BWV 64 Sehet, welch eine Liebe hat uns der
Vater erzeiget
Third Day of Christmas (St. John, Apostle and Evangelist). Johann Oswald Knauer, Gott-geheiligtes Singen und Spielen des Friedensteinischen Zions (Gotha, 1720); Facs: BJ (1981), p. 19; Bach uses, with substantial alterations, six of Knauer's twelve movements.(1) 1. 1 Jn. 3:1; 2. Martin Luther, final verse of Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ, 1524 (Wackernagel, III, #19); 4. Balthasar Kindermann, verse 1 of Was frag ich nach der Welt, 1667 (Fischer-Tümpel, IV, #218); 6. Johann Franck, verse 5 of Jesu, meine Freude, 1650 (Fischer-Tümpel, IV, #104). 27 December 1723, Leipzig. BG 16; NBA I/3. 1. Chorus [Dictum] (S, A, T, B) Mark ye how great a love this is that the Father hath shown us, that we should be called God's children. 2. Chorale (S, A, T, B) This hath he all for us now done 3. Recit. (A) Hence, world! Retain then thy possessions. 4. Chorale (S, A, T, B) What need I of this world 5. Aria (S) What the world
And that which my soul doth love, Bides secures and lasts forever. 6. Recit. (B) That heaven waits for me is sure, 7. Aria (A) From the world I long for nought,
For I enough assurance have That I'll never know destruction. 8. Chorale (S, A, T, B) Now good night, existence 1. See H. K. Krausse, BJ (1981), pp. 7-22, esp. p. 14. 2. Cf. Ps. 37:20 and passim. © Copyright Z. Philip Ambrose |