St Matthew Passion
Translation
BACH ST MATTHEW PASSION
Biblical text – Authorized Version
Words of Arias and Choruses translated © by Michael Ockenden
PART ONE
1 Chorus and Chorale
Come, you daughters, help me
mourn, see him [whom?] the bridegroom [how?] as a lamb.
0 lamb of God, innocent,
slaughtered on the tree of the cross.
See [what?] his
patience.
Always found to be patient, although you were despised.
Look [at what?] at our
guilt.
You have borne all our sins, otherwise we must despair.
See him carry the wood for the
cross himself in love and devotion.
Have mercy on us, o Jesus!
2 Evangelist
And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples,
Jesus
Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover,
and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.
3 Chorale
Dearest Jesus, what crime have
you committed
that such a harsh judgment has been passed on you?
What is your guilt, in what misdeeds
have you been involved?
4a Evangelist
Then assembled together the Chief Priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, and consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him. But they said,
4b Chorus
Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.
4c Evangelist
Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, there came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying,
4d Chorus
To what purpose is this waste? For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.
4e Evangelist
When Jesus understood it, he said unto them,
Jesus
Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.
5 Recit. - Counter-Tenor
Dear Saviour, as your
disciples foolishly argue over this pious woman wishing to prepare your body
for the grave with her ointments, permit me to anoint
your head with my flowing tears.
6 Aria - Counter-Tenor
Penitence and remorse tear the
sinful heart in two;
oh that the drops of my tears might produce a pleasant
scent for you, faithful Jesus.
7 Evangelist
Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the Chief Priests, and said unto them,
Judas
What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you?
Evangelist
And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of
silver. And from that time he sought
opportunity to betray him.
8 Aria – Soprano
Bleed, dear heart!
A child that you have brought
up and suckled at your breast now threatens to slay its nurse, for the child
has become a serpent.
Bleed, dear heart!
9a Evangelist
Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him,
9b Chorus
Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover?
9c Evangelist
And he said,
Jesus
Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples.
Evangelist
And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover. Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve. And as they did eat, he said,
Jesus
Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
9d Evangelist
And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him,
9e Chorus
Lord, is it I?
10 Chorale
It is I, I should atone,
bound hand and foot in hell.
The scourge and bonds and what
you have endured
are what my soul deserves.
11 Evangelist
And he answered and said,
Jesus
He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me. The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.
Evangelist
Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said,
Judas
Master, is it I?
Evangelist
He said unto him,
Jesus
Thou hast said.
Evangelist
And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said,
Jesus
Take, eat; this is my body.
Evangelist
And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying,
Jesus
Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new
testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto
you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when
I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
12 Recit. - Soprano
Although my heart is bathed in
tears because Jesus takes his leave of me, yet I rejoice in his legacy: his
flesh and blood, priceless gift, he leaves in my hands. Just as in this world
he cannot be angry with his followers, so he loves them to the end.
13 Aria - Soprano
I want to give you my heart,
enter it, my saviour.
I want to sink myself in you;
if the world is too small for you, you will be for me more than earth and
heaven.
14 Evangelist
And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. Then saith Jesus unto them,
Jesus
All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is
written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be
scattered abroad. But after I am risen
again, I will go before you into Galilee.
15 Chorale
Acknowledge me, my guardian,
my shepherd, and accept me;
from you, source of all goodness, much good has come to me.
Your mouth has refreshed me
with milk and sweet food,
your spirit has endowed me with the joys of heaven.
16 Evangelist
Peter answered and said unto him,
Peter
Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.
Evangelist
Jesus said unto him,
Jesus
Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
Evangelist
Peter said unto him,
Peter
Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee.
Evangelist
Likewise also said all the disciples.
17 Chorale
I will stand by you here: do
not despise me!
I will not leave you when your
heart breaks.
When your heart pales in the
last thrust of death
I will embrace you in my arms
and bosom.
18 Evangelist
Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples,
Jesus
Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
Evangelist
And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and
began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
Then saith he unto them,
Jesus
My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye
here, and watch with me.
19 Recit. – Tenor and Chorale
0 agony!
Here trembles the tormented heart! How it sinks, how pale its face!
What is the cause of all these torments?
The judge brings him before
the court, there is no comfort, no supporter.
Ah, it is my sins that have struck you.
He suffers all the tortures of
hell, he must pay for another's crime.
I, Lord Jesus, am guilty of what you must suffer.
Ah, if my love for you, my
Saviour, could lessen your trembling and apprehension, or help you bear them,
how gladly would I remain here!
20 Aria – Tenor
- and Chorus
I will stay awake with my Jesus
Then our sins will fall asleep.
The agony of his soul atones
for my death; his sorrowing makes me joyful.
So his devoted suffering must be for us both bitter and
sweet.
21 Evangelist
And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying
Jesus
O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me:
nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
22 Recit. - Bass
The Saviour falls low before
his father and thereby raises me and all mankind from our downfall up to God's
grace again. He is ready to drink the cup, the
bitterness of death, into which the sins of this world are poured and foully
stink, for such is the will of our dear God.
23 Aria - Bass
I will gladly submit to
receiving both cross and cup, for I follow the Saviour in drinking.
For his mouth, which flows
with milk and honey, has sweetened the cup and the bitter shame of suffering by
taking the first drink.
24 Evangelist
And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter,
Jesus
What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Evangelist
He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying,
Jesus
O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I
drink it, thy will be done.
25 Chorale
May God's will be always done,
for his will is best;
he is ready to help those who firmly believe in him;
he helps those in need, our pious God,
and punishes with moderation.
He who trusts God and builds
firmly on him,
God will not forsake him.
26 Evangelist
And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them,
Jesus
Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at
hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand
that doth betray me.
Evangelist
And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the Chief Priests and elders of the people. Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said,
Judas
Hail, master;
Evangelist
and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him,
Jesus
Friend, wherefore art thou come?
Evangelist
Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.
27a Duet – Soprano and Counter-Tenor
– and Chorus
My Jesus is now
captured
Leave him, stop, do not bind
him!
The moon has veiled its light
in grief because my Jesus is captured.
They lead him away, he is
bound fast.
27b Chorus
Have lightning and thunder
turned into mere clouds?
Open the fiery abyss, Hell,
and with sudden rage wreck, ruin, swallow up, smash the false traitor, the
murderous wretch.
28 Evangelist
And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear. Then said Jesus unto him,
Jesus
Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?
Evangelist
In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes,
Jesus
Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me. But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.
Evangelist
Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.
29 Chorale
0 man,
bewail your great sin;
for this, Christ left his father's bosom
and came to earth.
He was born here for our sake
of a pure and tender virgin,
to be a mediator for us.
He gave life to the dead
and thereby dispelled all sickness
until the time should come
when he would be sacrificed for us,
when he would bear the heavy burden of our sins
as he hung on the cross.
PART TWO
30 Aria – Counter-Tenor
– and Chorus
Ah! my
Jesus has now departed!
Where then has your friend gone, fairest of women?
Is it possible, can I look?
Whither has your friend turned?
Ah! my
lamb is held in tiger's claws.
Ah! where
has my Jesus gone?
We will seek him with you.
Ah! what
can I say to my soul when it anxiously asks me:
Ah! where
has my Jesus gone?
31 Evangelist
And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to
Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. But Peter followed him afar off unto the high
priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end. Now the Chief Priests, and elders, and all
the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; But found none:
32 Chorale
The world has deceitfully
misled me
with lies and falsehoods,
with many snares and hidden cords.
Lord, look after me in this
danger,
and protect me from false treachery.
33 Evangelist
yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none.
At the last came two false witnesses,
and said,
Witnesses
This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.
Evangelist
And the high priest arose, and said unto him,
High Priest
Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?
Evangelist
But Jesus held his peace.
34 Recit. - Tenor
My Jesus is silent before
false lies in order to show us that his merciful will is to submit to
suffering, and that when we are in similar trouble we must be like him and
remain silent when persecuted.
35 Aria
Patience, patience! when false tongues stab me.
If I suffer insult and mockery
when I am not guilty, may my dear God avenge the innocence of my heart.
36a Evangelist
And the high priest answered and said unto him,
High Priest
I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.
Evangelist
Jesus saith unto him,
Jesus
Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall
ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the
clouds of heaven.
Evangelist
Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying,
High Priest
He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. What think ye?
Evangelist
They answered and said,
36b Chorus
He is guilty of death.
36c Evangelist
Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands, saying,
36d Chorus
Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?
37 Chorale
Who has struck you,
my saviour, and beaten you so terribly?
You are not a sinner
like us and our children;
you are innocent of all misdeeds.
38a Evangelist
Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying,
1st Maid
Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.
Evangelist
But he denied before them all, saying,
Peter
I know not what thou sayest.
Evangelist
And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there,
2nd Maid
This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.
Evangelist
And again he denied with an oath,
Peter
I do not know the man.
Evangelist
And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter,
38b Chorus
Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.
38c Evangelist
Then began he to curse and to swear, saying,
Peter
I know not the man.
Evangelist
And immediately the cock crew. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which
said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went
out, and wept bitterly.
39 Aria - Counter-Tenor
Have mercy, Lord, for the sake
of my tears.
See, my heart and my eyes are
weeping bitterly for you.
40 Chorale
Even if I have turned from
you,
I come before you again,
for your son has ransomed us
by the terror and torment of death.
I do not deny my guilt,
but your mercy and grace
are much greater than the sin
that I constantly find in myself.
41a Evangelist
When the morning was come, all the Chief Priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the Chief Priests and elders, Saying,
Judas
Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood.
Evangelist
And they said,
41b Chorus
What is that to us? see thou to that.
41c Evangelist
And he cast down the pieces of
silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.
And the Chief Priests took the silver pieces, and said,
Two priests
It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because
it is the price of blood.
42 Aria
- Bass
Give me back my Jesus! See,
the prodigal son throws down at your feet the money, the murderer's payment.
Give me back my Jesus!
43 Evangelist
And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's
field, to bury strangers in. Wherefore
that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by
Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the
price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did
value; And gave them for the potter's
field, as the Lord appointed me.
And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying,
Pilate
Art thou the King of the Jews?
Evangelist
And Jesus said unto him,
Jesus
Thou sayest.
Evangelist
And when he was accused of the Chief Priests and elders, he answered nothing. Then said Pilate unto him,
Pilate
Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?
Evangelist
And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.
44 Chorale
Entrust your ways and what
grieves your heart
to the most faithful care of him who directs the sky;
he who gives course and direction to clouds, air and
winds
will also find ways where your foot can go.
45a Evangelist
Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them,
Pilate
Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?
Evangelist
For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying,
Pilate’s Wife
Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.
Evangelist
But the Chief Priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said unto them,
Pilate
Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you?
Evangelist
They said,
Chorus
Barabbas.
Evangelist
Pilate saith unto them,
Pilate
What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?
Evangelist
They all say unto him,
45b Chorus
Let him be crucified.
46 Chorale
How extraordinary is this
punishment!
The good shepherd suffers for
his sheep;
the righteous lord pays the debt for his servants!
47 Evangelist
And the governor said,
Pilate
Why, what evil hath he done?
48 Recit. – Soprano
He has done good
to all of us. He gave sight to the blind, and enabled the lame to walk; he told
us of his father's words, and drove out devils; he comforted the distressed, he
accepted and welcomed sinners; my Jesus has done nothing otherwise.
49 Aria - Soprano
For love my saviour will die,
he knows no sin; he is resolved to die so that eternal ruin and the judgment of
the court will not remain on my soul.
50a Evangelist
But they cried out the more, saying,
50b Chorus
Let him be crucified.
50c Evangelist
When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying,
Pilate
I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.
Evangelist
Then answered all the people, and said,
50d Chorus
His blood be on us, and on our children.
50e Evangelist
Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had
scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
51 Recit. - Counter-Tenor
May God have pity! Here stands
the saviour bound, scourged, beaten, wounded. You torturers, stop! Does the
soul's agony, the sight of such wretchedness, not soften your hearts? Ah no,
you have a heart that must be like the pillory or even harder still. Have pity,
cease!
52 Aria - Counter-Tenor
If the tears of my cheeks are
of no avail, take my heart!
But let it also be the
sacrificial vessel to receive the blood as it gently flows from the wounds.
53a Evangelist
Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying,
53b Chorus
Hail, King of the Jews!
53c Evangelist
And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on
the head.
54 Chorale
0 bleeding head sore wounded,
full of grief and scorned!
0 head, bound in mockery with
a crown of thorns!
0 head, once decorated with
highest honour and ornament
but now humiliated, I hail you!
You noble countenance, before which
the great
powers of the world shrink in fear, how are you now spat upon!
How pale you are; who has quenched the light of your eyes
which normally
shine with unsurpassable brightness?
55 Evangelist
And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off
from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him. And as they came out, they found a man of
Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.
56 Recit. - Bass
Indeed our flesh and blood
must be compelled to take up the cross: the bitterer it is, the better it is
for our soul.
57 Aria - Bass
Come sweet cross, let me say,
my Jesus, give it to me.
If my sufferings ever become
too heavy, you will help me bear them
58a Evangelist
And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, they gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink. And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. And sitting down they watched him there; And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left. And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, and saying,
58b Chorus
Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.
58c Evangelist
Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,
58d Chorus
He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King
of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.
He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I
am the Son of God.
58e Evangelist
The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.
59 Recit.
Ah Golgotha, unhappy Golgotha!
The lord of majesty must here come to humiliating ruin; the blessing and
salvation of the world is nailed as though it were a curse to the cross. The
creator of heaven and earth is to be cut off from earth and sky; here innocence
must die guilty: this grieves my soul, ah Golgotha, unhappy Golgotha!
60 Aria – Counter-Tenor and Chorus
See, Jesus has stretched out
his hand to embrace us, come! [where?] and find salvation and compassion in Jesus's
arms; seek them! [where?] in Jesus's arms.
Live, die, rest here, you
abandoned nestlings, stay [where?] in Jesus's
arms.
61a Evangelist
Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying,
Jesus
Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?
Evangelist
that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said,
61b Chorus
This man calleth for Elias.
61c Evangelist
And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. The rest said,
61d Chorus
Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.
61e Evangelist
Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up
the ghost.
62 Chorale
When it is my time to depart,
do not depart from me!
When I have to suffer death,
come into my presence.
When my heart is at its most
frightened,
tear me from my terror by the power of your agony and
suffering.
63a Evangelist
And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying,
63b Chorus
Truly this was the Son of God.
63c Evangelist
And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed
Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:
Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses,
and the mother of Zebedee's children.
When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named
Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple: He went to Pilate, and begged the
body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.
64 Recit.
At evening in the cool of the
day, Adam's fall was made clear. At evening the saviour redeems that fall. In
the evening the dove returned bearing an olive leaf in its mouth. 0 blessed
time! 0 evening hour! Peace has now been made with God, for Jesus has borne his
cross to the end. His body comes to rest. Ah, dear soul, plead, go, ask for Jesus's body, oh healing, precious remembrance!
65 Aria
Make yourself clean, my heart,
I want to bury Jesus myself,
for he will from now on have his sweet rest in me.
World, leave me, let Jesus in!
66a Evangelist
And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed. And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre. Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, saying,
66b Chorus
Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.
66c Evangelist
Pilate said unto them,
Pilate
Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.
Evangelist
So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.
67 Recit. – Bass and Chorus
Now the Lord is brought to
rest.
My Jesus, good night!
The travail our sins caused
him is over.
My Jesus, good night!
Oh blessed bones,
see how I mourn you with repentance and regret that my downfall brought you to
such a plight.
My Jesus, good night!
Have my heartfelt and undying
thanks for your suffering, that you valued so highly the salvation of my soul.
My Jesus, good night!
68 Chorus
In tears we sit down and call
to you in your grave: rest softly!
Rest, you exhausted limbs.
Your grave and tombstone shall
be a soft cushion for tormented consciences and a resting place for souls.
In supreme contentment our
eyes will close in sleep.
In tears we sit down and call
to you in your grave: rest softly!