J.S. Bach Weihnachts-Oratorium German Text Pronunciation

The sound files on this page are edited versions of files produced by Dr John Cavallaro, and recorded and edited by Dr John Pearson, to assist the singers of Princeton Pro Musica in rehearsals for a performance of the work in 2010. The German text is from the Bärenreiter edition of the work. The English translation of biblical passages is from the King James VI Authorised Version of 1611; the other English translations are by Mr Robert Minett of St Margaret's School, Aberdeen. The choir gratefully acknowledges the work of Dr Cavallaro, Mr Pearson and Mr Minett.

These pages were originally produced by Aberdeen Bach Choir to help singers rehearsing for a performance of parts 1-4 on 8 December 2013 in St Machar's Cathedral, Aberdeen, and the pages for parts 1 and 4 have been re-used, along with new pages for parts 5 and 6, for the rehearsals for the performance on Sunday 3 December 2017 in the same venue.

Part 4                The Circumcision and Naming of Jesus

36. Chorus 

Fallt mit Danken, fallt mit Loben 
vor des Höchsten Gnadenthron! 
Gottes Sohn will der Erden Heiland und Erlöser werden,
Gottes Sohn dämpft der Feinde Wut und Toben; 
Fallt mit Danken, fallt mit Loben 
vor des Höchsten Gnadenthron!

Fall down with thanks, fall down with praise 
before God’s throne of grace!
God’s son will be the saviour and redeemer of the earth,
God’s son subdues the rage and fury of your foes;
Fall down with thanks, fall down with praise
before God’s throne of grace.

42. Chorale     Text: Johann von Rist, 1642

Jesus richte mein Beginnen
Jesus bleibe stets bei mir,
Jesus zäume mir die Sinnen,
Jesus sei nur mein Begier,
Jesus sei mir in Gedanken,
Jesu lasse mich nicht wanken!

Jesus guide my beginning
Jesus remain with me always,
Jesus restrain my senses,
Jesus be my only desire,
Jesus be in my thoughts,
Jesus let me not waver!