Chorale Texts used in Bach's Vocal Works
Komm, Gott Schöpfer, Heiliger Geist
Text and Translation of Chorale

Ref. in hymnals/hymn books: EKG 97; EG 126; KGEL 132
Author: Martin Luther (1524), based on the Latin hymn Veni Creator Spiritus by Rabanus Maurus (9th century)
by Chorale Melody: Komm, Gott Schöpfer, Heiliger Geist (Zahn 295) | Composer: Martin Luther (1529), based on the melody of the Latin hymn Veni Creator Spiritus (Kempten, 1000)
Theme: Pentecost

Description: "Komm, Gott Schöpfer, Heiliger Geist" ("Come, God Creator, Holy Ghost") is a Lutheran hymn for Pentecost, with words written by Martin Luther as a paraphrase of the Latin "Veni Creator Spiritus". He wrote the hymn in his effort to establish German equivalents to the Latin parts of the liturgy. He derived the melody from the chant of the Latin hymn. The hymn in seven stanzas was first published in 1524, both in the Erfurt Enchiridion and in a setting by Johann Walter in Eyn geystlich Gesangk Buchleyn. The number in the current Protestant hymnal Evangelisches Gesangbuch (EG) is 126.
The hymn has been translated and has appeared to the hymn tune "Komm, Gott Schöpfer" in twelve hymnals, for example "Come, O Creator Spirit Blest", translated by Edward Caswall.
Source: Wikipedia (March 19, 2018)
In the Cantata “Gott der Hoffnung erfulle euch,” (BWV 218) attributed to J.S. Bach (actually by Georg Philipp Telemann), the tune is used exactly in its 1535 form. Elsewhere, in Choralgesange, No. 218, and the two Organ movements (infra), J.S. Bach follows a version of the melody based on Johann Crüger’s text (1640) (supra) invariably for the third phrase. Witt (No. 171) exactly conforms to the 1535 text.
Source: Charles Sanford Terry: Bach’s Chorals, vol. 3 The Hymns and Hymn Melodies of the Organ Works (Cambridge University Press, 1921), pp 218-220

Vocal Works by J.S. Bach:
Chorale Komm, Gatt Schöpler, heiliger Geist (Mvt. 5) from Cantata BWV 218 (by Georg Philipp Telemann) (verse 1)
Chorale, Komm, Gott Schöpfer, heiliger Geist, BWV 370,
Ref: Ri 187; Br 187; AmB 46II p.98 & p.154; Penzel 145; BC F125.1

Latin Text (verses in bold print set by Bach)

English Translation

1. Veni Creator Spiritus,
mentes tuorum visita,
imple superna gratia,
quae tu creasti, pectora.

1. Come, Holy Ghost, Creator, come
from thy bright heav'nly throne;
come, take possession of our souls,
and make them all thine own.

2. Qui diceris Paraclitus,
donum Dei altissimi,
fons vivus, ignis, caritas,
et spiritalis unctio.

2. Thou who art called the Paraclete,
best gift of God above,
the living spring, the living fire,
sweet unction and true love.

3. Tu septiformis munere,
dextrae Dei tu digitus
|tu rite promissum Patris,
sermone ditans guttura.

3. Thou who art sevenfold in thy grace,
finger of God's right hand;
his promise, teaching little ones
to speak and understand.

4. Accende lumen sensibus,
infunde amorem cordibus,
infirma nostri corporis
virtute firmans perpeti.

4. O guide our minds with thy blest light,
with love our hearts inflame;
and with thy strength, which ne'er decays,
confirm our mortal frame.

5. Hostem repellas longius
pacemque dones protinus;
ductore sic te praevio
vitemus omne noxium.

Far from us drive our deadly foe;
true peace unto us bring;
and through all perils lead us safe
beneath thy sacred wing.

6. Per te sciamus da Patrem
noscamus atque Filium,
te utriusque Spiritum
credamus omni tempore.

Through thee may we the Father know,
through thee th'eternal Son,
and thee the Spirit of them both,
thrice-blessed three in One.

(In some instances, the Minor Doxology follows)

7. Deo Patri sit gloria,
et Filio qui a mortuis
Surrexit, ac Paraclito,
in saeculorum saecula.
Amen.

All glory to the Father be,
With his coequal Son;
The same to thee, great Paraclete,
While endless ages run.
Amen.

German Text (verses in bold print set by Bach)

English Translation

1. Komm, Gott Schöpfer, Heiliger Geist,
Besuch das Herz der Menschen dein,
Mit Gnaden sie füll, wie du weißt,
Dass's dein Geschöpf vorhin sein.

1. Come, God, Creator, Holy Ghost,
Visit the heart of all Thy men;
Fill them with grace, the way Thou know’st;
What Thine was, make it again.

2. Denn du bist der Tröster genannt,
Des Allerhöchsten Gabe teur,
Ein geistlich Salb an uns gewandt,
Ein lebend Brunn, Lieb und Feur.

2. For Thou art called the Comforter,
The blessed gift of God above,
A ghostly balm, our quickener,
A living well, fire, and love.

3. Zünd uns ein Licht an im Verstand,
Gib uns ins Herz der Liebe Brunft,
Das schwach Fleisch in uns, dir bekannt,
Erhalt fest deine Kraft und Gunst.

3. O kindle in our minds a light;
Give in our hearts love’s glowing gift;
Our weak flesh, known to Thee aright,
With Thy strength and grace uplift.

4. Du bist mit Gaben siebenfalt
Der Finger an Gotts rechter Hand,
Des Vaters Wort gibst du gar bald
Mit Zungen in alle Land.

4. In giving gifts Thou art sevenfold;
The finger Thou on God’s right hand;
His word by Thee right soon is told
With clov’n tongues in every land.

5. Des Feindes List treib von uns fern,
Den Fried schaff bei uns deine Gnad,
Dass wir deim Leiten folgen gern
Und meiden der Seelen Schad.

5. Drive far the cunning of the foe;
Thy grace bring peace and make us whole,
That we glad after Thee may go,
And shun that which hurts the soul.

6. Lehr uns den Vater kennen wohl,
Dazu Jesum Christ, seinen Sohn,
Dass wir des Glaubens werden voll,
Dich, beider Geist, zu verstahn.

6. Teach us to know the Father right,
And Jesus Christ, His Son, that so
We may with faith be filled quite,
Spirit of both, Thee to know.

7. Gott Vater sei Lob und dem Sohn,
Der von den Toten auferstund,
Dem Tröster sei dasselb getan
In Ewigkeit alle Stund.

7. Praise God the Father, and the Son,
Who from the dead arose in power;
Like praise to the Consoling One,
Evermore and every hour.

Source of German text: Bach Digital | Hymnary.org | Evangeliums.net | Monarchieliga
Source of Latin text & its English translation: Wikipdia
English translation: George Macdonald | Source: Charles Sanford Terry: Bach’s Chorals, vol. 3 The Hymns and Hymn Melodies of the Organ Works (Cambridge University Press, 1921), pp 218-220
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (October 2018)