Chorale Texts used in Bach's Vocal Works
Jesus Christus, unser Heiland, der den Tod überwand
Text and Translation of Chorale |
Ref. in hymnals/hymn books: EKG 77; EG 102; KGEL 110
Author: Martin Luther (1524)
Chorale Melody: Jesus Christus, unser Heiland, der den Tod überwand (Zahn 1978) | Composer: Martin Luther (1529)
Theme: Easter |
Description: This chorale can be traced back to Martin Luther. Contrary to most of the other chorale melodies attributed to Luther (and usually Johann Walter), this is one of the few for which there are no earlier melodies, sacred or secular, upon which this might have been based. It appears for the first time in Wittenberg in 1529 in a collection by an editor Joseph Klug entitled Geistliche Lieder, a collection now considered irretrievably lost. |
Vocal Works by J.S. Bach:
Chorale Jesus Christus, unser Heiland, der den Tod überwand, BWV 364
Ref: Ri 174; Br 174; Birnstiel 179; AmB 46II p.96 & p.150; Penzel 140; BC F120.1 |
German Text (verses in bold print set by Bach) |
English Translation |
1. Jesus Christus, unser Heiland,
Der den Tod überwand,
Ist auferstanden;
Die Sünd hat er gefangen.
Kyrie eleison. |
1. Jesus Christ, our Saviour true,
He who Death overthrew,
Is up arisen,
And sin hath put in prison.
Kyrieleison. |
2. Der ohn Sünden war geboren,
Trug für uns Gottes Zorn;
Hat uns versöhnet,
Dass uns Gott sein Huld gönnet.
Kyrie eleison. |
2. Born Whom Mary sinless hath,
Bore He for us God’s wrath,
Hath reconciled us—
Favour God doth now yield us.
Kyrieleison. |
3. Tod, Sünd, Leben und Genad,
Alls in Händen er hat:
Er kann erretten
Alle, die zu ihm treten.
Kyrie eleison! |
3. Death and sin, and life and grace,
All in His hands He has.
He can deliver
All who seek the life-giver.
Kyrieleison. |
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Source of German Text: Bach Digital | Die Christliche Liederdatenbank | Hymnary.org | Monarchieliga | Wikipedia
English translation: George Macdonald1 | Source of English Text: Charles Sanford Terry: Bach’s Chorals, vol. 3 The Hymns and Hymn Melodies of the Organ Works (Cambridge University Press, 1921)
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (October 2018) |