Chorale Texts used in Bach's Vocal Works
Was betrübst du dich, mein Herze
Text and Translation of Chorale |
Ref. in hymnals/hymn books:
Author: Zacharias Hermann (c1690)
Chorale Melody: Was betrübst du dich, mein Herze (Zahn 6830) | Composer: Anon (not detected before BWV 423)
Theme: |
Description: |
"Was betrübst du dich, mein Herze" is Hymn, by Zacharias Hermann, in 12 8-line stanzas (1690). Melody, by J.S. Bach. It is included, in 12 stanzas, and without a melody, in the author's Frommer Christen Seuffzende Seele und Singender Mund (Breslau and Leipzig, 1722). In Paul Wagner’s Leipzig Hymn-book (vol. vi, 152) it is directed to be sung to Johann Schop's melody "Werde munter, mein Gemüthe". J.S. Bach's (Choralgesange, 1843, BWV 423) did not find its way into the hymn-books. |
Vocal Works by J.S. Bach: |
Chorale Was betrübst du dich, mein Herze, BWV 423
Ref: RE 237; Br 237; KE 336; AmB 46II p.210; BGA 170; BC F191.1; CST 349 |
German Text (verses in bold print set by Bach) |
English Translation |
1. Was betrübst du dich, mein Herze?
Warum grämst du dich in mir?
Sage, was für Noth dich schmerze?
Warum ist kein Muth bei dir?
Was für Unglück hat dich troffen,
Und wo bleibt dein freudig Hoffen?
Wo ist deine Zuversicht,
Die zu Gott sonst war gericht? |
1. Why cast down, my heart within me?
Wherefore art disquieted?
Say then, what doth wound and press thee?
Why's thy wonted courage fled?
Wherefore comes thy loud complaining?
God's in heaven, o'er earth is reigning.
Courage take, O anxious heart!
God from thee can nothing part. |
2. Denke nicht, du seist verlassen
Und Gott achte deiner nicht:
Seine Hände, die dich fassen,
Und sein gnädig Angesicht
Haben Acht auf deine Tritte,
Deine Thränen, deine Schritte;
Alle Trübsal, die dich quält,
Wird genau von Gott gezählt. |
2. Do not think thou art forsaken,
Or that God ne'er giveth heed.
Into His thy hands He's taken
And thy welfare hath decreed.
Well He knoweth what doth vex thee
And thy tears call down His pity.
Whatsoe'er may be the ill,
Ointment on it God will spill. |
3. Geht dirs nicht nach deinem Willen;
Ei so gehts nach Gottes Rath;
Der wird doch sein Wort erfüllen,
Das er zugesaget hat:
Das er die, so ihm vertrauen
Und auf seine Güte schauen,
Die auf seinen Wegen gehn,
Nicht will lassen hülflos stehn. |
3. Let your will to God be yielded:
Be assured He knoweth best.
Everything shall be fulfilled
As His Word makes manifest:
That all they who trust Him wholly,
And His counsels follow solely,
Never shall be put to shame,
But their dearest hopes obtain. |
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Source of German Text: Bach Digital (1 verse) | Charles Sanford Terry: The Four-Part Chorals of J.S. Bach (Oxford University Press, 1929), p 375
English Translation: Charles Sanford Terry | Source of English Translation: Charles Sanford Terry: The Four-Part Chorals of J.S. Bach (Oxford University Press, 1929), p 375
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (October 2018 - November 2018) |