With very best wishes for the festive season and a happy New Year, on behalf of The English Concert.
Hugh Cutting and The English Concert perform Wer sich dem Himmel übergeben by Phillipp Heinrich Erlebach.
Translation:
Wipe away your burning tears, dear eyes, and seek to clear your sight;
No longer let the weary sigh arise, for lo, the sun breaks bright.
What has weighed my soul till now—fear, anguish—shall be overcome,
The shadows flee, all grief retreats, a new dawn has begun.
Though innocence must bear its cross—persecution, envy’s spite,
How oft the smoke of falsehood bites amid the darkened night!
Yet heavens guard the pure within with tender, watchful care;
Who calmly thinks, who holds his tongue, whose heart is full of prayer,
Shall triumph on the battleground where hope and virtue dare.
A clear just deed and conscience pure, a gentle resting place,
Where innocence may lay its head and find a soft embrace.
Blessed is he who seeks such peace, ordained by heaven’s hand;
Then joy may rise and laughter ring, despite the envy’s brand,
And falsehoods of this fleeting age shall bow before the grand.
Cease your burning tears, dear eyes, and seek to clear your gaze:
What cause remains for sighs to swell when heaven loves always?
To its keeping I surrender all; it watches through the night,
So in the darkest hours my heart may find its courage bright.
