Mitten wir im Leben sind, Op. 23, No. 3 (Felix Mendelssohn)

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• CPDL #14651:

Editor: Arie Fokkens (submitted 2007-08-02).   Score information: A4, 8 pages, 284 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: partly condensed score: where possible written on 4 staves

• CPDL #14652:

Editor: Arie Fokkens (submitted 2007-08-02).   Score information: A4, 11 pages, 350 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: full 8-staff score

General Information

Title: Mitten wir im Leben sind, Op. 23, No. 3
Composer: Felix Mendelssohn
Lyricist: Martin Luther, the first stanza from Media vita in morte sumus. Notker, A.D. 912

Number of voices: 8vv   Voicing: SSAATTBB

Genre: Sacred, Motet

Language: German
Instruments: a cappella
Published: Dr. Martin Luther’s Deutsche Geistliche Lieder. The Hymns of Martin Luther set to their original Melodies with an English version, ed. Leonard Woolsey Bacon and Nathan H. Allen (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1884)

Description:

External websites:

• The Hymns of Martin Luther on The Online Library of Liberty

Original text and translations

German text Erfurter Enchiridien, 1524 Mitten wir im Leben sind Mit dem Tod umfangen. Wen suchen wir, der Hülfe tu, Daß wir Gnad erlangen? Das bist du, Herr, alleine. Uns reuet unser Missetat, Die dich, Herr, erzürnet hat. Heiliger Herre Gott, Heiliger starker Gott, Heiliger barmherziger Heiland, du ewiger Gott, Laß uns nicht versinken in der bittern Todesnot. Kyrie eleison. Mitten in dem Tod ansieht Uns der Höllen Rachen. Wer will uns aus solcher Not Frei und ledig machen? Das tust du, Herr, alleine. Es jammert dein Barmherzigkeit Unser Sünd und großes Leid. Heiliger Herre Gott, Heiliger starker Gott, Heiliger barmherziger Heiland, du ewiger Gott, Laß uns nicht verzagen vor der tiefen Höllen Glut. Kyrie eleison. Mitten in der Höllen Angst Unser Sünd uns treiben. Wo solln wir denn fliehen hin, Da wir mögen bleiben? Zu dir, Herr, alleine. Vergossen ist dein teures Blut, Das gnug für die Sünde tut. Heiliger Herre Gott, Heiliger starker Gott, Heiliger barmherziger Heiland, du ewiger Gott, Laß uns nicht entfallen von des rechten Glaubens Trost. Kyrie eleison.

English translation Translation by R. Massie (1884) Though in midst of life we be, Snares of death surround us; Where shall we for succor flee, Lest our foes confound us? To thee alone, our Saviour. We mourn our grievous sin which hath Stirr’d the fire of thy fierce wrath. Holy and gracious God! Holy and mighty God! Holy and all-merciful Saviour! Thou eternal God! Save us, Lord, from sinking In the deep and bitter flood. Kyrie eleison. Whilst in midst of death we be, Hell’s grim jaws o’ertake us; Who from such distress will free. Who secure will make us? Thou only, Lord, canst do it! It moves thy tender heart to see Our great sin and misery. Holy and gracious God! Holy and mighty God! Holy and all merciful Saviour! Thou eternal God! Let not hell dismay us With its deep and burning flood. Kyrie eleison. Into hell’s fierce agony Sin doth headlong drive us: Where shall we for succor flee, Who, O, who will hide us? Thou only, blesséd Saviour. Thy precious blood was shed to win Peace and pardon for our sin. Holy and gracious God! Holy and mighty God! Holy and all-merciful Saviour! Let us not, we pray, From the true faith’s comfort Fall in our last need away. Kyrie eleison.