BWV 27: Wer weiss, wie nahe mir mein Ende?

Recently decided to pick this bach thing back up again, because, why not? Not having a great time finding a good recording on Youtube of 27. I'll check spotify . . . and it is actually on spotify! BWV 27-29 under the direction of Helmuth Rilling. Very theatrical, but top notch music and everything seems to be in tune, which is a plus.

Who knows how near my end is?

The text is a great perspective on looking forward to death and peace and the rest it brings.

From the final chorale:

World, farewell! I am tired of you,

I want to go to heaven,true peaceand eternal, glorious rest will be there.World, war and conflict are yours,nothing but pure vanity;in heaven eternallyis peace, joy, and happiness.

BWV 26: Ah how fleeting, Ah how insignificant

Oh how fleeting, oh how insignificant are the doings of mankind--except for J.S. Bach.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbTl2lJy7vE

BWV 25 Es ist Nichts Gesundes

There is nothing sound in my body before your threats and no peace in my bones in the face on my sins

Heal me, dear Lord,
For I am ill and weak;
My heart, sorely wounded,
Suffers great hardship;
My bones are shaken,
I have great fear and anxiety;
My soul is shaken as well.
Ah Lord, why so long!

Ah, from where shall I, wretch, receive counsel?
My leprosy, my plague
cannot be healed by any herb or ointment
other than the balm of Gilead.
You, my doctor, Lord Jesus, alone
know the best cure for the soul.

BWV 24: Ein ungefarbt Gemute

An Unblemished Conscience

An unblemished conscience
of clear faith and goodness
makes us beautiful before God and mankind.
A Christian’s deeds and activities,
his entire life’s enterprise
shall rest upon this same foot.

BWV 23: Du wahrer Gott und Davids Sohn

You True God and Son of David

You true God and Son of David
who already from distant eternity
have looked upon my heartache
and the pain of my body, have mercy on me
And grant through Your wondrous hand
that has turned aside so much evil,
that aid and comfort occur for me as well.

BWV 22: Jesus nahm zu sich die Zwolfe

Jesus gathered the twelve unto himself

BWV 21: Ich hatte viel bekummernis

BWV 21: I had much trouble in my heart 

This cantata is a conversation between a man in despair and Jesus. I sang this in the Utah Baroque Ensemble several years ago. It's one of my favorites.

Ah, Jesus, my peace,
my light, where are You?
  - O soul behold! I am with you. -
With me?
Here is only darkest night.
  - I am Your faithful Friend,
that also watches in the darkness,
that might harbor dire mischief. -
Dawn then with Your radiance and light of comfort.
  - The hour approaches already,
    when your crown of battle
    will become a sweet refreshment.