Composer |
Johann Sebastian Bach |
|---|---|
Key |
g minor |
Meter |
3/4 |
Length |
216 measures |
German text |
English translation |
|---|---|
Sei nun wieder zufrieden, meine Seele, denn der Herr tut dir Guts. |
Be now again at peace, my soul, for the Lord does good unto you. |
Was helfen uns die schweren Sorgen, |
How do heavy worries help us, |
Was hilft uns unser Weh und Ach? |
How does our “woe and ah” help us? |
Was hilft es, dass wir alle Morgen |
How does it help, that every morning |
Beseufzen unser Ungemach? |
We bemoan our affliction? |
Wir machen unser Kreuz und Leid |
We make our cross-bearing and suffering |
Nur grösser durch die Traurigkeit. |
Only greater by the sorrow. |
Denk nicht in deiner Drangsalshitze, |
Do not think in the heat of your oppression |
Dass du von Gott verlassen seist, |
That you are forsaken by God, |
Und dass Gott der im Schosse sitze, |
And that God may seat in the bosom [of Abraham—heaven] |
Der sich mit stetem Glücke speist. |
Him who [on earth] dines in constant good fortune. |
Die folgend Zeit verändert viel |
The ensuing time changes many things |
Und setzet jeglichem sein Ziel. |
And sets to each his limit/lifespan. |
transl. Michael Marissen and Daniel R. Melamed |
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