EASTER SATURDAY BACH

“The day which we fear as our last is but the birthday of eternity.” - Seneca

For Song Saturday today, Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 - 1750). It is from his Cantata for the First Day of Easter: “Christ lag in Todes Banden” (BWV 4; Christ Lay in Death’s Bonds).
Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra - Ton Koopman, Director

4. Versus 3: Choral Tenor
Jesus Christus, Gottes Sohn,
An unser Statt ist kommen
Und hat die Sünde weggetan,
Damit dem Tod genommen
All sein Recht und sein Gewalt,
Da bleibet nichts denn Tods Gestalt,
Den Stach'l hat er verloren.
Halleluja!

4. Verse 3: Chorale Tenor
Jesus Christ, God's son,
Has come to our abode,
And has done away with all sin,
Thereby taking from death
All his rights and power,
Nothing remains but death's form;
Death has lost his sting.
Hallelujah!



If you can, listen to the whole of this cantata, it is truly marvellous!

The image above is Bernaert van Orley’s centre panel of Christ’s entombment from the Haneton Triptych (Oil on oak, 87 x 108,5 cm; Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts, Brussels).