DLXXXIII. BACH, J.S. (1685-1750)
The subject is death and eternity.
The text is from Johann Rist's 1642 hymn O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort. The actual chorale melody is by Johann Schop.
The two-part structure allows for a sermon after Part One.
1. [Coro]: O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort
Written in the style of a solemn French overture in three sections -- slow/fast/slow:
The two-part structure allows for a sermon after Part One.
1. [Coro]: O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort
Written in the style of a solemn French overture in three sections -- slow/fast/slow:
Fast section:
Third section, slow. Notice the word-painting on erschrocken (terrified) -- a two-note motif sandwiched between rests; a jolt!
O sword that bores through the soul
O beginning without end
O Eternity, time without time
I know not, for great sorrow
Whither I can turn
All my terrified heart trembles
So that my tongue cleaves to the roof of my mouth
2. Recitativo (Tenore): Kein Unglück ist in aller Welt zu finden
That lasts for ever
It must always disappear at last with time
Ah! But ah! The pain of eternity alone has no goal
It drives is game of torment ever onward
Yes, as Jesus Himself says
There is no redemption from it
3. Aria (Tenore): Ewigkeit, du machst mir bange
A dramatic aria, with suggestions of fright and fire:
Eternity, you make me fearful
Ever, ever is too long!
Ah, here indeed no jest is fitting
Flames that for ever burn
No fire can be compared with them
My heart is terrified and quakes
When I think of this torment
And guide my thoughts to Hell
4. Recitativo (Basso): Gesetzt, es daurte der Verdammten Qual
Granted that the torment of the damned lasted
As many years as the number
To which the grass on earth, the stars in the sky would amount
Granted that the pain had been so widely spread
As mankind in the world
From the beginning
Yet at last would
The same goal and measure be set
It would still have to end sometime
But now, if you have suffered he danger
O damned one, a thousand million years
With all the devils
There is still no end
Time, which nobody can count
Begins every moment
To the eternal misery of your soul
Its course anew
5. Aria (Basso): Gott ist gerecht
Da capo aria.
God is just in His works
For brief sins in this world
He has ordained such long torment
Ah, would the world but heed this!
Time is short, death quick
Consider this, o child of man!
6. Aria (Alto): O Mensch, errette deine Seele
Pleading to save your soul.
O man, save your soul
Flee from Satan's slavery
And make yourself free of sin
So that in that sulphurous cavern
Death, which torments the damned
Does not eternally afflict your soul
O man, save your soul
7. Choral [Coro]: Solang ein Gott im Himmel lebt
So long as God lives in Heaven
And hovers above the clouds
Such torment will last
They will be plagued by cold and heat
Fear, hunger, terror, fire and lightning
And yet not be consumed by them
For this pain will only cease
When God is no longer eternal
Seconda Parte
8. Aria (Basso): Wacht auf, wacht auf, verlomen Schafe
Like movement 1, again in the dotted 16th-32nd-note rhythm of the French overture. Trumpet blasts to "wake us up"; scales; the music a tone-painting of The Last Judgment.
Wake up, wake up, lost sheep
Rouse yourselves from the sleep of sin
And quickly improve your lives!
Wake up before the trumpet sounds
That calls you in terror out of the grave
To judgement before the judge of all the world!
9. Recitativo (Alto): Verlaß, o Mensch, die Wollust dieser Welt
Leave, o man, the lusts of the world
Splendour, pride, riches, honour and money
Indeed consider
Yet in this time
While the tree of life is green
What you need for your peace
Perhaps this is the last day
No man knows when he might die
How easily, how soon
Some are dead and cold
Even this night
The coffin could be brought to your door
Therefore be concerned about all
With the salvation of your soul!
10. Aria (Duetto: Alto, Tenore): O Menschenkind, hör auf geschwind
The voices begin in rhythmic unison; then weave in and out; and again join together. Bach word-paints the message on a long melisma on the word Qual (torment) near the end.
O child of man
Cease quickly
To love sin and the world
That the pain
Where wailing and gnashing of teeth prevail
Does not eternally oppress you!
Ah! See yourself reflected in the rich man
Who is his torment
Cannot even
Have a little drop of water
11. Choral [Coro]: O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort
Same music as movement 7, different text.
O Eternity, you word of thunder
O sword that bores through the soul
O beginning without end
O Eternity, time without time
I know not, for great sorrow
Whither I can turn
Take me if it pleases you
Lord Jesus, into your abode of joy!
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