This edition was prepared by James Gibb — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Grimmige Gruft, SWV 52
Staff Notation • Sacred, Arias
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Grimmige Gruft, SWV 52 by Heinrich Schütz — Lyrics
Grimmige Gruft, so hast du dann
In Rachen dein verschlungen
Die edle Muttr den edlen Stamm,
Daraus uns ist entsprungen
Des Landes Schutz,
Der Feinde Trutz,
Das Reis daraus gewachsen
Der fürstlich Mann
Ganz lobesan,
Herr Jan Georg zu Sachsen.
Tyrrannisch Tod, so habn wir dann
Dein Willen jetzt erfüllet,
Scharlach und Purpur abgetan,
In schwartz Tuch uns gehüllet;
All Instrument
Von uns gewendt
In dein Livrey wir kleiden,
Der Orgeln Klang,
Der Musik Gsang
Wegn deins Gewalts wir meiden.
Trauriges Grab, dein offnen Schlund
Mit Felsen hart wir stopfen,
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About Grimmige Gruft, SWV 52
This sorrowful German aria mourns the death of Duke Johann Georg of Saxony. The text opens by personifying a grim tomb that has swallowed the noble lineage from which the state's protector and defender sprang. It then addresses Death directly, lamenting that his will has been done, that finery has been replaced by mourning black, and that music and all joy have been abandoned due to his violence. The final stanza begins to seal the grave, hoping to prevent its eternal openness. This is a powerful and dramatic expression of grief, likely intended for a solo voice with instrumental accompaniment, reflecting the high Baroque style of its composer, Heinrich Schütz.
