Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (with texts in German & English)

One of Bach’s most recognisable choral melodies (and hence also a popular wedding march), Jesu bleibet meine Freunde (“Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”) began life as a simple chorale melody Werder munter, mein Gemüthe by Johann Schop. Part of Bach’s duties as cantor at the Thomaskirche in Leipzig was to produce and direct cantatas for every Sunday of the church year, and this piece belongs to the cantata Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben (“Heart and mouth and deed and life”) BWV 147, which was premiered in 1723, the first year of Bach’s employment in Lepizig. The cantata was intended for 2nd July, the feast of the Vistation, which commemorates the visit of Mary to Elizabeth.

Bach (1685–1750) took the chorale melody which would have been familiar to his congregation and showed his mastery by spinning a sparkling countermelody in triplets that flows naturally and surrounds the simple chorale like a frame, enhancing it without obscuring its beauty. (Edward C. Yong)

Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring (1723)
Jesus bleibet meine Freude, from Cantata BWV 147 by Johann Sebastian Bach

Singapore Symphony Chorus
Singapore Symphony Orchestra
Stephen Layton, conductor
Eudenice Palaruan, Choral Director/organ
David Smith, trumpet (Associate Principal)

Recorded live at the Victoria Concert Hall, Singapore, on 30 Nov 2024.
Video and audio: msm-productions (Singapore)
Cover photo: Yoricko Liu

Text in German:
Jesus bleibet meine Freude,
Meines Herzens Trost und Saft,
Jesus wehret allem Leide,
Er ist meines Lebens Kraft,
Meiner Augen Lust und Sonne,
Meiner Seele Schatz und Wonne;
Darum lass ich Jesum nicht
Aus dem Herzen und Gesicht.

Traditionally sung text translated to English (Turn on closed captions in video for literal translation in English)
Jesu, joy of man’s desiring,
Holy wisdom, Love most bright,
Drawn by thee, our souls aspiring
Soar to uncreated light.
Word of God, our flesh that fashioned
With the fire of life impassioned,
Striving still to truth unknown,
Soaring, dying round thy throne.