BWV 123 Liebster Immanuel, Herzog der
Frommen
Epiphany. Poet unknown. 1. Ahasverus Fritsch, verse 1 of the hymn, 1679 (Fischer-Tümpel, V, #593); 2-5. based loosely on verse 2-5, respectively; 6. verse 6 of the hymn. 6 January 1725, Leipzig. BG 26; NBA I/5. 1. Chorus [Verse 1] (S, A, T, B) Dearest Emanuel, Lord(1) of the faithful,
2. Recit. (A) Now heaven's sweet delight, the chosen people's joy,
3. Aria (T) E'en the cruel cross's journey
Jesus sends to me from heaven Saving light. 4. Recit. (B) No fiend of hell can e'er devour me,
5. Aria (B) Leave me, world, for thou dost scorn me,
And my sacrifice accepting, Bideth with me all my days. 6. Chorale [Verse 6] (S, A, T, B) Be gone, then, evermore, ye idle fancies!
1. Herzog 'duke' seems inappropriate in
its literal sense. Its etymological meaning, 'leader of the army'
(cf. Herr and ziehen), is similar to that of its
Latin cognate dux. One might prefer to translate with
"leader" or "guide," but "Lord" seems to have the proper
connotations of rank and function. © Copyright Z. Philip Ambrose |