Cantata No. 4, Christ lag in Todesbanden, Versus IV

File:
jsbcant4-04.nwcFebruary 20076.22 kB00:02:42
Composer:Bach, Johann Sebastian (1685-1750), German
About:http://www.jsbach.org/
Lyricist:Martin Luther
First Line:Es war ein wunderlicher Krieg
Genre:Classical: Baroque, Cantata
Instruments:Voice (SATB), Continuo
Submitter:Jennings, James R
Email:jennings_jr (e-mail)
Website:http://jennings.comule.com
Zipname:jsbcant4
Ziptitle:Cantata No. 4, Christ lag in Todesbanden
This movement is one of 7 movements in the complete work,
and was sequenced by J. R. Jennings in 2006. The continuo
realization is by J. R. Jennings, copyright 2006, and is found
on staves named "Continuo realization Ia", "Continuo realization
Ib", and/or "Continuo realization II". While cantata No. 4 was
probably composed between 1708 and 1724, individual movements
may have been composed in various different years.
English translation by Catherine Winkworth, 1855:
'Twas a wondrous war, I trow,
When Life and Death together fought;
But life hath triumphed o'er his foe,
Death is mocked and set at nought;
Yea, 'tis as the Scripture saith,
Christ through death has conquered Death.
Hallelujah.
English translation by Richard Massie, 1854:
It was a strange and dreadful strife
when life and death contended.
The victory remained with life;
the reign of death was ended.
Stripped of power, no more it reigns,
an empty form alone remains
Death's sting is lost forever!
Alleluia!