Herzlich lieb hab ich dich, o Herr
BWV 340 performed by the Netherlands Bach Society
Sint-Gertrudiskerk, Bergen op Zoom
Behind the music
Story
Story
Texts
Texts
Credits
Credits
Hymn for the dying
One of the many chorales in the standard hymn repertoire of Bach’s day
In Bach’s day and surroundings, there was no music genre that embraced more history, context and cultural ‘baggage’ than the chorale, or the German-language hymn. Hundreds of them had been written since the Reformation. Often, the text was first published on its own, and then later linked to one or more melodies. This enormous body of texts and melodies was more prominent in the daily life of the average Lutheran than any other music whatsoever.
Of course, not everyone knew or recognised all the hymns, but throughout the church year you soon got to hear a wide repertoire of them. This repertoire was so extensive, as well as so central to the Lutheran culture, that specialised compilations were published at a certain point, such as Gabriel Wimmer’s Ausfürliche Lieder-Erklärung from 1749, which also includes the Herzlich lieb hab ich dich, o Herr performed here.
Besides the author of the words to the hymn – Martin Schalling from Strasbourg – Wimmer also gives an explanation of the text and a list of various members of the nobility, preachers and other people who wished to hear the hymn on their deathbed or who were devoted to it during their lifetime. “In general”, wrote Wimmer, “it is to be found among the hymns for the dying”.
One anecdote tells that in a dream a man had sung the ending of the chorale “with such feeling… along with some friends who had died long ago… with such accuracy and choral harmony, that on waking he felt the tears of joy still trickling down his cheeks”. This association with a hymn for the dying was evoked mainly by this final strophe.
- BWV
- 340
- Title
- Herzlich lieb hab ich dich, o Herr
- Genre
- chorales
- Lyricist
- Martin Schalling
In loving memory of
Mr. Wanchai Krailadsiri, MD
Extra videos
Vocal texts
Original
Herzlich lieb hab ich dich, o Herr,
ich bitt, wollst sein von mir nicht fern
mit deiner Huld und Gnade.
Die ganz Welt nicht erfreuet mich,
nach Himml und Erd nicht frage ich,
wenn ich nur, Herz, dich habe.
Und wenn mir gleich mein Herz zerbricht,
so bist doch du mein Zuversicht,
mein Heil und meines Herzens Trost,
der mich durch sein Blut hat erlöst.
Herr Jesu Christ, mein Gott und Herr!
in Schanden lass mich nimmer mehr.
Translation
I love you Lord, with all my heart,
I beg that you will never part
from me your grace and goodness.
The whole world could not satisfy
Not heaven or earth, if only I
Can have your heart in fullness.
And even if my heart should break
I trust to you my life and fate
My Savior and my heart's own good
Who saved me with your precious blood.
Lord Jesus Christ, My God and Lord, This is my plea
From sin's dishonor set me free.
translation © Ruth van Baak Griffioen, 2025
Credits
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- Release date
- 29 May 2025
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- Recording date
- 6 May 2024
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- Location
- Sint-Gertrudiskerk, Bergen op Zoom
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- Soprano
- Amelia Berridge
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- Alto
- Tim Braithwaite
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- Tenor
- Adriaan de Koster
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- Bass
- Donald Bentvelsen
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- Director and editor
- Onno van Ameijde
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- Music recording
- Guido Tichelman, Pim van der Lee
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- Music edit and mix
- Guido Tichelman
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- Camera
- Jesper Blok, Jorne Tielemans
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- Focus pull
- Glenn van Neerden
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- Lights
- Jorne Tielemans, Patrick Galvin
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- Project manager nep
- Ron Vermeulen
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- Assistant music recording
- Marloes Biermans
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- Producer
- Lisanne Marlou de Kok, Stephan Esmeijer
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- In loving memory of
- Mr. Wanchai Krailadsiri, MD
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