This is one of the most technically demanding arias, especially for the Viola da Gamba soloist. The gamba has to play terribly difficult chords and leaps, depicting the physical 'dragging' and 'stumbling' under the cross. The cross is called 'sweet' because it means following Jesus.
Via Dolorosa
Komm, süßes Kreuz
Aria
•Bass
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No. 55part_65
Come, sweet cross, thus will I say,
My Jesus, give it to me!
If my suffering one day becomes too heavy,
Then thou thyself wilt help me bear it.
German
English
Komm, süßes Kreuz, so will ich sagen,
Mein Jesu, gib es immer her!
Wird mir mein Leiden einst zu schwer,
So hilfst du mir es selber tragen.
Come, sweet cross, thus will I say,
My Jesus, give it to me!
If my suffering one day becomes too heavy,
Then thou thyself wilt help me bear it.
Modern adaptation
Come, sweet cross! Jesus, give it to me. If suffering becomes too heavy for me, you will help me carry it.
Did you know?
Bach writes a solo for the Viola da Gamba here, an instrument already old-fashioned in his time. Its sound is husky and fragile, perfect for the exhaustion of carrying the cross. The virtuosic part requires the player to bow across 3 or 4 strings simultaneously.
Did you know?
In 1736 verving Bach de luit door de viola da gamba. De gamba was toen al een 'antiek' Renaissance-instrument. Bach kiest bewust dit verouderde, koninklijke instrument voor de aria over het tijdloze kruis.