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Three Motets

Song Cycle by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897)

View original-language texts alone: Drei Motetten

1. Ich aber bin elend

(Sung text)

Language: German (Deutsch)

Ich aber bin elend, und mir ist wehe.

Herr, Herr, Gott, 
barmherzig und gnädig und geduldig
und von großer Gnade und Treue,
der du beweisest Gnade in tausend Glied,
und vergibst Missetat, Übertretung und Sünde,
und vor welchem niemand unschuldig ist.

Gott, Herr Gott, deine Hilfe schütze mich.

Text Authorship:

by Bible or other Sacred Texts , Psalms 69:30a, Exodus 34:6b-7a, Psalms 69:30b

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by Bible or other Sacred Texts

1. But I am wretched

Language: English

But I am wretched and full of woe.

Lord, Lord God, 
merciful and gracious and patient,
of the greatest clemency and constancy,
you who show mercy to a thousand generations,
and forgive misdeeds, trespasses and sin
and before whom nobody is innocent,

God, Lord God, may your help protect me.

Text Authorship:

Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2005 by Emily Ezust
Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:
Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
from the LiederNet Archive
For any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.
licenses@email.lieder.example.net

Based on:

a text in German (Deutsch) by Bible or other Sacred Texts , Psalms 69:30a, Exodus 34:6b-7a, Psalms 69:30b
- Go to the text page.

Go to the general single-text view

This text was added to the website: 2005-12-31
Line count: 8
Word count: 50

Translation © by Emily Ezust

2. Ach, arme Welt

(Sung text)

Language: German (Deutsch)

Ach, arme Welt, du trügest mich
Ja, das bekenn ich eigentlich,
Und kann dich doch nicht meiden.

Du falsche Welt, du bist nicht wahr,
Dein Schein vergeht, das weiss ich zwar,
Met Weh und großem Leiden.

Dein Ehr, dein Gut, du armer Welt,
Im Tod, in rechten Nöten fehlt,
Dein Schatz ist eitel falsches Geld,
Dess hielf mir, Herr, zum Frieden.

Text Authorship:

by Anonymous / Unidentified Author, no title

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by Anonymous / Unidentified Author

2. Ah, poor world

Language: English

Ah, poor world, you deceive me -
yes, in fact I confess it -
and I cannot yet avoid you.

You false world, you are not real.
Your glint fades, I know it indeed,
with woe and great suffering.

Your honour and your goodness, you poor world,
fail in death and times of true need;
your treasure is vain, false money...
Help me, Lord, to come to peace with this.

Text Authorship:

Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2005 by Emily Ezust
Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:
Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
from the LiederNet Archive
For any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.
licenses@email.lieder.example.net

Based on:

a text in German (Deutsch) by Anonymous/Unidentified Artist , no title
- Go to the text page.

Go to the general single-text view

This text was added to the website: 2005-12-31
Line count: 10
Word count: 68

3. Wenn wir in höchsten Nöten sein

(Sung text)

Language: German (Deutsch)

Wenn wir in höchsten Nöten sein
Und wissen nicht, wo aus und ein
Und finden weder Hilf noch Rat,
Ob wir gleich sorgen früh und spat,

So ist das unser Trost allein,
Daß wir zusammen insgemein
Dich rufen an, o treuer Gott,
Um Rettung aus der Angst und Not.

 ... 

Sieh nicht an unser Sünden groß,
Sprich uns davon aus Gnaden los;
Steh uns in unserm Elend bei,
Mach uns von aller Trübsal frei;

Auf daß von Herzen können wir
Nachmals mit Freuden danken dir,
Gehorsam sein nach deinem Wort,
Dich allzeit preisen hier und dort.

Text Authorship:

by Paul Eber (1511 - 1569), written 1560

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by Paul Eber (1511 - 1569)

3. When we are in deepest need

Language: English

When we are in deepest need
and know not what to do,
and find neither help nor counsel,
although we worry morning and night,

then it is our only solace
together to frequently
call upon you, O constant God,
for deliverance from our fear and need.

[ ... ]

[ ... ]

Text Authorship:

Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2005 by Emily Ezust
Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:
Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
from the LiederNet Archive
For any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.
licenses@email.lieder.example.net

Based on:

a text in German (Deutsch) by Paul Eber (1511 - 1569), written 1560
- Go to the text page.

Go to the general single-text view

This text was added to the website: 2005-12-31
Line count: 16
Word count: 92