DCXVIII. BACH, J.S. (1685-1750)
Bach's only cantata for solo tenor only.
1. [Aria] (Tenore): Ich armer Mensch, ich Sündenknecht
Accompanied by a rich texture of flute, oboe, and violins, the tenor sings of his "feeble soul" and a "slave of sin."
A feeble soul, a slave of sin
To come before the Judge appals me
In fear I tremble as He calls me
For God well knows what I have been
A feeble soul, a slave of sin.
2. Recitativo (Tenore): Ich habe wider Gott Gehandelt
A severe recitative, reflecting the text about God's wrath for sinners:
The will of God have I neglected
His bidden paths I shun
Nor have I ever freely done
As He directed
How then! If I should take the wings of morning
To flee hence from Thy presence
And dwell in ocean's farthest bound'ry
Behold: for Thou are there
And there Thy hand shall lead me
And there Thy right hand shall uphold me
Ah yea! Tho' I in Hell endeavor
In sin to make my bed forever
The wrath of Mighty God will find me there
On earth no help I see
For here the Fiend awaits to slay me
And should I soar up into Heaven
There dwelleth God, whose judgment none may flee
3. Aria (Tenore): Erbarme dich, laß die Tränen dich erweichen
Accompanied only by a sweeping flute part and continuo, the short text concerns God's mercy.
Have mercy Lord
Let our tears of penance reach Thee
Reach Thy heart, as we beseech Thee
Let our sins be expiated
Let They wrath be mitigated
Have mercy Lord
4. Recitativo (Tenore): Erbarme dich! Jedoch nun
The sinner -- having repented -- seeks God's grace.
Have pity then, for now I hope again
I come not to be judged before Him
For I approach the mercy seat
To meet the Father and adore Him
To Him will I repeat
Christ's anguish, how He died for me
My vices to efface
And how for me He paid the price
And pray Him in His Grace
O Lord, from sin I now am free
So take Thou me
In mercy back to Thee
5. Choral (Coro): Bin ich gleich von dier dewichen
The repentant sinner is reformed.
The repentant sinner is reformed.
Lord, from Thee have I parted
But Thy love will I regain
Gain it thro' Thy Son's atonement
Thro' His death and bitter pain
Freely I admit my guilt
But Thy mercy, if Thou wlit
Thro' my Saviour's intercession
Far transcends my worst transgressions
No comments:
Post a Comment