Christum wir sollen loben schon, BWV 611 (Orgelbüchlein)

Christum wir sollen loben schon,, BWV 611
("Let us now give praise to Christ") by J.S. Bach (1685-1750).

Featured organ is the 1738 Christian Müller organ from St. Bavo Church, Haarlem, in Holland, which consists of 3 manuals and 118 ranks. I am using the sample set from Voxus organs.

English Translation of select verses of this chorale:

1.Let us now give praise to Christ,
Son of the chaste virgin Mary,
as far as the dear sun shines
and reaches to the end of the whole world

2. The blessed Creator of all things
put on the humble body of a servant
so that he might win the flesh through flesh
and all his creation might not be ruined.

5. The noble mother has given birth
to him who was promised beforehand by Gabriel,
Him whom Saint John identified by leaping
when he was still in his mother’s womb.

6.He lay on hay, great in his poverty,
the hard crib did not bother him;
a little milk was his food
- he who allows no bird ever to go hungry.

7.The heavenly chorus rejoices on high,
and the angels sing praises to God;
to the poor shepherds is revealed
the great Shepherd and Creator of all the world.

German Chorale text (Martin Luther):

1. Christum wir sollen loben schon,
Der reinen Magd Marien Sohn,
Soweit die liebe Sonne leucht't
Und an aller Welt Ende reicht.

2. Der selig' Schöpfer aller Ding'
Zog an ein's Knechtes Leib gering,
Daß er das Fleisch durchs Fleisch erwürb'
Und sein Geschöpf nicht all's verdürb'.

5. Die edle Mutter hat gebor'n
Den Gabriel verhiess zuvorn,
Den Sankt Johann's mit Springen zeigt',
Da er noch lag im Mutterleib.

6. Er lag im Heu mit Armut groß,
Die Krippe hart ihn nicht verdroß;
Es ward ein' kleine Milch sein' Speis',
Der nie kein Vöglein hungern liess.\

7. Des Himmels Chör' sich freuen drob,
Und die Engel singen Gott Lob;
Den armen Hirten wird vermeld't
Der Hirt und Schöpfer aller Welt.