The Day of Judgment

Translations © by Michael P Rosewall

Song Cycle by Georg Philipp Telemann (1681 - 1767)

View original-language texts alone: Der jüngste Tag

1. Accompagnato: Der jüngste Tag wird bald sein Ziel erreichen
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Der jüngste Tag wird bald sein Ziel erreichen,
und was die Welt nicht gläubet, wird geschehn.
Mich dünkt, es lassen sich schon Zeichen
am Himmel und auf Erden sehn.
Die Zeit ist kurz, drum tobt der arge Feind,
ach denkt doch dran, ihr sichern Leute,
wer weiß, ob nicht der Richter annoch heute
plötzlich erscheint.

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by Erdmann Neumeister (1671 - 1756)
1. Accompanied: The day of judgment will soon be realized
Language: English 
The day of judgment will soon be realized,
And that which the world doubts will occur.
I believe that there already are signs
In heaven and on earth to be seen.
The time is short, and the evil enemy revels,
Ah, consider this well, you complacent people,
Who knows whether the judge, even today,
May suddenly appear.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2022 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: 2022-09-05
Line count: 8
Word count: 57

Translation © by Michael P Rosewall
2. Choral: O weh demselben, welcher hat
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
O weh demselben, welcher hat
des Herren Wort verachtet
und nur auf Erden früh und spat
nach großem Gut getrachtet!
Der wird fürwahr gar kahl bestehn
und mit dem Satan müssen gehen
von Christo in die Hölle.

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by Erdmann Neumeister (1671 - 1756)
2. Choral: O woe to the one who has
Language: English 
O woe to the one, who has
Disdained the word of the Lord
And on the earth, only early and late
Has striven toward the Good.
That one will be found completely bare
And will be compelled to go with Satan
Away from Christ and into hell.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2022 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: 2022-09-05
Line count: 7
Word count: 47

Translation © by Michael P Rosewall
3. Recitativo: Uns wenn man's auch aus Gottes Wort nicht wüsste
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Uns wenn man's auch aus Gottes Wort nicht wüsste,
dass endlich ein Gerichtstag kömmet,
so wäre doch der Schluss nicht ungewiss,
dass Gott der Welt ein Ende machen müsste.
Denn alles ist mit Ärgernis und Greueln überschwemmet.
Was acht' man Gottes Wort zu dieser Zeit?
Die Ungerechtigkeit hat überhand genommen,
der Böse frisst die Frommen.
Den Armen drückt der Reiche,
der Geiz heißt vieler Herzen Gott,
des Fleisches Lust wird zur gemeinen Seuche,
die Falschheit ist ein Ruhm, die Redlichkeit ein Spott.
Die Hoffart wird man nicht bei Sünden,
noch Schwelgen unter Lastern finden.
Und wie mans sonst aufs ärgste treibt.
Ist Gott gerecht? (Wie er's denn ist, und bleibt.)
Wie sollt er nun die Rache lassen schlafen
und nicht die Welt mit einem Garaus strafen.

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by Erdmann Neumeister (1671 - 1756)
3. Recitative: And even if one did not know from God’s word
Language: English 
And even if one did not know from God’s word
That a judgment day would ultimately come,
The conclusion is certainly not in doubt,
That God must bring the world to an end.
For everything has been overwhelmed by shame and abomination.
What can one learn from God’s word at this time? 
Injustice has taken command,
Evildoers consume the pious.
The poor are oppressed by the rich,
Greed becomes God in many hearts,
The plague of carnal lust becomes commonplace,
Falsehood is celebrated, truth is mocked.
One cannot find honor in sinning,
Nor contentment through affrontery,
And how each one inclines to the worst.
Is God just? (As God is and remains)
How could God yet allow retribution to slumber
And not punish the world with dissolution?

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2022 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: 2022-09-05
Line count: 18
Word count: 127

Translation © by Michael P Rosewall
4. Aria: Lacht immerhin, ihr Atheisten
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Lacht immerhin, ihr Atheisten,
und spottet nur der frommen Christen,
das Heulen kommt zu rechter Zeit.
Da ihr vor solchen Spott und Frevel
im Feuerpfuhl voll Pech und Schwefel
ein ewig Ach! und Zeter schreit.

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by Erdmann Neumeister (1671 - 1756)
4. Aria: Go ahead and laugh, you atheists
Language: English 
Go ahead and laugh, you atheists,
And simply mock devout Christians,
Your howling comes at just the right time.
Such mockery and insult will bring from you,
In a fiery lake full of sulfur and brimstone,
A clamorous shriek and eternal Ah!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2022 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: 2022-09-05
Line count: 6
Word count: 42

Translation © by Michael P Rosewall
5. Tutti: Siehe, der Herr wird kommen mit Feuer
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Siehe, der Herr wird kommen mit Feuer
und seine Wagen wie ein Wetter,
dass er vergelte im Grimm seines Zorns,
und sein Schelten in Feuerflammen.

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by Erdmann Neumeister (1671 - 1756)
5. Tutti: Behold, the Lord will come with fire
Language: English 
Behold, the Lord will come with fire
And his chariot like a storm,
That the Lord might mete out ferocious anger
And God’s rebuke with flames of fire.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2022 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: 2022-09-05
Line count: 4
Word count: 28

Translation © by Michael P Rosewall
6. Recitativo: Welt, zage nur mit den verruchten Sündern
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Welt, zage nur mit den verruchten Sündern,
der Urteilsspruch bringt dir die Höllenpein.
Ich freue mich mit allen Gotteskindern,
denn unser Teil wird in dem Himmel sein,
doch Gott wills allen gern bereiten,
er predigt Buße für und für.
Drum Mensch, bekehre dich beizeiten,
die Ewigkeit ist vor der Tür.

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by Erdmann Neumeister (1671 - 1756)
6. Recitative: World, tremble with the debased sinners
Language: English 
World, tremble with the debased sinners,
The verdict will bring you the agony of hell.
Along with all of God’s childen, I am happy
That our portion will be in heaven,
Indeed, God gladly prepares it for all,
The Lord preaches repentance forever.
Thus, humankind, mend your ways at once,
Eternity stands at the door.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2022 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: 2022-09-05
Line count: 8
Word count: 55

Translation © by Michael P Rosewall
7. Choral: O Jesu hilf zur selben Zeit
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
O Jesu hilf zur selben Zeit
von wegen deiner Wunden:
dass ich im Buch der Seligkeit
wird eingezeichnet funden.
Daran ich denn auch zweifle nicht,
denn du hast ja den Feind gericht'
und meine Schuld bezahlet.

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by Erdmann Neumeister (1671 - 1756)
7. Choral: O Jesus, give help at this time
Language: English 
O Jesus, give help at this time
For the sake of your wounds:
That in the book of salvation
My name may be found written.
About that I have no doubt,
For you have judged the enemy
And have wiped away my guilt.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2022 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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Based on:

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This text was added to the website: 2022-09-05
Line count: 7
Word count: 43

Translation © by Michael P Rosewall