40. Recitative with Chorale – Soprano & Bass
The music for this movement of the oratorio is noticeably more cheerful than that written for no 38, and the strings have considerably move movement as the music alternates between arioso and secco recitative.
S |
Jesu, meine Freud und Wonne, |
Jesu, my joy and pleasure, |
S |
meine Hoffnung, Schatz und Teil, |
my hope, treasure and gift, |
S |
mein Erlösung Schmuck und Heil, |
my redeemer, adornment and salvation, |
S |
Hirt und König, Licht und Sonne. |
shepherd and king, light and sun. |
S |
ach! wie soll ich würdiglich, |
Ah! How shall I with due respect, |
S |
mein Herr Jesu, preisen dich? |
praise you, my Lord Jesus? |
41. Aria – Tenor
This aria is taken directly from Cantata 213, where it appears with different words under the title 'Auf meinen Flügeln sollst du schweben' – 'On My Wings Shall you Fly'. The tenor is accompanied by two solo violins, and with its passages of imitation and chains of suspensions between the two, the music is reminiscent of Bach’s double violin concerto written whilst in his previous position at Cöthen between 1717 and 1726.
Ich will nur dir zu Ehren leben, |
I will live only to honour you, |
42. Chorale Text: Johann von Rist, 1642
The melody, as well as the harmony, for this chorale, is by Bach. It is more usually known under the title 'Hilf, Herr Jesu, laß gelingen' – 'Help, Lord Jesus, send good speed'. Again the instrumentation of the opening chorus from this part is returned for the final movement creating more cyclic unity. As for numbers 9 and 23, Bach treats the chorale melody as a series of separate statements with interpolations of pairs of French horns and oboes in joyous mood.
Jesus richte mein Beginnen |
Jesus guide my beginning |