"If there should rise suddenly within the skies,
Sunburst of a thousand suns,
Flooding earth with beams undeemed-of,
Then might be that Holy One's majesty and Radiance dreamed of!"
~ Bhagavad Gita
MAGNUM MYSTERIUM - MORTEN LAURIDSEN
LOS ANGELES MASTER CHORALE
PAUL SALAMUNOVICH - CONDUCTOR
Excerpts from “Metaphysical Meditations
By Paramahansa Yogananda
”Lift your eyes and concentrate within. Behold the astral star of divine wisdom and let the wise thoughts in you follow that telescopic star to behold the Christ everywhere.
In that land of everlasting Christmas, of festive, omnipresent Christ Consciousness, you will find Jesus, Krishna, the saints of all religions, the great guru-preceptors waiting to give you a divine floral reception and everlasting happiness.
Prepare for the coming of baby Christ by decorating an inner Christmas tree. Around that sacred tree lay gifts of calmness, forgiveness, nobility, service, kindness, spiritual understanding, and devotion, each one wrapped in a golden covering of goodwill and bound with a silver cord of your pure sincerity.
May the Lord Jesus, on the Christmas morn of your spiritual awakening, unwrap the gorgeous presents of your heart offerings, sealed with tears of your joy and bound with cords of your eternal fidelity to Him.
He accepts only the gifts of sacred soul qualities. His acceptance will be His greatest gift to you; for it means that, in return, the gift He will bestow on you shall be nothing less than Himself. In giving Himself He shall make your heart big enough to hold Him. Your heart shall throb with Christ in everything.
Enjoy this festivity, the birth of Christ, in your mind and soul and in every living atom.
By daily meditation you will prepare the cradle of your consciousness to hold the infinite baby Christ. Every day will become a true Christmas of divine communion."
"THE MAGNIFICAT"
Claudio Monteverdi - Composer
"BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST"
Watercolor by Mala Ganguly
"He (Christ) was with me everywhere; and a very special communion I had in Bethlehem where he was born in the little babe body of Jesus. He touched me as I entered the ancient menagerie where Mary brought him into the world - in a humble little stable under an inn. This place is absolutely authentic. I know it from the Divine."
~ Paramahansa Yogananda
"Second Coming of Christ, The Resurrection of Christ Within You"
Preface by Sri Daya Mata, Letter to Rajarsi Janakananda,Page XV
"FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN" - GEORGE FREDERICK HANDEL
"Christ came at a critical time in history, when
the world was sorely in need of spiritual hope and regeneration. His message was not intended to foster multifarious sects, each claiming him as their own. His was a universal message of unity, one of the grandest ever given.... Jesus assured the downtrodden, the white and the dark man, the Oriental and the Occidental, that they are all children of God; whoever is pure in heart, no matter what his race or color, can receive the Lord."
~ Paramahansa Yogananda
Reminiscences by Sri Daya Mata and Sri Mrinalini Mata"
How to obtain "The Holy Science" by Swami Sri Yukteswar
But mine I know, and thine thou knowest not,
O Slayer of thy Foes! Albeit, I be
Unborn, undying, indestructible,
The Lord of all things living, nor the less
By Maya, by my magic, which I stamp
On floating Nature forms, the primal vast
I come, and go, and come. When Righteousness
Declines, O Bharata! When Wickedness
Is strong, I rise, from age to age, and take
Visible shape, and move a man with men,
Succoring the good, thrusting the evil back,
And setting Virtue on her seat again.
Who knows the truth touching my births on earth
And my divine work, when he quits the flesh
Puts on its load no more, falls nor more down
To earthly birth: to Me he comes, dear Prince!....
Who tread the path celestial, worship Me the Source,
The Eternal, Source of Life Unendingly
They glorify Me; seek Me, keep their vows
Of reverence and love, with changeless faith
Adoring Me...Yea, and those too adore,
Who, offering sacrifice of wakened hearts,
Have sense of one pervading Spirit's stress,
One Force in every place, those manifold!
I am the Sacrifice! I am the Prayer!
I am the Funeral Cake set for the dead!
I am the healing herb! I am the ghee,
The Mantra, and the flame, and that which burns!
I am - of all this boundless Universe -
The Father, Mother, Ancestor, and Guard!
The end of Learning! That which purifies
By lustral water! I am Om! I am
Rig-Veda, Sama-Veda, Yajur-Ved;
The Way, the Fosterer, The Lord, the Judge,
The Witness, the Abode, the Refuge House,
The Friend, the Fountain and the Sea of Life
Which sends and swallows up; Treasure of Worlds
And Treasure-Chamber! Seed and Seed Sower,
Whence endless harvests spring! Sun's heat is mine,
Heaven's rain is mine to grant or to withhold;
Death am I, and Immortal Life I am,
Arjuna! SAT and ASAT, Visible Life,
and Life Invisible!....
Whoso shall offer Me in faith and love
A leaf, a flower, a fruit, water poured forth,
That offering I accept, lovingly made
With pious will. Whate'er thou doest, Prince!
Eating or sacrificing, giving gifts,
Praying or fasting, let it all be done
For Me, as Mine. So shalt thou free thyself
From Karmabandh, the chain which holdeth men
To good and evil issue, so shalt come
Safe unto Me - when thou are quit of flesh -
by faith and abdication joined to Me!
I am alike for all! I know not hate,
I know not favour! What is made is mine!
But, them that worship Me with love, I love;
They are in Me, and I am in them!"
How to obtain "The Second Coming of Christ,
The Resurrection of the Christ within You"
About Jesus Christ, an Avatar of Self-Realization Fellowship
"CLOUD COLORED CHRIST"
PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA
Jesus Christ is a model for both East and West to follow. God's stamp, as Son of God, is hidden in every soul....Identify yourself with the all- inclusive Christ Consciousness, with Universal Love, by serving all both materially and spiritually. Then, you will know who Jesus Christ was, and you can say in your soul that we are all one band, all sons of the One God!"
~ Paramahansa Yogananda
"VANDANA TRAYEE: LORD GANESHA, SARASWATI, AND GURUDEVA"
MUSIC - PANDIT RAVI SHANKAR
CHOREOGRAPHY - PANDIT SATYA NARAYANA CHARKA
BRAHMANANDA
(HYMN TO BRAHMA, OR SPIRIT)
(English translation by Paramahansa Yogananda)
Full of bliss, giving joy transcendent,
Of higher knowledge the abode.
Dual no more, clear as the heavens,
Known to all as: "Thou art That".
He is pure, permanent, unmoving,
The everlasting Seer of all,
Far, far beyond qualities and thought,
Guru-Lord, I bow to Thee.
(Sanskrit)
Brahmanandam parama sukhadam,
Kabalam gyana moorteem;
Dandwa teetum, gagana sadrisham,
Tattwa mashyadi laksham.
Akam nityum bimala machalam,
Sarvada sakshi bhutum;
Bhawa teetum triguna rahitum,
Sadgurum twam namami.
“Where Is Jesus and
What Is He Doing Now?”
Excerpts from the “Divine Romance” by Paramahansa Yogananda
Self-Realization Fellowship Temple, Hollywood, California
December 19, 1943
“Merry Christmas to all of you. I wish you the best Christmas ever; and I know that in your hearts you send me the same message of love. Let us specially concentrate on his love today.
There are two aspects of Christ: Christ the man; and Christ the Spirit in the man. Worshiping Christ in Spirit is much more important than observing his birth materially and socially. Christ must be born within us in Spirit. He must be born anew in our consciousness. That is the “Second Coming” of Christ. It is an injustice to Christ to celebrate his birth only with feasting and presents. That is all right; but the lack of deep, devoted communion with the spirit of Christ at Chistmastime is a serious omission in Christian practice. This is why once more I am reminding you to observe the spiritual Christmas on the 24th of December by meditating many hours that day. And then have your social Christmas on the 25th. I am very happy that this message – to honor Christ’s birth spiritually by long, deep meditation on him has been received and followed by so many Truth seekers around the world. And it will be received by milllions after I am gone.
Jesus said, “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few.” The blessings of the presence of God and Christ are there for those who will make the effort to commune with Them in deep meditation. If you follow the meditation techniques as given by Self-Realization Fellowship, you will know more about Christ than the millions of churchgoers who worship him in sermons and rituals, but don’t take the time to meditate deeply on him. The Self-Realization Fellowship movement was sent to the world to awaken the real spirit of Christ within you.
Wherever you are, pledge yourself to celebrate first the spiritual Christmas, then the social holiday. These two you must always observe, for then you will see what a greater awakening will come. By striving to commune with God, Christ, and the Great Ones at Christmastime, you will prepare yourself for the way you are going to spend the new year that is shortly to come. It is a wonderful way to enter a new year. By greater spiritual effort, every day, you must redeem yourself by yourself. No one else can do it for you….”
How Liberated Masters Watch Over the World
"Perhaps you have wondered sometimes if great souls as Jesus are lost to the world. Not at all. See how busy God is: He is always in His own ecstasy, yet He is busy running this universe. And all the saints and masters who have left this earth are also busy elsewhere, just as every one of them had something to do when here. The first time Lahiri Mahasaya called Babaji to materialize himself, to satisfy some doubting friends, Babaji didn’t like it. ‘Do you call me for a trifle?’ He asked. ‘I am very busy.’* When a liberated master says that, he means he is busy with God, doing God’s will. The great ones are all active; it is the mission of some to try to strengthen the good in this world. And to the extent that they are able to do so, through receptive minds, the devil’s power weakens and God’s power becomes stronger.
When a great saint is resurrected in Spirit, and yet takes a form in responding to sincere, receptive devotees, it means he has some part to play in the world’s destiny. I know that Christ, in flesh and blood, is in communion with Babaji in India. Together they are watching over the destiny of the world.† They tried very hard to avert this World War.* They and all other resurrected masters have a mission to perform. Who puts the powerful thoughts of peace in the minds of some souls? It is Christ and the great ones, for they are suffering very much in this war. They are not by any means happy with the state of this world. They are trying to establish peace and harmony on earth, and raise it to a higher spiritual level. But they can’t if man doesn’t let them….
* See Autobiography of a Yogi, Chapter 34.
†“Babaji is ever in communion with Christ; together they send out vibrations of redemption and have planned the spiritual techniques of salvation for this age. The work of these two fully illumined masters – one with a body, and one without a body – is to inspire the nations to forsake wars, race hatreds, religious sectarianism, and the boomerang evils of materialism. Autobiography of a Yogi. Chapter 33.
* World War II
Christ Has Not Gone – He Is Watching You
"If you want to know Christ as he was on earth, and as he has appeared to saints through the ages, you must live his life. Whenever it is necessary, he does appear to his devotees. And if you are in tune with him and live in your daily life even a little part of what Iam telling you, you shall know him. Christ has not gone. He has given his philosophy, and he is watching those souls who are practicing it. You must live the ideals of Christ, and know that he is watching you all the time.
Why don’t you see Christ or hear his voice? Because your physical eyes and ears are not attuned. You cannot see even television images or hear songs passing through the ether of this material world without the aid of television screens and radios. The static of spiritual restlessness keeps you from perceiving the still finer vibrations, which are highly delicate forces. That is why you do not see Christ and the great ones until you learn how to tune in to them.
Christ is right here; he can be seen if you look within your forehead at the point between the eyebrows: the center of Christ consciousness; the seat of the single or spiritual eye. If you want to see Christ, concentrate at this point of spiritual vision; look through the spiritual eye. If you want to receive his universal intelligence, you have to feel his consciousness in the spiritual eye.
After death, Jesus resurrected his body and allowed hundreds of people to see him. To the doubting Thomas he said, “It is I; touch me.” Why did he materialize his body? That others might behold him after resurrection and know that all who are in tune can behold him and that he is. St. Francis said, “I meet Christ every night in flesh and blood.” You too can behold him, if you can put yourself in tune, just as I have seen him many times.
There is a way to invite Christ. He doesn’t want praise. Nor can he be bribed by wealth, by any sermon, or by mock devotion. He will be drawn only to the altar of your love. If there is sufficient love and devotion in your heart, then, and only then, will he come to you. He may actually materialize in person.
Christlike Behavior
Is Difficult
but Rewarding
"So remember that Christ is all the time working for you. And his throne is in your spiritual eye. When you are in tune with him there at the center of Christ consciousness, you can feel his presence, and see him sleeping on the bed of stars, dancing on the billows of your feelings, resting on the altar of your devotion. In every good thought is a secret home of Christ. That is where he is. But he will not come out of hiding so long as you have Satan with you, so long as you don’t learn to love those who hate you and to live the other principles of Christ’s life.
When Christ came on earth, he was born in the Orient. It is said that when he reached the age of fifteen, his family sought to arrange a marriage for him, as was the custom; but he chose to leave home, and went to India and Tibet, where he passed fifteen years with the masters. I have told you this before. You will recall that there were three wise men from the East who came to visit Jesus at his birth. He returned their visit during those years for which the Bible gives no record of his activities. Then he returned to Jerusalem to preach his message. But how few people appreciated him! Only when he was gone did some realize what he was; and succeeding generations began to build churches in his honor. Still, how very few people through the centuries have really lived the life of Christ. That is why millions who think of themselves as Christians are not happy or spiritually satisfied.
It is easy enough to learn about Christ and his teachings, but to practice what he taught is not so easy. I say it not from pride, but because I know, I have lived the life of Christ in every way that it has been possible. So I can truthfully tell you that the life he taught is the only way to true happiness. Many people think that to live Christlike is too difficult. It is hard indeed. It is also very difficult to become famous or wealthy; and great is your anguish when you find you can’t fulfill your desire, even though you have made a great effort. But though you meet difficulty in trying to establish Christ-principles in your life, if you persevere, there is ultimate reward….
If You Would Come to Me, Live the Life of Christ
"Whoever would come to me must come only in that spirit of harmony and love. Those who are in tune with me, as some souls have been from the beginning, have never had a cross word with me. Mrs. R –- is one of these. Many have trod on her with unkind speech, but I have never seen her cold or angry. And never have I seen her without a smile. As a result, her seat is reserved in Heaven. That is the kind of example I live. And all those who come to me, I want them to live the life of Christ.
If I can save one soul out of a crowd, I have done something much more valuable than the “converting” of thousands of people. I am speaking to your souls. I know many of you who come here will be saved through the words I have spoken here. But you must practice these ideals in your life. You must live more by the Christ-principles, instead of just talking about them. He is like a fragrance, all-pervading. But it is only through receptive souls that he works. If you call to Christ with all your heart, and if you have learned the lesson that you must never fail to live in humility and love, and to meditate deeply upon God, Christ will come to you. You can see him in flesh and blood even as he has come to Babaji, St. Francis, and others who are in tune.
Dear ones, this has been my Christmas message to you, that you might know where Christ is today, and what he is doing, and how you may know him. Christ-love and harmony I send to you all this Christmas. Let no one rob you of your peace and love.
And remember to set aside a day before Christmas every year in observance of the spiritual birth of Christ. I know millions of people will follow this path when I am gone, because it is the true teaching of Christ."
WORDS TO SONGS SUNG AT THE SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP CHRISTMAS MEDITATIONS
"Paramahansaji asked meditating devotees
to trasmute the words of the following two songs,
originally written about human love,
into expressions of the soul's longing
for the Divine Love that all human beings are really seeking."
~ Self-Realization Fellowship
"INDIAN LOVE CALL" JEANETTE MACDONALD & NELSON EDDY
"INDIAN LOVE CALL"
Robert Shaw Chorale
INDIAN LOVE CALL
Words by Otto Harbach and Oscar Hammerstein II
Music by Rudolf Friml
"When I'm calling you,
Will you answer, too?
That means I offer my love to you,
to be your own;
If you refuse me, I will be blue
and waiting all alone.
But if when you hear my love call ringing clear,
And I hear your answering echo, so dear,
Then I will know our love will come true;
You'll belong to me, I'll belong to you.
"AH, SWEET MYSTERY OF LIFE"
Jeanette Macdonald and Nelson Eddy
"AH, SWEET MYSTERY OF LIFE"
TITO SCHIPA (ITALIAN)
"AH, SWEET MYSTERY OF LIFE"
Jan Pearce - Tenor
AH! SWEET MYSTERY OF LIFE
Words by Rida J. Young. Music by Victor Herbert.
Ah! sweet mystery of life,
at last I found thee!
Ah! I know at last the secret of it all --
All the longing, seeking, striving,
waiting, yearning;
The burning hopes, the joys, and
idle tears that fall.
For 'tis love, and love alone,
the world is seeking;
And 'tis love, and love alone that can repay.
'Tis the answer, 'tis the end and all of living,
For it is love alone that rules for aye.
"LIEBESLEID"
"Divine Love Sorrows"
Adapted by Paramahansa Yogananda
FRITZ KREISLER - VIOLIN
DIVINE LOVE SORROWS
Words by Paramahansa Yogananda. Sing to the tune of Fritz Kreisler's "Liebesleid".
I have been roaming, forsaken by Thee,
Who hast seen me groping,
Hardly ever answering.
I shall be roaming, roaming,
Bursting all boundaries of heart;
Ever more moving toward Thee,
To Thy vast and throbbing heart.
Come Thou to me, O Lord!
Oh, come at last to me!
Centuries and centuries I have waited now for Thee.
Through endless incarnations
I called out Thy Name,
Searching by the streamlets
of all my silvery dreams.
I knew that Thou must come at last
to steal the flowers of my heart.
In sorrow-thrills I piped my love,
I sadly sang my song to Thee.
And yet, I knew my love would reach Thee,
Though many lives I had to wait.
On mountain crags of high devotion
I sadly sang my song,
my song, my song.
"I love you California" - Frankenstein
"I LOVE YOU INDIA"
"I LOVE YOU INDIA"
ADAPTED BY PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA
I LOVE YOU INDIA
Words by Paramahansa Yogananda. To be sung to
A. F. Frankenstien's "I Love You, California".
I love you, my India,
You're the sweetest land of all,
I love you in the winter, summer, spring,
and in the fall.
I love your fertile valleys,
Your dear Ganges I adore;
I love your Indian Ocean,
And I love her rugged shore.
Where the snow-crowned golden Himalayas
Keep their watch where the sages bloom,
It is there I would be
In the land of the free,
Every breeze bearing God's perfume.
It is there India gives of her rarest,
It is "home, sweet home," for all!
And I know when I die
In joy I will sigh
For my sunny, grand old India.
"BLUE DANUBE" - Johann Strauss II
THE BLUE DANUBE
When Paramahansa Yogananda requested that this beloved
Strauss waltz melody be played during Christmas meditation,
he would suggest that everyone hum softly to the music,
visualizing the astral land where countless angelic beings
gather to celebrate the birth of Christ. He would tell the
devotees to behold themselves dancing joyously, in the divine
consciousness, with the Great Ones; circling around a
glorious Christmas tree; or around the radiant cradle of the
infinite baby Christ.
"ROAMIN' IN THE GLOAMIN'"
KENNETH MCKELLAR - TENOR
"SITTING IN THE SILENCE"
A by Paramahansa Yoganand
SITTING IN THE SILENCE
Words by Paramahansa Yogananda.
Sing "Roamin' in the Gloamin'" by Sir Harry Lauder.
Sitting in the silence
On the sunny banks of my mind;
Sitting in the silence
With the Christ by my side.
With the Krishna by my side.
When the thoughts have gone to rest,
That's the time I see Him best,
Oh, 'tis lovely sitting in the silence.
"BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC"
"LOVE IS MARCHING ON"
Adapted by Paramahansa Yogananda
MORMON TABERNACLE CHOIR
ROBERT SHAW CHORALE
HIS LOVE IS MARCHING ON
Adaptation by Paramahansa Yogananda from the original words
of Julia Ward Howe in the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" Music
by William Steffe.
In the beauty of the lilies
Christ was born across the sea;
As he died to make men holy,
Let us live to make men free;
As he died to make men holy,
Let us live to make men free;
His love is marching on.
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
His love is marching on.
"SCHLAFE, MEIN LIEBSTGER"
J.S. BACH'S CHRISTMAS ORATORIO
MARILYN HORNE , MEZZO-SOPRANO
"All mankind should open its heart to Jesus' great
message: '(God) hath made of one blood all nations
of men.' That is the Christ inspiration I love so
much. I want to make that message a living reality,
to give it practical application.... Train your heart to
feel the brotherhood of man - that is most important."
~ Paramahansa Yogananda
"CHRISTMAS ORATORIO", BWV 248 - BACH
For Unto You Is Born a Saviour,
Which Is Christ the Lord
The angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, "Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee; Blessed art thou among women. Behold, thou shall conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shall call him, Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of the Father David. And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall no end." And the angel said, "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of he Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore, also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." And Mary said, "Behold the handmaiden of the Lord; be it done unto me according to thy word. My soul doth magnify the Lord. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed."
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And Joseph went up from Galilee, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first born son, and wrapped in swaddling clothes, she laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, "Fear not for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly host praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, "Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us." And they came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. ~ Saint Luke to Theophilus
DEVI PRAYER - HYMN TO THE DIVINE MOTHER
MAGNIFICAT PRIMI TONI
TOMAS LUIS DE VICTORIA
"Hymn of the cherubim" - P. I. Tchaikovsky
"AVE MARIA" - FRANZ SCHUBERT
Luciano Pavarotti
"ANGELUS"
DAUGHTERS OF MARY
"Ave maria"
harp and guitar
"AVE MARIA"
"AVE MARIA"
KAREN CARPENTER - ALTO
(posted for my sister, susie wolf)
BULGARIAN HYMN TO THE VIRGIN
ANTONIO VIVALDI
1 of 2
2 of 2
"ave maria" - sergei rachmaninov
schola cantorum, st. joseph seminary college
"LO, HOW A ROSE ERE BLOOMING"
"REJOICE GREATLY, O DAUGHTER OF ZION"
GEORGE FREDERICK HANDEL - COMPOSER
ELIZABETH SCHWARZKOPF - SOPRANO
"SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHRISTMAS MUSIC - HAIL MARY"
DIVINA LJUHAIL
Sri Sri Daya Mataji, 1978
"May the spirit of Jesus, the spirit of Christ
Consciousness, descend on our consciousness
and give us realization of Infinity.
"May the Christ that is cradled everywhere - -
in space, in fragrant blossoms, in our hearts - -
manifest himself to us evermore."
~ Paramahansa Yogananda
Christmas 1961
Dear Ones,
Christmas Blessings to you!
The great love and joy of this holy season fills me and
takes my heart racing to the farthest reaches of eternity
to embrace the Lord Jesus. Join your heart's love with
mine in that infinity where time and space melt, where
we stand in his presence and pay him homage.
I pray that Christ flood our consciousness with the all-
illuming light of his wisdom, that we know he is with
us always - - a light unto the world dispelling all
shadows of ignorance.
What love flowed through the divine life of Jesus! As
we adore his spirit in omnipresence may we comprehend
his divinity. Beholding the infinite Christ cradled within
the bosom of our love, we may rejoice truly for his birth,
as again we celebrate the blessed Christmas season.
From India receive my greetings and love for the Christ
that lives within you all.
God, Christ, and Guru bless you,
Daya Mata, President
Self-Realization Fellowship
"STILLE NACHT, HELLIGE NACHT"
"SANCTUS" - MESSE SOLENNELLE, GOUNOD
Jessye Norman, Soprano
"SILENT NIGHT" - Jessye Norman, Soprano
"O HOLY NIGHT" (English) - Daughters of Mary
"O HOLY NIGHT" (French) - Enrico Caruso, Tenor
"O HOLY NIGHT", "O Helga Natt" (Swedish) - Jussi Bjorling
"TOURO-LOURO-LOURO1" - NICOLAS SABOLY
Robert Shaw Chorale
"ONCE IN ROYAL DAVID'S CITY"
KING'S COLLEGE CHOIR, CAMBRIDGE
"O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM"
"O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM"
KING'S SINGERS
"O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL"
Robert Shaw Chorale
"WHILE SHEPHERDS WATCHED THEIR FLOCKS BY NIGHT"
Libera Boys Choir
"HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING"
Oxford College of New College
"ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH" - Robert Shaw Chorale
MOTET" - PUERI CONCINITE
Vienna Boys Choir
"GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO"
Antonio Vivaldi
Choir of Christ's Church, Oxford, Academy of Ancient Music
"AVE MARIA" - FRANZ SCHUBERT
VIENNA BOYS CHOIR
"SERBIAN Orthodox ChristmasAS Music - RUSSIAN CHANT"
diviNA ljuHail
Birth of the Child Jesus
Mary told Joseph that the birth hour of the child would arrive on the coming night. It was then nine months since her conception by the Holy Ghost. She begged him to do all in his power that they might receive as honorably as possible this child promised by God, this child supernaturally conceived and she invited him to unite with her in prayer for those hard-hearted people who afford him no place of shelter....
Mary’s ecstasy lasted some moments longer. Then I saw her spread a cover over the Child, but she did not yet take It up, nor even touch It. After a long time, I saw the child stirring and heard it crying, and then only did Mary seem to recover full consciousness. She lifted the Child, along with the cover that she had thrown over It to her breast and sat veiled, herself and Child quite enveloped. I saw angels around her in human form prostrate on their faces. It may, perhaps, have been an hour after the birth when Mary called St. Joseph, who still lay prostrate in prayer. When he approached, he fell on his knees, his face to the ground, in a transport of joy, devotion, and humility.... When Mary laid the Child in the crib, both she and Joseph stood by it in tears singing the praises of God. ~ Venerable Anne Catherine Emmerich
"Venite adoremus"
Enya
"MARY'S BOY CHILD"
HARRY BELAFONTE
"MARY HAD A BABY"
JESSYE NORMAN
"STILL, STILL, STILL"
NANA MOUSDOURI - SOPRANO
CHOIR OF KING'S COLLEGE
"GESU BAMBINO" - Pietro Yon
Luciano Pavarotti and Vienna Choir Boys
"QUEM PASTORES LAUDAVERE" - MICHAEL PRAETORIUS
gesungene weihnachsgeschichte fur funf chore
"AWAY IN A MANGER"
Boys Choir
"BRING A TORCH JEANETTE ISABELLA"
Robert Shaw Chorale
"AWAY IN A MANGER"
ROBERT SHAW CHORALE
"JESU, JOY OF MAN'S DESIRING"- J. A. BACH, CANTATA 147
"ADESTE FIDELIS"
"O COME LET US ADORE HIM"
Luciano Pavarotti
"DIE HELLIGEN DREI KONIGE"
(The Three Kings)
Richard Strauss, Composer
Elizabeth Schwarzkopf - Soprano
"WE THREE KINGS OF ORIENT ARE" - Robert Shaw Chorale
"THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY"
"THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY - GIFT OF LOVE 1968"
VIENNA BOYS CHOIR
"THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY - GIFT OF LOVE 1976"
VIENNA BOYS CHOIR
"Little Drummer Boy
Bing Crosby
"MI BURRITO SABANERO"
Carol sung in Venezuela and peru
"celtic pipes of christmas"
"DANNY BOY" - FRANK PATTERSON, TENOR
My brother, Daniel sang this song every Christmas for my Father
"CHRISTMAS CAROLS SUNG BY WESTMINSTER ABBEY CHOIR"
CHOIR OF KING'S COLLEGE
"CEREMONY OF THE CAROLS" - BENJAMIN BRITTEN
R. RUDI - CONDUCTOR
"RIU, RIU, CHIU"
KING'S CHOIR, CAMBRIDGE
"Nigerian Christmas Song sung in igbo"
"Betelehemu" African children's choir from nigeria
"GOOD KING WENCESLAS"
ROBERT SHAW CHORALE
"GREEK CHRISTMAS FOLK MUSIC"
IN MEMORY OF COUSIN CHRISTOPHER HARRIS,
AMAN FOLK ENSEMBLE GREEK/SERBIAN LEAD DANCER
"Armenian CHRISTMAS concert"
St. Mary's, Toronto, Canada
"bulgarian folk lore dance"
"Serbian FOLK DANCE"
"Byzantine CHRISTMAS Carols"
"kantkaion of the nativity"
"SERBIAN, RUSSIAN, GREEK CHRISTMAS CAROLS"
"BOZICNA PESMA" - "THE PRE-ETERNAL IS BORN"
"Liturgy of St. john chrysostom" - sergei rachmaninov
"DIVNAJA NOVYNA"
"WYKONANIE"
"CAROL OF THE BELLS" - VIENNA boys choir
"Carols of the Bells"
Daughters of St. Paul
"JOY TO THE WORLD"
DAUGHTERS OF ST. PAUL
SINGING NUNS
One Solitary Life
Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the Child of a peasant woman. He worked as a carpenter until he was thirty. Then for three years He was an itinerant preacher. He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never owned a home. He never had a family. He never went to college. He never put His foot inside a big city…. H he never did one of the things that usually accompanies greatness. He had no credentials but Himself. He had nothing to do with this world except the naked power of His Divine manhood.
While still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against Him. He was turned over to his enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed to a cross between two thieves. His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had on earth while he was dying – and that was his coat. When he was dead he was taken down and laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend. Such was his human life – He rises from the dead.
Nineteen wide centuries have come and gone and today He is the Centerpiece of the human race and the Leader of the column of progress. All the armies that ever marched, and all the navies that ever were built, and all the parliaments that ever sat, and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of mankind upon this earth as powerfully as that One Solitary Life. ~ James C. Hefley
"HALLELUJAH CHORUS" - GEORGE FREDERICK HANDEL
"THE NUTCRACKER BALLET"
MARINSKY THEATRE
"CONCERTO FOR FLUTE AND HARP" - WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART
Posted for Susan Baake, R.N. of Mt. Washington Ayurveda, a Dear Friend
"Surely, this Concerto is so beautiful it must be Christmas Music" ~ Susan Baake
"Letter to a Friend"
by Fra Giovanni
I salute you. I am your friend and my love for you goes deep. There is nothing I can give you which you have not got. But there is much, very much, that while I cannot give it, you can take. No heaven can come to us unless our hearts find rest in today. Take heaven! No peace lies in the future which is not hidden in this present little instance. Take peace! The gloom of the world is but a shadow. Behind it, yet within our reach is joy. Take joy! Life is so full of meaning and purpose, so full of beauty....that you will find earth but cloaks your heaven. Courage then to claim it, that is all!....And so I greet you, with profound esteem and with the prayer that for you, now and forever, the day breaks and the shadows flee away.
~ "Letter to a Friend" written by Fra Giovanni, Christmas Eve, 1513
"LIGHT THE CANDLES AROUND THE WORLD"
LIBERA
"LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH"
MORMON TABERNACLE CHOIR &
GALAXY CHILDREN'S CHOIR OF BEIJING
"WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS" IN JAPANESE
"FELIZ NAVIDAD"
JOSE FELICIANO
"DECK THE HALLS"
ROBERT SHAW CHORALE
"O TANNENBAUM" - "O CHRISTMAS TREE"
VIENNA BOYS CHOIR
"GLIMPSES OF CHRISTMAS AT SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP"
PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA, FOUNDER
“Merry Christmas & Unceasing Blessings”
Meditations on Christ
Georg Frederick Handel - Composer
Marian Anderson - Soprano
David Vorhees Conductor
Christ and I are one.
Joy and I are one.
Peace and I are one.
Wisdom and I are one.
Love and I are one.
Bliss and I are one.
Christ and I are one.
Christ and I are one.
Christ and I are one.
~ Paramahansa Yogananda
2012 Easter Message from Sri Mrinalini Mata, President, SRF
2011 Easter Message from Sri Mrinalini Mata, President, SRF
Last Easter Message from Sri Daya Mata
The Crucifixion
"Achhe Dukkho, Achhe Mrityu"
Rabindranath Tagore
"ST. JOHN'S PASSION" - "JOHANNES PASSION". BWV 245
"Erbarme Dich, mein Gott" - J. S. BACH
Marilyn Horne, Mezzo-Soprano
German
Erbarme dich, Mein Gott, um meiner Zähren willen!Schaue hier,
Herz und Auge weint vor dir Bitterlich.
English
Have mercy Lord, My God, because of this my weeping!
Look thou here, Heart and eyes now weep for thee Bitterly.
O Christ, beloved Son of God!
Thy trial on the Cross was an immortal victory
Of humility over force, of soul over flesh.
May thine ineffable example hearten us
To bear bravely our lesser crosses.
O great lover of error-torn humanity!
In myriad hearts an unseen monument
Has arisen to the mightiest miracle of love –
Thy words:
“Forgive them, for they know not what they do.
~ Paramahansa Yogananda, "Whispers from Eternity"
Sung by Lopamudra Mitra
infinityTObeyond
"ST MATTAÜS PASSION" - "ST. MATTHEW'S PASSION", BWV 244
Johann Sebastian Bach
Phillipe Herreweghe - Conductor
The St. Matthew Passion
By Rex Levang, April 2001
Sometime in the Middle Ages, Christian churches began observing Holy Week by retelling the story of Christ's crucifixion in music. Those beginnings were simple—Bible verses set to simple chant melodies—but eventually they would culminate in one of the most ambitious musical compositions of all time.There are three strands in the text: the actual text from the book of Matthew; Picander's own poetry; and the pre-existing hymns, orchorales,which Bach incorporates into the score, which would have been immediately recognizable by his first hearers.
When J. S. Bach came to write his St. Matthew Passion in the 1720s, the passion, as a musical form, had grown to allow orchestra, choirs, and non-scriptural choruses and arias. But even by the standard of the Baroque passion, the Passion According to St. Matthew is exceptional for its musical richness and its grand scope.
Musically, the score is of imposing length, and calls for double orchestra and double choir—three choirs, at one point. The musical textures range from complex counterpoint to simple hymns. Dramatically, the point of view shifts regularly, from the narrative of the Evangelist, to the actual words of Jesus and his disciples, to reflections that speak for the individual believer. But in Bach's hands, the effect that the Passion gives is not one of a brilliant collage, but a single, sustained, somber meditation—appropriate for a work that was first performed as part of a church service.
Scholars believe the first performance of the St. Matthew Passion may have been in 1727. It was certainly performed on Good Friday of 1729, and perhaps at several other Good Friday services during Bach's life. It then dropped from public view until 1829, when it was triumphantly revived by Felix Mendelssohn, crystallizing a revival of interest in Bach that grew throughout the 19th century and still continues.
The text of the passion was created by the German writer Christian Henrici, who wrote under the pen name of Picander. Like Bach, he lived in Leipzig, and it is believed that he and Bach worked closely together on the text.
PART ONE
Chorus I and II
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Chorus I Kommt, ihr Töchter, helft mir klagen, Sehet—(Chorus II) Wen?—(Chorus I) den Bräutigam, Seht ihn—(Chorus II) Wie?—(Chorus I) als wie ein Lamm!
Chorale O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig Am Stamm des Kreuzes geschlachtet, Sehet,—Was?—seht die Geduld, Allzeit erfunden geduldig, Wiewohl du warest verachtet. Seht—Wohin?—auf unsre Schuld; All Sünd hast du getragen, Sonst müßten wir verzagen. Sehet ihn aus Lieb und Huld Holz zum Kreuze selber tragen! Erbarm dich unser, o Jesu !
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Chorus I Come, ye daughters, share my mourning, See ye—(Chorus II) whom?—(Chorus I) the bridegroom there, See him—(Chorus II) how?—(Chorus I) just like a lamb!
Chorale O Lamb of God, unspotted Upon the cross's branch slaughtered, See ye,—what?—see him forbear, Alway displayed in thy patience, How greatly wast thou despisèd. Look—where, then?—upon our guilt; All sin hast thou born for us, Else we had lost all courage. See how he with love and grace Wood as cross himself now beareth! Have mercy on us, O Jesus!
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Recitative
WHAT IS A RECITATIVE? A recitative is a vocal passage that imitates spoken language, usually in free tempo. Often in passages of recitative, the emphasis is on the words rather than the musical content—which doesn't keep Bach from writing some very striking recitative passages.
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Evangelist Da Jesus diese Rede vollendet hatte, sprach er zu seinen Jüngern:
Jesus Ihr wisset, daß nach zweien Tagen Ostern wird, und des Menschen Sohn wird überantwortet werden, daß er gekreuziget werde.
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Evangelist When Jesus, then, had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples:
Jesus Ye know well that in two days will be Passover, and the Son of man is then to be handed over, that he be crucifièd.
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Chorale
Chorus I and II Herzliebster Jesu, was hast du verbrochen, Daß man ein solch scharf Urteil hat gesprochen? Was ist die Schuld, in was für Missetaten Bist du geraten?
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Chorus I and II O dearest Jesus, how hast thou offended, That such a cruel sentence hath been spoken? What is thy guilt, what were the evil doings Thou hast committed?
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Recitative
Evangelist Da versammleten sich die Hohenpriester und Schriftgelehrten und die Ältesten im Volk in dem Palast des Hohenpriesters, der da hieß Kaiphas, und hielten Rat, wie sie Jesum mit Listen griffen und töteten. Sie sprachen aber:
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Evangelist There assembled themselves the high priests and the scribes together, and the elders of the people within the palace of the chief priest, whose name was Caiphas; and there took counsel, how with stealth they might capture Jesus and put him to death. They said however:
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Chorus I and II
Ja nicht auf das Fest, auf daß nicht ein Aufruhr werde im Volk.
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Not upon the feast, lest there be an uproar in the people.
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Recitative
Evangelist Da nun Jesus war zu Bethanien, im Hause Simonis des Aussätzigen, trat zu ihm ein Weib, die hatte ein Glas mit köstlichem Wasser und goß es auf sein Haupt, da er zu Tische saß. Da das seine Jünger sahen, wurden sie unwillig und sprachen:
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Evangelist When now Jesus visited Bethany and was in the house of the leper called Simon, unto him came a woman who carried a jar of precious ointment and poured it on his head as he sat at the table. But when his disciples saw it, they became indignant and said:
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Chorus I
Wozu dienet dieser Unrat? Dieses Wasser hie mögen teuer verkauft und den Armen gegeben werden.
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What end serveth all this nonsense? For this ointment might indeed have been sold for much, and the sum to the poor been given.
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Recitative
Evangelist Da das Jesus merkete, sprach er zu ihnen:
Jesus Was bekümmert ihr das Weib? Sie hat ein gut Werk an mir getan. Ihr habet allezeit Arme bei euch, mich aber habt ihr nicht allezeit. Daß sie dies Wasser hat auf meinen Leib gegossen, hat sie getan, daß man mich begraben wird. Wahrlich, ich sage euch Wo dies Evangelium geprediget wird in der ganzen Welt, da wird man auch sagen zu ihrem Gedächtnis, was sie getan hat.
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Evangelist But when Jesus noticed this, said he unto them:
Jesus Why trouble ye so this woman? For she hath done a good deed for me! Ye always have the poor with you, me though will ye not have always. That she hath poured this ointment over my body hath she done because I am to be buried. Truly I say to you: wherever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, there will be told also in memory of her what she hath done.
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Recitative
Alto Du lieber Heiland du, Wenn deine Jünger töricht streiten, Daß dieses fromme Weib Mit Salben deinen Leib Zum Grabe will bereiten, So lasse mir inzwischen zu, Von meiner Augen Tränenflüssen Ein Wasser auf dein Haupt zu gießen!
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Alto Belovèd Savior thou, Midst thy disciples' foolish quarrel, Because this loyal dame Thy body with her oils To bury would make ready, O in the meanwhile grant me this, From these mine eyes' own streams of weeping To pour upon thy head an ointment!
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Aria
Alto Buß und Reu Knirscht das Sündenherz entzwei, Daß die Tropfen meiner Zähren Angenehme Spezerei, Treuer Jesu, dir gebären.
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Alto Guilt and pain Break the sinful heart in twain, So the teardrops of my weeping A most soothing precious balm, Chorus II Jesus, thee doth offer.
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Recitative
Evangelist Da ging hin der Zwölfen einer, mit Namen Judas Ischarioth, zu den Hohenpriestern und sprach:
Judas Was wollt ihr mir geben? Ich will ihn euch verraten.
Evangelist Und sie boten ihm dreißig Silberlinge. Und von dem an suchte er Gelegenheit, daß er ihn verriete.
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Evangelist Then there went one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, forth unto the chief priests and said:
Judas What would ye then give me? I would to you betray him.
Evangelist And they offered him thirty silver pieces. And from thence forth he sought an opportunity when he might betray him.
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Aria
Soprano Blute nur, du liebes Herz! Ach! ein Kind, das du erzogen, Das an deiner Brust gesogen, Droht den Pfleger zu ermorden, Denn es ist zur Schlange worden.
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Soprano Bleed alway, O thou my heart! Ah, a child which thou hast nurtured, Which at thine own breast hath suckled, Bodes his keeper now to murder, For it hath become a serpent.
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Recitative
Evangelist Aber am ersten Tage der süßen Brot traten die Jünger zu Jesu und sprachen zu ihm:
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Evangelist But on the first day of Unleavened Bread came the disciples to Jesus and said unto him:
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Chorus I
Wo willst du, daß wir dir bereiten, das Osterlamm zu essen?
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What place wouldst thou have us prepare thee, the paschal lamb to eat now?
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Recitative
Evangelist Er sprach:
Jesus Gehet hin in die Stadt zu einem und sprecht zu ihm: Der Meister laßt dir sagen: Meine Zeit ist hier, ich will bei dir die Ostern halten mit meinen Jüngern. Evangelist Und die Jünger täten, wie ihnen Jesus befohlen hatte, und bereiteten das Osterlamm. Und am Abend satzte er sich zu Tische mit den Zwölfen. Und da sie aßen, sprach er:
Jesus Wahrlich, ich sage euch: Einer unter euch wird mich verraten.
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Evangelist He said:
Jesus Go ye forth to the town, to one there and say to him: The Master sends thee this message: Now my time is here, I would in thy house keep the Passover with my disciples.
Evangelist The disciples did this, as Jesus had commanded them, and made ready there the paschal lamb. And at evening he sat down at the table with the twelve. And while they ate there, he said:
Jesus Truly, I say to you: there is one of you who will betray me.
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Recitative
Evangelist Und sie wurden sehr betrübt und huben an, ein jeglicher unter ihnen, und sagten zu ihm:
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Evangelist And they were then very sad and they began, each one of them in turn, to say unto him:
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Chorus I
NUMEROLOGY: Here, as the chorus repeats this phrase, Bach uses the word "Lord" precisely 11 times: once for each disciple, except for Judas.
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Herr, bin ich's?
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Lord, is it I?
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Chorale
WHAT IS A CHORALE? Basically, a hymn tune of the Lutheran church. In the early years of the Reformation in Germany, a new style of religious song was created. It drew on the Gregorian chant of the Catholic church, on folk song and popular melodies, and was shaped by the prevailing musical style of the day. These melodies came be known as chorales. Many of these chorales, like "A Mighty Fortress" and "Old Hundredth," are still sung as hymns in churches today.
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Chorus I and II Ich bin's, ich sollte büßen, An Händen und an Füßen Gebunden in der Höll. Die Geißeln und die Banden Und was du ausgestanden, Das hat verdienet meine Seel.
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Chorus I and II 'Tis I, I must be sorry, With hands and feet together Bound fast, must lie in hell. The scourges and the fetters And all that thou hast suffered, All this deserveth now my soul.
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Recitative
Evangelist Er antwortete und sprach:
Jesus Der mit der Hand mit mir in die Schüssel tauchet, der wird mich verraten. Des Menschen Sohn gehet zwar dahin, wie von ihm geschrieben stehet; doch wehe dem Menschen, durch welchen des Menschen Sohn verraten wird! Es wäre ihm besser, daß derselbige Mensch noch nie geboren wäre.
Evangelist Da antwortete Judas, der ihn verriet, und sprach:
Judas Bin ich's, Rabbi?
Evangelist Er sprach zu ihm:
Jesus Du sagest's.
Evangelist Da sie aber aßen, nahm Jesus das Brot, dankete und brach's und gab's den Jüngern und sprach:
Jesus Nehmet, esset, das ist mein Leib.
Evangelist Und er nahm den Kelch und dankte, gab ihnen den und sprach:
Jesus Trinket alle daraus; das ist mein Blut des neuen Testaments, welches vergossen wird für viele zur Vergebung der Sünden. Ich sage euch: Ich werde von nun an nicht mehr von diesem Gewächs des Weinstocks trinken bis an den Tag, da ich's neu trinken werde mit euch in meines Vaters Reich.
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Evangelist He answerèd thus and said:
Jesus He who his hand with me in the dish now dippeth, this one will betray me. The Son of man indeed goeth hence, as it hath been written of him; but woe to that man through whom the Son of man hath been betrayed! It were better for him if this very man had never been born.
Evangelist Then answerèd Judas, who betrayed him, and said:
Judas Is it I, Rabbi?
Evangelist He said to him:
Jesus Thou sayest.
Evangelist But when they had eaten, did Jesus take bread, gave thanks and brake it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Jesus Take, eat, this is my Body.
Evangelist And he took the cup and, giving thanks, he gave it to them, saying:
Jesus Drink, all of you, from this; this is my Blood of the New Testament, which hath been poured out here for many in remission of their sins. I say to you: I shall from this moment forth no more drink from this the fruit of the grapevine until the day when I shall drink it anew with you within my Father's kingdom.
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Recitative
Soprano Wiewohl mein Herz in Tränen schwimmt, Daß Jesus von mir Abschied nimmt, So macht mich doch sein Testament erfreut: Mein Fleisch und Blut, o Kostbarkeit, Vermacht er mir in meine Hände. Wie er es auf der Welt mit denen Seinen Nicht böse können meinen, So liebt er sie bis an das Ende.
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Soprano In truth my heart in tears doth swim, That Jesus doth from me depart, But I am by his Testament consoled: His Flesh and Blood, O precious gift, Bequetheth he to mine own hands now. Just as he in the world unto his people Could never offer malice, He loveth them until the finish.
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Aria
Soprano Ich will dir mein Herze schenken, Senke dich, mein Heil, hinein! Ich will mich in dir versenken; Ist dir gleich die Welt zu klein, Ei, so sollst du mir allein Mehr als Welt und Himmel sein.
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Soprano I will thee my heart now offer, Merse thyself, my health, in it! I would merse myself within thee; If to thee the world's too small, Ah, then shalt thou me alone More than world and heaven be.
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Recitative
Evangelist Und da sie den Lobgesang gesprochen hatten, gingen sie hinaus an den Ölberg. Da sprach Jesus zu ihnen:
Jesus In dieser Nacht werdet ihr euch alle ärgern an mir. Denn es stehet geschrieben: Ich werde den Hirten schlagen, und die Schafe der Herde werden sich zerstreuen. Wenn ich aber auferstehe, will ich vor euch hingehen in Galiläam.
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Evangelist But after the song of praise had been recited, they went out to the Mount of Olives. And there Jesus said to them:
Jesus In this same night ye will all become annoyed for my sake. For it standeth in the scripture: I shall strike down then the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will by themselves be scattered. When, however, I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.
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Chorale
Bach
THE "PASSION CHORALE": The next chorale, the so-called "Passion Chorale," is one that Bach uses five times in the St. Matthew Passion. (You may know it as "O sacred head, now wounded.") Although this chorale is now indelibly associated with Easter for many people, Bach uses it in other works, including the Christmas Oratorio, and the melody (not by Bach but by Hans Leo Hassler) was originally a secular love song. It was also borrowed by Paul Simon in "An American Tune."
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Chorus I and II Erkenne mich, mein Hüter, Mein Hirte, nimm mich an! Von dir, Quell aller Güter, Ist mir viel Guts getan. Dein Mund hat mich gelabet Mit Milch und süßer Kost, Dein Geist hat mich begabet Mit mancher Himmelslust.
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Chorus I and II Acknowledge me, my keeper, My shepherd, make me thine! From thee, source of all blessings, Have I been richly blest. Thy mouth hath oft refreshed me With milk and sweetest food, Thy Spirit hath endowed me With many heav'nly joys.
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Recitative
Evangelist Petrus aber antwortete und sprach zu ihm:
Peter Wenn sie auch alle sich an dir ärgerten, so will ich doch mich nimmermehr ärgern.
Evangelist Jesus sprach zu ihm:
Jesus Wahrlich, ich sage dir: In dieser Nacht, ehe der Hahn krähet, wirst du mich dreimal verleugnen.
Evangelist Petrus sprach zu ihm:
Peter Und wenn ich mit dir sterben müßte, so will ich dich nicht verleugnen.
Evangelist Desgleichen sagten auch alle Jünger.
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Evangelist Peter, however, then answerèd and said to him.
Peter Although the others all be annoyed because of thee, yet will I myself not ever feel annoyance.
Evangelist Jesus said to him:
Jesus Truly, I say to thee: in this same night, before the cock croweth, wilt thou three times have denied me.
Evangelist Peter said to him:
Peter And even if I must die with thee, I will not ever deny thee.
Evangelist And so declared all the other disciples.
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Chorale
Chorus I and II Ich will hier bei dir stehen; Verachte mich doch nicht! Von dir will ich nicht gehen, Wenn dir dein Herze bricht. Wenn dein Herz wird erblassen Im letzten Todesstoß, Alsdenn will ich dich fassen In meinen Arm und Schoß.
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Chorus I and II I will here by thee stand now; O put me not to scorn! From thee will I go never, While thee thy heart doth break. When thy heart doth grow pallid Within death's final stroke, E'en then will I enfold thee Within my arms and lap.
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Recitative
Evangelist Da kam Jesus mit ihnen zu einem Hofe, der hieß Gethsemane, und sprach zu seinen Jüngern:
Jesus Setzet euch hie, bis daß ich dort hingehe und bete.
Evangelist Und nahm zu sich Petrum und die zween Söhne Zebedäi und fing an zu trauern und zu zagen. Da sprach Jesus zu ihnen:
Jesus Meine Seele ist betrübt bis an den Tod, bleibet hie und wachet mit mir.
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Evangelist Then came Jesus with them to a garden, known as Gethsemane, and said to his disciples:
Jesus Sit ye down here, while I go over there and pray.
Evangelist And taking Peter with him and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to mourn and to be troubled. Then said Jesus unto them:
Jesus Now my soul is sore distressed, even to death; tarry here and keep watch with me.
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Recitative and Chorale
Chorus I and II O Schmerz! Hier zittert das gequälte Herz; Wie sinkt es hin, wie bleicht sein Angesicht!
Alto Was ist die Ursach aller solcher Plagen?
Chorus I and II Der Richter führt ihn vor Gericht. Da ist kein Trost, kein Helfer nicht.
Alto Ach! meine Sünden haben dich geschlagen;
Chorus I and II Er leidet alle Höllenqualen, Er soll vor fremden Raub bezahlen.
Alto Ich, ach Herr Jesu, habe dies verschuldet Was du erduldet.
Chorus I and II Ach, könnte meine Liebe dir, Mein Heil, dein Zittern und dein Zagen Vermindern oder helfen tragen, Wie gerne blieb ich hier!
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Chorus I and II O pain! Here trembleth the tormented heart; How it doth sink, how pale his countenance!
Alto What is the reason for all these great torments?
Chorus I and II The judge conveys him to the court.
Alto Here is no hope, and helper none.
Chorus I and II Alas, my sins, they have thee sorely stricken;
Alto He suffers all of hell's own torture, He must for others' theft make payment.
Chorus I and II I, ah Lord Jesus, have this debt encumbered Which thou art bearing. Ah, would that now my love for thee, My health, thy trembling and thy terror Could lighten or could help thee carry. How gladly would I stay!
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Aria and Chorus
Tenor Ich will bei meinem Jesu wachen,
Chorus II So schlafen unsre Sünden ein.
Tenor Meinen Tod Büßet seine Seelennot; Sein Trauren machet mich voll Freuden.
Chorus II Drum muß uns sein verdienstlich Leiden Recht bitter und doch süße sein.
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Tenor I will be with my Jesus watching,
Chorus II That slumber may our sins enfold.
Tenor Mine own death Is redeemed by his soul's woe; His sorrow filleth me with gladness.
Chorus II Thus for us his most worthy passion Most bitter and yet sweet must be.
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Recitative
Evangelist Und ging hin ein wenig, fiel nieder auf sein Angesicht und betete und sprach:
Jesus Mein Vater, ist's möglich, so gehe dieser Kelch von mir; doch nicht wie ich will, sondern wie du willt.
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Evangelist He went on a little, fell down upon his face and, having prayed, he said:
Jesus My Father, if possible, allow this cup to pass from me; but not as I will, rather as thou wilt.
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Recitative
Bass Der Heiland fällt vor seinem Vater nieder; Dadurch erhebt er mich und alle Von unserm Falle Hinauf zu Gottes Gnade wieder. Er ist bereit, Den Kelch, des Todes Bitterkeit Zu trinken, In welchen Sünden dieser Welt Gegossen sind und häßlich stinken, Weil es dem lieben Gott gefällt.
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Bass The Savior falls before his Father prostrate; Thereby he raiseth me and all men From our corruption Aloft again to God's dear mercy. He is prepared The cup, the bitterness of death, To drink now, In which the sins of this our world Have been infused, now loathsome reeking, Because God wills it so to be.
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Aria
Bass Gerne will ich mich bequemen, Kreuz und Becher anzunehmen, Trink ich doch dem Heiland nach. Denn sein Mund, Der mit Milch und Honig fließet, Hat den Grund Und des Leidens herbe Schmach Durch den ersten Trunk versüßet.
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Bass Gladly would I be most willing Cross and chalice to accept now, Drinking from my Savior's cup. For his mouth, Which with milk and honey floweth, Hath the earth, And all sorrow's bitter taste With the very first draught sweetened.
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Recitative
DRAMATIC, INTENSE "Bach is a dramatic composer. The fact that that drama doesn't have to be either in real time or shown to you visually doesn't mean that there's not a drama, in the same way that a radio play is drama; it just happens inside your head. It's imagined. I think that it is, dramatically, incredibly intense from beginning to end."
– Nicholas McGegan, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Baroque Series Director
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Evangelist Und er kam zu seinen Jüngern und fand sie schlafend und sprach zu ihnen:
Jesus Könnet ihr denn nicht eine Stunde mit mir wachen? Wachet und betet, daß ihr nicht in Anfechtung fallet! Der Geist ist willig, aber das Fleisch ist schwach.
Evangelist Zum andernmal ging er hin, betete und sprach:
Jesus Mein Vater, ist's nicht möglich, daß dieser Kelch von mir gehe, ich trinke ihn denn, so geschehe dein Wille.
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Evangelist And he came to his disciples and found them sleeping and said unto them:
Jesus Could ye then not watch with me even for one hour? Watch ye and pray, that ye not fall into temptation! The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Evangelist A second time he went off, prayed and said:
Jesus My Father, if it cannot be that this cup pass from me, unless I have drunk it, then let thy will be done.
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Chorale
Chorus I and II Was mein Gott will, das g'scheh allzeit, Sein Will, der ist der beste, Zu helfen den'n er ist bereit, Die an ihn gläuben feste. Er hilft aus Not, der fromme Gott, Und züchtiget mit Maßen. Wer Gott vertraut, fest auf ihn baut, Den will er nicht verlassen.
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Chorus I and II What my God will, be done alway, His will, it is the best will; To help all those he is prepared Whose faith in him is steadfast. He frees from want, this righteous God, And punisheth with measure: Who trusts in God, on him relies, Him will he not abandon.
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Recitative
Evangelist Und er kam und fand sie aber schlafend, und ihre Augen waren voll Schlafs. Und er ließ sie und ging abermal hin und betete zum drittenmal und redete dieselbigen Worte. Da kam er zu seinen Jüngern und sprach zu ihnen:
Jesus Ach! wollt ihr nun schlafen und ruhen? Siehe, die Stunde ist hie, daß des Menschen Sohn in der Sünder Hände überantwortet wird. Stehet auf, lasset uns gehen; siehe, er ist da, der mich verrät.
Evangelist Und als er noch redete, siehe, da kam Judas, der Zwölfen einer, und mit ihm eine große Schar mit Schwerten und mit Stangen von den Hohenpriestern und Altesten des Volks. Und der Verräter hatte ihnen ein Zeichen gegeben und gesagt: »Welchen ich küssen werde, der ist's, den greifet!« Und alsbald trat er zu Jesu und sprach:
Judas Gegrüßet seist du, Rabbi!
Evangelist Und küssete ihn. Jesus aber sprach zu ihm:
Jesus Mein Freund, warum bist du kommen?
Evangelist Da traten sie hinzu und legten die Hände an Jesum und griffen ihn.
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Evangelist And he came and found them once more sleeping, and now their eyes were heavy with sleep. And he left them and went off once again a third time and said again the very same words. Then came he to his disciples and said unto them:
Jesus Ah, would ye now sleep and rest? Lo now, the hour is come when the Son of man is delivered over to the hands of sinners. Rise ye up, let us be going; see there, he is come, who doth betray me.
Evangelist And while he was speaking still, behold, there came Judas, one of the twelve, and with him came a great crowd with swords and with clubs from the chief priests and elders of the people. And the betrayer had given them a signal already and had said: "He whom I shall kiss, is he, him take ye!" At that he went up to Jesus and said:
Judas My greetings to thee, Rabbi!
Evangelist And gave him a kiss. Jesus, though, said to him:
Jesus My friend, wherefore art thou come here?
Evangelist Then came the others forth and, laying their hands upon Jesus, they captured him.
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Duet and Chorus
Soprano and Alto So ist mein Jesus nun gefangen.
Chorus II Laßt ihn, haltet, bindet nicht!
Soprano and Alto Mond und Licht Ist vor Schmerzen untergangen, Weil mein Jesus ist gefangen.
Chorus II Laßt ihn, haltet, bindet nicht!
Soprano and Alto Sie führen ihn, er ist gebunden.
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Soprano and Alto Thus hath my Jesus now been taken.
Chorus II Free him, hold off, bind him not!
Soprano and Alto Moon and light Are in sorrow set and hidden, For my Jesus hath been taken.
Chorus II Free him, hold off, bind him not!
Soprano and Alto They lead him off, he is in fetters.
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Chorus I and II
Sind Blitze, sind Donner in Wolken verschwunden? Eröffne den feurigen Abgrund, o Hölle, Zertrümmre, verderbe, verschlinge, zerschelle Mit plötzlicher Wut Den falschen Verräter, das mördrische Blut!
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Hath lightning, hath thunder in clouds fully vanished? Lay open thy fire's raging chasm, O hell, then, Now ruin, demolish, devour, now shatter With suddenmost wrath The lying betrayer, that murderous blood!
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Recitative
THE "HALO" EFFECT: Bach sets Jesus' own words apart from all the other recitatives by accompanying them with strings. This has been likened to a halo in sound.
Significantly, there is one place where the halo drops out—at Jesus' last words on the cross.
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Evangelist Und siehe, einer aus denen, die mit Jesu waren, reckete die Hand aus und schlug des Hohenpriesters Knecht und hieb ihm ein Ohr ab. Da sprach Jesus zu ihm:
Jesus Stecke dein Schwert an seinen Ort; denn wer das Schwert nimmt, der soll durchs Schwert umkommen. Oder meinest du, daß ich nicht könnte meinen Vater bitten, daß er mir zuschickte mehr denn zwölf Legion Engel? Wie würde aber die Schrift erfüllet? Es muß also gehen.
Evangelist Zu der Stund sprach Jesus zu den Scharen:
Jesus Ihr seid ausgegangen als zu einem Mörder, mit Schwerten und mit Stangen, mich zu fahen; bin ich doch täglich bei euch gesessen und habe gelehret im Tempel, und ihr habt mich nicht gegriffen. Aber das ist alles geschehen, daß erfüllet würden die Schriften
Evangelist Da verließen ihn alle Jünger und flohen.
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Evangelist And lo now, one of that number, who were there with Jesus, did stretch out his hand then and struck the slave of the chief priest and cut off his ear. Then said Jesus to him:
Jesus Put back thy sword into its place; for all who take the sword must by the sword perish. Or dost thou then think that I could not appeal unto my Father that to me he send forth more than twelve legions of angels? How would the scripture, though, be fulfilled? It must be this way.
Evangelist At this hour said Jesus to the many:
Jesus Ye are now come forward as against a murderer, with swords and with clubs now to take me; but I have daily been sitting with you and have been there teaching in the temple, and ye did not ever seize me. But all this is now come to pass, to bring fulfillment to the scriptures of the prophets.
Evangelist Then did all the disciples flee and forsake him.
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Chorale
Chorus I and II O Mensch, bewein dein Sünde groß, Darum Christus seins Vaters Schoß Äußert und kam auf Erden; Von einer Jungfrau rein und zart Für uns er hie geboren ward, Er wollt der Mittler werden. Den Toten er das Leben gab Und legt darbei all Krankheit ab, Bis sich die Zeit herdrange, Daß er für uns geopfert würd, Trüg unsrer Sünden schwere Bürd Wohl an dem Kreuze lange.
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Chorus I and II O man, bewail thy sins so great, For which Christ did his Father's lap Reveal and came to earth here; And of a virgin pure and mild For us he here to birth did come To be the Intercessor. Unto the dead he granted life And put off all infirmity Until the time pressed forward That he for us be sacrificed; He bore our sins' most grievous weight Upon the cross, long suff'ring.
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DIVINELY INSPIRED: " 'Ever look at the Passion? Ever hear it?'
'Never.'
'We've a month; we'll scratch the surface.'
It seemed to Monica that they did much more than scratch the surface; she slaved at it, and Molloy even made her study the full score, so that she might have some acquaintance with classical orchestration... Molloy had a cult for the Passion which astonished Monica, for she had not supposed him to be a deeply religious man. 'If the Bible was divinely inspired, so was the Matthew Passion,'said he; 'you've not only to know it note for note and rest for rest—you've to feel it in the furthest depths of your soul.' It was in this spirit that they worked."
– Robertson Davies, A Mixture of Frailties
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PART TWO
Aria and Chorus
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Chorus I Ach! nun ist mein Jesus hin!
Chorus II Wo ist denn dein Freund hingegangen, O du Schönste unter den Weibern? Ist es möglich, kann ich schauen? Wo hat sich dein Freund hingewandt? Ach! mein Lamm in Tigerklauen, Ach! wo ist mein Jesus hin? So wollen wir mit dir ihn suchen. Ach! was soll ich der Seele sagen, Wenn sie mich wird ängstlich fragen? Ach! wo ist mein Jesus hin?
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Chorus I Ah, now is my Jesus gone!
Chorus II Where is then thy friend now departed, O thou fairest of all the women? Is it granted, can I see him? Where hath he thy friend gone away? Ah, my lamb in tiger's clutches, Ah, where is my Jesus gone? We will with thee now go and seek him. Ah, what shall I say to my spirit When it doth in anguish ask me: Ah, where is my Jesus gone?
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Recitative
Evangelist Die aber Jesum gegriffen hatten, führeten ihn zu dem Hohenpriester Kaiphas, dahin die Schriftgelehrten und Ältesten sich versammlet hatten. Petrus aber folgete ihm nach von ferne bis in den Palast des Hohenpriesters und ging hinein und satzte sich bei die Knechte, auf daß er sähe, wo es hinaus wollte. Die Hohenpriester aber und Ältesten und der ganze Rat suchten falsche Zeugnis wider Jesum, auf daß sie ihn töteten, und funden keines.
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Evangelist But those, however, who had seized Jesus led him away to the chief priest, who was Caiphas, there where the learned scribes and the elders already had assembled. Peter, though, had followed him from a distance up to the palace of the chief priest and went inside and sat himself near the servants, that he might see what the outcome would be. The chief priests, though, and also the elders and the whole assembly sought untrue witness against Jesus in order to kill him, and they did find none.
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Chorale
Chorus I and II Mir hat die Welt trüglich gericht' Mit Lügen und mit falschem G'dicht, Viel Netz und heimlich Stricke. Herr, nimm mein wahr in dieser G'fahr, B'hüt mich für falschen Tücken!
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Chorus I and II The world hath judged me with deceit, With lying and with false conceit, With nets and snares in secret. Lord, me regard In this distress, Guard me from false deceptions.
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Recitative
Evangelist Und wiewohl viel falsche Zeugen herzutraten, funden sie doch keins. Zuletzt traten herzu zween falsche Zeugen und sprachen: Alto and Tenor Er hat gesagt: Ich kann den Tempel Gottes abbrechen und in dreien Tagen denselben bauen.
Evangelist Und der Hohepriester stund auf und sprach zu ihm:
Bass Antwortest du nichts zu dem, das diese wider dich zeugen?
Evangelist Aber Jesus schwieg stille.
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Evangelist And although there came there many false witnesses, they still did find none. At last entered therein two false informants and said:
Alto and Tenor He hath declared: "God's temple can I fully demolish and within three days' time I can rebuild it."
Evangelist And the chief priest then stood up and said to him:
Bass Replies thou nought to that which they have witnessed against thee?
Evangelist But Jesus kept silent.
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Recitative
Tenor Mein Jesus schweigt Zu falschen Lügen stille, Um uns damit zu zeigen, Daß sein Erbarmens voller Wille Vor uns zum Leiden sei geneigt, Und daß wir in dergleichen Pein Ihm sollen ähnlich sein Und in Verfolgung stille schweigen.
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Tenor My Jesus keeps Amidst false lies his silence, To show us by example That his dear mercy's full intention For us to suffer now inclines, In order that within such pain We should resemble him, In persecution keep our silence.
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Aria
Tenor Geduld! Wenn mich falsche Zungen stechen. Leid ich wider meine Schuld Schimpf und Spott, Ei, so mag der liebe Gott Meines Herzens Unschuld rächen.
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Tenor Forbear, Though deceiving tongues may sting me! Though I suffer, innocent, Mocking scorn, Ah, then may the Lord above Give my guiltless heart its vengeance.
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Recitative
Evangelist Und der Hohepriester antwortete und sprach zu ihm:
Bass Ich beschwöre dich bei dem lebendigen Gott, daß du uns sagest, ob du seiest Christus, der Sohn Gottes?
Evangelist Jesus sprach zu ihm:
Jesus Du sagest's. Doch sage ich euch: Von nun an wird's geschehen, daß ihr sehen werdet des Menschen Sohn sitzen zur Rechten der Kraft und kommen in den Wolken des Himmels.
Evangelist Da zerriß der Hohepriester seine Kleider und sprach:
Bass Er hat Gott gelästert; was dürfen wir weiter Zeugnis? Siehe, itzt habt ihr seine Gotteslästerung gehöret. Was dünket euch?
Evangelist Sie antworteten und sprachen:
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Evangelist And the chief priest then, answering, spake thus to him:
Bass I adjure thee in the name of the living God, that thou shouldst tell us, if thou art the Christ, the Son of God.
Evangelist Jesus said to him:
Jesus Thou sayest. But I say to you: from henceforth it will happen that ye shall behold the Son of man sitting at the right hand of power and coming in the clouds of heaven.
Evangelist Thereupon the chief priest rent his clothes asunder and said:
Bass God hath he blasphemed; what need we of further witness? See here, now have ye heard his blasphemy against God. What is your judgment?
Evangelist They answerèd and said:
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Chorus I and II
Er ist des Todes schuldig!
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He is of death deserving!
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Recitative
Evangelist Da speieten sie aus in sein Angesicht und schlugen ihn mit Fäusten. Etliche aber schlugen ihn ins Angesicht und sprachen:
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Evangelist Then did they spit upon his countenance and struck him with their fists. Some, though, there were who struck him upon his face and said:
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Chorus I and II
Weissage uns, Christe, wer ist's, der dich schlug?
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Foretell it us, Christ Lord, tell us who struck thee!
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Chorale
Chorus I and II Wer hat dich so geschlagen, Mein Heil, und dich mit Plagen So übel zugericht'? Du bist ja nicht ein Sünder Wie wir und unsre Kinder; Von Missetaten weißt du nicht.
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Chorus I and II Who hath thee thus so smitten, My health, and thee tormented, So evilly abused? Thou art indeed no sinner Like us and our descendants; Of evil deeds thou knowest not.
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Recitative
Evangelist Petrus aber saß draußen im Palast; und es trat zu ihm eine Magd und sprach:
Soprano Und du warest auch mit dem Jesu aus Galiläa.
Evangelist Er leugnete aber vor ihnen allen und sprach:
Peter Ich weiß nicht, was du sagest.
Evangelist Als er aber zur Tür hinausging, sahe ihn eine andere und sprach zu denen, die da waren:
Soprano Dieser war auch mit dem Jesu von Nazareth.
Evangelist Und er leugnete abermal und schwur dazu:
Peter Ich kenne des Menschen nicht.
Evangelist Und über eine kleine Weile traten hinzu, die da stunden, und sprachen zu Petro:
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Evangelist Peter, meanwhile, sat outside in the court; and there came to him a maid and said:
Soprano And thou was also with Jesus of Galilee.
Evangelist
But he then denied this before them all and said:
Peter I know not what thou sayest.
Evangelist But when he went out to the porch, he was seen by another maid, who said to those who were there:
Soprano This man was also with Jesus of Nazareth.
Evangelist And once more did he deny it and with an oath:
Peter I know nothing of the man.
Evangelist And when a little time had passed, there came to him those who were present and said to Peter:
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Chorus II
Wahrlich, du bist auch einer von denen; denn deine Sprache verrät dich.
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Truly, thou art one of those men also; for thine own speech doth betray thee.
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Recitative
Evangelist Da hub er an, sich zu verfluchen und zu schwören:
Peter Ich kenne des Menschen nicht.
Evangelist Und alsbald krähete der Hahn. Da dachte Petrus an die Worte Jesu, da er zu ihm sagte: Ehe der Hahn krähen wird, wirst du mich dreimal verleugnen. Und ging heraus und weinete bitterlich.
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Evangelist Then he began to invoke a curse upon himself and to swear:
Peter I know nothing of the man.
Evangelist And at this moment the cock crew. Then Peter thought back to the words of Jesus, when he said unto him: "Before the cock shall have crowed, wilt three times thou have denied me." And he went out and wept with great bitterness.
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Aria
EMOTIONAL OUTPOURING "For me, the emotional high point is the aria "Erbarme dich" with the violin solo weeping away with the mezzo. It's just one of the finest arias ever written."
"One thing about the arias is, essentially, the singers all speak about themselves. It's how I feel about Christ's passion. It's always 'Save me—not the planet.' And so what you have is this extraordinary personal outpouring of emotion in all the arias, and this one is the high point."
– Nicholas McGegan, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Baroque Series Director
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Alto Erbarme dich, Mein Gott, um meiner Zähren willen! Schaue hier, Herz und Auge weint vor dir Bitterlich.
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Alto Have mercy Lord, My God, because of this my weeping! Look thou here, Heart and eyes now weep for thee Bitterly.
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Chorale
Chorus I and II Bin ich gleich von dir gewichen, Stell ich mich doch wieder ein; Hat uns doch dein Sohn verglichen Durch sein' Angst und Todespein. Ich verleugne nicht die Schuld; Aber deine Gnad und Huld Ist viel größer als die Sünde, Die ich stets in mir befinde.
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Chorus I and II Though I now have thee forsaken, I will once again return; For thy Son hath reconciled us Through his agony and death. I deny no whit my guilt; But thy mercy and thy grace Are much greater than the failings Which I ever find within me.
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Recitative
Evangelist Des Morgens aber hielten alle Hohepriester und die Ältesten des Volks einen Rat über Jesum, daß sie ihn töteten. Und bunden ihn, führeten ihn hin und überantworteten ihn dem Landpfleger Pontio Pilato. Da das sahe Judas, der ihn verraten hatte, daß er verdammt war zum Tode, gereuete es ihn und brachte herwieder die dreißig Silberlinge den Hohenpriestern und Ältesten und sprach:
Judas Ich habe übel getan, daß ich unschuldig Blut verraten habe.
Evangelist Sie sprachen:
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Evangelist When morning came, however, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took council concerning Jesus, that they might put him to death. And binding him, they led him away and handed him over unto the governor Pontius Pilatus. And when Judas saw this, the one who had betrayed him, that he had been condemned to death, it gave him great remorse, and, bringing back again the thirty silver pieces unto the chief priests and elders, he said:
Judas I have committed a sin, for I have innocent blood here betrayed.
Evangelist They said:
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Chorus I and II
Was gehet uns das an? Da siehe du zu!
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How doth that us concern? See to it thyself!
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Recitative
Evangelist Und er warf die Silberlinge in den Tempel, hub sich davon, ging hin und erhängete sich selbst. Aber die Hohenpriester nahmen die Silberlinge und sprachen:
Bass Es taugt nicht, daß wir sie in den Gotteskasten legen, denn es ist Blutgeld.
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Evangelist And he cast the silvers pieces in the temple, rose up from there, went forth and then hanged himself at once. But the chief priests took the silver pieces and said:
Bass We cannot lawfully put them in the temple treasury, for this is blood money.
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Aria
Bass Gebt mir meinen Jesum wieder! Seht, das Geld, den Mörderlohn, Wirft euch der verlorne Sohn Zu den Füßen nieder!
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Bass Give back this my Jesus to me! See the price, this murder's wage, Thrown by this the fallen son At your feet before you!
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Recitative
Evangelist Sie hielten aber einen Rat und kauften einen Töpfersacker darum zum Begräbnis der Pilger. Daher ist derselbige Acker genennet der Blutacker bis auf den heutigen Tag. Da ist erfüllet, das gesagt ist durch den Propheten Jeremias, da er spricht: »Sie haben genommen dreißig Silberlinge, damit bezahlet ward der Verkaufte, welchen sie kauften von den Kindern Israel, und haben sie gegeben um einen Töpfersacker, als mir der Herr befohlen hat.« Jesus aber stund vor dem Landpfleger; und der Landpfleger fragte ihn und sprach:
Bass Bist du der Jüden König?
Evangelist Jesus aber sprach zu ihm:
Jesus Du sagest's.
Evangelist Und da er verklagt war von den Hohenpriestern und Ältesten, antwortete er nichts. Da sprach Pilatus zu ihm:
Bass Hörest du nicht, wie hart sie dich verklagen?
Evangelist Und er antwortete ihm nicht auf ein Wort, also, daß sich auch der Landpfleger sehr verwunderte.
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Evangelist So they took counsel once again and bought with them a potter's field set aside for the burial of strangers. Therefore is this selfsame field also known as the Field of Blood from then to this very day. Thus is fulfillèd what was told before by the prophet Jeremiah, when he saith: "And they have accepted thirty silver pieces, with which to pay the price of one purchased, whom they had purchased from the children of Israel, and they have given it to buy a potter's field, as the Lord hath commanded me." Jesus meanwhile stood before the governor; and the governor questioned him and said:
Bass Art thou the King of the Jews?
Evangelist Jesus then replied to him:
Jesus Thou sayest it.
Evangelist And when he was charged by the chief priests and the elders, he made no reply. Then said Pilate unto him:
Bass Hearest thou not how harshly they accuse thee?
Evangelist And he answerèd him to never a word, such that the governor was also much amazed at him.
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Chorale
Chorus I and II Befiehl du deine Wege Und was dein Herze kränkt Der allertreusten Pflege Des, der den Himmel lenkt. Der Wolken, Luft und Winden Gibt Wege, Lauf und Bahn, Der wird auch Wege finden, Da dein Fuß gehen kann.
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Chorus I and II Commend thou all thy pathways And all that grieves thy heart To the most Chorus II keeping Of him who ruleth heav'n. To clouds and air and breezes He gives their course to run, He will find pathways also Whereon thy foot may walk.
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Recitative
Evangelist Auf das Fest aber hatte der Landpfleger Gewohnheit, dem Volk einen Gefangenen loszugeben, welchen sie wollten. Er hatte aber zu der Zeit einen Gefangenen, einen sonderlichen vor andern, der hieß Barrabas. Und da sie versammlet waren, sprach Pilatus zu ihnen:
Bass Welchen wollet ihr, daß ich euch losgebe? Barrabam oder Jesum, von dem gesaget wird, er sei Christus?
Evangelist Denn er wußte wohl, daß sie ihn aus Neid überantwortet hatten. Und da er auf dem Richtstuhl saß, schickete sein Weib zu ihm und ließ ihm sagen:
Soprano Habe du nichts zu schaffen mit diesem Gerechten; ich habe heute viel erlitten im Traum von seinetwegen!
Evangelist Aber die Hohenpriester und die Ältesten überredeten das Volk, daß sie um Barrabam bitten sollten und Jesum umbrächten. Da antwortete nun der Landpfleger und sprach zu ihnen:
Bass Welchen wollt ihr unter diesen zweien, den ich euch soll losgeben?
Evangelist Sie sprachen:
Chorus I and II Barrabam!
Evangelist Pilatus sprach zu ihnen:
Bass Was soll ich denn machen mit Jesu, von dem gesagt wird, er sei Christus?
Evangelist Sie sprachen alle:
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Evangelist But upon this feast the governor had the custom of setting free a prisoner to the people, whom they had chosen. He had, however, on this occasion a prisoner, who stood out above the others, whose name was Barabbas. And when they had come together, Pilate said unto them:
Bass Which one would ye have that I release unto you? Barabbas or Jesus, of whom it is said that he is the Christ?
Evangelist For he knew full well that it was for envy that they had delivered him. And as he sat upon the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him and gave this message:
Soprano Have thou nothing to do with this righteous man; for I today have suffered much in a dream because of him!
Evangelist Nevertheless the chief priests and the elders had now persuaded the crowd, that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. And in answer now, the governor said unto them:
Bass Which one would ye have of these two men here, that I set free to you?
Evangelist And they said:
Chorus I and II Barabbas!
Evangelist And Pilate said unto them:
Bass What shall I then do with Jesus, of whom is said that he is Christ?
Evangelist And they all said:
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Chorus I and II
Laß ihn kreuzigen!
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Have him crucified!
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Chorale
Chorus I and II Wie wunderbarlich ist doch diese Strafe! Der gute Hirte leidet für die Schafe, Die Schuld bezahlt der Herre, der Gerechte, Für seine Knechte.
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Chorus I and II How awe-inspiring is indeed this sentence! The worthy shepherd for his flock now suffers; The debt he pays, the master, he the righteous, For all his servants.
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Recitative
Evangelist Der Landpfleger sagte:
Bass Was hat er denn Übels getan?
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Evangelist The governor said then:
Bass Why, what evil hath this man done?
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Recitative
Soprano Er hat uns allen wohlgetan, Den Blinden gab er das Gesicht, Die Lahmen macht er gehend, Er sagt uns seines Vaters Wort, Er trieb die Teufel fort, Betrübte hat er aufgericht', Er nahm die Sünder auf und an. Sonst hat mein Jesus nichts getan.
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Soprano He hath us all so richly blessed, The blind he hath returned their sight, The lame he leaveth walking, He tells us of his Father's word, He drives the devil forth, The troubled hath he lifted up, He took the sinners to himself. Else hath my Jesus nothing done.
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Aria
Soprano Aus Liebe, Aus Liebe will mein Heiland sterben, Von einer Sünde weiß er nichts. Daß das ewige Verderben Und die Strafe des Gerichts Nicht auf meiner Seele bliebe.
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Soprano For love now, For love now would my Savior perish, Of any sin he knoweth nought. That eternal condemnation And the sentence of the court Not upon my soul continue.
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Recitative
Evangelist Sie schrieen aber noch mehr und sprachen:
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Evangelist They cried again even more and said:
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Chorus I and II
Laß ihn kreuzigen!
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Have him crucified!
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Recitative
Evangelist Da aber Pilatus sahe, daß er nichts schaffete, sondern daß ein viel großer Getümmel ward, nahm er Wasser und wusch die Hände vor dem Volk und sprach:
Bass Ich bin unschuldig an dem Blut dieses Gerechten, sehet ihr zu.
Evangelist Da antwortete das ganze Volk und sprach:
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Evangelist But when Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, rather that a much greater disturbance grew, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd and said:
Bass I am not guilty for the blood of this just person, see ye to it.
Evangelist Thereupon answered all the people and said:
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Chorus I and II
Sein Blut komme über uns und unsre Kinder.
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His blood come upon us then and on our children.
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Recitative
Evangelist Da gab er ihnen Barrabam los; aber Jesum ließ er geißeln und überantwortete ihn, daß er gekreuziget würde.
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Evangelist To them he then set Barabbas free; but he had Jesus scourged and then delivered him up, that he might be crucifièd.
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Recitative
Alto Erbarm es Gott! Hier steht der Heiland angebunden. O Geißelung, o Schläg, o Wunden! Ihr Henker, haltet ein! Erweichet euch Der Seelen Schmerz, Der Anblick solches Jammers nicht? Ach ja! ihr habt ein Herz, Das muß der Martersäule gleich Und noch viel härter sein. Erbarmt euch, haltet ein!
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Alto Have mercy, God! Here stands the Savior, bound and fettered. Such scourging this, such blows, such wounding! Ye hangmen, stop your work! Do ye not feel Your spirit's grief, The vision of such pain and woe? Ah yes! Ye have a heart Which must be like the whipping post And e'en much harder still. Have mercy, stop your work!
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Aria
Alto Können Tränen meiner Wangen Nichts erlangen, O, so nehmt mein Herz hinein! Aber laßt es bei den Fluten, Wenn die Wunden milde bluten, Auch die Opferschale sein!
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Alto If the tears upon my cheeks can Nought accomplish, Oh, then take my heart as well! But then let amidst the streaming Of the wounds abundant bleeding Be the sacrificial cup!
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Recitative
Evangelist Da nahmen die Kriegsknechte des Landpflegers Jesum zu sich in das Richthaus und sammleten über ihn die ganze Schar und zogen ihn aus und legeten ihm einen Purpurmantel an und flochten eine dornene Krone und satzten sie auf sein Haupt und ein Rohr in seine rechte Hand und beugeten die Knie vor ihm und spotteten ihn und sprachen:
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Evangelist And then did the governor's soldiers take Jesus into the praetorium and gathered before him there all the troops, and they did strip him and put upon him a purple robe and plaited a crown of thorns and set it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand and then they bent their knees before him, both mocking him and saying:
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Chorus I and II
Gegrüßet seist du, Jüdenkönig!
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All hail now to thee, King of the Jews!
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Recitative
Evangelist Und speieten ihn an und nahmen das Rohr und schlugen damit sein Haupt.
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Evangelist And spat upon his face and, taking the reed, they struck him upon his head.
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Chorale
Chorus I and II O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden, Voll Schmerz und voller Hohn, O Haupt, zu Spott gebunden Mit einer Dornenkron, O Haupt, sonst schön gezieret Mit höchster Ehr und Zier, Jetzt aber hoch schimpfieret, Gegrüßet seist du mir! Du edles Angesichte, Dafür sonst schrickt und scheut Das große Weltgerichte, Wie bist du so bespeit; Wie bist du so erbleichet! Wer hat dein Augenlicht, Dem sonst kein Licht nicht gleichet, So schändlich zugericht'?
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Chorus I and II O head of blood and wounding, Of pain and scorn so full, O Head, for spite now fettered Beneath a crown of thorns, O head, once fair and lovely, With highest praise adorned, But highly now insulted, All hail to thee, I say! Thou countenance so noble, At which should shrink and quail The mighty world's great burden, How spat upon thou art; How pale thou art become now! Who hath thine eyes' bright light, Alike no other light once, So shamefully abused?
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Recitative
Evangelist Und da sie ihn verspottet hatten, zogen sie ihm den Mantel aus und zogen ihm seine Kleider an und führeten ihn hin, daß sie ihn kreuzigten. Und indem sie hinausgingen, funden sie einen Menschen von Kyrene mit Namen Simon; den zwungen sie, daß er ihm sein Kreuz trug.
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Evangelist And after they had mocked and scorned him, they removed the robe from him and put his own raiment upon him and led him away, that they might crucify him. And after they went out, they found a man who came from Cyrene, whose name was Simon; and they compelled him to bear his cross.
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Recitative
Bass Ja freilich will in uns das Fleisch und Blut Zum Kreuz gezwungen sein; Je mehr es unsrer Seele gut, Je herber geht es ein.
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Bass Yea truly, would in us our flesh and blood Be forced upon the cross; The more it doth our spirit good, The grimmer it becomes.
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Aria
Bass Komm, süßes Kreuz, so will ich sagen, Mein Jesu, gib es immer her! Wird mir mein Leiden einst zu schwer, So hilfst du mir es selber tragen.
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Bass Come, O sweet cross, thus I'll confess it: My Jesus, give it evermore! Whene'er my burden be too grave, Then thou thyself dost help me bear it.
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Recitative
Evangelist Und da sie an die Stätte kamen mit Namen Golgatha, das ist verdeutschet Schädelstätt, gaben sie ihm Essig zu trinken mit Gallen vermischet; und da er's schmeckete, wollte er's nicht trinken. Da sie ihn aber gekreuziget hatten, teilten sie seine Kleider und wurfen das Los darum, auf daß erfüllet würde, das gesagt ist durch den Propheten: »Sie haben meine Kleider unter sich geteilet, und über mein Gewand haben sie das Los geworfen.« Und sie saßen allda und hüteten sein. Und oben zu seinen Häupten hefteten sie die Ursach seines Todes beschrieben, nämlich: »Dies ist Jesus, der Jüden König.« Und da wurden zween Mörder mit ihm gekreuziget, einer zur Rechten und einer zur Linken. Die aber vorübergingen, lästerten ihn und schüttelten ihre Köpfe und sprachen:
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Evangelist And when they came unto a place with the name of Golgotha, which is to say, the place of a skull, they did give him vinegar to drink which had been mixed with gall; and when he tasted it, he refused to drink it. But after they had crucified him, they divided his garments by casting lots for them, that it might be accomplished what had once been said by the prophet: "They have divided all my garments among them and over mine own vesture did they cast lots." And they sat all around and guarded him there. And over his head they fastened the reason for his death in writing, namely: "This is Jesus, the King of the Jews." And with him were two murderers also crucified, one on the right hand, another on the left. And those who there passed by derided him both wagging their heads before him and saying:
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Chorus I and II
Der du den Tempel Gottes zerbrichst und bauest ihn in dreien Tagen, hilf dir selber! Bist du Gottes Sohn, so steig herab vom Kreuz!
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Thou who dost God's own temple destroy and buildest it within three days' time, save thyself now! If thou art God's Son, then climb down from the cross!
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Recitative
Evangelist Desgleichen auch die Hohenpriester spotteten sein samt den Schriftgelehrten und Ältesten und sprachen:
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Evangelist In like wise did also the chief priests ridicule him and together with the scribes and elders say:
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Chorus I and II
Andern hat er geholfen und kann sich selber nicht helfen. Ist er der König Israel, so steige er nun vom Kreuz, so wollen wir ihm glauben. Er hat Gott vertrauet, der erlöse ihn nun, lüstet's ihn; denn er hat gesagt: Ich bin Gottes Sohn.
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Others brought he salvation and can himself yet not save now. Is he the King of Israel? Let him climb down from the cross and we will then believe him. In God hath he trusted, let him save him then now, if he will, for he hath declared: "I am Son of God."
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Recitative
Evangelist Desgleichen schmäheten ihn auch die Mörder, die mit ihm gekreuziget waren.
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Evangelist In like wise did the murderers also mock him, who with him had been crucified.
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Recitative
Alto Ach Golgatha, unselges Golgatha! Der Herr der Herrlichkeit muß schimpflich hier verderben Der Segen und das Heil der Welt Wird als ein Fluch ans Kreuz gestellt. Der Schöpfer Himmels und der Erden Soll Erd und Luft entzogen werden. Die Unschuld muß hier schuldig sterben, Das gehet meiner Seele nah; Ach Golgatha, unselges Golgatha!
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Alto Ah Golgotha, unhappy Golgotha! The Lord of majesty must scornfully here perish, The saving blessing of the world Is placed as scorn upon the cross. Creator of both earth and heaven From earth and air must now be taken. The guiltless must here die guilty, The pierceth deep into my soul; Ah Golgotha, unhappy Golgotha!
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Aria and Chorus
EYE OF THE MIND: Here, humanity is compared to a flock of chicks without a mother hen. Picander would have found this metaphor in the Book of Matthew: "How often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under [her] wings!"
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Alto Sehet, Jesus hat die Hand, Uns zu fassen, ausgespannt, Kommt!—(Chorus II) Wohin?—(Alto) in Jesu Armen Sucht Erlösung, nehmt Erbarmen, Suchet!—(Chorus II) Wo?—(Alto) in Jesu Armen. Lebet, sterbet, ruhet hier, Ihr verlass'nen Küchlein ihr, Bleibet—(Chorus II) Wo?—(Alto) in Jesu Armen.
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Alto See ye, Jesus hath his hand, Us to capture, now outstretched, Come!—(Chorus II) Where to?—(Alto) In Jesus' bosom Seek redemption, take his mercy, Seek it—(Chorus II) Where?—(Alto) in Jesus' bosom! Living, dying, rest ye here, Ye forsaken little chicks, Bide ye—(Chorus II) where?—(Alto) in Jesus' bosom.
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Chorus
MORTALITY: At this point, the "halo" that has accompanied Jesus drops out. It is not Jesus' divinity, but his human mortality that Bach wants to communicate here.
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Evangelist Und von der sechsten Stunde an war eine Finsternis über das ganze Land bis zu der neunten Stunde. Und um die neunte Stunde schriee Jesus laut und sprach:
Jesus Eli, Eli, lama asabthani?
Evangelist Das ist: Mein Gott, mein Gott, warum hast du mich verlassen? Etliche aber, die da stunden, da sie das höreten, sprachen sie:
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Evangelist And from the sixth hour on there was a darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried aloud and said:
Jesus Eli, Eli, lama asabthani?
Evangelist That is: "My God, my God, wherefore hast thou me forsaken? But there were some who stood about there who, when they heard that, spake thus:
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Chorus I
Der rufet dem Elias!
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He calleth to Elias!
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Recitative
Evangelist Und bald lief einer unter ihnen, nahm einen Schwamm und füllete ihn mit Essig und steckete ihn auf ein Rohr und tränkete ihn. Die andern aber sprachen:
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Evangelist And straightway one of them ran forth, who took a sponge and, filling it with vinegar, and placing it upon a reed, gave him to drink. The others said, however:
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Chorus II
Halt! laß sehen, ob Elias komme und ihm helfe?
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Stop! Let us see if Elias will come forth and save him.
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Recitative
Evangelist Aber Jesus schriee abermal laut und verschied.
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Evangelist But Jesus cried again aloud and was dead.
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Chorale
Chorus I and II Wenn ich einmal soll scheiden, So scheide nicht von mir, Wenn ich den Tod soll leiden, So tritt du denn herfür! Wenn mir am allerbängsten Wird um das Herze sein, So reiß mich aus den Ängsten Kraft deiner Angst und Pein!
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Chorus I and II When I one day must leave here, Yet do thou not leave me; When I my death must suffer, Come forth thou then to me! And when most anxious trembling Have once my heart possessed, Then free me from my anguish Through thine own fear and pain!
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Recitative
Evangelist Und siehe da, der Vorhang im Tempel zerriß in zwei Stück von oben an bis unten aus. Und die Erde erbebete, und die Felsen zerrissen, und die Gräber täten sich auf, und stunden auf viel Leiber der Heiligen, die da schliefen, und gingen aus den Gräbern nach seiner Auferstehung und kamen in die heilige Stadt und erschienen vielen. Aber der Hauptmann und die bei ihm waren und bewahreten Jesum, da sie sahen das Erdbeben und was da geschah, erschraken sie sehr und sprachen:
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Evangelist And lo, behold: the curtain of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. And the earth was filled with quaking, and the cliffs split asunder, and the graves themselves opened up, and there rose up the bodies of many saints who were sleeping, and they came out of the graves after his resurrection and came into the holy city and appeared to many. But the centurion and those who were with him and were watching over Jesus, when they witnessed the earthquake and all that there occurred, were sore afraid and said:
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Chorus I and II
Wahrlich, dieser ist Gottes Sohn gewesen.
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Truly, this man was God's own Son most truly.
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Recitative
Evangelist Und es waren viel Weiber da, die von ferne zusahen, die da waren nachgefolget aus Galiläa und hatten ihm gedienet, unter welchen war Maria Magdalena und Maria, die Mutter Jacobi und Joses, und die Mutter der Kinder Zebedäi. Am Abend aber kam ein reicher Mann von Arimathia, der hieß Joseph, welcher auch ein Jünger Jesu war, der ging zu Pilato und bat ihn um den Leichnam Jesu. Da befahl Pilatus, man sollte ihm ihn geben.
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Evangelist And there were many women there, who looked on from a distance, having followed after him from Galilee and ministered unto him, in whose number was Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the children of Zebedee. At evening, though, there came a wealthy man of Arimathea, whose name was Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus, who went to Pilate and asked him for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered that it be given to him.
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Recitative
Bass Am Abend, da es kühle war, Ward Adams Fallen offenbar; Am Abend drücket ihn der Heiland nieder. Am Abend kam die Taube wieder Und trug ein Ölblatt in dem Munde. O schöne Zeit! O Abendstunde! Der Friedensschluß ist nun mit Gott gemacht, Denn Jesus hat sein Kreuz vollbracht. Sein Leichnam kömmt zur Ruh, Ach! liebe Seele, bitte du, Geh, lasse dir den toten Jesum schenken, O heilsames, o köstlichs Angedenken!
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Bass At eventide, when it was cool, Was Adam's fall made manifest; At eventide the Savior overwhelmed him. At eventide the dove returneth, Its mouth an olive branch now bearing. O time so fair! O evening hour! The pact of peace is now with God complete, For Jesus hath his cross fulfilled. His body comes to rest, Ah, thou my spirit, hearken thou, Go, let them give thee Jesus' lifeless body, How healing this, how precious this memorial!
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Aria
Bass Mache dich, mein Herze, rein, Ich will Jesum selbst begraben. Denn er soll nunmehr in mir Für und für Seine süße Ruhe haben. Welt, geh aus, laß Jesum ein!
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Bass Make thyself, my heart, now pure, I myself would Jesus bury. For he shall henceforth in me More and more Find in sweet repose his dwelling. World, depart, let Jesus in!
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Recitative
Evangelist Und Joseph nahm den Leib und wickelte ihn in ein rein Leinwand und legte ihn in sein eigen neu Grab, welches er hatte lassen in einen Fels hauen, und wälzete einen großen Stein vor die Tür des Grabes und ging davon. Es war aber allda Maria Magdalena und die andere Maria, die satzten sich gegen das Grab. Des andern Tages, der da folget nach dem Rüsttage, kamen die Hohenpriester und Pharisäer sämtlich zu Pilato und sprachen:
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Evangelist And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a pure shroud of linen and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had had hewn within a rock, and rolled up a heavy stone in front of the door of this tomb and went away. In this place was Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, who sat themselves next to the tomb. On the day after, the one after the Preparation, came the chief priests and the Pharisees together unto Pilate and said:
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Chorus I and II
Herr, wir haben gedacht, daß dieser Verführer sprach, da er noch lebete: Ich will nach dreien Tagen wieder auferstehen. Darum befiehl, daß man das Grab verwahre bis an den dritten Tag, auf daß nicht seine Jünger kommen und stehlen ihn und sagen zu dem Volk: Er ist auferstanden von den Toten, und werde der letzte Betrug ärger denn der erste!
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Sire, we have taken thought how once this deceiver said when he was still alive: "I will in three days' time again stand here arisen." Therefore, command that now the tomb be guarded until the three days pass, so none of his disciples come forth and steal him hence and to the people say: "He is risen from the dead," for thus will the final deceit be worse than the first one!
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Recitative
Evangelist Pilatus sprach zu ihnen:
Bass Da habt ihr die Hüter; gehet hin und verwahret's, wie ihr's wisset!
Evangelist Sie gingen hin und verwahreten das Grab mit Hütern und versiegelten den Stein.
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Evangelist And Pilate said unto them:
Bass Ye have your watchmen; go ye forth and secure it as best ye can!
Evangelist So they went forth and made safe the tomb with watchmen and did seal in the stone.
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Recitative and Chorus
Bass Nun ist der Herr zur Ruh gebracht.
Chorus II Mein Jesu, gute Nacht! Tenor Die Müh ist aus, die unsre Sünden ihm gemacht.
Chorus II Mein Jesu, gute Nacht!
Alto O selige Gebeine, Seht, wie ich euch mit Buß und Reu beweine, Daß euch mein Fall in solche Not gebracht!
Chorus II Mein Jesu, gute Nacht!
Soprano Habt lebenslang Vor euer Leiden tausend Dank, Daß ihr mein Seelenheil so wert geacht'.
Chorus II Mein Jesu, gute Nacht!
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Bass Now is the Lord brought to his rest.
Chorus II My Jesus, now good night!
Tenor The toil is o'er which all our sins have laid on him.
Chorus II My Jesus, now good night!
Alto O thou, most blessed body, See how I weep with grief and sorrow for thee, That thee my fall to such distress hath brought!
Chorus II My Jesus, now good night!
Soprano Have all my life For thy great passion countless thanks, That thou my spirit's health such worth did pay.
Chorus II My Jesus, now good night!
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Chorus I and II
Wir setzen uns mit Tränen nieder Und rufen dir im Grabe zu: Ruhe sanfte, sanfte ruh! Ruht, ihr ausgesognen Glieder! Euer Grab und Leichenstein Soll dem ängstlichen Gewissen Ein bequemes Ruhekissen Und der Seelen Ruhstatt sein. Höchst vergnügt schlummern da die Augen ein.
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We lay ourselves with weeping prostrate And cry to thee within the tomb: Rest thou gently, gently rest! Rest, O ye exhausted members! This your tomb and this tombstone Shall for ev'ry anguished conscience Be a pillow of soft comfort And the spirit's place of rest. Most content, slumber here the eyes in rest.
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Johann Sebastian Bach
Le Petite Bande - Sigiswald Kuijen
Christoph Pregarien, Huub Classens, Gabriele Rossmanith,
Andreas Scholl, Markus Schaeffer, Werner Van Mechelen
"I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVETH" - MESSIAH ORATORIO
G. F. Handel -- Composer
The
Resurrection
Marilyn Horne, Mezzo-Soprano
Heavenly
Father,
I am
resurrected with Christ
From the
sepulcher of the flesh
Into Thine
omnipresence.
I am
resurrected from the smallness of family affection
Into the
grandeur of love for all Thy creatures.
I am
resurrected from all worldly desires into a state of
Desire for Thee
alone.
I am
resurrected from longings for human love;
I yearn for
divine love.
I am one with
Christ.
I am one with
Thee.
How to Obtain a "Spiritual Diary"
~ Paramahansa Yogananda, "Spiritual Diary"
MESSIAH ORATORIO - GEORG FREDERICK HANDEL
"THE PASSION OF THE REDEEMER"
1.
2.
3.
4.
Reminiscences by Sri Daya Mata and Sri Mrinalini Mata
about the creation of “The Second Coming of Christ,
the Resurrection of Christ Within You” by Paramahansa Yogananda
“Happy Easter in God, Christ, & Gurus'
Unceasing Love & Boundless Blessings”