by Christian Fürchtegott Gellert (1715 - 1769)
Translation © by Emily Ezust

Bußlied
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Our translations:  CAT DUT ENG FRE ITA ITA
An dir, allein an dir hab ich gesündigt,
Und übel oft vor dir getan.
Du siehst die Schuld, die mir den Fluch verkündigt;
Sieh, Gott, auch meinen Jammer an.

Dir ist mein Flehn, mein Seufzen nicht verborgen,
Und meine Tränen sind vor dir.
Ach Gott, mein Gott, wie lange soll ich sorgen?
Wie lang entfernst du dich von mir?

Herr, handle nicht mit mir nach meinen Sünden,
Vergilt mir nicht nach meiner Schuld.
Ich suche dich, laß mich dein Antlitz finden,
Du Gott der Langmut und Geduld.

Früh wollst du mich mit deiner Gnade füllen,
Gott, Vater der Barmherzigeit.
Erfreue mich um deines Namens willen,
Du bist mein Gott, der gern erfreut.

Laß deinen Weg mich wieder freudig wallen
Und lehre mich dein heilig Recht
Mich täglich tun nach deinem Wohlgefallen;
Du bist mein Gott, ich bin dein Knecht.

Herr, eile du, mein Schutz, mir beizustehen,
Und leite mich auf ebner Bahn.
Er hört mein Schrei'n, der Herr erhört mein Flehen
Und nimmt sich meiner Seele an.

Available sung texts: (what is this?)

•   C. Bach 

C. Bach sets stanzas 1-3, 6

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):

  • CAT Catalan (Català) (Jordi López Jové) , "Cançó de penitencia", copyright © 2020, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • DUT Dutch (Nederlands) [singable] (Lau Kanen) , "Boetelied", copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • ENG English (Emily Ezust) , "Song of penance", copyright ©
  • FRE French (Français) (Angelika Frenzel) , "Chant de pénitence", copyright © 2003, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • ITA Italian (Italiano) (Amelia Maria Imbarrato) , "Canto di penitenza", copyright © 2006, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • ITA Italian (Italiano) (Marco Crosetto) , "Inno di penitenza", copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission


Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 24
Word count: 167

Song of penance
Language: English  after the German (Deutsch) 
Against You alone have I sinned,
and have often done evil before You.
You see the guilt that deserves Your curse;
see also, God, my suffering.

From You I do not hide my prayers and sighs,
and my tears are before You.
Ah, God, my God, how long should I suffer?
How long will You leave me?

Lord, treat me not according to my sins,
Treat me not according to my guilt.
I seek for You; let me find Your face,
God of forbearance and patience.

May you fill me early with Your grace,
God, Father of Mercy.
Help me for Your name's sake,
You are my God, who gladly helps.

Let me once again happily walk your path
and teach me Your sacred law
so that I can mold myself daily to Your will;
You are my God, I am Your servant.

Lord, hurry to my aid, my Protector,
and lead me on the right path.
He hears my cries, the Lord hears my prayer
and takes my soul in charge.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 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.


Based on:

 

This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 24
Word count: 172