{
"bwv_num": "81",
"work_name": "“Jesus schläft, was soll ich hoffen?”",
"work_occasion": "4th Sunday after Epiphany",
"work_author": "",
"work_translators": "Michael Marissen & Daniel R. Melamed",
"links": {
"url_work": "http://BachCantataTexts.org/BWV81",
"url_translation": "http://BachCantataTexts.org/Texts/Translations/BWV081--TextandTranslation.docx",
"url_annotated": "http://BachCantataTexts.org/Texts/Annotated/BWV081--AnnotatedTranslation.pdf",
"url_qr_code": "http://BachCantataTexts.org/Texts/QRCodes/BWV081QRcode.png"
},
"movements": [
{
"mvt_num": "1",
"mvt_text_type": "poetry",
"mvt_texts": [
{
"text_language": "de",
"text_plain": "Jesus schläft, was soll ich hoffen?\nSeh ich nicht\nMit erblasstem Angesicht\nSchon des Todes Abgrund offen?",
"text_html": "Jesus schläft, was soll ich hoffen?
Seh ich nicht
Mit erblasstem Angesicht
Schon des Todes Abgrund offen?"
},
{
"text_language": "en",
"text_plain": "Jesus sleeps [during a great sea tempest]; what am I to hope?\nDo I not see,\nWith [my] blanched countenance,\nThe abyss of death already agape?",
"text_html": "Jesus sleeps [during a great sea tempest];1 what am I to hope?
Do I not see,
With [my] blanched countenance,
The abyss of death already agape?"
}
]
},
{
"mvt_num": "2",
"mvt_text_type": "poetry",
"mvt_texts": [
{
"text_language": "de",
"text_plain": "Herr! warum trittest du so ferne?\nWarum verbirgst du dich zur Zeit der Not,\nDa alles mir ein kläglich Ende droht?\nAch, wird dein Auge nicht durch meine Not beweget\nSo sonsten nie zu schlummern pfleget?\nDu wiesest ja mit einem Sterne\nVordem den neubekehrten Weisen,\nDen rechten Weg zu reisen.\nAch, leite mich durch deiner Augen Licht,\nWeil dieser Weg nichts als Gefahr verspricht.",
"text_html": "Herr! warum trittest2 du so ferne?
Warum verbirgst du dich zur Zeit der Not,
Da alles mir ein kläglich Ende droht?
Ach, wird dein Auge nicht durch meine Not beweget
So sonsten nie zu schlummern pfleget?
Du wiesest ja mit einem Sterne
Vordem den neubekehrten Weisen,3
Den rechten Weg zu reisen.
Ach, leite mich durch deiner Augen Licht,
Weil dieser Weg nichts als Gefahr verspricht."
},
{
"text_language": "en",
"text_plain": "Lord! Why do you tread so far off?\nWhy do you conceal yourself at the time of my need,\nWhen everything threatens me [with] a piteous end?\nAh, is your eye, which otherwise [is] never wont to slumber,\nNot moved by my need?\nIndeed, in time past, with a star\nYou showed to the Wise Men, newly converted [to Christian worship],\nThe right path to travel [to find the Christ child].\nAh, lead me [likewise] by the light of your eyes,\nBecause this [right] path [to eternal life] promises nothing but [earthly] danger.",
"text_html": "Lord! Why do you tread so far off?
Why do you conceal yourself at the time of my need,4
When everything threatens me [with] a piteous end?
Ah, is your eye, which otherwise [is] never wont to slumber,
Not moved by my need?
Indeed, in time past, with a star
You showed to the Wise Men, newly converted [to Christian worship],
The right path to travel [to find the Christ child].5
Ah, lead me [likewise] by the light of your eyes,6
Because this [right] path [to eternal life] promises nothing but [earthly] danger.7"
}
]
},
{
"mvt_num": "3",
"mvt_text_type": "poetry",
"mvt_texts": [
{
"text_language": "de",
"text_plain": "Die schäumenden Wellen von Belials Bächen\nVerdoppeln die Wut.\nEin Christ soll zwar wie Wellen stehn,\nWenn Trübsalswinde um ihn gehn,\nDoch suchet die stürmende Flut\nDie Kräfte des Glaubens zu schwächen.",
"text_html": "Die schäumenden Wellen von Belials Bächen
Verdoppeln die Wut.
Ein Christ soll zwar wie Wellen8 stehn,
Wenn Trübsalswinde um ihn gehn,
Doch suchet die stürmende Flut
Die Kräfte des Glaubens zu schwächen."
},
{
"text_language": "en",
"text_plain": "The foaming waves of Belial’s [deathly torrential] brooks\nRedouble their rage.\nA Christian is indeed to stand like [piled-up inert] waves [obeying God’s command]\nWhen the winds of tribulation chop round him;\nYet the storming flood seeks\nTo weaken the powers of faith.",
"text_html": "The foaming waves of Belial’s [deathly torrential] brooks9
Redouble their rage.
A Christian is indeed to stand like [piled-up inert] waves [obeying God’s command]10
When the winds of tribulation chop round him;
Yet the storming flood seeks
To weaken the powers of faith."
}
]
},
{
"mvt_num": "4",
"mvt_text_type": "scripture",
"mvt_texts": [
{
"text_language": "de",
"text_plain": "Ihr Kleingläubigen, warum seid ihr so furchtsam?",
"text_html": "Ihr Kleingläubigen, warum seid ihr so furchtsam?11"
},
{
"text_language": "en",
"text_plain": "[In the storm, Jesus said to his disciples:] You of little faith, why are you so fearful?",
"text_html": "[In the storm, Jesus said to his disciples:] You of little faith, why are you so fearful?"
}
]
},
{
"mvt_num": "5",
"mvt_text_type": "poetry",
"mvt_texts": [
{
"text_language": "de",
"text_plain": "Schweig, aufgetürmtes Meer!\nVerstumme, Sturm und Wind!\nDir sei dein Ziel gesetzet,\nDamit mein auserwähltes Kind\nKein Unfall je verletzet.",
"text_html": "Schweig, aufgetürmtes Meer!
Verstumme, Sturm und Wind!
Dir sei dein Ziel gesetzet,
Damit mein auserwähltes Kind
Kein Unfall je verletzet."
},
{
"text_language": "en",
"text_plain": "Be quiet, piled-up sea [commands Jesus]!\nFall silent, storm and wind!\n[O water,] may your limit be set\nSo that no mishap\nEver harms my [Jesus’s spiritual] child chosen [for salvation].",
"text_html": "Be quiet, piled-up sea [commands Jesus]!
Fall silent, storm and wind!12
[O water,] may your limit be set13
So that no mishap
Ever harms my [Jesus’s spiritual] child chosen [for salvation]."
}
]
},
{
"mvt_num": "6",
"mvt_text_type": "poetry",
"mvt_texts": [
{
"text_language": "de",
"text_plain": "Wohl mir, mein Jesus spricht ein Wort,\nMein Helfer ist erwacht,\nSo muss der Wellen Sturm, des Unglücks Nacht\nUnd aller Kummer fort.",
"text_html": "Wohl mir, mein Jesus spricht ein Wort,
Mein Helfer ist erwacht,
So muss der Wellen Sturm, des Unglücks Nacht
Und aller Kummer fort."
},
{
"text_language": "en",
"text_plain": "It is well for me; my Jesus declares a word [and the tempest clears].\nMy helper/savior has awakened;\nThus must the storm of waves, the night of misfortune,\nAnd all distress [go] away.",
"text_html": "It is well for me; my Jesus declares a word [and the tempest clears].
My helper/savior has awakened;
Thus must the storm of waves, the night of misfortune,
And all distress [go] away."
}
]
},
{
"mvt_num": "7",
"mvt_text_type": "chorale",
"mvt_texts": [
{
"text_language": "de",
"text_plain": "Unter deinen Schirmen\nBin ich für den Stürmen\nAller Feinde frei.\nLass den Satan wüttern,\nLass den Feind erbittern,\nMir steht Jesus bei.\nOb es itzt gleich kracht und blitzt,\nOb gleich Sünd und Hölle schrecken,\nJesus will mich decken.",
"text_html": "Unter deinen Schirmen
Bin ich für den Stürmen
Aller Feinde frei.
Lass den Satan wüttern,
Lass den Feind erbittern,
Mir steht Jesus bei.
Ob es itzt gleich kracht und blitzt,
Ob gleich Sünd und Hölle schrecken,
Jesus will mich decken.14"
},
{
"text_language": "en",
"text_plain": "Under your protection\nI am free from the storms/assaults\nOf all enemies.\nLet Satan bluster,\nLet the enemy provoke;\nJesus stands by me.\nShould [thunder and lightning] right now crack and flash,\nShould sin and hell right now terrorize,\nJesus will cover me [with his protective wings].",
"text_html": "Under your protection
I am free from the storms/assaults
Of all enemies.
Let Satan bluster,15
Let the enemy provoke;16
Jesus stands by me.
Should [thunder and lightning] right now crack and flash,
Should sin and hell right now terrorize,
Jesus will cover me [with his protective wings].17"
}
]
}
],
"notes": [
{
"note_num": 1,
"note_text_plain": "As related in Matthew 8:23-27, which was the gospel portion chanted at the liturgical occasion that this cantata was designed for.",
"note_text_html": "As related in Matthew 8:23-27, which was the gospel portion chanted at the liturgical occasion that this cantata was designed for."
},
{
"note_num": 2,
"note_text_plain": "Some modern editions emend this to “bleibest” (“remain”).",
"note_text_html": "Some modern editions emend this to “bleibest” (“remain”)."
},
{
"note_num": 3,
"note_text_plain": "Some modern editions emend lines 6–8 to “Du wiesest ja mit einem Sterne / Vormals die neubekehrten Weisen, / Den rechten Weg zu reisen” (“Indeed, in former times you showed, with a star, / The newly converted Wise Men / The right path to travel”).",
"note_text_html": "Some modern editions emend lines 6–8 to “Du wiesest ja mit einem Sterne / Vormals die neubekehrten Weisen, / Den rechten Weg zu reisen” (“Indeed, in former times you showed, with a star, / The newly converted Wise Men / The right path to travel”)."
},
{
"note_num": 4,
"note_text_plain": "Lines 1–2 are a nearly verbatim quotation of Luther’s rendering of Psalm 10:1, “Herr, warum trittest du so ferne? Verbirgst dich zur Zeit der Not?” (“Lord, why do you tread so far off? Do [you] conceal yourself at the time of my need?”).",
"note_text_html": "Lines 1–2 are a nearly verbatim quotation of Luther’s rendering of Psalm 10:1, “Herr, warum trittest du so ferne? Verbirgst dich zur Zeit der Not?” (“Lord, why do you tread so far off? Do [you] conceal yourself at the time of my need?”)."
},
{
"note_num": 5,
"note_text_plain": "As related in Matthew 2:1-12.",
"note_text_html": "As related in Matthew 2:1-12."
},
{
"note_num": 6,
"note_text_plain": "In Luther’s rendering of Psalm 32:8, God declares “Ich will dich mit meinen Augen leiten” (“[On the path you are to go,] I will lead you with my eyes”).",
"note_text_html": "In Luther’s rendering of Psalm 32:8, God declares “Ich will dich mit meinen Augen leiten” (“[On the path you are to go,] I will lead you with my eyes”)."
},
{
"note_num": 7,
"note_text_plain": "As proclaimed in Matthew 7:14, “die Pforte ist eng, und der Weg ist schmal, der zum Leben führt” (“the gate is narrow and the [earthly] path is strait [or, ‘constricted’] that leads to [eternal] life”).",
"note_text_html": "As proclaimed in Matthew 7:14, “die Pforte ist eng, und der Weg ist schmal, der zum Leben führt” (“the gate is narrow and the [earthly] path is strait [or, ‘constricted’] that leads to [eternal] life”)."
},
{
"note_num": 8,
"note_text_plain": "The notion of “standing (water) waves” has wrongly struck some modern editors as scientifically impossible, and therefore they have emended this line from “Ein Christ soll zwar wie Wellen stehn” (“A Christian is indeed to stand like waves”) to “Ein Christ soll zwar wie Felsen stehn” (“A Christian is indeed to stand like rocks”). In any event, for the biblical logic concerning inert brook, river, or sea water (i.e., something the cantata’s intended audience would have been expected to know and accept), see fn. 10, below.",
"note_text_html": "The notion of “standing (water) waves” has wrongly struck some modern editors as scientifically impossible, and therefore they have emended this line from “Ein Christ soll zwar wie Wellen stehn” (“A Christian is indeed to stand like waves”) to “Ein Christ soll zwar wie Felsen stehn” (“A Christian is indeed to stand like rocks”). In any event, for the biblical logic concerning inert brook, river, or sea water (i.e., something the cantata’s intended audience would have been expected to know and accept), see fn. 10, below."
},
{
"note_num": 9,
"note_text_plain": "The sense of lines 1–2 is derived from Psalm 18:5, which in the Luther Bibles of Bach’s day reads “Es umfingen mich des Todes Bande, und die Bäche Belial erschreckten mich” (“Death’s bonds beset me, and the [deathly torrential] brooks of Belial [Satan, according to 2 Corinthians 6:15] terrified me”).",
"note_text_html": "The sense of lines 1–2 is derived from Psalm 18:5, which in the Luther Bibles of Bach’s day reads “Es umfingen mich des Todes Bande, und die Bäche Belial erschreckten mich” (“Death’s bonds beset me, and the [deathly torrential] brooks of Belial [Satan, according to 2 Corinthians 6:15] terrified me”)."
},
{
"note_num": 10,
"note_text_plain": "The sense of this line is derived from Exodus 15:8, which in the Luther Bibles of Bach’s day reads “Durch dein Blasen täten sich die Wasser auf, und die Fluten stunden auf Haufen” (“[Lord,] by your blowing [upon the Red Sea when the Israelites were being pursued by Pharaoh’s army] the waters opened themselves up, and the floods stood [motionless, piled up] in heaps”), such that the word “Fluten” (“floods”) from Exodus 15:8 is substituted with the word “Wellen” (“waves”) from Matthew 8:24. When Jesus calmed the sea, in Matthew 8:26, the people declared, in 8:27, “Was ist das für ein Mann, dass ihm Wind und Meer gehorsam ist” (“What sort of man is this, that wind-and-sea is obedient to him [as they are to God in the Exodus and other biblical narratives]”).",
"note_text_html": "The sense of this line is derived from Exodus 15:8, which in the Luther Bibles of Bach’s day reads “Durch dein Blasen täten sich die Wasser auf, und die Fluten stunden auf Haufen” (“[Lord,] by your blowing [upon the Red Sea when the Israelites were being pursued by Pharaoh’s army] the waters opened themselves up, and the floods stood [motionless, piled up] in heaps”), such that the word “Fluten” (“floods”) from Exodus 15:8 is substituted with the word “Wellen” (“waves”) from Matthew 8:24. When Jesus calmed the sea, in Matthew 8:26, the people declared, in 8:27, “Was ist das für ein Mann, dass ihm Wind und Meer gehorsam ist” (“What sort of man is this, that wind-and-sea is obedient to him [as they are to God in the Exodus and other biblical narratives]”)."
},
{
"note_num": 11,
"note_text_plain": "Matthew 8:26.",
"note_text_html": "Matthew 8:26."
},
{
"note_num": 12,
"note_text_plain": "The librettist here draws on the language specific to the parallel version of the story in Matthew 8:23-27 that is found in Mark 4:35-41; verse 39 reads “Und er stund auf, und bedräutehte den Wind, und sprach zu dem Meer: Schweig, und verstumme!” (“And he [Jesus] stood up, and rebuked the wind, and declared to the sea: ‘Be quiet, and fall silent’”). The text of this aria, then, is to be understood as spoken by Jesus; the “child” in its last line refers to the believer as his spiritual offspring.",
"note_text_html": "The librettist here draws on the language specific to the parallel version of the story in Matthew 8:23-27 that is found in Mark 4:35-41; verse 39 reads “Und er stund auf, und bedräutehte den Wind, und sprach zu dem Meer: Schweig, und verstumme!” (“And he [Jesus] stood up, and rebuked the wind, and declared to the sea: ‘Be quiet, and fall silent’”). The text of this aria, then, is to be understood as spoken by Jesus; the “child” in its last line refers to the believer as his spiritual offspring."
},
{
"note_num": 13,
"note_text_plain": "The sense of this line is derived from Proverbs 8:29, which in the Luther Bibles of Bach’s day reads “da er dem Meer das Ziel setzte und den Wassern, dass sie nicht überschreiten seinen Befehl” (“[I, ‘Wisdom’ (a personification of God’s wisdom,) was there, at creation,] when he [God] set the limit to the sea and to the waters, that they would not transgress his command”).",
"note_text_html": "The sense of this line is derived from Proverbs 8:29, which in the Luther Bibles of Bach’s day reads “da er dem Meer das Ziel setzte und den Wassern, dass sie nicht überschreiten seinen Befehl” (“[I, ‘Wisdom’ (a personification of God’s wisdom,) was there, at creation,] when he [God] set the limit to the sea and to the waters, that they would not transgress his command”)."
},
{
"note_num": 14,
"note_text_plain": "A stanza of “Jesu, meine Freude.”",
"note_text_html": "A stanza of “Jesu, meine Freude.”"
},
{
"note_num": 15,
"note_text_plain": "“Wittern” (in modern editions of this cantata, however, given with Bach’s old-fashioned spelling, “wüttern”) is used here not in its sense of “to sniff [the air, for the scent of prey],” but in its older German sense as a synonym for “toben” in the sense of “to bluster.”",
"note_text_html": "“Wittern” (in modern editions of this cantata, however, given with Bach’s old-fashioned spelling, “wüttern”) is used here not in its sense of “to sniff [the air, for the scent of prey],” but in its older German sense as a synonym for “toben” in the sense of “to bluster.”"
},
{
"note_num": 16,
"note_text_plain": "“Erbittern” is apparently used here in its sense of “erzürnen” (“to [provoke to] anger”). A contemporary German-English dictionary lists a variety of meanings: “Erbittern (einen): to imbitter, exasperate, incense or provoke one; to put him in a bitter, crabbed or angry temper.”",
"note_text_html": "“Erbittern” is apparently used here in its sense of “erzürnen” (“to [provoke to] anger”). A contemporary German-English dictionary lists a variety of meanings: “Erbittern (einen): to imbitter, exasperate, incense or provoke one; to put him in a bitter, crabbed or angry temper.”"
},
{
"note_num": 17,
"note_text_plain": "The language of the last two lines is derived from Psalm 91:4-5, “Er wird dich mit seinen Fittichen decken … dass du nicht erschrecken müssest” (“He [the Lord] will cover you with his pinions . . . so that you do not have to be terrified”).",
"note_text_html": "The language of the last two lines is derived from Psalm 91:4-5, “Er wird dich mit seinen Fittichen decken … dass du nicht erschrecken müssest” (“He [the Lord] will cover you with his pinions . . . so that you do not have to be terrified”)."
}
]
}