When J S Bach wrote this composition in 1724, he used various sources for the libretto, although the main wording is from St John's gospel with a few verses from St Matthew's.
Below are some samplings from the work:
Prologue
Chorus:
Lord, Lord and Master, in all the lands
The gath'ring nations hail Thee, Lord.
Show by Thy Cross and Passion Thou art the true eternal Son,
Whom still we know, When in Thy manhood thus brough low,
As master and as Lord.
Peter's Sword
Chorale:
Thy will, O God, be always done
On earth as in the courts of Heaven,
Give us in pain to lean thereon,
To welcome joy or sorrow giv'n,
To bid rebellious flesh be still,
Nor move against Thy perfect will.
Christ's Examination before Annas
Chorale:
Ah! Whence this hatred shown to Thee?
Whose hands are are laid upon Thee
To do Thee this despite Thee,
who beyond our telling
In man's estate excelling
Has ordered all Thy ways aright.
'Tis I have done this wounding,
By heedless sins abounding
As sands beside the sea,
These are the blows that bruise Thee,
In these Thine own refuse Thee,
And these will nail Thee to the Tree.
Peter's Denial
Air:
Ah, my soul
What end awaiteth thee?
Who then will stand beside me?
Shall I stay, shall I wait to see
Rock and mountain fall to hide me?
Nought on earth can help afford:
Heart is failing,
Sham prevailing;
Mine the deed abhorred,
Yea, the servant hath denied his Lord.
Chorale:
Peter, in forgetfulness
Thrice denied his Master;
One look moved him to confess,
Weeping, his disaster.
Jesu, turn to look on me,
Who persist in sinning;
Set my fettered conscience free,
Free for new beginning.
Christ is Scourged
Arioso:
Come, ponder,
O my soul, thy burden'd heart unbinding,
With trembling hope and anxious rapture finding
The chief good is Jesus' sorrow, Those thorns that crown Him,
Though He suffer,
To thee the flowers of heaven would seem,
To thee the sweetest fruit will His sharp worm-wood offer:
The gaze, forever gaze on Him.
Air:
Behold Him!
See His back all torn and bleeding,
For pardon pleading,
Is like the face of Heaven.
Whereon, against the dark oppression
Of clouds that figure man's transgression,
Is set the Bow, by God's concession,
The sign and pledge of sin forgiv'n.
It is Finished
Air with Corale:
My Lord and Saviour, let me ask Thee,
Jesu, Thou by toilsome death
Exalted in Thy crucifixion
Thou hast avowed: It is fulfilled.
Deathless life art earning
O say, shall Death his captives yield?
I, in stress of failing breath
Where shall I be turning
Can I then, through Thy last affliction
The realm of life inherit?
Dost Thou the whole world's ransom pay?
But to Thee, my Ransomer?
Dear my Lord, receive me;
How can Thy parched lips declare it!
Give but what Thy wages were,
But lo, Thy head bowed down replies in silence: Yea
More thou could'st not give me.
At the Sepulchre
Chorus:
Lie still, O sacred limbs, lie sleeping,
And I will lay aside my weeping;
Lie still: I too may rest, I may rest in peace.
The grave that was appointed you
To close the sum of suffering due,
Shall be my path to heaven, from hell my full release.
Chorale:
Ah Lord, when my last end is come,
Bid angels bear my spirit home
To Abr'ham's bosom going.
My flesh, laid in the quiet tomb,
Shall sleep until the day of doom,
Nor pain nor sorrow knowing
Then waking from that dark abode,
Mine eyes shall see Thee face to face
In boundless joy,
O Son of God,
My Saviour and my Throne of Grace.
Lord Jesus Christ, give ear to me,
Who bring unending praise to Thee.
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