Now blessed be Thou, Christ Jesu, BWV 314 (Johann Sebastian Bach)

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• (Posted 2000-11-27)  CPDL #01725: 

Editor: Christopher R. Baker (submitted 2000-11-27).   Copyright: CC BY 1.0

Edition notes: SATB, English text

General Information

Title: Now Blessed be Thou, Christ Jesu
Composer: Anonymous
Arranger: Johann Sebastian Bach
Lyricist: Miles Coverdale^{create page}

Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB
Genre: Sacred, Chorale, Carol

Language: English
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1524 in Wittenberg
    2nd published: 1787 in Vierstimmige Choralgesänge, Teil 4, no. 287
    3rd published: 1892 in Bach-Gesellschaft Ausgabe, Band 39
    4th published: 1898 in 389 Choralgesänge, no. 107
Opus: BWV 314
Description: English translation on a SATB harmonization by Bach (#61 of 185 Bach Chorales (Johann Sebastian Bach)). See Gelobet seist du Jesu Christ, BWV 314 for Bach's harmonization with German lyrics.

External websites:

• For total or partial usage of this text in Bach's works, see bach-cantatas.com

Original text and translations

English text

1. Now blessed be Thou, Christ Jesu;
Thou are man borne, this is true:
The aungels made a mery noyse,
Yet have we more cause to rejoyse.
Kirieleyson.

2. The blessed Sonne of God onely
In a cryybe full poore dyd lye:
With oure poore flesh and oure blounde
Was clothed that everlastynge good.
Kirieleyson.

3. He that made heaven and earth of nought
In our flesh hath oure health brought;
For oure sake made He hymselfe full small;
That reigneth Lorde and Kynge over all.
Kirieleyson.

4. Eternall lyght doth now appeare
To the worlde both farre and neare;
It shyneth full clear even at mydnight,
Makynge us chyldren of His Lyght.
Kirieleyson.

5. The Lord Christ Jesu, Godd's Sonne deare,
Was a gest and a straunger here;
Us for to brynge from mysery,
That we might lyve eternally,
Kirieleyson.

6. Into this worlde ryght poore came He,
To make us ryche in mercye:
Therefore wolde He oure synnes forgeve,
That we with Hym in heaven myght lyve.
Kirieleyson.

7. All this dyd He for us frely,
For to declare His great mercy:
All Christendome be mery therfore,
And geve Hym thankes evermore.
Kirieleyson.