DCLXV. BACH, J.S. (1685-1750)
Composed for Marian Feast of the Visitation during his first year as Thomaskantor in Leipzig, he reused the now lost music from a cantata with the same title (BWV 147a) which was written for Advent in Weimar in 1716.
The prescribed readings for the day include Isaiah 11:1-5 and Luke 1:39-56.
Prima Parte
1. Coro: Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben
Faltet not, nor doubt nor fear
Own Him, God and Saviour dear
2. Recitativo (Tenore): Gebenedeiter Mund!
1. Coro: Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben
Heart and lips, thy whole behaviour
Witness bear to Christ thy SaviourFaltet not, nor doubt nor fear
Own Him, God and Saviour dear
2. Recitativo (Tenore): Gebenedeiter Mund!
Ah, tidings doubly blest!
When Mary, joyous, and with deep emotion
Her thanks and praise expressed
And told Elizabeth
The wonder of the Saviour's coming
That He be born to her, a lowly maid
O sinful Race of Man
The Devil's slave since time began
Thou wert set free
Thru Jesus Christ's supreme atonement
From all thy former slavery!
Yet still, thy lips and thy too stubborn spirit
Conceal and will not own this blessing
Forget not, how the Scriptures tell
That such will feel the pains of Hell
3. Aria (Alto): Schäme dich, o Seele, nichtWhen Mary, joyous, and with deep emotion
Her thanks and praise expressed
And told Elizabeth
The wonder of the Saviour's coming
That He be born to her, a lowly maid
O sinful Race of Man
The Devil's slave since time began
Thou wert set free
Thru Jesus Christ's supreme atonement
From all thy former slavery!
Yet still, thy lips and thy too stubborn spirit
Conceal and will not own this blessing
Forget not, how the Scriptures tell
That such will feel the pains of Hell
Soul of mine, be not ashamed
Thy Redeemer to acknowledge
For in thiswise, by the Father
Sons of God will ye be named
Him who here among the mortals
Would His Godhead now deny
God will bar from Heaven's portals
Where He reigns above on High
4. Recitativo (Basso): Verstockung kann Gewaltige verblenden
Perverseness oftentimes will blind to mighty
Until from off their seats God hurls them down
Yet He whose arm can shake
The very earth, before whom mountains quake
Will help the poor and needy
For pity's sake
Ye richly blessed Christians up
Watch ye, now, and pray
Come soon the long expected day
This is the day of hope!
The Saviour asks your heart and soul
Naught less is fit to offer
Cry out to Him, with fervent, ardent longing
To Him with Faith in worship thronging
5. Aria (Soprano): Bereite dir, Jesu, noch itzo die Bahn
Prepare for Thy coming the way to our hearts
Receive as Disciples
The Faithful Believers
And grant us the Grace that Thy mercy imparts
[Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring]
Happy I who have my Saviour
From Him never will I part
He restores my drooping spirit
Be I sad and sick at heart
Cares may vex and troubles grieve me
Yet will Jesus never leave me
Him I never will forsake
Even tho' my heart should break
Seconda Parte
7. Aria (Tenore): Hilf, Jesu, hilf
Help, Jesus, that I may not deny Thee
Thru weal and woe, in joy and grief
And as my Saviour not belief Thee
That I with steadfast firm belief
And heart aflame with love may magnify Thee
8. Recitativo (Alto): Der höchsten Allmacht Wunderhand
The wondrous works of Mighty God
Are past our mortal understanding
The Holy Spirit quickened John the Baptist
As yet unborn and while within her womb
His Mother bore him
To know and greet his Lord
And tho' he could not speak
That Name, by all adored
He stirred and lept in salutation
The while Elizabeth, with Mary standing by
Observed the miracle, in hushed and whispered wonder
If ye, O Faithful Ones, because the flesh is weak
From duty oftentimes are turning
Then God will give you strength to speak
And courage to proclaim your obligation
Yea, heartily, with love and adoration
9. Aria (Basso): Ich will von Jesu Wundern singen
Of Jesus am I ever singing
My offering of praise am bringing
For He, because He loved us so
Has filled our hearts to overflow
With love from God Almighty springing
10. Choral (Coro): Jesus bleibet meine Freude
[Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring]
Jesus, source of ev'ry blessing
He my heart's supreme delight
Jesus lightens all my troubles
Thru His love's redeeming might
He my eyes' most precious pleasure
He my spirit's choicest treasure
Fast and firm within my heart
He and I will never part
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