Chorale Texts used in Bach's Vocal Works
Der du bist drei in Einigkeit
Text and Translation of Chorale

Ref. in hymnals/hymn books: NLGB 137; NLGB 420
Author: Martin Luther (1544), translation of the Latin hymn "O lux beata Trinitas" by Ambrosius)
Chorale Melody: Der du bist drei in Einigkeit = O lux beata Trinitas (Zahn 335), based on an earlier melody (Milan c650; Strasbourg 1545; Lucas Lossius 1553) | Composer: Johann Hermann Schein (1627)
Theme: Communion and Vespers

Description:

Hymns: communion and vespers: OB 54, “Der du bist drei Einigkeit” (Thou, who art Three in Unity; NLGB 420); Johann Hermann Schein music 1627, Martin Luther text 1543 (3 stanzas); imitation of Gregorian hymn O Lux beata Trinitas; found as BWV 293 plain chorale in G Major;
Der du bist Drei in Einigkeit (Thou, who art Three in Unity) An imitation from the Gregorian hymn, “O lux beata trinitas.”. Harmony in von Tucher, 18—.
Source: Motets & Chorales for Trinity Sunday (William Hoffman, May 31, 2015)

Vocal Works by J.S. Bach:

Chorale Der du bist drei in Einigkeit, BWV 293
Ref: RE 154; Br 154; KE 61; Birnstiel 158; AmB 46II p.114; Penzel 153; BGA 40; BC F42.1; CST 64

Latin Text

English Translation

1. O LUX beata Trinitas,
et principalis Unitas,
iam sol recedit igneus,
infunde lumen cordibus.

1 O Trinity of blessed light,
O Unity of princely might,
The fiery sun now goes his way;
Shed Thou within our hearts Thy ray.

2. Te mane laudum carmine,
te deprecemur vespere:
te nostra supplex gloria
per cuncta laudet saecula.

2 To Thee our morning song of praise,
To Thee our evening prayer we raise;
Thy glory suppliant we adore
Forever and forevermore.

3. Deo Patri sit gloria,
eiusque soli Filio,
cum Spiritu Paraclito,
et nunc, et in perpetuum.

3 All laud to God the Father be;
All praise, Eternal Son, to Thee;
All glory, as is ever meet,
To God the Holy Paraclete.

German Text (verses in bold print set by Bach)

English Translation

1. Der du bist drei in Einigkeit,
Ein wahrer Gott von Ewigkeit:
Die Sonn mit dem Tag von uns weicht:
Lass uns leuchten dein göttlich Licht.

1. Thou who art Three in Unity,
True God from all eternity,
The sun is fading from our sight,
Shine thou on us with heavenly light.

2. Des Morgens, Gott, dich loben wir,
Des Abends auch beten vor dir:
Unser armes Lied rühmet dich
Jetzund immer und ewiglich.

2. We praise thee with the dawning day,
To thee at evening also pray,
With our poor song we worship thee
Now, ever and eternally.

3. Gott Vater, dem sei ewig Ehr,
Gott Sohn, der ist der einig Herr,
Und dem Tröster Heiligen Geist,
Von nun an bis in Ewigkeit.

3. Let God the Father be adored,
And God the Son, the only Lord,
And equal adoration be,
Eternal Comforter, to thee.

Source of German Text: Bach Digital | Hymnary.org | Christliche Gedichte & Lieder | Monarchieliga
English Translation: adapted from R. Massie | Source of English Translation: Leonard Woolsey Bacon (Editor): Martin Luther, The Hymns of Martin Luther [1884]
Source of Latin Text: Thesaurus Precum Latinarum | CPDL | Hymnary.org
English Translation: John Mason Neale | Source of English Translation: CPDL (includes several translations)
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (September 2018 - October 2018)