Ich steh mit einem Fuß im Grabe

BWV 156 Ich steh mit einem Fuß im Grabe

Third Sunday after Epiphany.

Christian Friedrich Henrici (Picander), Ernst-Schertzhaffte und Satyrische Gedichte, Teil III, (Leipzig, 1732); Facs: Neumann T, p. 337.

2. Johann Hermann Schein, verse 1 of "Mach's mit mir, Gott, nach deiner Güt,", 1628 (Fischer-Tümpel, I, #478) with interpolated aria; 6. Kaspar Bienemann, verse 1 of the hymn, 1582 (Wackernagel, IV, #1046).

Probably 23 January 1729, Leipzig.

BG 18; NBA I/6.

1. Sinfonia

2. Aria (T) and Chorale (S)

(T)
With one foot in the grave I'm standing,

(S)
Deal with me, God, of thy good will,

(T)
Soon falls my ailing body in,

(S)
Help me in all my suff'ring,

(T)
Come, O dear God, whene'er thou wilt,

(S)
What now I ask, deny me not.

(T)
I have e'en now my house prepared,

    (S)
    Whene'er my soul's departure,
    Receive it, Lord, into thy hand.

(T)
Just let my end with blessing come!

(S)
For all is good, if good the end.

3. Recit. (B)

My fear and dearth,
My living and my death
Stand, dearest God, in thy hands working;
To me as well wilt thou
Thy gracious eye be turning.
But if thou fof my sins art seeking
That in the sick bed I be lying,
My God, I beg of thee,
Let thy dear kindness greater be than justice rightly bids;
Yet if thou dost for me intend
That this my suff ’ring should bring my end,
I am prepared;
Thy will should in me be fulfilled,
So spare me not and have thy way,
Let my distress no longer tarry;
The longer here, the later there.

4. Aria (A)

Lord, what thou wilt shall be my pleasure,
Forsooth thy word is strongest yet.

5. Recit. (B)

And wilt thou that I should not suffer,
To thee I’ll be sincerely thankful;
However, grant to me as well
That also in my lively body
My soul may free from sickness be
And evermore in health continue.
Tend it with Holy Ghost and word,
For this is my true health,
And if my soul and body fail,
Yet thou art, God, my hope, and of my heart its store!!

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

Lord, as thou wilt, so deal with me
In living and in dying!
Alone for thee is my desire,
Lord, leave me not to perish!
Support me only in thy grace,
But as thou wilt, let me forbear,
For thy will has no equal.

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