Recordings/Discussions
Background Information
Performer Bios

Poet/Composer Bios

Additional Information

Chorales BWV 250-438: Details and Recordings
Individual Recordings: Hilliard - Morimur | Chorales - N. Matt | Chorales - H. Rilling | Preludi ai Corali - Quartetto Italiani di Viola Da Gamba
Discussions: Motets & Chorales for Events in the LCY / Chorales by Theme | General Discussions: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Chorales in Bach Cantatas: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Passion Chorale
References: Chorales BWV 250-300 | Chorales BWV 301-350 | Chorales BWV 351-400 | Chorales BWV 401-438 | 371 4-Part Chorales sorted by Breitkopf Number | Texts & Translations of Chorales BWV 250-438
Chorale Texts: Sorted by Title | Chorale Melodies: Sorted by Title | Explanation
MIDI files of the Chorales: Cantatas BWV 1-197 | Other Vocal Works BWV 225-248 | Chorales BWV 250-438
Articles: The Origin of the Texts of the Chorales [A. Schweitzer] | The Origin of the Melodies of the Chorales [A. Schweitzer] | The Chorale in the Church Service [A. Schweitzer] | Choral / Chorale [C.S. Terry] | Hidden Chorale Melody Allusions [T. Braatz] | The History of the Breitkopf Collection of J. S. Bach’s Four-Part Chorales [T. Braatz] | The World of the Bach Chorale Settings [W.L. Hoffman]
Hymnals: Hymnals used by Bach | Wagner Hymnal 1697 | Evangelisches Gesangbuch 1995 | Dietel Chorale List c1734
Abbreviations used for the Chorales | Links to other Sites about the Chorales


Chorale Texts used in Bach's Vocal Works
Herr Jesu Christ, du hast bereit
Text and Translation of Chorale

Ref. in hymnals/hymn books: KGEL 197
Author: Samuel Kinner (1638)
Chorale Melody: Herr Jesu Christ, du hast bereitt (Zahn 4711) | Composer: Anon (?)
Theme: Holy Communion

Description:

Herr Jesu Christ, du hast bereit. Holy Communion. In Jeremias Weber's Gesang-Buch, Leipzig, 1638, p. 394, in 8 st. of 7 l, entitled " A beautiful hymn on the Supper of the Lord. Samuel Kinner." In Burg's Gesang-Buch, Breslau, 1746, No. 1665, entitled "For worthy reception, before Holy Communion." Translated as: Lord Jesus, Thou art truly good. A full and good translation by E. Cronenwett, as No. 265 in the Ohio Lutheran Hymnal, 1880. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.]
Source: Hymnary.org

Vocal Works by J.S. Bach:

Chorale Herr Jesu Christ, du hast bereitt, BWV 333
Ref: RE 226; Br 226; KE 140; mB 46II p.190; BGA 80; BC F86.1; CST 143

German Text (verses in bold print set by Bach)

English Translation

1. Herr Jesu Christ! du hast bereit
Für unsre matten seelen
Dein'n leib und blut zu ein'r mahlzeit,
Thust uns zu gästen wählen;
Wir tragen unsre sündenlast,
Drum kommen wir zu dir zu gast,
Und suchen rath und hülfe.

1. Lord Jesus Christ, You have prepared
This feast for our salvation;
It is Your body and Your blood,
And at Your invitation
As weary souls, with sin oppressed,
We come to You for needed rest,
For comfort, and for pardon.

2. Ob du schon aufgefahren bist
Von dieser erden sichtig,
Und bleibst nunmehr zu dieser frist
Von uns allhier unsichtig,
Bis dein gericht dort wird angehn,
Und wir vor dir all' werden stehn,
Und dich fröhlich anschauen;

2. Although You did to Heav’n ascend,
Where angel hosts are dwelling,
And in Your presence they behold
Your glory, all excelling,
And though Your people shall not see
Your glory and Your majesty
Till dawns the judgment morning.

3. So bist du doch stets, nach dein'm wort,
Bei uns und dein'r gemeine,
Und nicht gefang'n an einem ort
Mit deinem fleisch und beine:
Dein wort steht wie ein' mauer fest,
Welch's sich niemand verkehren läßt,
Er sei so klug er wolle.

3. Yet, Savior, You are not confined
To any habitation;
But You are present even now
Here with Your congregation.
Firm as a rock this truth shall stand,
Unmoved by any daring hand
Or subtle craft and cunning.

4. Du sprichst: nehmt hin, das ist mein leib,
Den sollt ihr mündlich essen;
Trinkt all' mein blut, bei euch ich bleib',
Mein sollt' ihr nicht vergessen.
Du hast's gered't, drum ist es wahr;
Du bist allmächtig, drum ist gar
Kein ding bei dir unmöglich.

4. We eat this bread and drink this cup,
Your precious Word believing
That Your true body and Your blood
Our lips are here receiving.
This word remains forever true,
All things are possible with You,
For You are Lord Almighty.

5. Und ob mein herz hier nicht versteht,
Wie dein leib an viel orten
Zugleich sein kann, und wie's zugeht;
So trau' ich doch dein'n worten,
Wie das sein kann, befehl' ich dir,
An deinem worte gnüget mir,
Dem stehet nur zu glauben.

5. Though reason cannot understand,
Yet faith this truth embraces;
Your body, Lord, is even now
At once in many places.
I leave to You how this can be;
Your Word alone suffices me;
I trust its truth unfailing.

6. Ich glaub', o lieber Herr! ich glaub',
Hilf meinem schwachen glauben;
Ich bin doch nichts, denn asch' und staub,
Dein's worts mich nicht beraube.
Dein wort, dein' tauf' und dein nachtmahl
Tröst' mich in diesem jammerthal
Da liegt mein schatz begraben.

6. Lord, I believe what You have said;
Help me when doubts assail me;
Remember that I am but dust,
And let my faith not fail me.
Your Supper in this vale of tears
Refreshes me and stills my fears
And is my priceless treasure.

7. Ach Herr! hilf, daß wir würdiglich
Gehen zu deinem tische,
Beweinen unsre sünd' herzlich
Und uns wieder erfrischen
Mit dein'm verdienst und wohlthat groß,
Darauf wir trau'n ohn' unterlaß,
Und unser leben bessern.

7. Grant that we worthily receive
Your Supper, Lord, our Savior,
And, truly grieving o’er our sins,
May prove by our behavior
That we are thankful for Your grace
And day by day may run our race,
In holiness increasing.

8. Für solch' dein tröstlich abendmahl,
Herr Christ! sei hochgelobet.
Erhalt' uns das, weil überall
Die welt dawider tobet.
Hilf! daß dein leib und blut allein
Mein trost und labsal möge sein
Im letzten stündlein, Amen.

8. For Your consoling supper, Lord,
Be praised throughout all ages!
Preserve it, for in ev'ry place
The world against it rages.
Grant that this sacrament may be
A blessèd comfort unto me
When living and when dying.

   

Source of German Text: Bach Digital (verse 1 only) | Hymnary.org | Lutheran Hymnal
English Translation:
Emmanuel Cronenwett | Source of English Translation: Evangelical Lutheran Hymnal (Order of the Evangelical Lutheran Joint Synod of Ohio and other States, 1880), No. 265 / Lutheran Service Book, No. 622 on Hymnary org
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (September 2018 - October 2018)


Chorales BWV 250-438: Details and Recordings
Individual Recordings: Hilliard - Morimur | Chorales - N. Matt | Chorales - H. Rilling | Preludi ai Corali - Quartetto Italiani di Viola Da Gamba
Discussions: Motets & Chorales for Events in the LCY / Chorales by Theme | General Discussions: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Chorales in Bach Cantatas: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Passion Chorale
References: Chorales BWV 250-300 | Chorales BWV 301-350 | Chorales BWV 351-400 | Chorales BWV 401-438 | 371 4-Part Chorales sorted by Breitkopf Number | Texts & Translations of Chorales BWV 250-438
Chorale Texts: Sorted by Title | Chorale Melodies: Sorted by Title | Explanation
MIDI files of the Chorales: Cantatas BWV 1-197 | Other Vocal Works BWV 225-248 | Chorales BWV 250-438
Articles: The Origin of the Texts of the Chorales [A. Schweitzer] | The Origin of the Melodies of the Chorales [A. Schweitzer] | The Chorale in the Church Service [A. Schweitzer] | Choral / Chorale [C.S. Terry] | Hidden Chorale Melody Allusions [T. Braatz] | The History of the Breitkopf Collection of J. S. Bach’s Four-Part Chorales [T. Braatz] | The World of the Bach Chorale Settings [W.L. Hoffman]
Hymnals: Hymnals used by Bach | Wagner Hymnal 1697 | Evangelisches Gesangbuch 1995 | Dietel Chorale List c1734
Abbreviations used for the Chorales | Links to other Sites about the Chorales




 

Back to the Top


Last update: Friday, October 26, 2018 05:01