The text of this motet is Responsory from the Vigil of Holy Saturday (the Tenebrae). ℟ = Prophecy of Isaiah 57,1-2 = prima pars ; ℣ = Psalm 75:3 = secunda pars. NB: other verses also can be found, f.i. in the Lutheran service book. It’s also part of the Office for the Deceased (funeral music). Idem in the Lutheran tradition. Texts are polyseme.
– The rubric in Hándl/Gallus’ publication is clear: De Passione Domini Nostri Iesu Christi.
– Martin Luther included this text (with gregorian chant) in his ‘hymnbook’ for funerals (1542). It was still in use in Bach’s days, also for both occasions: Passion and Obsequies.
In 1682 the setting of Gallus/Handl was published by Godfried Vopelius in the Neu Leipziger Gesangbuch providing a singable German text as well “Siehe, wie dahin stirbt der Gerechte”. That in Leipzig Hándl/Gallus motet (there are others) was sung, is not a fact but an assumption.
Jacob Hándl (or Gallus, 1550-1591) was born in Carniola (Kranjska), Slovenia. He flourished at the Habsburg court (Graz, Prague).
[prima pars]
Ecce quomodo moritur iustus,
et nemo percipit corde,
viri iusti tolluntur,
et nemo considerat.
A facie iniquitatis sublatus est iustus,
Et erit in pace memoria eius.
[secunda pars]
In pace factus est locus eius,
et in Sion habitatio eius,
et erit in pace memoria eius.
[first part]
Behold, the (a) rigtheous one dies,
and no one cares,
rigtheous people are taken away,
no one is concerned.
From injustice the rigtheous is removed,
he will be remembered in peace.
[second part]
In peace, that’s where he is at home,
In Sion his dwelling place,
and he will be remembered in peace.
Just a note: the Latin text of this response differs considerably from the standard Latin text in the most widespread translation (the Vulgate). Idem for the German translation by Luther: 1Aber der Gerechte kommt um, und niemand ist der es zu Herzen nehme; und heilige Leute werden aufgerafft, und niemand achtet darauf, denn die Gerechten werden weggerafft vor dem Unglück; 2 und die richtig vor sich gewandelt haben, kommen zum Frieden und ruhen in ihren Kammern.
As said, the motet is based on the responsory of the vigils of Holy Saturday (Sabbato sancta – Tenebrae).
– See https://gregorien.info/chant/id/2698/10/fr.
Below a manuscript of the Tenebrae with this responsory. The lamentation that precedes it is also very famous (O vos omnes, qui transitis per viam, attendite et videte si est dolor similis sicut dolor meus – Behold and see if there be any sorrow Handel’s Messiah)
Donum superadditum (the pages from Vopelius 1682, with the Latin/German text of Gallus’ motet). This gesangbuch was still in use in Bach’s times. It contains all texts for the celebration of the Char-Freytage. Passion-hymns, but also a complete score to sing the St. Matthew Passion (= precedes Gallus) – see images below
