by Anonymous / Unidentified Author and by Martin Moller (1547 - 1606)
Translation © by Michael P Rosewall

Recitativo (e Choral). Wie schwerlich lässt sich Fleisch und Blut
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Our translations:  ENG
Wie schwerlich lässt sich Fleisch und Blut
Tenor So nur nach Irdischem und Eitlem trachtet
Und weder Gott noch Himmel achtet,
Zwingen zu dem ewigen Gut!
Alt Da du, o Jesu, nun mein alles bist,
Und doch mein Fleisch so widerspenstig ist.
Wo soll ich mich denn wenden hin?
Sopran Das Fleisch ist schwach, doch will der Geist;
So hilf du mir, der du mein Herze weißt.
Zu dir, o Jesu, steht mein Sinn.
Bass Wer deinem Rat und deiner Hilfe traut,
Der hat wohl nie auf falschen Grund gebaut,
Da du der ganzen Welt zum Trost gekommen,
Und unser Fleisch an dich genommen,
So rettet uns dein Sterben
Vom endlichen Verderben.
Drum schmecke doch ein gläubiges Gemüte
Des Heilands Freundlichkeit und Güte.

Note: the following lines are by Martin Moller (lines 1,4,7,9); the rest are by an unknown author.

 Wie schwerlich lässt sich Fleisch und Blut
 Zwingen zu dem ewigen Gut!
 Wo soll ich mich denn wenden hin?
 Zu dir, o Jesu, steht mein Sinn.


Text Authorship:

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):

Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

  • ENG English (Michael P Rosewall) , "Recitative (and Chorus). How difficult it is for flesh and blood", copyright © 2023, (re)printed on this website with kind permission


Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website: 2020-01-28
Line count: 18
Word count: 123

Recitative (and Chorus). How difficult it is for flesh and blood
Language: English  after the German (Deutsch) 
How difficult it is for flesh and blood
Tenor Who long for what is worldly and vain
And do not heed God or heaven
To move toward that which is eternally good!
Alto You, O Jesus, are now my everything,
And yet my flesh is so reluctant;
Where then can I turn?
Soprano The flesh is weak, yet the spirit is willing;
Then help me, you who well knows my heart,
My mind, O Jesus, is fixed on you.
Bass He who trusts your counsel and support,
Has truly not built upon shifting soil,
For you have come to comfort the whole world,
And taken our flesh upon yourself,
So that your death might preserve us
From ultimate destruction.
Thus, a faithful soul will surely
Taste the kindness and goodness of the Savior.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2023 by Michael P Rosewall, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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This text was added to the website: 2023-03-06
Line count: 18
Word count: 133