BWV 248IV Fallt mit Danken, fallt mit Loben (Weihnachts-Oratorium IV)

New Year's Day (Feast of the Circumcision).

Poet unknown (Picander?); PT (Leipzig, 1734); Facs: Neumann T, p. 452.

2 (37). Lk. 2:21; 3 and 5 (38 and 40). Johann Rist, the second half of verse 1 of "Jesu, du mein liebstes Leben," 1642 (Fischer-Tümpel, II, #206); 7 (42). Johann Rist, verse 15 of "Hilf, Herr Jesu, laß gelingen," 1642 (Fischer-Tümpel, II, #194).

1 January 1735, Leipzig; Parody: 1, 4, 6 <--- BWV 213/1, 5, 7.

BG 5, 2; NBA II/6.

1 (36). Chorus (S, A, T, B)

Fall and thank him, fall and praise him
At the Highest's throne of grace!

2 (37). Recit. (T) Evangelist

And when eight days were accomplished that the child be circumcised, was his name then called Jesus, which was so named by the angel, before he was conceived within his mother's womb.

3 (38). Recit. (B) and Chorale (S)

Immanuel, O sweetest word!
My Jesus is my shield,
My Jesus is my being.
My Jesus is to me devoted,
My Jesus shall I ever hold
Before my eyes suspended.
My Jesus is my joyful rest,
My Jesus soothes my heart and breast.

Come! I would now with joy embrace thee,
My heart shall nevermore release thee,

Ah! Take me to thyself!
E'en in my dying shalt thou my
Most cherished treasure be;
In need, in dread and sore distress
I'll look and yearn for thee.
What cruelty at last can death then hound me with?
My Jesus! When I die here,
I know that I shall never perish.
Thy name is written deep within me,
It hath the fear of death now banished.

4 (39). Aria (S)

Doth, my Savior, doth thy name have
E'en the very smallest kernel
Of that awful terror now?
No, thyself thou sayest "No." (No!)
Ought I now of death be wary?
No, the gentle word is here!
Rather, ought I greet it gladly?
Yes, O Savior, thou say'st "Yes." (Yes!)

5 (40). Recit. (B) and Chorale (S)

O joy, thy name shall now alone
Within my bosom dwell!
Jesus, my true joy and pleasure,
My true treasure, share and hope,
Thus will I call thy name with rapture
When breast and heart for thee with love are burning.
My salvation, crown and health,
But, dearest, tell me now:
How thee to praise, how thee to thank.
King and shepherd, sun and radiance,
Ah, how shall I worthily,
My Lord Jesus, give thee praise?

6 (41). Aria (T)

I would but for thine honor live now;
My Savior, give me strength of will,
That this my heart with zeal may do.

7 (42). Chorale (S, A, T, B)

Jesus order my beginning,
Jesus bide alway with me,
Jesus bridle my intention,
Jesus be my sole desire,
Jesus be in all my thinking,
Jesus, let me never waver.

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