Johann Sebastian Bach
| BWV | 30 |
| Title | Joyful be, O ransomed throng |
| Composed | 24th June 1738, Leipzig |
| Scoring | Choir
for 4 voices |
| Movements | 1. Choir:
Joyful be, O ransomed throng 2. Recitative ( Bass): We now have rest, the burden of the law 3. Aria (Bass): All praise be to God 4. Recitative (Alto): The herald comes and sounds the king's approach 5. Aria (Alto): Come, ye sorely tempted sinners 6. Choral: There a voice of one is crying 7. Recitative (Bass): If thou dost then, my Hope, intend 8. Aria (Bass): I will detest now 9. Recitative (Soprano): And even though the fickle heart 10. Aria (Soprano): Haste, ye hours, come to me 11. Recitative ( Tenor): Forbear, the loveliest of days 12. Choir: Joyful be, O hallowed throng |
| Category | Spiritual Cantata |
| Event | St. John the Baptist |
| Author of text | Unknown |
| Text 1. Choir: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass Travers fluteI + II Oboe I + II Violin I + II Viola Organ Basso continuo |
Part
1 Joyful be, O ransomed throng, Joyful be in Zion's dwellings. Thy well-being hath henceforth Found a sure and solid means Thee with bliss and health to shower. |
| 2. Recitative: Bass solo Basso continuo |
We now have rest, The burden of the law Has been removed. Nought shall from this repose distract us, Which our belove'd fathers oft Had sought with yearning and with hope. Come forth, Be joyful all, whoever can, And raise to pay their God due honor A song of praise, And all the heav'nly choir, Yea, sing in glad accord! |
| 3. Aria: Bass solo Violin I + II Viola Basso continuo |
All praise be to God, all praise for his name's sake, Who faithfully keepeth his promise and vow! His faithful servant hath been born now, Who long had for this been elected, That he the Lord his way prepare. |
| 4. Recitative: Alto solo Basso continuo |
The herald comes and sounds
the king's approach, He calls; so tarry not And get ye up, And with a lively pace Rush to this voice's call! It shows the way, it shows the light By which we on those blessed pastures At last may surely gaze with wonder. |
| 5. Aria: Alto solo Travers fluteI + II Violin I + II Viola Basso continuo |
Come, ye sorely tempted sinners, Haste and run, O Adam's children, This your Savior calls and cries! Come ye, all ye errant sheep now, Rise ye up from sin-filled slumber, For now is the hour of grace! |
| 6. Chorale: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass Travers fluteI + II Oboe I + II Violina I + II Viola Organ Basso continuo |
There a voice of one is crying |
7. Recitative: Bass solo Oboe I + II Basso continuo |
Part 2 If thou dost then, my Hope, intend That law which thou didst make With our own fathers to uphold now And in thy gracious power to rule o'er us, Then will I set with utmost care On this my purpose: Thee, faithful God, at thy command In holiness and godly fear to serve now. |
| 8. Aria: Bass solo Oboe d`amore Violin solo Violin I + II Viola Basso continuo |
I will detest now And all avoid now Which thee, my God, doth cause offense. I will thee not cause sadness, Instead sincerely love thee, For thou to me so gracious art. |
| 9. Recitative: Soprano solo Basso continuo |
And even though the fickle heart In human weakness is innate, Yet here and now let this be said: So oft the rosy morning dawns, So long one day the next one lets ensue, So long will I both strong and firm Through thine own Spirit live, My God, entirely for thine honor. And now shall both my heart and voice According to thy covenant With well deservéd praise extol thee. |
| 10. Aria: Soprano solo Violin I + II Basso continuo |
Haste, ye hours, come to me, Bring me soon into those pastures! I would with the holy throng To my God an altar raise, In the tents of Kedar offered, (1.) Where I'll give eternal thanks. |
| 11. Recitative: Tenor solo Basso continuo |
Forbear, the loveliest of days Can no more far and distant be, When thou from ev'ry toil Of imperfection's earthly burdens, Which thee, my heart, doth now enthrall, Wilt come to have thy perfect freedom. Thy hope will come at last, When thou with all the ransomed spirits, In that perfected state, From death here of the body wilt be freed, And there thee no more woe will torment. |
| 12. Choir: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass Travers flute I + II Oboe d`amore Violin solo Violin I + II Viola Basso continuo |
Joyful be, O hallowed throng, |
| Epistle | Isaiah 40: 1-5 |
| Gospel | Luke 1: 57-80 |
| Bibletext | 1. Psalm 120:5 |
| YouTube | Video 1; Gustav Leonhardt, 1. Choir; 2. Recitative; 3. Aria Video 2; Gustav Leonhardt, 4. Recitative; 5. Arie; 6. Choral; 7. Rezitative Video 3; Gustav Leonhardt, 8. Aria; 9. Recitative; 10. Aria Video 4; Gustav Leonhardt, 11. Recitative; 12. Choir |
| Manuscript | Estate C. Ph. E. Bach; University library Warszawa |