Johann Sebastian Bach

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BWV 116
Title Thou Prince of peace, Lord Jesus Christ
Composed 26th November 1724, Leipzig
Scoring

Choir for 4 voices
Soprano solo
Alto solo
Tenor solo
Bass solo
Horn
Oboe d`amore I + II
Violin I + II
Viola
Basso continuo

Movements Choir: Thou Prince of peace, Lord Jesus Christ
Aria (Alto): Ah, past all telling is our woe
Recitative (Tenor): Remember though, o Jesus
Aria (Terzett, Soprano, Tenor, Bass): Ah, we acknowledge all our guilt
Recitative (Alto): Ah, let us through the stinging lashes
Chorale: Illumine, too, our minds and hearts
Category Spiritual Cantata
Event Twentyfifth Sunday after Trinity
Author of text Jakob Ebert 1601
Text
Choir:
Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass
Horn
Oboe d`amore I + II
Violin I + II
Viola
Basso continuo
(Cantus firmus in Soprano)

Aria:
Alto solo
Oboe d`amore solo
Basso continuo



Recitative: Tenor solo
Basso continuo





Aria (Terzett): Soprano solo, Tenor solo, Bass solo
Basso continuo





Recitative: Alto solo
Violin I + II
Viola
Basso continuo





Chorale: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass
Horn
Oboe d`amore I + II
Violin I + II
Viola
Basso continuo


Thou Prince of peace, Lord Jesus Christ,
True man and very God,
A helper strong in need thou art
In life as well as death.
So we alone
In thy dear name
Are to thy Father crying.

Ah, past all telling is our woe
And this our angry judge's menace!
Scarce may we, while in our great fear,
As thou, O Jesus, dost command,
To God in thy dear name be crying.

Remember though,
O Jesus, thou art still
A Prince of peace considered!
For love thou didst desire thy word to send us.
Would then thy heart so suddenly turn from us,
Thou who such mighty help before didst show us?

Ah, we acknowledge all our guilt
And pray for nought but to forbear
And for thy love surpassing measure.
For broke, yea, thy forgiving heart,
As then the fallen's pain
To us into the world did drive thee.

Ah, let us through the stinging lashes
Not all too fiercely bleed now!
O God, thou who a God of order art, (1.)
Thou know'st within our foe's vast rage
What cruelty and wrong abide.
Come then, and stretch out thine own hand
O'er this alarmed and harried land.
It can the foe's great might now conquer
And us a lasting peace then offer!

Illumine, too, our minds and hearts
With grace thy Spirit sends,
That we not be a cause for scorn
Unto our souls' regret.
O Jesus Christ,
Alone thou art
Who can such good accomplish.

Epistle

1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18

Gospel

Matthew 24: 15-28

Bibletext: 1. 1 Corinthians 14:33
Manuscript Conservatory library of Music, Paris; Estate W.F. Bach; Thomasschool, Leipzig

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