'Ich Hatte Viel Bekummerniss'
(My Spirit was in heaviness)
Relayed from the Guildhall School of Music
Elsie Suddaby (Soprano); Doris Owens (Contralto); Tom Pickering (Tenor); William Barrand (Bass); The Wireless Chorus; John Field (Oboe); Continuo: Ambrose Gauntlett (Violoncello); Eugene Cruft (Double Bass); Leslie Woodgate (Organ); The Wireless Orchestra (Oboe, Bassoon, Trumpets, Trombones, Tympani and Strings), Conducted by Stanford Robinson
The text is reprinted by courtesy of Messrs. Novello and Co., Ltd.
1. Sinfonia.
2. Chorus:
Lord, my God, my spirit was in heaviness and deep affliction; but, Lord, Thy consolations have my soul restored.
3. Aria (Soprano):
Sighing, weeping, sorrow, need. anxious longing, fear of death, rend my troubled heart in twain; I am torn by grief and pain.
4. Recitative (Tenor):
Why hast Thou then, O God, in this my need. in this my fear and anguish. thus quite forsaken me? Ah ! knowest Thou not Thy child ? Ah ! hear'st Thou not the mourning of those who to Thyself in faith and truth are bound ? Thou hast been my delight, and now I see Thee not. I seek for Thee in every place, I call, I cry to Thee alone, my grief and woe are full, when Thou, 0 God, regardest not.
5. Aria (Tenor):
Fast my bitter tears are flowing, Find I none to comfort me.
Waves and storms are o'er me going. All this dark and troubled sea O'er my fainting spirit rolleth, Mine affliction none consoleth.
Floods of sorrow close me round,
Where can light and help be found?
6. Chorus:
Wherefore grievest thon, O my spirit, and art so unquiet in me?
Hope thou in God; for to Him I will give thanks.
For He is the help of my countenance, and He is my God.
7. Recitative (Soprano and Bass)
Lord Jesus, my repose, my light, where art Thou gone?
Behold, O Spirit, I am with thee. With me? but here is only night!
I am thy faithful friend that watcheth in the night, when evil is abroad.
Then comfort with Thy light and radiance enter in! The hour is coming soon when, all thy conflicts o'er, thou shalt a sweet reward secure.
8. Duet (Soprano and Bass):
Come, my Saviour, and restore me.
Tea, I will come and will restore thee. Shed Thy grace and gladness o'er me. Shed my grace and gladness o'er thee. O'er this spirit that shall perish-Yea, thy spirit I will cherish,
That shall its continual sorrow never vanquish,
Nor beneath continual sorrow shalt thou languish.
Yea. ah, yea, I am rejected, Thou hatest me.
Nay, ah, nay, thou art elected, I care for thee.
Lord Jesus, Thou bringest me joy and salvation.
Soon thou for thy sorrow shalt find consolation.
Come, my Saviour.... Yes, I come....
9. Chorus:
Now again be thou joyful. 0 my spirit. Of what avail our hitter sorrow? of what avail our pain and grief ?
Of what avail that each new morrow still finds our woe beyond relief?
Now again....
Thy reward is of God.
Think not, when high thy trouble swelleth.
That He in distant darkness dwelleth. That Thou by God forsaken art,
Who fills with joy thy waiting heart. Thy reward is of God....
1.0. Aria (Tenor) :
Rejoice, O my spirit, in thy consolation, For now from thy sorrow thou findest salvation.
The water of grief God hath chang'd into wine,
All sadness is over and gladness is mine. Within me there burneth and shineth the pure light of love, and of comfort in spirit and heart, for Jesus doth my consolation impart.
Rejoice my spirit....
11. Chorus:
The Lamb that was slain for us is worthy to have all pow'r, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and praise.
Praise, and honour, and glory, and power be to our God, for evermore and evermore. Hallelujah. Amen.