BWV 120 Gott, man lobet dich in der Stille
Inauguration of the New Town Council. Poet unknown, probably Picander. 1. Ps. 65:1; 6. Martin Luther, part of verse 4 of the German Te Deum, 1529 (Wackernagel, I, #212). 1728 or 1729, Leipzig. BG 24; NBA I/32. 1. Aria [Dictum] (A) God, we praise thee now in the stillness of Zion, and thee we pay our solemn pledges. 2. Chorus (S, A, T, B) Triumph, all ye joyous voices,
And exalt ye his great fame; All his kindness, His forgiving heart of mercy, Shall at no time ever cease! 3. Recit. (B) Wake, thou beloved Lindentown,(1) 4. Aria (S) Health and blessing
Led as friends to kiss each other.(2) 5. Recit. (T) O Lord, so consecrate this government with thine own blessing
now,
6. Chorale (S, A, T, B) Now help us, Lord, these servants thine,
1. The expression "linden town" is a rhetorical play on the etymology of Leipzig: > Slavic lipa 'linden.' Cf. BWV 119, note 2, BWV 215/8a and BWV 207a/1. © Copyright Z. Philip Ambrose |