Johann Sebastian Bach
| BWV | 13 |
| Title | Of my sighing, of my crying |
| Composed | 20th January 1726, Leipzig |
| Scoring | Choir
for 4 voices |
| Movements | 1. Aria
(Tenor): Of my sighing, of my crying 2. Recitative (Alto): My dearest Lord hath let 3. Chorale (Alto): That God who gave me the promise 4. Recitative (Soprano): My sorrow ever grows 5. Aria (Bass): Moaning and most piteous weeping 6. Chorale: Thyself be true, O spirit, |
| Category | Spiritual Cantata |
| Event | 2nd Sunday after Epiphany |
| Author of text | Unknown |
| Text 1. Aria: Tenor solo Recorder I + II Oboe da caccia Basso continuo |
Of my sighing, of my crying No one could the sum reveal. If each day is filled with sadness And our sorrow never passeth, Ah, it means that all our pain Now the way to death prepareth! |
| 2. Recitative: Alto solo Basso continuo |
My
dearest Lord hath let Me long in vain invoke him, To me in all my weeping No comfort yet revealing. The hour even now Is from afar appearing, But still I must in vain make my entreaty. |
| 3. Chorale: Alto solo Recorder I + II Oboe da caccia Violin I + II Viola Basso continuo |
That God who gave me the promise Of his helping hand alway Lets me strive in vain to find him Now within my sad estate. Ah! Will he then evermore Cruel wrath retain for me, Can and will he to the wretched Now no longer show his mercy? |
| 4. Recitative: Soprano solo Basso continuo |
My sorrow ever grows And robs me of all peace, My cup of woe is filled With tears to overflowing, And my distress will not be dampened And leaves me full of cold despair. This night of care and grief Doth bring my anxious heart oppression, I sing, thus, only songs of sorrow. No, spirit, no, Take only comfort in thy pain: God can the wormwood's gall Transform with ease to wine of rapture And then as well ten thousand joys allow thee. |
| 5. Aria: Bass solo Recorder solo Violin solo Basso continuo |
Moaning and most piteous weeping Help our sorrow's sickness not; But whoe'er to heaven looketh And strives there to find his comfort Can with ease a light of joy In his grieving breast discover. |
| 6. Chorale: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass Recorder I + II Oboe da caccia Violin I + II Viola Basso continuo |
Thyself
be true, O spirit, |
| Epistle | Romans 12: 6-16 |
| Gospel | John 2: 1-11 |
| YouTube | Video 1; Nikolaus Harnoncourt, 1. Aria; 2. Recitative Video 2; Nikolaus Harnoncourt, 3. Chorale; 4. Recitative Video 3; Nikolaus Harnoncourt, 5. Aria; 6. Chorale |
| Manuscript | Estate C.Ph.E. Bach |