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Cantata BWV 157
Ich lasse dich nicht, du segnest mich denn!
English Translation in Interlinear Format
Cantata BWV 157 - I am not letting you go, unless you bless me first!

Event: Solo Cantata for the Feast of Purification of Mary
Readings: Epistle: Malachi 3: 1-4; Gospel: Luke 2: 22-32
Text: Genesis 32: 26 (Mvt. 1); Christian Keymann (Mvt. 5); Christian Friedrich Henrici (Picander) (Mvts. 2-5)
Chorale Text: Meinen Jesum laß' ich nicht

Biblical quotations in green font, chorales in purple

1

Aria (Duet) [Tenor, Bass]

Flauto traverso, Oboe, Violino solo, Continuo

Ich lasse dich nicht, du segnest mich denn!
I am not letting you go, unless you bless me first!

2

Aria [Tenor]

Oboe d'amore, Continuo

Ich halte meinen Jesum feste,
I hold my Jesus firmly,
Ich laß ihn nun und ewig nicht.
now and always I do not let him go.
Er ist allein mein Aufenthalt,
He alone is where I abide,
Drum faßt mein Glaube mit Gewalt
and so my faith forcefully seizes on
Sein segenreiches Angesicht;
his countenance rich in blessings.
Denn dieser Trost ist doch der beste.
For this is certainly the best comfort.

3

Recitative [Tenor]

Violino I/II, Violetta, Continuo

Mein lieber Jesu du,
My dear Jesus, you,
Wenn ich Verdruß und Kummer leide,
when I suffer vexation and sorrow,
So bist du meine Freude,
you are then my delight,
In Unruh meine Ruh
in unrest [you are] my rest,
Und in der Angst mein sanftes Bette;
and in anguish [you are] my soft bed;
Die falsche Welt ist nicht getreu,
The false world is not truthful,
Der Himmel muß veralten,
the heavens must grow old,
Die Lust der Welt vergeht wie Spreu;
the pleasures of the world pass away like chaff;
Wenn ich dich nicht, mein Jesu, hätte,
If I did not have you , my Jesus,
An wen sollt ich mich sonsten halten?
to whom else could I hold on ?
Drum laß ich nimmermehr von dir,
Therefore I shall nevermore let you go,
Dein Segen bleibe denn bei mir.
Then your blessing stays with me.

4

Aria, Recitativo e Arioso [Bass]

Flauto traverso, Violino, Continuo

Ja, ja, ich halte Jesum feste,
Yes, yes, I hold on firmly to Jesus,
So geh ich auch zum Himmel ein,
and so I also enter into heaven
Wo Gott und seines Lammes Gäste
where God and the guests of his lamb
In Kronen zu der Hochzeit sein.
with crowns are at the wedding feast.
Da laß ich nicht, mein Heil, von dir,
There I do not let go, my saviour, of you
Da bleibt dein Segen auch bei mir.
there, your blessing remains also with me.
Ei, wie vergnügt
Ah, how delightful
Ist mir mein Sterbekasten,
is my coffin for me
Weil Jesus mir in Armen liegt!
since Jesus lies in my arms.
So kann mein Geist recht freudig rasten!
And so my soul can rest joyfully!
Ja, ja, ich halte Jesum feste,
Yes, yes, I hold on firmly to Jesus
So geb ich auch zum Himmel ein!
and so I also enter heaven.
O schöner Ort!
Oh beautiful place !
Komm, sanfter Tod, und führ mich fort,
Come, gentle death, and take me away
Wo Gott und seines Lammes Gäste
where God and the guests of his lamb
In Kronen zu der Hochzeit sein.
with crowns are at the wedding feast
Ich bin erfreut,
I am delighted
Das Elend dieser Zeit
the misery of this time
Noch von mir heute abzulegen;
to put away from me today;
Denn Jesus wartet mein im Himmel mit dem Segen.
For Jesus waits for me in heaven with his blessing.
Da laß ich nicht, mein Heil, von dir,
There I do not let go, my saviour, of you,
Da bleibt dein Segen auch bei mir.
there, your blessing remains also with me.

5

Choral [S, A, T, B]

Flauto traverso in octava e Oboe e Violino I col Soprano, Violino II coll'Alto, Violetta col Tenore, Continuo

Meinen Jesum laß ich nicht,
I do not leave my Jesus
Geh ihm ewig an der Seiten;
I go along always at his side
Christus läßt mich für und für
Christ allows me for ever and ever
Zu dem Lebensbächlein leiten.
to be guided to the springs of life
Selig, wer mit mir so spricht:
Happy is whoever who says with me :
Meinen Jesum laß ich nicht.
I do not leave my Jesus.

--

This Translation in Parallel Format

English Translation by Francis Browne (February 2002)
Contributed by Francis Browne (February 2002)

Cantata BWV 157: Ich lasse dich nicht, du segnest mich denn! for Feast of Purification of Mary (1727) / Funeral
Discography: Details & Complete Recordings | Recordings of Individual Movements
Discussions: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

BWV 157 Text: German-1 | German-6 | German-7 | NBA Text
Translations: English-1 | English-3I | English-3P | English-6 | English-10 | English-14
Catalan-1 | Chinese-2 | Danish-1 | Dutch-0 | Dutch-3 | French-3 | French-4 | French-5 | French-6 | Hebrew-1 | Indonesian-1 | Italian-5 | Norwegian-1 | Polish-1 | Russian-1 | Russian-3 | Spanish-3 | Spanish-7 | Spanish/English-8
Chorale Text: Meinen Jesum laß' ich nicht [BWV 157/5]

English Translations in Interlinear/Parallel Format (English-3): Sorted by BWV Number | Sorted by Title | Sorted by Event | Note on English Translations


Texts & Translations: Main Page | Cantatas BWV 1-50 | Cantatas BWV 51-100 | Cantatas BWV 101-150 | Cantatas BWV 151-200 | Cantatas BWV 201-224 | Other Vocal BWV 225-249 | Chorales BWV 250-438 | Geistliche Lieder BWV 439-507 | AMN BWV 508-524 | Other Vocal 1081-1164 | BWV Anh | Chorale Texts | Emblemata | Sources | Poets & Composers
Discussions: Texts: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Translations: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4




 

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Last update: Monday, January 09, 2023 14:23