Having started Christmas Day with the opening chorus of Bach’s Weihnachts Oratorium, “Jauchzet, frohlocket!” I was going to bookend it with the final chorus today – but having searched for a suitable video I decided that you should have a bigger slice of Bach.
Today’s music is the final (6th) part in its entirety – still not too long! – which tells the story of the wise men. The outline of the story is, of course, familiar to many but I will post a translation of the libretto in a comment in case you want to follow it more precisely – as always, the music stands on its own, but I know that for some the words are necessary.
This is taken from a complete performance by the Concentus Musicus Wien and the Tölzer Knabenchor with soloists under the direction of Nikolaus Harnoncourt. The link will launch you into the middle of the video.
Johann Sebastian Bach : Weihnachtsoratorium Part VI
For those who would like the lyrics – I’m not sure how good this translation is – but it is one that Google found for me!! 😀
1 – Chorale
Lord, when our arrogant enemies snort with rage
Then grant that we in firm faith may look to your power and help!
We want to trust you alone,
Then we can escape the sharp claws of the enemy unhurt.
2 – Recitative
Tenor:
Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and carefully learned from them when the star had appeared and he directed them to Bethlehem and said
Bass:
Go there and enquire carefully about the little child, and when you have found him come back and tell me so that I also may go and worship him.
3 – Recitative
You cheat, you only seek the Lord to bring him down you use all your false cunning to hunt after the saviour;
But he whose power no man can measure still remains in safe hands.
Your heart, your false heart, is already, with all your treachery, by the son of the Highest, whom you seek to cast down, very well-known.
4 – Aria
Just a wave of your hand casts down the powerless strength of men.
Here all might is derided if the Highest speaks one word
To put an end to the pride of his enemies,
Oh, then at once must thoughts of mortals be changed.
5 – Recitative
And when they had heard the King, they went away.
And see, the star, which they had seen in the East went before them, until it came and stood over the place Where the little child was.
When they saw the star, they rejoiced greatly and went into the house and found the child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshipped him and opened their treasures and gave him gold, frankincense and myrrh.
6 – Chorale
I stand here and your crib O Little Jesus, my life;
I come, bring and give you What you have given to me.
Take it! It is my spirit and mind, heart, soul and courage, take it all
And may it be pleasing to you!
7 – Recitative
And God ordered them in a dream that they should not return to Herod, and so they departed by another way back to their own country.
8 – Recitative
Go then! It is enough that my treasure does not depart from here,
He stays here by me, I will not let him leave me
His arm out of love with desire full of gentleness and with great tenderness will embrace me;
He will remain my bridegroom,
I will dedicate my heart and prayers to him I know for certain that he loves me
My heart also loves him ardently and will always honour him.
What sort of enemy could now do me harm when I am so fortunate!
You, Jesus, are and remain my friend and if I beg you anxiously “Lord, help!”, then let me see your help
9 – Aria
Now, you arrogant enemies, may try to scare me
What sort of fear can you arouse in me my treasure, my refuge, is here with me
Though you may appear ever so fierce and threatened to cast me down once and for all
Yet see! My Saviour lives here
10 – Recitative
What will the terror of hell do now, what will the world and sin do now since we rest in the hands of Jesus
11 – Chorale
Now you are well avenged on the host of your enemies;
Christ has broken in pieces what was against you.
Death, Devil, Sin and hell are weakened once and for all;
With God is the place for the human race.