Was willst du dich betrüben
"Was willst du dich betrüben" | |
---|---|
Hymn | |
The poet of the lyrics | |
English | Why do you want to distress yourself |
Text | by Johann Heermann |
Language | German |
Published | 1630 (1630) |
"Was willst du dich betrüben" (Why do you want to distress yourself) is a hymn in seven stanzas by the German Baroque poet, Lutheran minister and hymn-writer Johann Heermann. The chorale was first published in 1630 during the Thirty Years' War. It is focused on trust in God, even when facing adversaries.
History
Heermann, the hymn's poet, was influenced by the tract Buch von der deutschen Poeterey (Book of the German poetry) by Martin Opitz's, published in 1624, which defended German poetry and set guidelines on how German poetry should be composed.[1]
Heermann lived in Köben, Silesia, when he wrote the hymn, an area which suffered under the war. The town was plundered four times. Several times, he lost his possessions and had to flee for his life.[1] Nonetheless, in 1630 in Breslau (now Wrocław, Poland), Silesia, he published a volume of hymns, Devoti musica cordis, Hauss-und Herz-Musica (Latin, German: "music for a devout heart, house and heart music"), including Was willst du dich betrüben.[1][2] The volume also contained "O Jesu Christe, wahres Licht! (O Christ, our true and only light), among "Songs of Tears" in a section "In the Time of the Persecution and Distress of Pious Christians", and "Herzliebster Jesu, was hast du verbrochen", "The Cause of the Bitter Sufferings of Jesus Christ, and the Comfort of His Love and Grace", which Johann Sebastian Bach chose as the first chorale in his St Matthew Passion. The volume contained in a section "A Few Prayers and Meditations" the hymn "O Gott, du frommer Gott" (O God, Thou faithful God), and "Herr, unser Gott, lass nicht zuschanden werden" (O Lord, our Father, shall we be confounded). A fourth edition of the volume in 1644 contained "Jesu, deine tiefen Wunden" (O what precious balm and healing), "Consolation from the wounds of Jesus in all manner of temptation. From the Manual of St. Augustine".[3] These hymns have been described as "the first in which the correct and elegant versification of Opitz was applied to religious subjects, ... distinguished by great depth and tenderness of feeling, by an intense love of the Saviour, and earnest but not self-conscious humility".[1]
Structure and words
"Was willst du dich betrüben" is focused on trust in God, even when facing adversaries, including Satan.[4]
The seven stanzas have eight lines each, in bar form (Stollen–Stollen–Abgesang). Each Stollen has two lines, the Abgesang has four, with a rhyme of the outer two lines (5 and 8), and the inner two (6 and 7).[4]
- Was willst du dich betrüben
- Denn Gott verlässet keinen
- Auf ihn magst du es wagen
- Wenn auch gleich aus der Höllen
- Er richts zu seinen Ehren
- Drum ich mich ihm ergebe
- Herr, gib, daß ich dein Ehre[4]
The hymn opens, addressing the "liebe Seele" (beloved soul) of the speaker, such as some psalms do, for example Psalm 103, Psalms 103:1. This look at the individual differs from Martin Luther's approach in his hymn "Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott" ("A Mighty Fortress Is Our God"), written a century earlier, which covers a similar topic: trust in God against adversaries including Satan, called Teufel (devil) by Luther. The beginning is a paraphrase from Psalm 42, Psalms 42:5, in Luther's translation: "Was betrübst du dich, meine Seele, und bist so unruhig in mir? Harre auf Gott" (Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God).
The central fourth stanza begins with strong words on Satan as an enemy: "Wenn auch gleich aus der Höllen / der Satan wollte sich / dir selbst entgegenstellen / und toben wider dich" (Even if, out of hell, Satan wishes to set himself against you, and vent his rage on you).
The final stanza includes as the fifth line "O Vater, Sohn und Geist" (Oh Father, Son and Spirit) as a miniature doxology.
Tune
The text was sung on the melody of "Von Gott will ich nicht lassen".[5] This tune is derived from a secular song, and is similar to the tune Monica, which was popular throughout Europe from the 16th century.[6] The fifth line, the beginning line of the Abgesang, is highlighted, beginning an octave higher than the last note of the Stollen and leading to a rest, after which the other three lines are sung consecutively. Heermann seems to have written the text for that tune, because the climax of the words coincides with the climax of the melody in line 5 in most stanzas.[5]
Musical settings
Johann Sebastian composed the chorale cantata Was willst du dich betrüben, BWV 107, on the chorale's exact words in 1724, using the tune in common time in movement 1 and in 12/8-time in the final movement 7, both times with the vocal parts embedded in an instrumental concerto.[5][7]
References
- ^ a b c d "Johann Heermann". ccel.org. 2006. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
- ^ "Johann Heermann 1585-1647". Cyber Hymnal. 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
- ^ "Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary Handbook". blc.edu. 2011. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
- ^ a b c "Was willst du dich betrüben / Text and Translation of Chorale". bach-cantatas.com. 2006. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
- ^ a b c "Chorale Melodies used in Bach's Vocal Works / Von Gott will ich nicht lassen". bach-cantatas.com. 2006. Retrieved 2 August 2011.
- ^ "Chorale Melodies used in Bach's Vocal Works / The "Monica" - Historical Background". bach-cantatas.com. 2006. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
- ^ John Eliot Gardiner (2009). "For the Seventh Sunday after Trinity / St Mary's, Haddington" (PDF). solideogloria.co.uk. p. 13. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
External links
- Johann Heermann on the bach cantatas website
- Cantata BWV 107 Was willst du dich betrüben on the bach cantatas website
- BWV 107 Was willst du dich betrüben text, structure, instrumentation, University of Alberta
- BWV 107 Was willst du dich betrüben English text, University of Vermont
- v
- t
- e
Christmas
- "Advent är mörker och kyla"
- "Befiehl du deine Wege" ("Give to the Winds Thy Fears")
- "Bereden väg för Herran" ("Thy Way and All Thy Sorrows")
- "Christum wir sollen loben schon" ("Now Praise We Christ the Holy One")
- "Det kimer nu til julefest" ("The Happy Christmas Comes Once More")
- "Det är advent"
- "Eg veit i himmerik ei borg" ("Ich weiß mir ein ewiges Himmelreich")
- "Ermuntre dich, mein schwacher Geist" ("Arise, My Soul, Sing Joyfully")
- "Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ" ("O Jesus Christ, All Praise to Thee")
- "Ich steh an deiner Krippen hier" ("I Stand Beside Thy Manger Here")
- "Lobt Gott, ihr Christen alle gleich" ("Praise God the Lord, Ye Sons of Men")
- "Macht hoch die Tür" ("Lift Up Your Heads")
- "Mit Ernst, o Menschenkinder"
- "Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland" ("Savior of the Nations, Come")
- "Such, wer da will, ein ander Ziel" ("Seek Where Ye May to Find a Way")
- "Vi tänder ett ljus i advent"
- "Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her" ("From Heaven Above to Earth I Come")
- "Wie soll ich dich empfangen" ("O How Shall I Receive Thee")
- "Herr Christ, der einig Gotts Sohn" ("The Only Son from Heaven")
- "Nun liebe Seel, nun ist es Zeit" ("Up, Ye Christians, Join in Singing")
- "Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern" ("How Lovely Shines the Morning Star")
- "An Wasserflüssen Babylon"
- "Christe, du Lamm Gottes" ("O Christ, Thou Lamb of God")
- "Christus, der uns selig macht" ("Christ, by Whose All-saving Light")
- "Da der Herr Christ zu Tische saß"
- "Da Jesus an dem Kreuze stund ("Our Blessed Savior Spoke Seven Times")
- "Ein Lämmlein geht und trägt die Schuld" ("A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth")
- "Herzliebster Jesu" ("O Dearest Jesus, What Law Hast Thou Broken")
- "Jesu Leiden, Pein und Tod"
- "O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden ("O Sacred Head, Now Wounded")
- "O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig" ("Lamb of God, Pure and Holy")
- "O Mensch, bewein dein Sünde groß" ("O Sinner, Come Thy Sin to Mourn")
- "O Welt, sieh hier dein Leben" ("Upon the Cross Extended")
- "Christ lag in Todesbanden" ("Christ Jesus Lay in Death's Strong Bands")
- "Erschienen ist der herrlich Tag" ("On Earth Has Dawned This Day of Days")
- "Geh aus, mein Herz, und suche Freud" ("Go Forth, My Heart, and Seek Delight")
- "Heut triumphieret Gottes Sohn" ("Today in Triumph Christ Arose")
- "Jesus Christus, unser Heiland, der den Tod..."
- "Jesus för världen givit sitt liv"
- "Wir wollen alle fröhlich sein" ("Now Glad of Heart Be Every One")
- "Komm, Gott Schöpfer, Heiliger Geist" ("Come, Holy Spirit, From Above")
- "Komm, Heiliger Geist, Herre Gott" ("Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord")
- "Nun bitten wir den Heiligen Geist" ("We now implore God the Holy Ghost")
- "Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr" ("All glory be to God on high")
- "Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh darein" ("O Lord, Look Down from Heaven, Behold")
- "Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott ("A Mighty Fortress Is Our God")
- "Erhalt uns, Herr, bei deinem Wort" ("Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Thy Word")
- "God's Word Is Our Great Heritage"
- "Wär Gott nicht mit uns diese Zeit" ("If God Had Not Been on Our Side")
- "Wo Gott der Herr nicht bei uns hält" ("Ye Christians, pluck your Courage up")
- "Es spricht der Unweisen Mund wohl" ("The Mouth of Fools Doth God Confess")
- "Sie ist mir lieb, die werte Magd"
- "Jerusalem, du hochgebaute Stadt" ("Jerusalem, Thou City Fair and High")
or Law and Gospel
- "Dies sind die heilgen zehn Gebot" ("I Am Alone, Your God and Lord")
- "Es ist das Heil uns kommen her" ("Salvation Unto Us Is Come")
- "Nun freut euch, lieben Christen g'mein" ("Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice")
- "Ach Gott, wie manches Herzeleid" ("O Lord, How Many Miseries")
- "Ach lieben Christen seid getrost"
- "Ach wie flüchtig, ach wie nichtig"
- "Blott en Dag (Day by Day)
- "Herr Jesu Christ, du höchstes Gut"
- "Ich hab in Gottes Herz und Sinn" ("I Into God's Own Heart and Mind")
- "Lob Gott getrost mit Singen" ("Praise God, praise God with singing")
- "Straf mich nicht in deinem Zorn" ("Not in Anger, Mighty God")
- "Warum betrübst du dich, mein Herz" ("Why art Thou Thus Cast Down, My Heart?")
- "Warum sollt ich mich denn grämen" ("Why Should Cross and Trial Grieve Me")
- "Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan" ("What God Ordains Is Always Good")
- "Was willst du dich betrüben"
- "Wer nur den lieben Gott läßt walten" ("If Thou but Trust in God to Guide Thee")
- "Gott sei gelobet und gebenedeiet" ("O Lord, We Praise Thee")
- "Im Frieden dein, o Herre mein"
- "Jesus Christus, unser Heiland, der von uns..." ("Jesus Christ, Our Blessed Savior")
- "Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele" ("Soul, Adorn Thyself with Gladness")
- "Christ unser Herr zum Jordan kam" ("To Jordan Came Our Lord")
- "Tryggare kan ingen vara ("Children of the Heavenly Father")
- "Aus der Tiefen rufe ich, Herr, zu dir"
- "Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir" ("Out of the Depths I Cry to Thee")
- "Es ist genug"
- "Herr Jesu Christ, wahr Mensch und Gott" ("Lord Jesus Christ, True Man and God")
- "Herzlich lieb hab ich dich, o Herr" ("Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart")
- "Herzlich tut mich verlangen"
- "Meinen Jesum laß ich nicht" ("Jesus I Will Never Leave")
- "Mit Fried und Freud ich fahr dahin" ("In Peace and Joy I Now Depart")
- "Mitten wir im Leben sind" ("In the Midst of Earthly Life")
- "Nun lasst uns den Leib begraben" ("Now Lay We Calmly in the Grave")
- "So nimm denn meine Hände"
- "Valet will ich dir geben" ("Farewell I Gladly Bid Thee")
- "Wer weiß, wie nahe mir mein Ende" ("Who Knows When Death May Overtake Me")
- "De Levendes Land" (Land of the Living)
- "Die beste Zeit im Jahr ist mein"
- "Du meine Seele singe"
- "Es woll uns Gott genädig sein" ("May God Bestow on Us His Grace")
- "Herr Gott, dich loben wir" ("We Sing Thy Praise, O God")
- "How Great Thou Art"
- "Ich singe dir mit Herz und Mund" ("Rejoice My Heart, Be Glad and Sing")
- "Nun danket all und bringet Ehr" ("All Ye Who on This Earth Do Dwell")
- "Nun preiset alle Gottes Barmherzigleit" ("For the Lord reigneth" or "Now Let All Loudly Sing Praise")
- "Nun danket alle Gott" ("Now Thank We All Our God")
- "Nun laßt uns Gott dem Herren" ("Now Let Us Come With Singing")
- "Nun lob, mein Seel, den Herren" ("My Soul, Now Bless Thy Maker")
- "Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend" ("Lord Jesus Christ, Be Present Now")
- "Vater unser im Himmelreich" ("Our Father, Thou in Heaven Above")
- "Wir glauben all an einen Gott" ("We All Believe in One True God")
- "Die güldne Sonne voll Freud und Wonne" ("Evening and Morning")
- "Din klara sol går åter opp" ("Again, Thy Glorious Sun Doth Rise")
- "Der Mond ist aufgegangen" ("The moon has been arising")
- "Weißt du, wie viel Sternlein stehen" ("Can you count the stars that brightly")
- "Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme" ("Wake, Awake, the Night is Flying")
- "Werde munter, mein Gemüte" ("Sink Not Yet, My Soul, to Slumber")