This edition was prepared by Claudio Macchi — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Ach Gott, wie manches Herzeleid, BWV 3
Staff Notation • Sacred, Cantatas
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7 editions of this piece
Different typesettings and voicings of the same work. This page shows the main edition; the others are below.
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Ach Gott, wie manches Herzeleid, BWV 3 by Johann Sebastian Bach — Lyrics
1.
Ach Gott, wie manches Herzeleid
Begegnet mir zu dieser Zeit!
Der schmale Weg ist trübsalvoll,
Den ich zum Himmel wandern soll.
2.
Wie schwerlich lässt sich Fleisch und Blut
Tenor
So nur nach Irdischem und Eitlem trachtet
Und weder Gott noch Himmel achtet,
Zwingen zu dem ewigen Gut!
Alt
Da du, o Jesu, nun mein alles bist,
Und doch mein Fleisch so widerspenstig ist.
Wo soll ich mich denn wenden hin?
Sopran
Das Fleisch ist schwach, doch will der Geist;
So hilf du mir, der du mein Herze weißt.
Zu dir, o Jesu, steht mein Sinn.
Bass
Wer deinem Rat und deiner Hilfe traut,
Der hat wohl nie auf falschen Grund gebaut,
Da du der ganzen Welt zum Trost gekommen,
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About Ach Gott, wie manches Herzeleid, BWV 3
Ach Gott, wie manches Herzeleid, BWV 3, is a sacred cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach for SATB choir. The German text opens with a lament on the suffering and difficulties of life's journey, the narrow path to heaven fraught with tribulation. The music then explores the internal struggle between the frail flesh, which craves earthly pleasures, and the spirit's desire for eternal good. The choir voices express the plea for divine aid in this conflict, acknowledging Jesus as the ultimate source of strength and salvation, especially when the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. It concludes with a statement of faith in Jesus's guidance, finding solid ground in his promise of comfort and his incarnation.
