BWV 124 Meinen Jesum laß ich nicht

First Sunday after Epiphany.

Poet unknown.

1. Christian Keymann, verse 1 of the hymn, 1658 (Fischer-Tümpel, IV, #13); 2-5. based loosely on verses 2-5, respectively; 6. verse 6 of the hymn.

7 January 1725, Leipzig.

BG 26; NBA I/5.


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

My dear Jesus I'll not leave,
Since his life for me he offered;
Thus my duty doth demand
That I hold him like a limpet.
He is light unto my life,
My dear Jesus I'll not leave.

2. Recit. (T)

As long as yet a drop of blood
In heart and veins is stirring,
Shall Jesus, he alone,
My life and my existence be.
My Jesus, who for me such wond'rous things hath done.
I can, indeed, nought but my life and body
To him as presents offer.

3. Aria (T)

And when the cruel stroke of death
My thoughts corrupt, my members weaken,
And comes the flesh's hated day,
Which only fear and terror bringeth,
My comfort is my firm resolve:
I will my Jesus never leave.

4. Recit. (B)

Alas!
What grievous toil and woe
Perceiveth here e'en now my spirit?
Will not my sore-offended breast
Become a wilderness and den of yearning
For Jesus, its most painful loss?
But still, my soul with faith looks up,
And to that place where faith and hope shine radiant,
And where I, once my course is run,
Shall, Jesus, evermore embrace thee.

5. Aria (S, A)

Withdraw thyself quickly, my heart, from the world,
Thou shalt find in heaven thy true satisfaction.

    When one day thine eye shall the Savior behold,
    At last shall thy passionate heart be restored,
    Where it will in Jesus contentment receive.

6. Chorus [Verse 6] (S, A, T, B)

Jesus I'll not let leave me,
I will ever walk beside him;
Christ doth let me more and more
To the spring of life be guided.
Blesséd he who saith with me:
My dear Jesus I'll not leave.


© Copyright  Z. Philip Ambrose


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