Somehow, after my last post about sub par sermons, the
subject of coffee seems to be on my mind.
Actually, the subject of coffee is on my mind fairly often. I wouldn’t put myself in the category of true
coffee snob, or really even a coffee connoisseur, but I do consider myself
quite the fan of the real black gold.
Sadly, we lack a true coffee house in my little town, and
I’m forced to wait for trips to the hospital (for pastoral visits, not as a
patient…usually), or for the kids’ orchestra lessons, or some other reason to
make the 45 minute trip to the nearest place offering a decent coffee. Starbucks is acceptable, as are a couple of
other places in the “big city,” though I much prefer Caribou Coffee (note to
any corporate lurkers out there, please bring one of your fine establishments
to our little corner of the world!). I’m
particularly fond of their Dark Chocolate Raspberry Mocha.
I have a large collection of coffee mugs in my office, which
I rotate through from time to time. I
have several favorite travel versions as well.
Around our house, the family knows that a fun new mug is always a great
gift for dad.
I even follow a few blogs devoted to coffee, especially one
title aptly “I Love Coffee” (the original is in Japanese, so you may have to
hit the “English Version” button if you click over there).
But as much as I love this nectar from heaven, it wasn’t
until recently that I discovered the Johann Sebastian Bach actually composed a
little piece on the subject. Bach’s
Coffee Cantata was said to be composed for performance by Bach's Collegium at
Zimmerman's Coffee House, Leipzig, Germany sometime between 1732 and 1734.
So, in honor of my favorite beverage, and in hopes that you
might come to enjoy it for more than just keeping awake through boring sermons,
here is one translation of the lyrics to Bach’s Coffee Cantata, followed by a
video of the first part of it actually being performed. Enjoy.
Bach's Coffee Cantata
Recitative Narrator
Be quiet, stop chattering, and pay attention to what's taking place: here comes Herr Schlendrian with his daughter Lieschen; he's growling like a honey bear. Hear for yourselves, what she has done to him!
Aria - Schlendrian
Don't one's children cause one endless trials & tribulations! What I say each day to my daughter Lieschen falls on stony ground.
Recitative - Schlendrian
You wicked child, you disobedient girl, h! when will I get my way; give up coffee!
Lieschen
Father, don't be so severe! f I can't drink my bowl of coffee three times daily, then in my torment I will shrivel up like a piece of roast goat.
Aria - Lieschen
Mm! how sweet the coffee tastes, more delicious than a thousand kisses, mellower than muscatel wine. Coffee, coffee I must have, and if someone wishes to give me a treat, ah, then pour me out some coffee!
Recitative - Schlendrian
If you don't give up drinking coffee then you shan't go to any wedding feast, nor go out walking. oh! when will I get my way; give up coffee!
Lieschen
Oh well! Just leave me my coffee!
Schlendrian
Now I've got the little minx! I won't get you a whalebone skirt in the latest fashion.
Lieschen
I can easily live with that.
Schlendrian
You're not to stand at the window and watch people pass by!
Lieschen
That as well, only I beg of you, leave me my coffee!
Schlendrian
Furthermore, you shan't be getting any silver or gold ribbon for your bonnet from me!
Lieschen
Yes, yes! only leave me to my pleasure!
Schlendrian
You disobedient Lieschen you, so you go along with it all!
Aria - Schlendrian
Hard-hearted girls are not so easily won over. Yet if one finds their weak spot, ah! then one comes away successful.
Recitative - Schlendrian
Now take heed what your father says!
Lieschen
In everything but the coffee.
Schlendrian
Well then, you'll have to resign yourself to never taking a husband.
Lieschen
Oh yes! Father, a husband!
Schlendrian
I swear it won't happen.
Lieschen
Until I can forgo coffee? From now on, coffee, remain forever untouched! Father, listen, I won't drink any
Schlendrian
Then you shall have a husband at last!
Aria - Lieschen
Today even dear father, see to it! Oh, a husband! Really, that suits me splendidly! If it could only happen soon that at last, before I go to bed, instead of coffee I were to get a proper lover!
Recitative - Narrator
Old Schlendrian goes off to see if he can find a husband forthwith for his daughter Lieschen; but Leischen secretly lets it be known: no suitor is to come to my house unless he promises me, and it is also written into the marriage contract, that I will be permitted to make myself coffee whenever I want.
Trio
A cat won't stop from catching mice, and maidens remain faithful to their coffee. The mother holds her coffee dear, the grandmother drank it also, who can thus rebuke the daughters!
Bach's Coffee Cantata
Recitative Narrator
Be quiet, stop chattering, and pay attention to what's taking place: here comes Herr Schlendrian with his daughter Lieschen; he's growling like a honey bear. Hear for yourselves, what she has done to him!
Aria - Schlendrian
Don't one's children cause one endless trials & tribulations! What I say each day to my daughter Lieschen falls on stony ground.
Recitative - Schlendrian
You wicked child, you disobedient girl, h! when will I get my way; give up coffee!
Lieschen
Father, don't be so severe! f I can't drink my bowl of coffee three times daily, then in my torment I will shrivel up like a piece of roast goat.
Aria - Lieschen
Mm! how sweet the coffee tastes, more delicious than a thousand kisses, mellower than muscatel wine. Coffee, coffee I must have, and if someone wishes to give me a treat, ah, then pour me out some coffee!
Recitative - Schlendrian
If you don't give up drinking coffee then you shan't go to any wedding feast, nor go out walking. oh! when will I get my way; give up coffee!
Lieschen
Oh well! Just leave me my coffee!
Schlendrian
Now I've got the little minx! I won't get you a whalebone skirt in the latest fashion.
Lieschen
I can easily live with that.
Schlendrian
You're not to stand at the window and watch people pass by!
Lieschen
That as well, only I beg of you, leave me my coffee!
Schlendrian
Furthermore, you shan't be getting any silver or gold ribbon for your bonnet from me!
Lieschen
Yes, yes! only leave me to my pleasure!
Schlendrian
You disobedient Lieschen you, so you go along with it all!
Aria - Schlendrian
Hard-hearted girls are not so easily won over. Yet if one finds their weak spot, ah! then one comes away successful.
Recitative - Schlendrian
Now take heed what your father says!
Lieschen
In everything but the coffee.
Schlendrian
Well then, you'll have to resign yourself to never taking a husband.
Lieschen
Oh yes! Father, a husband!
Schlendrian
I swear it won't happen.
Lieschen
Until I can forgo coffee? From now on, coffee, remain forever untouched! Father, listen, I won't drink any
Schlendrian
Then you shall have a husband at last!
Aria - Lieschen
Today even dear father, see to it! Oh, a husband! Really, that suits me splendidly! If it could only happen soon that at last, before I go to bed, instead of coffee I were to get a proper lover!
Recitative - Narrator
Old Schlendrian goes off to see if he can find a husband forthwith for his daughter Lieschen; but Leischen secretly lets it be known: no suitor is to come to my house unless he promises me, and it is also written into the marriage contract, that I will be permitted to make myself coffee whenever I want.
Trio
A cat won't stop from catching mice, and maidens remain faithful to their coffee. The mother holds her coffee dear, the grandmother drank it also, who can thus rebuke the daughters!
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