From Christ lag in Todes Banden, BWV 4, Versus 4
Composer | Johann Sebastian Bach |
|---|---|
Key | e minor |
Meter | 4/4 |
Length | 44 measures |
German text | English translation |
|---|---|
Es war ein wunderlicher Krieg, | It was a wondrous battle [on the cross], |
Da Tod und Leben rungen; | Where death [Satan] and life [Jesus] wrestled; |
Das Leben (da) behielt den Sieg, | Life got the victory (there); |
Es hat den Tod verschlungen. | It has swallowed up death. |
Die Schrift hat verkündig(e)t das, | Scripture has proclaimed this: |
Wie ein Tod den andern frass, | How one death [Jesus’s] devoured the other [death] |
Ein Spott aus dem Tod ist worden. | [And] a mockery was made of death. |
Alleluja! | Hallelujah. | transl. Michael Marissen and Daniel R. Melamed |