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Discussions: Texts: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Translations: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4


Text for Cantata 174
Ich liebe den Höchsten von ganzem Gemüte

Original German Text

English Translation

1. SINFONIA

2. ARIA (Alt)

Ich liebe den Höchsten von ganzem Gemüte,
er hat mich auch am höchsten lieb.
Gott allein
soll der Schatz der Seele sein,
da hab ich die ewige Quelle der Güte.

I love the Most High with my entire being,
he also has the highest love for me.
God alone
shall be the treasure of my soul
where I keep my eternal source of kindness.

3. REZITATIV (Tenor)

O Liebe, welcher keine gleich!
O unschätzbares Lösegeld!
Der Vater hat des Kindes Leben
vor Sünder in den Tod gegeben
und alle, die das Himmelreich
verscherzet und verloren,
zur Seligkeit erkoren.
Also hat Gott die Welt geliebt!
Mein Herz, das merke dir
und stärke dich mit diesen Worten;
vor diesem mächtigen Panier
erzittern selbst die Höllenpforten.

O love, to which none compares!
O priceless ransom!
The Father has consigned the life
of his child over to death for sinners
and all for whom the Kingdom of Heaven
was forfeited and lost
are selected for salvation.
God so loved the world!
My heart, take note of this
and bolster yourself by these words;
before this mighty standard
the gates of hell themselves tremble.

4. ARIA (Baß)

Greifet zu,
faßt das Heil, ihr Glaubenshände!
Jesus gibt sein Himmelreich
und verlangt nur das von euch:
gläubt getreu bis an das Ende!

Grab on,
clutch salvation, you hands of faith!
Jesus bestows his heavenly kingdom
and requires only this of you:
believe devoutly unto the end!

5. CHORAL

Herzlich lieb hab ich dich, o Herr;
ich bitt, wollst sein von mir nicht fern
mit deiner Hülf und Gnaden.
Die ganze Welt erfreut mich nicht,
nach Himml und Erden frag ich nicht,
wenn ich dich nur kann haben.
Und wenn mir gleich mein Herz zerbricht,
so bist du doch mein Zuversicht,
mein Heil und meines Herzens Trost,
der mich durch sein Blut hat erlöst.
Herr Jesu Christ,
mein Gott und Herr, mein Gott und Herr,
in Schanden laß mich nimmermehr!

I earnestly hold you dear, O Lord;
I bid you be not distanced from me
with your help and grace.
The whole world gives me no joy,
I ask nothing of heaven or earth,
if I can have but you.
And even once my heart does break [at death],
you still remain my confidence,
my Savior and comfort to my heart,
who has redeemed me with his blood.
Lord Jesus Christ,
my God and Lord, my God and Lord,
leave me nevermore in disgrace!


COMPOSED: June 6, 1729 (Leipzig) for the 2nd Day of Pentecost
LIBRETTIST: Christian Friedrich Henrici (Picander); Mvt. 5. Martin Schalling, stanza 1 of Herzlich lieb hab ich dich, o Herr (1571)
TRANSLATION: 2023 © Tobin Schmuck, NYC
Print by permission only, please. Click here.

Cantata BWV 174: Ich liebe den Höchsten von ganzem Gemüte for Whit Monday (1729)
Discography: Details & Complete Recordings | Recordings of Individual Movements
Discussions: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

BWV 174 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 | Dutch-0 | Dutch-3 | French-4 | French-5 | French-6 | Hebrew-1 | Indonesian-1 | Italian-2 | Norwegian-1 | Polish-1 | Polish-2 | Russian-1 | Russian-3 | Spanish-3 | Spanish-7 | Spanish/English-8
Chorale Text: Herzlich lieb hab' ich dich, o Herr [BWV 174/5]

English Translations (English-10): Index by BWV Number | Index by Title | Index 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: Tuesday, December 12, 2023 14:10