The opening movement of Bach’s 140th Cantata is on my Bach top-five list. (Im not completely sure what the other four would be, but there we are...) The whole cantata is based on the parable of the wise and foolish versions (St. Matthew 25:1–13). An English translation is below, and the score is in the video. I. (Chorus) Wake ye maids! hard, strikes the hour, The watchman calls high on the tower, Awake, awake, Jerusalem. Midnight strikes, hear, hear it sounding, Loud cries the watch, with call resounding: Where are ye, o wise virgins, where? Good cheer, the Bridegroom come, Arise and take your lamps! Alleluja! Ye maids beware: The feast prepare, So go ye forth to meet Him there. II. Recitative: He comes. The Bridegroom comes! And Zions daughter shall rejoice, He hastens to her dwelling claiming The maiden of his choice. The Bridegroom comes; as is a roebuck, Yea, like a lusty mountain roebuck, Fleet and fair, His marriage feast he bids you share. Arise and take your lamps! In eagerness to greet him; Come! hasten, sally forth to meet him. III. Aria (Duet) [Soul] Come quickly, now come. [Jesus] Yea quickly I come. [Soul] We wait thee with lamps all alighted! The doors open wide, Come claim me my bride! [Jesus] The doors open wide, I claim me my bride. [Soul] Come quickly! [Jesus] Forever in rapture united IV. Chorale Zion hears the watchmen calling, The Faithful hark with joy enthralling, They rise and haste to greet their Lord. See, He comes, the Lord victorious, Almighty, noble, true and glorious, In Heavn supreme, on earth adored. Come now, Thou Holy One, The Lord Jehovahs Son! Alleluja! We follow all The joyful call To join Him in the Banquet Hall! V. Recitative So come thou unto me, My fair and chosen bride, Thou whom I long to see Forever by my side. Within my heart of hearts Art thou secure by ties that naught can sever, Where I may cherish thee forever. Forget, beloved, evry care, Away with pain and grief and sadness, For better or for worse to share Our lives in love and joy and gladness. VI. Aria (Duet) [Soul] Thy love is mine, [Jesus] And I am thine! [Both] True lovers neer are parted. [Soul] Now I with thee, and thou with me. [Jesus] In flowry field will wander, [Both] In rapture united forever to be. VII. Chorale Gloria sing all our voices, With Angels all mankind rejoices, With harp and strings in sweetest tone. Twelve bright Pearls adorn Thy Portals, As Angels round Thy glorious Throne. No ear has ever heard The joy we know. Our praises flow, Eeo, eeo, To God in dulci jubilo.
Posted on: Sat, 06 Dec 2014 02:09:22 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015