S.B. from Glasgow
Robert Burnett (Baritone)
The Station Choir
The Station Orchestra
Conducted by Herbert A. Carruthers

This Cantata, which was sung by Robert Burnett with the Glasgow Station Choir and orchestra, in October last year, is one of the comparatively few which are laid out for solo voice throughout, except for the chorale at the end.
Among the most splendid Â’ is a phrase which has already appeared in notes on other cantatas, but it must, be used of this work also; musicians all the world over are agreed in regarding it as a noble piece of profoundly devotional music, instinct with Bach's deep sincerity. It is one of those, too. of which he carefully revised the parts himself, furnishing valuable clues to his wishes in the often disputed matter of phrasing.
The singer who undertakes it must have a vivid sense of its dramatic power and fervour, and must be able to carry us with him, as the poem, and with it the music, passes gradually from a mood of sorrowful acceptance of the Cross to an exultant welcome of approaching death.
In the first aria, the accompaniment is eloquent of grief which resignation has transfigured: it is based on a motive which Bach often uses to present suffering, though nowhere more expressively. At one point there can be heard a wave-like figure in the orchestra: the word ' Schiff-fahrt ' (voyage) has turned Bach's thoughts to the sea.
The other aria is built up on a long, flowing melody, and the final chorale is a very beautiful one.
(The text is reprinted by courtesy of Messrs. Breitkopf and Hartel.)

I.—Aria.
I with my cross-staff gladly wander,
It comes from God's own loving hand,
All suff'ring o'er, 'twill lead me yonder
To God in His promised land;
Then sorrow and pain shall be buried for aye,
My Saviour will wipe all my tears away.

II.—Recitative.
My journey through the world is like unto a ship,
Affliction, cross and woe are billows that o'erwhelm and bind me,
And each new day of Death remind me.
And yet t have an anchor sure, a rock of mercy and strength,
Wherewith my God sends help at length.
And thus He saith to me: I am with thee,
I will not leave thee ever nor forsake thee!
And when the storm is o'er, and calmed is the angry foam,
I step forth from the ship into my home,
That is the heav'nly home, within open portal
Shall I unite with saints immortal.

III.—Aria.
Triumph, triumph, now is mine,
Sin and death are trampled beneath me.
My strength is in the Lord most High,
With eagle's wings I'd cleve the sky,
Nor weary in my upward soaring,
But join the band of souls adoring,
O that it might be this day.

IV. Recitative
With girded loins I stand and wait
My summons to the blessed state.
If so be I may merit,
The hope at JesusÂ’ hands to inherit,
How blessed will it be
When I the port of rest at last shall see!
Then sorrow and pain shall be buried for aye,
My Saviour will wipe all my tears away.

V. Choral
Come O death, thou twin of slumber.
Come and cut my sorrows short;
Loose my ship from ropes that lumber,
Bring me safely into port.
Let who will seek to evade thee,
Thou dost not need to persuade me,
For I gain through thee alone
Access to my Saviour's throne.