The alto watches Jesus being scourged. The dotted rhythm (short-long) in the strings imitates the lashes of the whip. It is a raw, physical depiction of suffering.
The Scourging
Erbarm es Gott!
Aria
•Alto
|
No. 51part_59
Have mercy, God!
Here stands the Savior bound.
O scourging, o blows, o wounds!
Ye executioners, stop!
Does not the anguish of soul,
The sight of such misery move you?
Ah yes! you have a heart,
That must be like the torture stake,
And even much harder.
Have mercy, stop!
German
English
Erbarm es Gott!
Hier steht der Heiland angebunden.
O Geißelung, o Schläg, o Wunden!
Ihr Henker, haltet ein!
Erweichet euch der Seelen Schmerz,
Der Anblick solches Jammers nicht?
Ach ja! ihr habt ein Herz,
Das muß der Martersäule gleich
Und noch viel härter sein.
Erbarmt euch, haltet ein!
Have mercy, God!
Here stands the Savior bound.
O scourging, o blows, o wounds!
Ye executioners, stop!
Does not the anguish of soul,
The sight of such misery move you?
Ah yes! you have a heart,
That must be like the torture stake,
And even much harder.
Have mercy, stop!
Modern adaptation
God, have mercy! Here stands the Savior bound. O scourging, o wounds! Executioners, stop! Do you have no heart? It must be harder than the torture stake.