 148-152 |
|
"Erstanden ist der heil'ge/Herre Christ" (Arisen is the holy/Lord Christ) is another early Reformation hymn to an anonymous text (http://www.christliche-gedichte.de/?pg=10623, https://www.bach-digital.de/receive/BachDigitalWork_work_00000376?XSL.Style=detail). It is based on a 1372 German translation of Surrexit Christus hodie, from on the associated melody (Zahn 288, 8572b) in the Bohemian Brethren hymnbook 1503/1531/1544, text of ? Johann Horn (c.1485-1547), of 19 stanzas including a dialogue between Mary and the angels at the tomb (Stanzas 7-17), and was found in the Dresden Gesangbuch. It is derived from the Latin hymn Victimae paschali, which also is the basis for Martin Luther's "Christ lag in Todesbanden" and "Christ ist erstanden." It is found in the NLGB (EG 105) as No. 94 (Easter, https://books.google.com/books?id=UmVkAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA279#v=onepage&q&f=false). It is found in the Schmelli Gesangbuch as No. 326 (Easter, abridged 5 stanzas). Today it is known in English as "The strife is o'er, the battle done" (https://hymnary.org/tune/erstanden_ist_der_heilig_christ, 6 stanzas) or "Jesus Christ is risen today" (http://kpshaw.blogspot.com/2013/01/118.html).
J.S. Bach set "Erstanden ist der heil'ge Christ" as an Orgelbüchlein Easter chorale prelude (No. 37), BWV 628 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eN1TMuRNAtE), and a plain chorale, BWV 306 (http://www.bach-chorales.com/BWV0306.htm, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rh7y9f6NgEA). Another organ chorale prelude, BWV Anh. 51, is doubtful (https://www.baerenreiter.com/shop/produkt/details/BA5290_01/).
The hymn Surrexit Christus Hodie (Zahn 291) is based on a 14th century carol melody (Zahn 1746), published in Nurnberg in 1544, with the original, associated melody of 1531. It is found in the NLGB as No. 101a,b (Easter; German, https://books.google.com/books?id=UmVkAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA296#v=onepage&q&f=false; Latin, https://hymnary.org/text/surrexit_christus_hodie). J.S. Bach's chorale setting BWV 306, uses the Latin hymn as a 19-stanza setting of the text of Valentin Triller (1493-1573), published in Ein Schlesich singebuchlein aus Göttlicher schrifft (Breslau, 1555), home devotions and children’s hymns for the church year. It is found in the Sebastian Bach Choral Book, No. 63 (Easter) with the alternate melody, "Erstanden ist der herrliche Christ" (Zahn 288, NLGB 101b), in eight variants. The best known setting is Samuel Scheidt (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DphCBncBSMY).
Sopurce: Easter Season Chorales (William Hoffman, April 11, 2018) |
|
Vocal Works by J.S. Bach: |
|
Chorale Melody 2:
Chorale Erstanden ist der heilge Christ, BWV 306
Ref: RE 176; Br 176; KE 85; Birnstiel 181; AmB 46II p.149; Penzel 142; BGA 53; BC F58.1; CST 88 |
|
German Text (verses in bold print set by Bach) |
English Translation |
|
[Engels- und Mariä Gespräche]:
1. Erstanden ist der heilig' Christ,
Hallelujah, Hallelujah!
der aller Welt in Tröster ist,
Halle-Hallelujah! |
1. Christ our Lord is Risen to-day,
Halle-Hallelujah,
Christ, our Life, our Light, our Way,
Halle-Hallelujah,
The Object of our Love and Faith,
Halle-Hallelujah,
Who but died to conquer Death,
Halle-Hallelujah. |
|
2. Und wär' Er nicht erstanden,
Hallelujah, Hallelujah!
so wär die Welt vergangen,
Halle-Hallelujah! |
2. The Holy Matrons early come,
Halle-Hallelujah,
To Bedew their Saviour’s Tomb,
Halle-Hallelujah,
Jesus seek among the Dead,
Halle-Hallelujah,
Far from those Dark Regions fled,
Halle-Hallelujah. |
|
3. Und seit daß Er erstanden ist,
Hallelujah, Hallelujah!
loben wir den Herren Jesum Christ,
Halle-Hallelujah! |
3. Two bright Angels, that appear,
Halle-Hallelujah,
Thus Salute them: “He’s not here,
Halle-Hallelujah.
“Banish Sorrow, Shout and Sing,
Halle-Hallelujah,
Welcome to your Risen King,
Halle-Hallelujah.” |
|
4. Es gingen drei heilige Frauen,
Hallelujah, Hallelujah!
des Morgens früh im Thauen,
Halle-Hallelujah! |
Mary:
4. “Beauteous Angels, say what Place,
Halle-Hallelujah,
Does His charming Presence Grace?
Halle-Hallelujah.
Bless my Eyes; then bid Rejoyce,
Halle-Hallelujah.
Then to Praise I’ll tune my Voice,
Halle-Hallelujah.” |
|
5. Sie sucht'n den Herren Jesum Christ,
Hallelujah, Hallelujah!
der von dem Tod erstanden ist,
Halle-Hallelujah! |
The Angel:
“First the Sacred Place behold,
Halle-Hallelujah,
Did your Breathless Lord infold,
Halle-Hallelujah.
See the Cloath which bound His Head,
Halle-Hallelujah,
Proves He’s Risen from the Dead,
Halle-Hallelujah.” |
|
6. Sie funden da zween Engle schon,
Hallelujah, Hallelujah!
die tröst'n die Frauen Lobesan,
Halle-Hallelujah! |
Mary:
6. “True, ’tis so; the emptUrn,
Halle-Hallelujah,
Shall my Grief to Transports turn,
Halle-Hallelujah.
He’s not here: O tell me where,
Halle-Hallelujah,
His blest Residence declare,
Halle-Hallelujah.” |
|
Der Engel:
7. Erschrecket nicht und sid all' froh,
Hallelujah, Hallelujah!
denn den ihr sucht, der ist nicht do,
Halle-Hallelujah! |
The Angel:
7. “Haste in Faith, prepare to see,
Halle-Hallelujah,
Your loved Lord in Galilee,
Halle-Hallelujah.
Blest let His Disciples be,
Halle-Hallelujah,
With your Sacred Embassy,
Halle-Hallelujah.” |
|
Maria:
8. Ach! Engle, liebe Engel sein,
Hallelujah, Hallelujah!
wo find ich doch den Herren mein,
Halle-Hallelujah! |
Mary:
8. “Heralds of our Joy, to you,
Halle-Hallelujah,
Grateful Thanks and Love is due,
Halle-Hallelujah,
While our God in Praises high,
Halle-Hallelujah,
We together Magnify,
Halle-Hallelujah.” |
|
Der Engel:
9. Er ist erstanden aus dem Grab,
Hallelujah, Hallelujah!
heut an dem heil'ge Oster-Tag,
Halle-Hallelujah! |
9. The Cross is past, the Crown is won,
Halle-Hallelujah,
The Ransom paid, and Death’s Sting gone,
Halle-Hallelujah.
Let us Feast and Sing and Say,
Halle-Hallelujah,
Christ and We have Life to-day,
Halle-Hallelujah. |
|
Maria:
10. Zeig uns den Herren Jesum Christ,
Hallelujah, Hallelujah!
der von dem Tod erstanden ist,
Halle-Hallelujah! |
|
|
Der Engel:
11. So tret't herzu und seht die Statt,
Hallelujah, Hallelujah!
da man Ihn hingeleget hat,
Halle-Hallelujah! |
|
|
Maria:
12. Der Herr ist hin, Er ist nicht do,
Hallelujah, Hallelujah!
wenn wir Ihn hätt'n so wär'n wir froh,
Halle-Hallelujah! |
|
|
Der Engel:
13. Seht an das Tuch, darin Er lag,
Hallelujah, Hallelujah!
gewickelt bis am dritten Tag,
Halle-Hallelujah! |
|
|
Maria:
14. Wir sehen's wohl zu dieser Frist,
Hallelujah, Hallelujah!
weis' uns den Herren Jesum Christ,
Halle-Hallelujah! |
|
|
Der Engel:
15. Geht hin in's Galiläisch' Land,
Hallelujah, Hallelujah!
da find't ihr Ihn, sag't Er, zu Hand.
Halle-Hallelujah! |
|
|
Maria:
16. Habt Dank, ihr lieben Engel sein,
Hallelujah, Hallelujah!
nun woll'n wir alle fröhlich sein,
Halle-Hallelujah! |
|
|
Der Engel:
17. Geht hin, sagt es Sanct Petro an,
Hallelujah, Hallelujah!
und seine Jünger Lobesan,
Halle-Hallelujah! |
|
|
Maria zum Volk:
18. Nun singet all' zu dieser Frist,
Hallelujah, Hallelujah!
erstanden ist der heil'ge Christ,
Halle-Hallelujah! |
|
|
19. Des soll'n wir alle fröhlich sein,
Hallelujah, Hallelujah!
und Christ soll unser Tröster sein,
Halle-Hallelujah! |
|
| |
|
|
1. Erstanden ist der heilig Christ,
Alleluja! Alleluja!
Der aller Welt ein Tröster ist.
Alleluja! Alleluja! |
1. Lord Christ from death is ris'n to-day,
Alleluja! Alleluja!
And hath to heaven led the way.
Alleluja! Alleluja! |
|
2. Und wäre er nicht erstanden,
Alleluja! Alleluja!
So wäre die Welt vergangen.
Alleluja! Alleluja! |
2. Now, had He not to heaven aris'n,
Alleluja! Alleluja!
We still had lain in Death's dark pris'n.
Alleluja! Alleluja! |
|
3. Und seit dass er erstanden ist,
Alleluja! Alleluja!
Lobn wir den Herren Jesum Christ.
Alleluja! Alleluja! |
3. But He is risen to the skies:
Alleluja! Alleluja!
Wherefore to Him we raise glad cries.
Alleluja! Alleluja! |
|
4. Es gingn drei heilige Frauen,
Alleluja! Alleluja!
Des Morgens frühe im Tauen.
Alleluja! Alleluja! |
4. Him holy women weeping sought,
Alleluja! Alleluja!
And with them costly spices brought.
Alleluja! Alleluja! |
|
6. Sie funden da zween Engel schon,
Alleluja! Alleluja!
Die tröstn die Frauen lobesan.
Alleluja! Alleluja! |
5. Two angels in the tomb they found,
Alleluja! Alleluja!
Who did their tim'rous fears confound:
Alleluja! Alleluja! |
|
7. Erschrecket nicht, und seid all froh,
Alleluja! Alleluja!
Denn, den ihr sucht, der ist nicht da.
Alleluja! Alleluja! |
7. Be not afraid, but joyous be;
Alleluja! Alleluja!
He is not here, as you may see.'
Alleluja! Alleluja! |
|
9. Er ist erstanden aus dem Grab,
Alleluja! Alleluja!
Heut an dem fröhlich'n Ostertag.
Alleluja! Alleluja! |
9. He hath arisen from the grave:
Alleluja! Alleluja!
A joyous Easter ye may have.'
Alleluja! Alleluja! |
|
18. Nun singet all zu dieser Frist:
Alleluja! Alleluja!
Erstanden ist der heilig Christ.
Alleluja! Alleluja! |
18. So sing we all on this high feast,
Alleluja! Alleluja!
When ris'n on high is Jesus Christ,
Alleluja! Alleluja! |
|
19. Des solln wir alle fröhlich sein,
Alleluja! Alleluja!
Und Christ soll unser Tröster sein.
Alleluja! Alleluja! |
19. And let us all right joyous be,
Alleluja! Alleluja!
And praise our Saviour heartily.
Alleluja! Alleluja! |
| |
|
|
Source of German Text: Bach Digital | Hymnary.org | Die Christliche Liederdatenbank
English Translation 1: Traditional | Source of English Translation: C.T. Terry Johann Sebastian Bach, Bach’s Chorals, vol. 3 The Hymns and Hymn Melodies of the Organ Works [1921]. 148-152
English Translation 2: Charles Sanford Terry | Source of English Translation: Charles Sanford Terry: The Four-Part Chorales of J.S. Bach (Oxford University Press, 1929), p 89
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (September 2018 - October 2018) |
