Johann Sebastian Bach
| BWV | 27 |
| Title | Who knows how near to me my end is? |
| Composed | 6th October 1726, Leipzig |
| Scoring | Choir
for 4 voices |
| Movements | 1. Choir
with Recitative: Who knows how near to me my end is? 2. Recitative (Tenor): My lifetime hath no other goal 3. Aria (Alto): O welcome! will I utter 4. Recitative (Soprano): Ah, would I were in heaven now 5. Aria (Bass): O farewell, thou worldly tumult 6. Chorale: World, farewell! Of thee I weary |
| Category | Spiritual Cantata |
| Event | Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity |
| Author of text | Unknown |
| Text 1. Choir with Recitative: Soprano solo, Alto solo, Tenor solo Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass Oboe I + II Violin I + II Viola Basso continuo |
Choir: Who knows how near to me my end is? Soprano: This knows the Lord above alone, If this my pilgrimage on earth be Short, or if longer it may be. Choir: Hence fleeth time, here cometh death, Alto: And at the last the point is reached When they will surely meet each other. Choir: Ah, with what swiftness and adroitness Can come to me the trial of death! Tenor: Who knows if e'en today My mouth its final word might speak. Thus shall I always pray: Choir: My God, I pray through Christ's own blood, Allow but that my end be good! |
| 2. Recitative: Tenor solo Basso continuo |
My lifetime hath no other goal Than that I may in death be blessed And this my faith's reward inherit. Thus shall I always live For death's grave ready and prepared; As for the work my hands now do It is as though I were full certain That I today were meant to perish: For all is well that endeth well! |
| 3. Aria: Alto solo Oboe da caccia Organ obligato Basso continuo |
O welcome! will I utter Then when death my bed doth near. Gladly will I follow To the tomb; All of mine afflictions Will I bring. |
| 4. Recitative: Soprano solo Violin I + II Viola Basso continuo |
Ah, would I were in heaven now! It is my wish to leave now (1.) And with the lamb, Of all the righteous bridegroom true, Find in my blessedness a pasture. Wings come now! Ah, would I were in heaven now! |
| 5. Aria: Bass solo Violin I + II Viola Basso continuo |
O farewell, thou worldly tumult! Now I'll take of thee my leave; I stand e'en now with one foot Nigh our good Lord God in heaven. |
| 6. Chorale: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass Horn Oboe I + II Violin I + II Viola Basso continuo |
World, farewell! Of thee I weary, |
| Epistle | Ephesians 3: 13-21 |
| Gospel | Luke 7: 11-17 |
| Bibletext | 1. Philippians 1:23 |
| YouTube | Video 1; Nikolaus Harnoncourt, 1. Choir; 2. Recitative Video 2; Nikolaus Harnoncourt, 3. Aria; 4. Recitative; 5. Aria; 6. Chorale |
| Manuscript | Singing Academy, Berlin; Estate C.Ph.E. Bach; Bodleian library, Oxford; Estate Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy; University library, Warszawa |