BWV 128 Auf Christi Himmelfahrt allein

Ascension.

Christiane Mariane von Ziegler, Versuch in Gebundener Schreibart, Teil I (Leipzig, 1728); Facs: Neumann T, p. 361. 1. Ernst Sonnemann, verse 1 of the hymn (after Josua Wegelin), 1661 (Fischer-Tümpel, III, #304); 2-4. several departures from Ziegler's PT; 5. Matthäus Avenarius, verse 4 of "O Jesu, meine Lust," 1673 (Fischer-Tümpel, IV, #452).

10 May 1725, Leipzig.

BG 26; NBA I/12.


1. Chorus [Chorale] (S, A, T, B)

On Christ's ascent to heaven alone
I base my journey to him,
And all my doubting, fear and pain
Thereby I'll ever conquer;
For as the head in heaven dwells,
So shall its members Jesus Christ
In all due time recover.

2. Recit. (T)

I am prepared, come, summon me!
Here in the world
Is trouble, fear and pain;
But there instead, in Salem's tent,
Will I transfigured dwell.
There I'll see God from countenance to countenance,
As me his holy word assures.(1)

3. Aria and Recit. (B)

Up, up, with lively sound
Announced to all the world:
My Jesus sits beside him!
Who seeks now to oppose me?
Though he is taken from me,
I shall one day come thither
Where my redeemer lives.
With mine own eyes will I in perfect clearness see him.
If I could but before that time a shelter build me!
But why? O useless wish!
He dwelleth not on hill, in vale,
His power is o'er all revealed;
So hush, presumptuous mouth,
And do not strive this very might to fathom!

4. Aria (A, T)

His boundless might to fathom
No mortal will be able,
My mouth falls dumb and still.

    I see, though, through the heavens
    That he e'en at this distance
    At God's right hand appears.(2)

5. Chorale (S, A, T, B)

Therefore then shalt thou me
Upon thy right hand station(3)
And me as to thy child
A gracious judgment render,
Bring me into that joy
Where on thy majesty
I will hold fast my gaze
For all eternity.


1. Cf. 1 Cor. 13:12.

2. Cf. Acts 7:55.

3. Cf. Mt. 25:33.


© Copyright  Z. Philip Ambrose


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