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Sheep can safely graze

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ras...@eosin.path.uwa.edu.au

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May 30, 1995, 3:00:00 AM5/30/95
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I have a question for the German speakers. I was told by a German friend
that the translation of the title of the Bach cantata "Sheep may safely
graze" was literal but incorrect, and that its German meaning was closer
to "Shepherds, care for yur sheep". Any comments?

Bob

Fred Goldrich

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May 30, 1995, 3:00:00 AM5/30/95
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In article <3qejhr$7...@styx.uwa.edu.au>,

The title really does mean "Sheep may Safely Graze";
but the next few lines make it clear that the shepherd is
a metaphor for a civil ruler:

Schafe koennen sicher weiden
Wo ein guter Hirte wacht.
Wo Regenten wohl regieren
Kann man Ruh' und Frieden spueren,
Und was Laender gluecklich macht.

(Sheep may safely graze
Where a good shepherd watches.
Where regents rule well,
One can feel calm and peace,
And what makes lands happy.)

-- Fred Goldrich

--
Fred Goldrich
gold...@panix.com

Richard Todd

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May 30, 1995, 3:00:00 AM5/30/95
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Which cantata is that chorus from? I always thought it was the
Peasant Cantata, but I just got a CD of said cantata, and there are
grazing sheep in it.

Richard Todd

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May 30, 1995, 3:00:00 AM5/30/95
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Peasant Cantata, but I just got a CD of said cantata, and there are no
grazing sheep in it.

Fred Goldrich

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May 30, 1995, 3:00:00 AM5/30/95
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In article <1995May30....@clark.dgim.doc.ca>,
Richard Todd <Todd.R...@ic.gc.ca> wrote:

>Which cantata is that chorus from? I always thought it was the
>Peasant Cantata, but I just got a CD of said cantata, and there are
>no grazing sheep in it.

It's No. 208, "Was mir behagt."


--
Fred Goldrich
gold...@panix.com

Jim Michmerhuizen

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May 31, 1995, 3:00:00 AM5/31/95
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Richard Todd <Todd.R...@ic.gc.ca> writes:
[ ...regarding "Sheep may Safely Graze"...]

>Which cantata is that chorus from? I always thought it was the
>Peasant Cantata, but I just got a CD of said cantata, and there are
>grazing sheep in it.

It's the 9th piece from BWV 208, "Was mir behagt, ist nur die muntre Jagd",
where it's an aria for soprano.
--
Regards
Jim Michmerhuizen
jam...@world.std.com
--------------------------------------------------- ---------------------

Sundara Pandian

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May 31, 1995, 3:00:00 AM5/31/95
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Richard Todd (Todd.R...@ic.gc.ca) inquires:

> Which cantata is that chorus from? I always thought it was the
> Peasant Cantata, but I just got a CD of said cantata, and there are no
> grazing sheep in it.

The grazing sheep are alive and well in the hunt cantata BWV 208.
Check it out!

- Pandian

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