Ich halte treulich still

Ich halte treulich still

BWV 466 performed by Daniel Johannsen and Matthias Havinga
Walburgiskerk, Zutphen

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Behind the music

Story
Story
Extra videos
Extra videos
Texts
Texts
Credits
Credits

Quiet in afflictions

A song full of advice for a serene state of mind

In Baroque theology, suppressing the urge to protest and complain in times of hardship was a common theme. Teachings like ‘Geduld, wenn mich falsche Zungen stechen’ (from BWV 244), ‘Ich will leiden, ich will schweigen’ (from BWV 87), or ‘Gib dich zufrieden und sei stille’ (BWV 460 and 512) are nowadays not always appreciated, yet we cannot understand Bach’s music if we are unwilling to acknowledge the composer’s religious mindset.

Unfortunately, no biographical information can be found about J.H. Till, the poet of the twelve verses of this Schemelli song. He may have been a vicar from Schemelli’s Saxon circle, or even a friend of his or of Bach’s. Either way, Bach likely valued this laid-back and almost ‘Buddhist’ advice, or he would not have chosen the poem for musical setting and publication in a hymnal. And we have reason to believe that the lovely F major melody, with its ‘undaunted’ walking bass line, is Bach’s own invention.

What does seem to resonate with some of today’s philosophers and life coaches is Till’s notion of being content with few possessions and a modest life, yet still – and most importantly – remaining serene and frugal. This makes us immune to all wicked assaults, whether they assail us from within our own mind or from a hostile environment. Protected by this invisible armour we can calmly walk, even when challenged by the plagues of old age, towards our peaceful future with God.

BWV
466
Title
Ich halte treulich still
Instrument
tenor
Genre
songs and arias
Serie
Schemelli's Musicalisches Gesang-Buch
Lyricist
J.H. Till

Extra videos

Schemelli’s Musicalisches Gesang-Buch

“[Bach] would have been contributing to a greater theological and moral good, by helping this publication along by offering his help with its musical part.”

Vocal texts

Original

Ich halte treulich still,
und liebe meinen Gott,
ob mich schon oftermals
drückt Kummer, Angst und Not.
Ich bin mit Gott vergnügt
und halt geduldig aus,
Gott ist mein Schutz und Schirm
um mich und um mein Haus.

Wer rühmet sich denn nun,
dass ihm nichts fehlen soll,
was hilft es, dass er hab
Käst, Küch und Keller voll?
Fehlts nicht an weltlich Glück,
so ist dem Leibe doch
die Missvergnüglichkeit
ein schwer und hartes Joch.

Der ist der Glücklichste,
der mit sich selbst vergnügt
und duldet, wie es Gott
in seinem Stande fügt;
wer nur aufrichtig lebt
und schickt sich in die Zeit,
dem schadet keine Not,
kein Feind, kein Hass, kein Neid.

Kommts endlich auch dahin,
und tritt das Alter an,
so legt Gott nicht mehr auf
als man ertragen kann;
gefällt es ihm alsdenn
und nimmt mich aus der Welt,
so folg ich treulich nach
bis an des Himmels Zelt.

Translation

In faith and trust I rest,
and love my God indeed,
though often I’m oppressed
by sorrow, fear, and need.
I am content with God
with patience I endure,
God is my help and shield,
my house and home secure.

Whoever thinks to brag
that he has got it made,
what good is it to have
a houseful on display?
With every earthly joy
it’s still a heavy load
if you’re dissatisfied;
it’s hard to bear that yoke.

The happiest one is he
who with himself content
endures God’s decree
wherever he is sent;
lives with integrity,
adapts to changing states,
no harm can come from need 
nor envy, foe, or hate.

When finally comes that day
when old age soon draws near
I trust that God will lay
no more than I can bear;
whenever God decrees
and takes me from the world,
I’ll follow faithfully
to heaven’s tent unfurled.

translation © Ruth van Baak Griffioen, 2025

Credits

  • Release date
    27 November 2025
  • Recording date
    28 May 2024
  • Location
    Walburgiskerk, Zutphen
  • Tenor
    Daniel Johannsen
  • Organ
    Matthias Havinga
  • Instrument
    Henrick Bader, 1639/1643
  • Director and editor
    Gijs Besseling
  • Music recording
    Guido Tichelman, Pim van der Lee
  • Music edit and mix
    Guido Tichelman
  • Camera
    Danny Noordanus, Manon Hoskens, Remco van Leest
  • Grip
    Wouter Visser
  • Assistant music recording
    Marloes Biermans
  • Producer
    Lisanne Marlou de Kok

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