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UPDATED 04/10/2008

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Johann Sebastian Bach
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Valet will ich dir geben, BWV 736 Click to Listen, [4:28] (A=465)
A funeral piece which celebrates life rather than deploring it. Unusual 24/16 meter, chorale in pedal. The tune is often used on Palm Sunday for the opening procession to the words "All Glory Laud and Honor." WAV file is available in RAR format: here (30.8 MB). Instrument: Gottfried Silbermann Organ, Reinhardtsgrimma / Sachsen, Germany (1731) - Samples by Prof. Helmut Maier

Chorale Text
German:
Valet will ich dir geben,
Du arge, falsche Welt,
Dein sündlich böses Leben
Durchaus mir nicht gefällt.
Im Himmel ist gut wohnen,
Hinauf steht mein Begier,
Da wird Gott ewig lohnen
Dem, der ihm dient allhier.
--Valerius Herberger, 1614

English:
Farewell, I gladly bid thee,
False, evil world, farewell!
Thy life is dark and sinful,
With thee I would not dwell:
In Heav'n are joys untroubled,
I long for that bright sphere
Where God rewards them doubled
Who serve Him truly here.
--tr. Catherine Winkworth

Audio track was created with Hauptwerk v. 1 software