From Christ lag in Todes Banden, BWV 4, Versus 4
Composer |
Johann Sebastian Bach |
|---|---|
Key |
e minor |
Meter |
4/4 |
Structure |
none |
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 |