BWV 166

1. Aria [Dictum] (B)

Wo gehest du hin?                                                                                                                                                   Where to dost thou go?

2. Aria (T)

Ich will an den Himmel denken                                                                                                                                I'll be unto heaven mindful,
Und der Welt mein Herz nicht schenken.                                                                                                               Nor the world my heart surrender.                                                                                                                              Denn ich gehe oder stehe,
For in leaving or in staying
So liegt mir die Frag im Sinn:                                                                                                                                I'll keep e'er that question near:
Mensch, ach Mensch, wo gehst du hin?                                                                                                           Man, ah man, where dost thou go?

3. Chorale (S)

Ich bitte dich, Herr Jesu Christ,                                                                                                                               I pray to thee, Lord Jesus Christ,
Halt mich bei den Gedanken                                                                                                                                   Hold me to these reflections
Und lass mich ja zu keiner Frist                                                                                                                               And let me never any time
Von dieser Meinung wanken,                                                                                                                                  From this resolve to waver,
Sondern dabei verharren fest,
Instead to it be ever true
Bis dass die Seel aus ihrem Nest
Until my soul shall leave its nest
Wird in den Himmel kommen.And into heaven journey.

4. Recit. (B)                                                                                                                                                             

Gleichwie die Regenwasser bald verfließen
Like as the rain-sent water soon subsideth
Und manche Farben leicht verschießen,                                                                                                               And many hues are quickly faded,
So geht es auch der Freude in der Welt,                                                                                                                So is it, too, with pleasures of the world,
Auf welche mancher Mensch so viele Stücken hält;                                                                                            For which so many men such admiration hold;                                                                                                          Denn ob man gleich zuweilen sieht,
For though one now and then may see
Dass sein gewünschtes Glücke blüht,                                                                                                                    That his most hoped-for fortune blooms,                                                                                                                    So kann doch wohl in besten Tagen
Yet can still in the best conditions
Ganz unvermut' die letzte Stunde schlagen.                                                                                                         Quite unannounced the final hour strike him.

5. Aria (A)

Man nehme sich in acht,                                                                                                                                         Let ev'ryone beware
Wenn das Gelücke lacht.                                                                                                                                        When his good fortune laughs. 
Denn es kann leicht auf Erden                                                                                                                               On earth it is so easy
Vor abends anders werden,                                                                                                                                 That evening be quite other 
Als man am Morgen nicht gedacht.                                                                                                                    Than in the morning had been thought.(1)

6. Chorale (S, A, T, B)

Wer weiß, wie nahe mir mein Ende!                                                                                                                       Who knows how near to me mine end is?
Hin geht die Zeit, her kommt der Tod;                                                                                                                    Hence fleeth time, here cometh death;
Ach wie geschwinde und behände                                                                                                                         Ah, with what promptness and what quickness
Kann kommen meine Todesnot.                                                                                                                              Can come to me my trial of death.
Mein Gott, ich bitt durch Christi Blut:
My God, I pray through Christ's own blood:
Mach's nur mit meinem Ende gut!                                                                                                                          Allow but that my end be good!