Es ist ein Ros entsprungen (Bicinium)

The English translation of this text is very beautiful, but there is an element of the original which gets lost. It is the word "entsprungen" meaning "arisen". Embedded in this word is "Sprung", meaning "leap" or "jump". Of course, in baroque practice, a leaping melody (arpeggio) carries the meaning of joy. So the line which accompanies the Chorale tune here is meant to express the joy of the Ros in the original text.

Written December 10, 2015.

(1599 Gesangbuch)

Es ist ein Ros entsprungen
aus einer Wurzel zart,
Wie uns die Alten sungen,
von Jesse kam die Art,
Und hat ein Blümlein bracht,
mitten im kalten Winter,
wohl zu der halben Nacht.

(English translation Theodore Baker, 1894)

Lo, how a rose e'er blooming
from tender stem hath sprung;
of Jesse's lineage coming,
as saints of old have sung.
It came, a floweret bright,
amid the cold of winter
when half spent was the night.