Chorale Texts used in Bach's Vocal Works
Herr, nun lass in Friede
Text and Translation of Chorale

Ref. in hymnals/hymn books:
Author: David Behme (1657 / 1663), after Nunc dimittis
Chorale Melody: Herr, nun lass in Friede (Zahn 3302) | Composer: Anon (Bohemian Brethren, 1694)
Theme: For the Dying; Feast of Purification of Mary

Description:

Herr, nun lass in Friede (Lord, now let in peace). Founded on Das Nunc dimittis. First appeared in the 5th ed., Breslau, c. 1663, of the Vollstandige Kirchen und Haus Music, p. 962, in 10 stanzas. In Mützell, 1858, No. 301 as a hymn on the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin Mary. It is translated as, "Lord, now let Thy servant," by Miss Winkworth, 1858, p. 216. [Rev. James Mearns, M. A.]
Source: Hymnary.org (from John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, 1907)

There are three German chorale versions of the Nunc dimittis that J.S. Bach set, most notably, Martin Luther's popular paraphrase, "Mit Fried und Freud ich fahr dhin" (With peace and joy I journey therein, NLGB No. 56) in Cantatas BWV 95/1c, 83/5, and Chorale Cantata BWV 125, between 1723 and 1725. There are three other settings, all in E Major:
+ David Behme's "Herr, nun laß in Freide" (Lord, now let in peace, no NLGB listing; text, 10 stanzas, after 1663; melody anonymous, Hymnbook of the Bohemian Brothers 1694. J.S. Bach setting is plain chorale, BWV 337 in E Major. This may have been composed about 1730.
Source: Cantata BWV 157 - Discussions Part 3 (William Hoffman, (November 17, 2012)

Vocal Works by J.S. Bach:

Chorale Herr, nun lass in Friede, BWV 337
Ref: RE 190; Br 190; KE 148; Birnstiel 196; AmB 46II p.168; BGA 84; BC F89.1; CST 150

German Text (verses in bold print set by Bach)

English Translation

1. Herr, nun lass in Friede,
Lebenssatt und müde,
Deinen Diener fahren
Zu den Himmelsscharen;
Selig und im Stillen;
Doch nach deinem Willen.

1. Lord, now let Thy servant
Pass in peace away;
I have had enough of life,
Here I would not stay:
Let me go, if such Thy will,
With a heart at rest and still.

2. Gerne will ich sterben
Und den Himmel erben;
Christus mich geleitet,
Welchen Gott bereitet
Zu dem Licht der Heiden,
Das uns setzt in Freuden.

3. Hier hab ich gestritten,
Ungemach erlitten,
Ritterlich gekämpfet,
Manchen Feind gedämpfet,
Glauben auch gehalten
Richtig mit den Alten.

3. Here, Lord, have I wrestled,
Suffer'd many a woe,
Fought as fearless warriors fight,
Conquer'd many a foe,
Kept the faith with them of old,
Helped to guard and warn Thy fold.

4. Tränen muss ich lassen,
Weinen ohne Maßen,
Schwere Gänge laufen
Mit der Christen Haufen.
Über Sünde klagen,
Kreuz und Trübsal tragen.

4. Many an hour of sorrow,
Many an anguifh'd tear,
Many a thorny path was mine
With Thy people here ;
O'er my sins I've had to mourn,
Many a cross and trial borne.

5. Nunmehr soll sichs wenden,
Kampf und Lauf sich enden,
Gott will mich erlösen
Bald von allem Bösen;
Es soll besser werden,
Als es war auf Erden.

5. All at last is ended,
Fight and race are o'er,
God will free me now from all
Ills for evermore ;
To a better life I go,
Than this tearful earth can show.

6. Frieden werd ich finden,
Ledig sein von Sünden
Und auf allen Seiten
Nicht mehr müssen streiten,
Mich soll ganz umgeben
Himmlisch Freudenleben.

6. Peace shall I find yonder,
And be free from sin,
No more strife and wars without,
No more foes within,
All around me shall be peace,
And the joy that cannot cease.

7. Mir ist beigeleget,
Wo man Zepter träget,
Eine schöne Krone
Schon zum Gnadenlohne;
Da wird ich ergötzet
Und zur Ruh gesetzet.

7. Where they bear the sceptre,
There a crown for me
Is laid up through Jesu's grace,
Bright that crown shall be:
Deepest calm my soul shall fill,
And this longing shall be still.

8. Mein Erlöser lebet
Und mich selber hebet
Aus des Todes Kammer;
Da liegt aller Jammer.
Fröhlich, ohne Schrecken,
Will er mich auferwecken.

8. My Redeemer liveth,
He shall bid me rise
From the gloomy realm of death,
There all sorrow lies,
And I need not fear to wake,
Since His voice my sleep shall break.

9. Dieser Leib soll gehen
Und in Klarheit stehen,
Wenn die Toten werden
Erstehn von der Erden;
Christum wird ich schauen,
Darauf kann ich trauen.

9. He will change this body,
Make it like His own,
When the dead arise from earth,
When the trump is blown;
I shall see Him face to face,
Here my steadfast hope I place.

10. Christo will ich singen,
Lob und Ehre bringen,
Rühmen seine Güte
Mit Seel und Gemüte,
Preisen seinen Namen
Ohne Aufhören. Amen.

10. Therefore of His mercy
Ever will I sing,
All my heart and soul to Him
Praise and thanks shall bring;
Praise Him now, and praise Him then,
When the heavens shall cry, Amen !

Source of German Text: Bach Digita
English Translation: Catherine Winkworth (1858) | Source of English Translation: Lyra Germanica: second series. The Christian Life. Translated from the German by Catherine Winkworth (London: Longman, Brown, Green. Longmans, and Roberts, 1858), pp 216-218
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (September 2018 - October 2018)