DCCLXVI. BACH, J.S.: Cantata #134: Ein Herz, das seinen Jesum lebend weiß, BWV 134

DCCLXVI. BACH, J.S. (1685-1750)

Cantata #134: Ein Herz, das seinen Jesum lebend weiß, BWV 134 (1724)
1. Recitativo (Alto, Tenore): Ein Herz, das seinen Jesum lebend weiß
2. Aria (Tenore): Auf, Gläubige, singet die lieblichen Lieder
3. Recitativo (Alto, Tenore): Wohl dir, Gott hat an dich gedacht
4. Aria (Duetto: Tenore, Alto): Wir danken, wir preisen dein brünstiges Lieben
5. Recitativo (Alto, Tenore): Doch wirke selbst den Dank in unserm Munde
6. Coro: Erschallet, ihr Himmel, erfreue dich, Erde
Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir|
Ton Koopman, cond.
(25:17)

Written for the third day of Easter. This cantata is based on BWV 134a, an oddly-numbered secular cantata, written for a Prince's birthday.

The readings for this Tuesday were Acts 13:26-33 and Luke 24:36-47.

The cantata is basically a rewrite of BWV 134a, dropping the allegorical figures ot Time and Divine Providence from that work, and providing a suitable sacred text in its place.

1. Recitativo (Alto, Tenore): Ein Herz, das seinen Jesum lebend weiß

The soul that truly knows his risen Lord
Receiving daily Jesus' blessing
Delights in song His praises to record
How happy he, this priceless boom possessing

2. Aria (Tenore): Auf, Gläubige, singet die lieblichen Lieder

Ye Faithful Ones, sing ye a song of rejoicing
There shineth from Heaven a magical Light
The Saviour is risen from sorrow to spare us
Come, Faithful Ones, we must a tribute prepare us
Our debt to the Highest in thanks to require!

3. Recitativo (Alto, Tenore): Wohl dir, Gott hat an dich gedacht

 

'Tis well, God ever thinks of thee
And makes in thee His Holy Shrine
The Saviour lives, and victory
He has achieved with might divine
And Satan trembling and defeated
To Hell in terror has retreated
For thee the Saviour died and bled
And even down to Hell descended
Forget not how he shed His precious Blood
That we thereby be sanctified
And Satan's evil rule be ended
So when the stress of life assails our souls
Be not dismayed; it was for us He died
The pow'r of Love my battle flag shall be
To give me strength and courage in the struggle
And tho' with cruel thorns they crown me
'Twill be a crown of victory
My Lord, my God, whom risen we acclaim
Thru Thee no foe can bring us now to shame
Our countless enemies assail us!
If we be true God will not fail us
My final foe will be the Grave
But God will be at hand, my soul to save

4. Aria (Duetto: Tenore, Alto): Wir danken, wir preisen dein brünstiges Lieben

We thank Thee, we praise Thee, for all Thy devotion
And bring Thee a tribute of singing an offering today
The Victor awakes our rejoicing in chorus
The Saviour illumines our pathway before ue
And mightily strengthens His Church for the day.

5. Recitativo (Alto, Tenore): Doch wirke selbst den Dank in unserm Munde

Lord teach me now a Song of true Thanksgiving
Nor let my worldly heart forget
An instant while on earth I'm living
Thee, and Thy wholly unrequired debt
Be Thou a precious Ointment for my soul
To keep my spirit sound and whole
In Thine abounding Grace abiding
In perfect and unending bliss
And grant us also, Master, this
That we, in Thy defense confiding
May on Thy death and life rely
That thru Thy victory and Resurrection
Our death release us when we die
To live and share Thy Majesty and Thine affection
All that we are exalts Thee, Mighty God
And magnifies Thy Truth and Grace
Thy sacrifice did all our sins erase
Thy glorious Might has put the foe to flight
And brings to us salvation
For this our praise and adoration!

6. Coro: Erschallet, ihr Himmel, erfreue dich, Erde

Resound all Creation, rejoice ev'ry nation
In praise to the Highest, ye Faithful Ones sing
The Heavens are telling and Earth is confessing
The Saviour's unending and bounteous blessing
The Lord our Redeemer, our Master and King