Herr Christ, der einge Gottessohn
Text and Translation of Chorale

EKG: 46
Author: Elisabeth Kreuziger (1524)
Chorale Melody: Herr Christ, der einge Gottessohn | Composer: Anon (1455)

Vocal Works by J.S. Bach:

Ver

Work

Mvt.

Year

Br

RE

KE

Di

BC

Type

5

BWV 22

Mvt. 5

1723

-

-

-

-

A99:5

Chorale [S, A, T, B]

1

BWV 96

Mvt. 1

1724

-

-

-

-

A142:1

Chorus (Chorale) [S, A, T, B]

2~

BWV 96

Mvt. 2

1724

-

-

-

-

A142:2

Recitative [A]

3~

BWV 96

Mvt. 3

1724

-

-

-

-

A142:2

Aria [T]

4~

BWV 96

Mvt. 4

1724

-

-

-

-

A142:4

Recitative [S]

4~

BWV 96

Mvt. 5

1724

-

-

-

-

A142:5

Aria [B]

5

BWV 96

Mvt. 6

1724

302

128

303

92

A142:6

Chorale [S, A, T, B]

5

BWV 132

Mvt. 6

1715

-

-

-

-

A6:6

Chorale [S, A, T, B]

5

BWV 164

Mvt. 6

1725

101

127

101

82

F81
A128:6

Chorale [S, A, T, B]

BWV 132/6 (1715): a setting of verse 5 of Elisabeth Kreutziger’s (1524) CT Herr Christ, der einge Gottessohn is called for at this point in the librettto, but Alfred Dürr believes that there is no missing chorale setting and that Bach may have intentionally dropped the idea of performing a chorale at this point.

German Text (verses in bold print set by Bach)

English Translation

1

Herr Christ, der einig Gotts Sohn
Vaters in Ewigkeit,
Aus sein Herzen entsprossen,
Gleichwie geschrieben steht,
Er is der Morgensterne,
Sein Glänzen streckt er ferne
Vor andern Sternen klar;

Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God
the Father from eternity,
sprung from his heart,
as it stands written:
He is the morning star,
who makes his radiance shine far
beyond all other stars;

2

Für uns ein Mensch geboren
Im lezten Teil der Zeit,
Dass wir nicht wärn verloren
Vor Gott in Ewigkeit,
Den Tod für uns zerbrochen,
Den Himmel auggeschlossen,
Das Leben wiederbracht:

He was born for us as a man
in the last period of time
so that we would not be lost
from God for ever,
he has broken death for us,
opened up heaven,
brought back life.

3

Lass uns in deiner Liebe
und Kenntnis nehmen zu,
dass wir am Glauben bleiben,
dir dienen im Geist
so,  dass wir hier mögen schmecken
dein Süßigkeit im Herzen
und dürsten stets nach dir.

Grant to us that in your love
and knowledge we may increase,
that we may remain in the faith,
serve you in spirit in such a way
that we may here taste
your sweetness in our hearts
and constantly thirst for you.

4

Du Schöpfer aller Dinge,
du väterliche Kraft,
regierst von End zu Ende
kräftig aus eigner Macht.
Das Herz uns zu dir wende
und kehr ab unsre Sinne,
dass sie nicht irrn von dir.

You creator of all things,
you fatherly power.
rule for ever and ever
mighty in your own strength.
Turn our hearts to you
and turn us away from our sins
so that we do not stray from you.

5

Ertöt uns durch dein Güte,
erweck uns durch dein Gnad.
Den alten Menschen kränke,
dass der neu' leben mag
und hier auf dieser Erden
den Sinn und alls Begehren
und G'danken hab zu dir.

Kill us with your goodness,
awaken us through your grace,
weaken the old man
so that the new man may live
and here on this earth
devote our minds and all our desires
and thoughts to you.

--

English Translation by Francis Browne (July 2007)
Contributed by Francis Browne (July 2007)

Corde natus ex parentis
Text and Translation of Chorale

The Germany hymn Herr Christ, der ein'ge Gottessohn is loosely based on the Latin Christmas hymn Corde natus ex parentis by Aurelius Prudentius.

Latin Text

English Translation

1

Corde natus ex parentis ante mundi exordium
A et O cognominatus, ipse fons et clausula
Omnium quae sunt, fuerunt, quaeque post futura sunt.

Born from his father's heart before the beginning of the world, and called alpha and omega, he himself is the source and end of all things which are, have been and will be.

2

Ipse iussit et creata, dixit ipse et facta sunt,
Terra, caelum, fossa ponti, trina rerum machina,
Quaeque in his vigent sub alto solis et lunae globo.

He ordered and things were created, he spoke and things were made, earth, sky, the depths of the sea, the threefold scheme of things, and all things that flourish in these beneath the lofty globe of the sun and moon.

3

Corporis formam caduci, membra morti obnoxia
Induit, ne gens periret primoplasti ex germine,
Merserat quem lex profundo noxialis tartaro.

He put on the form of a mortal body, limbs subject to death, so that people who came from the seed of the first created man should not perish,even though the deadly law had plunged him in the depths of hell.

4

O beatus ortus ille, virgo cum puerpera
Edidit nostram salutem, feta Sancto Spiritu,
Et puer redemptor orbis os sacratum protulit.

O blessed was that birth, when the childbearing virgin, having conceived by the holy spirit,brought forth our salvation and the child, the redeemer of the world, revealed his sacred face.

5

Psallat altitudo caeli, psallite omnes angeli,
Quidquid est virtutis usquam psallat in laudem Dei,
Nulla linguarum silescat, vox et omnis consonet.

Let the height of heaven sing, all you angels sing, let whatever has strength anywhere sing praise of God, let no tongue be silent, and let every voice sound together.

6

Ecce, quem vates vetustis concinebant saeculis,
Quem prophetarum fideles paginae spoponderant,
Emicat promissus olim; cuncta conlaudent eum.

See, he whom seers of old sang for centuries, whom the faithful pages of the prophets had promised, shines forth as promised formerly; let all things join to praise him.

7

Macte iudex mortuorum, macte rex viventium,
Dexter in Parentis arce qui cluis virtutibus,
Omnium venturus inde iustus ultor criminum.

Hail, judge of the dead, hail, King of the living, you who sit on the right hand of the throne of the Father and are renowned for your strength,you who are destined to come hereafter as just avenger of all sins.

8

Te senes et te iuventus, parvulorum te chorus,
Turba matrum, virginumque, simplices puellulae,
Voce concordes pudicis perstrepant concentibus.

Let old men and young men, the choir of infants, the crowd of mothers, and virgins and simple girls, praise you harmoniously in chaste songs.

9

Fluminum lapsus et undae, litorum crepidines
Imber, aestsus,nix, pruina, siva et aura, nox, dies
Omnibus te concelebrent saeculorum saeculis.

Let the flowing waters and rivers, the seashores, rain, heat, snow, frost, forests and breeze, night, day unite to praise you for age after age.

--

English Translation by Francis Browne (April 2009)
Contributed by Francis Browne (April 2009)

Cantata BWV 22: Complete Recordings | Recordings of Individual Movements | Discussions
German Text | Translations: Catalan-1 | Dutch-4 | Dutch-6 | English-1 | English-3 | English-6 | English-10 | French-1 | French-3 | French-4 | French-6 | Hebrew-1 | Hungarian-1 | Indonesian | Italian-2 | Portuguese-1 | Russian-1 | Spanish-2

Cantata BWV 96: Complete Recordings | Recordings of Individual Movements | Discussions: Part 1 | Part 2
German Text | Translations: Catalan-1 | Dutch | English-1 | English-3 | English-6 | French-1 | French-4 | French-6 | Hebrew-1 | Hungarian-1 | Indonesian | Italian | Russian-1 | Spanish-5

Cantata BWV 132: Complete Recordings | Recordings of Individual Movements | Discussions
German Text | German-2 | Translations: Catalan-1 | Dutch-4 | English-1 | English-3 | English-6 | English-10 | French-3 | French-4 | French-6 | Hebrew-1 | Indonesian | Italian | Japanese-2 | Russian-1 | Spanish-3

Cantata BWV 164: Complete Recordings | Recordings of Individual Movements | Discussions
German Text | Translations: Dutch | English-1 | English-3 | English-6 | French-4 | French-6 | Hebrew-1 | Indonesian | Italian-2 | Italian-4 | Russian-1 | Spanish-4