CCCXXXVIII. BACH, J.S. (1685-1750)
Generally speaking, the Sacred Cantatas are numbered #1-200 and the Secular Cantatas from #200 and above.
The reason this secular cantata is numbered below #200 is that it was later rewritten as a sacred cantata, BWV 134.
Like BWV 58 [Post CCCXXXVI], this is also a dialog cantata, with the alto taking the part of Divine Providence and the tenor, Time.
Time represents the past; while Divine Providence, the future.
This work was written for the birthday of Prince Leopold of Anhalt-Cöthen and first performed on New Year's Day, 1719. The prince would have been 25.
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1. Recitativo (Alto, Tenore): Die Zeit, die Tag und Jahre Macht
Time
Time, which creates the days and years
Has given Anhalt many an hour of benediction
And now has brought renewed prosperity
Divine Providence
O noble Time, alllied to God's benevolence
2. Aria (Tenore): Auf, Sterbliche, lasset ein Jauchzen entönen
An energetic aria for the tenor in 3/8, B-Flat Major.
Time
Arise, O mortals, let your shouts of joy ring forth!
The light of God illumines you anew
May Heaven bless the times with grace!
Arise, O souls, you must prepare a sacrifice
And offer up your thanks to God on high
3. Recitativo (Alto, Tenore): So bald, als dir die Sternen hold
Addressing Leopold, personally:
Time
Most highly praised of princedoms
I brought you your beloved Leopold
For the good of your own prosperity and his reputation
I have cared for him many a year
And now have added another
I still adorn this house of God
And grace Anhalt's princely heavens
With new light and the rays of my favour
Poverty shuns this land
And a golden age still flourishes here
So praise the Lord's great goodness
Divine Providence
That draw down yet more salvation from on high
Thus all wise princes must prosper
Thus a land will enjoy great blessings
O Time, the lord of time has chosen you
For the greater prosperity of this house
Time
What gifts of grace do I lack?
Divine Providence
Yet greater gifts do I have in store
Time
My fame is already exceptional
Divine Providence
Such fame will be greater in praise of God
Divine Providence
Times yet to come contend and triumph
Time
This loving contest moves all hearts
To pluck the strings, contend and jest
Resounding to the praise of the Lord
Divine Providence
How much I have bestowed on you of late
In Leopold you have a token of my benevolence
See from the light of the princess's wisdom
See from the prince's noble life
And from their daughter's garland of virtues
That this house is not lacking in lustre
And that you yourself are not lacking in earthly prosperity
If I am to bring you good fortune in future
Then pray to the heavens above
For their princely well-being
Come, Anhalt, pray for more years and more times
For without God and them,
I should not for a moment
Be happy for you
Yes, Anhalt, yes, you bend the knee
Your ardent wishes join in my prayer
Divine Providence
And yet, O most bountiful fate
God Himself sees into these illustrious hearts
Sees their lordships' shining virtues
Which burn like candles in their ardent devotion
Because of their ardour, which is dear to God
Incalculable good comes to them
And to this land much earthly prosperity
6. Aria (Alto): Der Zeiten Herr hat viel vergnügte Stunden
Many more hours of pleasure, O house dear to God
Because, such is the harmony of those souls
Who choose God as their haven and salvation
Heaven is wont to give its blessing too
7. Recitativo (Alto, Tenore): Hilf, Höchster, hilf
Time
And regard me not as ill-disposed
But as a golden age for this world-famous house
Come, pour upon it a floodtide of blessings
Yes, for my sake be well disposed to dearest Leopold
For the welfare and joy of the many thousands
Who depend on his mercy
Until he is grey with old age
Bring cheer to his godlike breast
And let those illustrious people
Whom, to your credit you have chosen
And on whom your bountiful light has shone until now
Serve you for years to come
Only in perfect prosperity
In every season, Lord, confirm once again
Your goodness and faith in them
Divine Providence
The bounty of the Lord is renewed each morning
His protection and, above all, His spirit
Are upon such princes
As lead God-fearing lives
8. Coro: Ergetzet auf Erden
Divine Providence
All
Divine Providence, Time
May Heaven's blessing choose to dwell
Among these most illustrious souls
All
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