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


Wach auf, mein Herz, und singe
Text and Translation of Chorale

EKG: 348
Author: Paul Gerhardt (1647/1653)
Chorale Melody: Nun laßt uns Gott dem Herren | Composer: Nikolaus Selnecker (1587)

 

Vocal Works by J.S. Bach:

Ver

Work

Mvt.

Year

Br

RE

KE

Di

BC

Type

 

9 &10

BWV 194

Mvt. 12

1723

93, 257

268

257

19

F152, A91:12, B31:12

Chorale [S, A, T, B]

 
 
 

German Text (verses in bold print set by Bach)

English Translation

1

Wach auf, mein Herz, und singe
dem Schöpfer aller Dinge,
dem Geber aller Güter,
dem frommen Menschenhüter.

Awake my heart and sing
to the creator of everything,
to the giver of all that is good,
to the righteous guardian of mankind.

2

Heunt, als die dunklen Schatten
mich ganz umgeben hatten,
hat Satan mein begehret;
Gott aber hat's gewehret.

This night, when the dark shadows
had surrounded me completely,
Satan coveted what was mine
but God was my defence

3

Ja, Vater, als er dächte,
daß er mir schaden möchte,
war ich in deinem Schoose,
dein Flügel mich umschlosse.

Yes, Father, when he thought
that he could harm me,
I was in your lap,
your wings enclosed me.

4

Du sprachst: »Mein Kind, nun liege,
trotz dem, der dich betrüge;
schlaf wohl, laß dir nicht grauen,
du sollst die Sonne schauen.

You said: “My child, lie down,
despite the one who would deceive you;
sleep well, do not be frightened,
you will see the sun.”

5

Dein Wort, das ist geschehen:
Ich kann das Licht noch sehen,
von Not bin ich befreiet,
dein Schutz hat mich erneuet.

Your word has come to pass:
I can still see the light,
I have been set free from my distress,
your protection has revived me.

6

Du willst ein Opfer haben,
hier bring ich meine Gaben:
mein Weihrauch und mein Widder
sind mein Gebet und Lieder.

You wish to have an offering,
here I bring my gifts:
my incense and my ram
are my prayers and songs.

7

Die wirst du nicht verschmähen;
du kannst ins Herze sehen;
denn du weißt, daß zur Gabe
ich ja nichts Bessers habe.

You will not feel scorn;
you can see into my heart;
for you know that as a gift
I have indeed nothing better.

8

So wollst du nun vollenden
dein Werk an mir und senden,
der mich an diesem Tage
auf seinen Händen trage.

May it now be your will to perfect
your work in me, and send
one who during this day
may bear me in his hands.

9

Sprich Ja zu meinen Taten,
hilf selbst das Beste raten;
den Anfang, Mitt und Ende,
ach Herr, zum besten wende
.

Say yes to my deeds,
help me to discern for myself what is best;
the beginning, middle and end,
ah Lord, turn to the best.

10

Mit Segen mich beschütte,
Mein Herz sei deine Hütte,
Dein Wort sei meine Speise,
Bis ich gen Himmel reise!

Protect me with your blessing,
may my heart be your shelter,
may your word be my food
until I journey to heaven!

--

Source: gesangbuch.org ; stanza 3 : Colmarisches Gesangbuch
English Translation by Francis Browne (November 2005)
Contributed by Francis Browne (November 2005)

Cantatas BWV 194 & BWV 194a: Complete Recordings of BWV 194 | Recordings of Individual Movements from BWV 194 | Details of BWV 194a | Discussions: Part 1 | Part 2
BWV 194:
German Text | Translations: Dutch-4 | English-1 | English-3 | English-6 | English-7 | French-4 | French-6 | Hebrew-1 | Indonesian | Italian-2 | Spanish-3


Chorales BWV 250-438: Details and Recordings
Individual Recordings: Hilliard - Morimur | Chorales - N. Matt | Chorales - H. Rilling | Preludi ai Corali - Quartetto Italiani di Viola Da Gamba
Discussions: Motets & Chorales for Events in the LCY / Chorales by Theme | General Discussions: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Chorales in Bach Cantatas: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Passion Chorale
References: Chorales BWV 250-300 | Chorales BWV 301-350 | Chorales BWV 351-400 | Chorales BWV 401-438 | 371 4-Part Chorales sorted by Breitkopf Number | Texts & Translations of Chorales BWV 250-438
Chorale Texts: Sorted by Title | Chorale Melodies: Sorted by Title | Explanation
MIDI files of the Chorales: Cantatas BWV 1-197 | Other Vocal Works BWV 225-248 | Chorales BWV 250-438
Articles: The Origin of the Texts of the Chorales [A. Schweitzer] | The Origin of the Melodies of the Chorales [A. Schweitzer] | The Chorale in the Church Service [A. Schweitzer] | Choral / Chorale [C.S. Terry] | Hidden Chorale Melody Allusions [T. Braatz] | The History of the Breitkopf Collection of J. S. Bach’s Four-Part Chorales [T. Braatz] | The World of the Bach Chorale Settings [W.L. Hoffman]
Hymnals: Hymnals used by Bach | Wagner Hymnal 1697 | Evangelisches Gesangbuch 1995 | Dietel Chorale List c1734
Abbreviations used for the Chorales | Links to other Sites about the Chorales

Texts & English Translations of Chorales: Sorted by Title

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: Friday, June 02, 2017 03:51