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Cantata BWV 81
Jesus schläft, was soll ich hoffen?
English Translation in Interlinear Format
Cantata BWV 81 - Jesus sleeps, what should be my hope?

Event: Solo Cantata for the 4th Sunday after Epiphany
Readings: Epistle: Romans 13: 8-10; Gospel: Matthew 8: 23-27
Text: Johann Franck (Mvt. 7); Matthew 8: 26 (Mvt. 8); Anon (Mvts. 1-3, 5-6) [Wustmann & Neumann suggest Christian Weiss, Sr.; Alec Robertson suggests Erdmann Neumeister]
Chorale Text: Jesu, meine Freude

Biblical quotations in green font, chorales in purple

1

Aria [Alto]

Flauto I/II, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo

Jesus schläft, was soll ich hoffen?
Jesus sleeps, what should be my hope?
Seh ich nicht
Do I not see
Mit erblasstem Angesicht
with pallid face
Schon des Todes Abgrund offen?
death’s abyss already open?

2

Recitative [Tenor]

Continuo

Herr! warum trittest du so ferne?
Lord! why do you walk so far away?
Warum verbirgst du dich zur Zeit der Not,
Why do you hide yourself in the time of my distress
Da alles mir ein kläglich Ende droht?
when everything threatens me with a lamentable end?
Ach, wird dein Auge nicht durch meine Not beweget
Ah, is your eye not moved by my distress
So sonsten nie zu schlummern pfleget?
that at other times is never accustomed to sleep?
Du wiesest ja mit einem Sterne
You showed with a star
Vordem den neubekehrten Weisen,
once to the newly converted wise men
Den rechten Weg zu reisen.
the right way to travel.
Ach leite mich durch deiner Augen Licht,
Ah guide me by the light of your eyes
Weil dieser Weg nichts als Gefahr verspricht.
since this way promises nothing but danger.

3

Aria [Tenor]

Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo

Die schäumenden Wellen von Belials Bächen
The foaming waves of Belial’s streams
Verdoppeln die Wut.
redouble their rage.
Ein Christ soll zwar wie Felsen stehn, (or wie Wellen like a wave)
A Christian should stand like a rock
Wenn Trübsalswinde um ihn gehn,
when the winds of affliction go over it,
Doch suchet die stürmende Flut
for the raging flood seeks
Die Kräfte des Glaubens zu schwächen.
to weaken faith’s strength.

4

Arioso [Bass]

Continuo

Ihr Kleingläubigen, warum seid ihr so furchtsam? (Matthew 8:26)
You people of little faith, why are you so fearful?

5

Aria [Bass]

Oboe d'amore I/II, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo

Schweig, aufgetürmtes Meer!
Be silent, towering sea!
Verstumme, Sturm und Wind!
Keep quiet , storm and wind !
Dir sei dein Ziel gesetzet,
Let a limit be set for you,
Damit mein auserwähltes Kind
so that my chosen child
Kein Unfall je verletzet
.
no mischance may harm.

6

Recitative [Alto]

Continuo

Wohl mir, mein Jesus spricht ein Wort,
How happy I am, my Jesus speaks a word,
Mein Helfer ist erwacht,
my helper is awake,
So muss der Wellen Sturm, des Unglücks Nacht
and so the waves’ storm, the night’s misfortune
Und aller Kummer fort.
and all cares must vanish.

7

Chorale [S, A, T, B]

Oboe d'amore I/II e Violino I col Soprano, Violino II coll'Alto, Viola col Tenore, Continuo

Unter deinen Schirmen
Beneath your protection
Bin ich für den Stürmen
I am free from storms
Aller Feinde frei.
and all enemies.
Laß den Satan wittern,
Let Satan sniff around,
Laß den Feind erbittern,
let the enemy be exasperated
Mir steht Jesus bei.
Jesus stands by me.
Ob es itzt gleich kracht und blitzt,
Though there is thunder and lightning,
Ob gleich Sünd und Hölle schrecken,
thought sin and hell terrify,
Jesus will mich decken.
Jesus will protect me.

--

This Translation in Parallel Format

English Translation by Francis Browne (February 2006)
Contributed by Francis Browne (February 2006)

Cantata BWV 81: Jesus schläft, was soll ich hoffen? for 4th Sunday after Epiphany (1724)
Discography: Details & Complete Recordings | Recordings of Individual Movements
Discussions: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

BWV 81 Text: German-1 | German-6 | German-7 | NBA Text
Translations: English-1 | English-3I | English-3P | English-6 | English-7 | English-10 | English-14
Catalan-1 | Chinese-2 | Dutch-0 | Dutch-3 | French-4 | French-5 | French-6 | Hebrew-1 | Hungarian-1 | Indonesian-1 | Italian-2 | Norwegian-1 | Polish-1 | Polish-2 (version 1) | Polish-2 (version 2) | Russian-1 | Russian-3 | Spanish-3 | Spanish-7 | Spanish/English-8
Emblemata: BWV 81/3
Chorale Text: Jesu, meine Freude [BWV 81/7]

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: Monday, January 09, 2023 14:26