Bach - Motet Cantate O Jesu Christ, meins Lebens Licht BWV 118

 

Soms zit Bach – vanuit ons huidige uitvoeringsperspectief gezien – zichzelf een beetje in de weg: onduidelijke genres en ongebruikelijke instrumenten maken zijn werk interessant maar soms ook lastig te plaatsen. Een mooi voorbeeld hiervan is O Jesu Christ, meins Lebens Licht. Als gevolg hiervan is BWV 118 relatief zelden te horen en daar zijn muzikaal duidelijk geen redenen voor. Het is een prachtige koraalbewerking zoals we die ook uit de cantates kennen. Opgenomen voor het project All of Bach op 27 mei 2021 in de Waalse Kerk, Amsterdam.

Oh Jesus Christ, my life’s light, my refuge, my comfort, my confidence, on earth I am only a visitor and the burden of sin presses heavily upon me I have before me a difficult journey to you in heaven’s paradise; there is my true fatherland, for which you spent your blood. For the journey my heart is very weak, my body scarcely has any strength; but my soul cries out within me: Lord, fetch me home, take me to you. Therefore through your sufferings strengthen me in my final agony of death; may your sweat of blood comfort and revive me, make me free through your bonds and cords. May the blows on your cheek and blows from the rod wipe clean away the bruises of sin for me, may your shame and derision, your crown of thorns be my honour, joy and delight. May your thirst and drink of gall refresh me, when I have nothing else to strengthen me, may your cry of anguish be to my benefit, preserve me from hellfire. If my mouth cannot speak freely, may your spirit cry out ín my heart help me, so that my soul may find heaven, if my eyes become blínd. Let your last word be my light when death shatters my heart, guard me from distress when I shall bow my head! Let your cross be my walking stick , my peace and rest your sacred grave, let your grave cloths be my death garment. Through the marks the nails made on you let me glimpse your grace, through your pierced side let my poor soul be led home. In your farewell, Lord, I place my trust, on that I rely for my last journey home; open wide heaven’s gate for me, when I complete my life’s course. On the last day awaken my body, help me, so that I may stand on your right, so that I may not face the judgement where the terrifying sentence is pronounced. Then entirely renew my body so that it shines like the sun’s splendour, and may it be like your clear body and remain also with your dear angels. How joyful then I shall be, I shall sing with the angels and with your chosen flock forever behold your face clearly.