Bach Cantata Translations

BWV 243a - "Magnificat" (E-flat Major)


*1. Chor* Magnificat anima mea Dominum.	*1. Chorus* My soul magnifies the Lord.
*2. Arie S II* Et exultavit spiritus meus in Deo salutari meo.	2. Aria S II And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
2a. Chor Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her, Ich bring euch gute neue Mär; Der guten Mär bring ich so viel, Davon ich sing'n und sagen will. ("Vom Himmel hoch," v. 1)	2a. Chorus From heaven on high I come here, I bring good news to you; I bring so much good news Of which I will sing and speak.
3. Arie S I Quia respexit humilitatem ancillae suae. Ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dicent	*3. Aria S I* For He has regarded the lowliness of His handmaiden. Behold, from henceforth, I will be called blessed
*4. Chor* omnes generationes.	*4. Chorus* by all generations.
*5. Arie B* Quia fecit mihi magna, qui potens est, et sanctum nomen eius.	*5. Aria B* For the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is His name.
5a. Chor Freut euch und jubiliert; Zu Bethlehem gefunden wird Das herzeliebe Jesulein, Das soll euer Freud und Wonne sein.	5a. Chorus Rejoice and celebrate; At Bethlehem will be found The heart’s darling little Jesus, Who shall be your joy and delight.
*6. Arie (Duett) A T* Et misericordia a progenie in progenies, timentibus eum.	*6. Aria (Duet) A T* His mercy is for those who fear Him from generation to generation.
*7. Chor* Fecit potentiam in bracchio suo, dispersit superbos mente cordis sui.	*7. Chor* He has shown strength with His arm, He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
7a. Chor Gloria in excelsis Deo! Et in terra pax hominibus, bona voluntas! (Luke 2:14)	7a. Chorus Glory to God in the highest! And on earth peace and good will to humankind!
*8. Arie T* Deposuit potentes de sede et exaltavit humiles.	*8. Aria T* He has brought down the powerful from their thrones and lifted up the lowly.
*9. Arie A* Esurientes implevit bonis, et divites dimisit inanes.	*9. Aria A* He has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.
9a. Arie (Duett) SI B Virga Jesse floruit, Emmanuel noster apparuit; Induit carnem hominis, Fit puer delectabilis; Alleluja.	9a. Aria (Duet) SI B The branch of Jesse flowers, Our Emmanuel appears; He takes on the flesh of humanity, Becoming a charming boy; Alleluia.
*10. Terzett SI, SII, A* Suscepit Israel puerum suum recordatus misericordie suae.	*10. Trio SI, SII, A* He has helped His servant Israel in remembrance of His mercy.
*11. Chor* Sicut locutus est ad patres nostros, Abraham et semini eius in saecula.	*11. Chorus* According to the promise He made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to His descendants forever..
*12. Chor* Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto, sicut erat in principio et nunc et in saecula saeculorum, Amen.	*12. Chorus* Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and for ever and ever, Amen.
Luke 1:46-55; "Vom Himmel hoch," v. 1, Martin Luther 1524 (mov't. 2a); Luke 2:14 (mov't. 7a)
©Pamela Dellal