Relayed from the Church of the Messiah, Birmingham
'HERR JESU CHRIST, Do HOCHSTES GUT'
'Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Blessed Grace'
LILIAN COOPER (Soprano)
ESTHER COLEMAN (Contralto)
JOHN ARMSTRONG (Tenor)
HAROLD WILLIAMS (Baritone)
CYRIL CHRISTOPHER (Continuo)
THE BIRMINGHAM STUDIO CHORUS and ORCHESTRA
Conducted by JOSEPH LEWIS
The words of the Cantata are as follows.
I. - Chorus.
Lord Jesus Christ , Thou Fountain pure of grace and mercy blessed, See Thou the torment I endure, How sore I am oppressed. As cruel darts that pierce my heart I feel the pangs of conscience, smart. Of sin I stand confessed.
II.- Aria (Alto).
Have pity. Lord, oh take from me My sin, my desolation, For Thou hast died upon the Tree That I might know salvation. That evil may not bring me low, To suffer lasting pain and woe, And at the last to perish-
III.- Aria (Pass).
I know, when T have God forsworn. When from His way my feet have wander'd Nor on His word my thought hath ponder'd. How I by grief and fear am torn. And sore my troubled heart had chafed, But that Thy word hath hope vouchsafed.
IV. - Recitative (Bass).
Thy healing Word hath brought me hope, 0 Saviour mild and render. And now my breast, that was by cruel fears oppress' d, To new won pow'r and joy shall waken The sorely grieving hurt that only tears had known and bitter smart. The Saviour's grace unto itself hath taken ; Such comfort in my soul Ills Word hath wrought, And to my spirit joy hath brought, As of the Springtide's splendour. My soul is fill d with gladness No more, can gnawing conscience afflict my heart with sadness. For God all merciful hath said At last His faithtul ones and holy With manna shall be fed. When to our Saviour we are led In spirit meek and lowly.
V.- Aria (Tenor).
Jesus saith to sinners, Come,' Gracious word of hope that blesseth! He gives repentant sinners peace, And brings to everyone release. Who nil his sin confesseth.
VI.-Recitative (Tenor).
The Saviour bids all sinners come ; How sweet that word upon mine ears is falling He calls : ' Come ye to Me, all ye that and have striven, Come to the Fount of mercy given, For to Myself my lov'd ones I am culling. I hear Thee. Lord, I come to Thee, as a pilgrim repentant praying. And with a humble heart, '0 Cod, have mercy!' saying, Oh. comfort Thou my weary soul, And by Thy precious blond, oh make me whole, And from my sin set free: so with the Messed ones of God enfold me And safe within Thine and in love and faith that cannot fail, oh Saviour, bold me, Thy child in Heaven let me be.
VII.- Duct (Soprano and Alto).
Pardon me, Lord, to Thee I pray. nor let thy righteous wrath confound me, This heavy yoke oh take away. in chains of sin hath Satan bound me. Lord, with Thy pence my heart be filled, So shall my life show forth Thy praise thro' all my days, And go the way that Thou hast willed.
VIII.- Choral.
For with Thy spirit stregthen me. For me Thy side was wounded; Cleanse me with blood that flowed from Thee When my last hour hath sounded : Take me to Thee when seems Thee best, In faith I come at Thy behest To be with Thee uaited.
English text by D. Millar Craig , copyright by the B.B.C. 1928.
Next week's Cantata is No. 12, WEINEN KLAGEN
Weepinig, mourning').