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Cantata BWV 248/2
Und es waren Hirten in derselben Gegend
(Weihnachts-Oratorium II)
English Translation in Parallel Format
Cantata BWV 248/2 - And there were shepherds in the same area
Christmas Oratorio II

Event: Cantata for the 2nd Day of Christmas [St. Stefanus Day]
Readings: Epistle: Titus. 3: 4-7 / Acts 6: 8-15 & 7: 55-60; Gospel: Matthew 23: 35-39 / Luke 2: 15-20
Text:
Christian Friedrich Henrici (Picander); Johann Rist (Mvt. 3); Paul Gerhardt (Mvts. 8, 14)
Chorale Texts:
Ermuntre dich, mein schwacher Geist | Schaut, schaut, was ist für Wunder dar? | Wir singen dir, Immanuel

Biblical quotations in green font, chorales in purple

 

Original German Text

 

English Translation

1

Sinfonia

1

Sinfonia

 

Flauto traverso I/II, Oboe d'amore I/II, Oboe da caccia I/II, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo

       

2

Recitativo T

2

Recitative [Tenor]

 

Continuo

   
 

Evangelist:
Und es waren Hirten in derselben Gegend
auf dem Felde bei den Hürden,
die hüteten des Nachts ihre Herde.
Und siehe, des Herren Engel trat zu ihnen,
und die Klarheit des Herren leuchtet um sie,
und sie furchten sich sehr.

 

Evangelist:
And there were shepherds in the same area
in the fields with their flocks,
they watched over their flocks by night.

And see, the angel of the Lord came to them
and the glory of the Lord shone around them
and they were very afraid.

       

3

Choral

3

Chorale [S, A, T, B]

 

Flauto traverso I/II in octava e Oboe d'amore I/II e Violino I col Soprano, Oboe da caccia I e Violino II coll'Alto, Oboe da caccia II e Viola col Tenore, Continuo

 

Brich an, o schönes Morgenlicht,
Und lass den Himmel tagen!
Du Hirtenvolk, erschrecke nicht,
Weil dir die Engel sagen,
Dass dieses schwache Knäbelein
Soll unser Trost und Freude sein,
Dazu den Satan zwingen
Und letztlich Friede bringen!

 

Break out, O beautiful light of morning,
and let the heavens dawn!
You shepherd folk, do not fear
because the angels tell you
that this weak baby boy
shall be our consolation and joy,
subdue Satan
and bring peace at last!

       

4

Recitativo T S - Evangelist (T), Engel (S)

4

Recitative [Tenor, Soprano]

 

Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo

   
 

Tenor:
Und der Engel sprach zu ihnen:

 

Tenor:
And the angel said to them:

 

Sopran:
Fürchtet euch nicht,
siehe, ich verkündige euch große Freude,
die allem Volke widerfahren wird.
Denn euch ist heute der Heiland geboren,
welcher ist Christus,
der Herr, in der Stadt David.

 

Soprano:
Do not fear,
See, I announce to you great joy
which will befall all the people.
For the saviour is born for you today,
who is Christ,the Lord,
in the city of David.

       

5

Recitativo B

5

Recitative [Bass]

 

Oboe d'amore I/II, Oboe da caccia I/II, Continuo

   
 

Was Gott dem Abraham verheißen,
Das lässt er nun dem Hirtenchor
Erfüllt erweisen.
Ein Hirt hat alles das zuvor
Von Gott erfahren müssen.
Und nun muss auch ein Hirt die Tat,
Was er damals versprochen hat,
Zuerst erfüllet wissen.

 

What God promised to Abraham
He now allows to the band of shepherds
To be shown as fulfilled.
A shepherd had all beforehand
to learn from God.
And now also a shepherd must of the deed
that was promised in the past
first know of the fulfilment

       

6

Aria T

6

Aria [Tenor]

 

Flauto traverso I, Continuo

   
 

Frohe Hirten, eilt, ach eilet,
Eh ihr euch zu lang verweilet,
Eilt, das holde Kind zu sehn!
Geht, die Freude heißt zu schön,
Sucht die Anmut zu gewinnen,
Geht und labet Herz und Sinnen!

 

Joyful shepherds, hurry, ah hurry,
in case you linger too long,
Hurry to see the lovely child!
Go, the joy is too beautiful,
seek to gain that loveliness,
go and refresh your heart and mind!

       

7

Recitativo T

7

Recitative [Tenor]

 

Continuo

   
 

Evangelist:
Und das habt zum Zeichen:
Ihr werdet finden das Kind in Windeln gewickelt und in einer Krippe liegen.

 

Evangelist:
And you shall have this for a sign:
You will find the child wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.

       

8

Choral

8

Chorale [S, A, T, B]

 

Flauto traverso I/II in octava e Oboe d'amore I/II e Violino I col Soprano, Oboe da caccia I e Violino II coll'Alto, Oboe da caccia II e Viola col Tenore, Continuo

 

Schaut hin, dort liegt im finstern Stall,
Des Herrschaft gehet überall!
Da Speise vormals sucht ein Rind,
Da ruhet itzt der Jungfrau'n Kind.

 

Look, there lies in the dark stable
one who has dominion over all!
Where once an ox sought food
now rests the Virgin's child.

       

9

Recitativo B

9

Recitative [Bass]

 

Oboe d'amore I/II, Oboe da caccia I/II, Continuo

   
 

So geht denn hin, ihr Hirten, geht,
Dass ihr das Wunder seht:
Und findet ihr des Höchsten Sohn
In einer harten Krippe liegen,
So singet ihm bei seiner Wiegen
Aus einem süßen Ton
Und mit gesamtem Chor
Dies Lied zur Ruhe vor!

 

Then go there, you shepherds, go,
that you may see the wonder:
And if you find the son of the Highest
lying in a hard manger,
then sing to him in his cradle
in a sweet tone
and with the whole choir
this song for his rest!

       

10

Aria A

10

Aria [Alto]

 

Flauto traverso I, Oboe d'amore I/II, Oboe da caccia I/II, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo

 

Schlafe, mein Liebster, genieße der Ruh,
Wache nach diesem vor aller Gedeihen!
Labe die Brust,
Empfinde die Lust,
Wo wir unser Herz erfreuen!

 

Sleep, my dearest, enjoy your rest.
wake after this so that all may thrive!
Comfort the breast,

feel the pleasure
with which we make glad our hearts!

       

11

Recitativo T

11

Recitative [Tenor]

 

Continuo

   
 

Evangelist:
Und alsobald war da bei dem Engel
die Menge der himmlischen Heerscharen,
die lobten Gott und sprachen

 

Evangelist:
Und alsobald war da bei dem Engel
And at once there was with the angel
die Menge der himmlischen Heerscharen,
a multitude of the heavenly host
die lobten Gott und sprachen:
who praised God and said:

       

12

Coro

12

Chorus

 

Flauto traverso I/II, Oboe d'amore I/II, Oboe da caccia I/II, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo

 

Die Engel:
Ehre sei Gott in der Höhe
und Friede auf Erden
und den Menschen ein Wohlgefallen.

 

Angels:
Glory to God in the highest
and peace on earth
and goodwill towards men.

       

13

Recitativo B

13

Recitative [Bass]

 

Continuo

 

Continuo

 

So recht, ihr Engel, jauchzt und singet,
Dass es uns heut so schön gelinget!
Auf denn! wir stimmen mit euch ein,
Uns kann es so wie euch erfreun.

 

It is right, you Angels, that you should rejoice and sing
that it has turned out so well for us today!
Up then! We shall join with you,
It can delight us as well as you.

       

14

Choral

14

Chorale [S, A, T, B]

 

Flauto traverso I/II, Oboe d'amore I/II, Oboe da caccia I/II, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo

 

Wir singen dir in deinem Heer
Aus aller Kraft, Lob, Preis und Ehr,
Dass du, o lang gewünschter Gast,
Dich nunmehr eingestellet hast.

 

We sing to you in your host
with all our might: “Praise, honour and glory,”
that you,o guest we have long desired,
have now appeared.

       

BWV 248/2 :Parody

     

[15] 6. Aria [Tenor]

     

5. Aria: Pallas [Alto] BWV 214/5

 

Oboe I/II, Continuo

   
 

Fromme Musen! meine Glieder!
Singt nicht längst bekannte Lieder!
Dieser Tag sei eure Lust!
Füllt mit Freuden eure Brust!
Werft so Kiel als Schriften nieder
Und erfreut euch dreimal wieder!

 

Devoted Muses! My companions!
Do not sing songs that have been long known!
Let this day be your delight!
Fill your hearts with joy!
Throw down both quill and writings
and rejoice with triple joy!

       
     

19 [10]. Aria [Alto]

     

3. Aria: Pleasure [Soprano] BWV 213/3

 

Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo

   
 

Schlafe, mein Liebster, und pflege der Ruh,
Folge der Lockung entbrannter Gedanken.
Schmecke die Lust
Der lüsternen Brust
Und erkenne keine Schranken.

 

Sleep, my darling, and get used to ease,
follow the enticement of inflamed thoughts.
Savour the delight
of a lustful heart
and recognise no limits.

       

This Translation in Interlinear Format

English Translation by Francis Browne (November 2008, May 2009)

Contributed by Francis Browne (November 2008, May 2009)

Weihnachts-Oratorium BWV 248 (1734-1735): Details
Complete Recordings: 1900-1949 | 1950-1959 | 1960-1969 | 1970-1979 | 1980-1989 | 1990-1999 | 2000-2009 | 2010-2019 | 2020-2029 | Recordings of Individual Movements
General Discussions: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8
Systematic Discussions: Cantata 1 | Cantata 2 | Cantata 3 | Cantata 4 | Cantata 5 | Cantata 6 | Part 7: Summary
Individual Recordings: BWV 248 – Collegium Aureum | BWV 248 - H. Christophers | BWV 248 - J.E. Gardiner | BWV 248 - N. Harnoncourt | BWV 248 - P. Herreweghe | BWV 248 - R. Jacobs | BWV 248 - N. McGegan | BWV 248 - R. Otto | BWV 248 - K. Richter | BWV 248 - H. Rilling | BWV 248 - P. Schreier | BWV 248 - M. Suzuki | BWV 248 - K. Thomas | BWV 248 - J.v. Veldhoven
Articles: A Bottomless Bucket of Bach - Christmas Oratorio [D. Satz] | BWV 248/19 “Schlafe, mein Liebster” - A Background Study with Focus on the Colla Parte Flauto Traverso Part [T. Braatz]

BWV 248/2 Text: German-1 | NBA
Translations: English-1 | English-3I | English-3P | English-6 | English-10 | English-14
Chinese-2 | Danish-2 | Dutch-0 | Dutch-3 | French-4 | French-6 | Hebrew-1 | Hebrew-2 | Hungarian-1 | Indonesian-1 | Russian-1 | Spanish-7 | Spanish/English-8
Chorale Texts: Ermuntre dich, mein schwacher Geist [BWV 248/12] | Schaut, schaut, was ist für Wunder dar? [BWV 248/17] | Wir singen dir, Immanuel [BWV 248/23]

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: Thursday, October 19, 2023 06:25