Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring

Celtic Woman's Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring

If you are an ordinary music listener, this may sound familiar to you because you hear them frequently in weddings. However, if you are a classical music enthusiast, you  know that this is a modified version of  Johann Sebastian Bach's work. Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring is the English title of the 10th movement of the cantata Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147 (catalogue number of his work) by the great German musician.

Bach's Jesu Joy

Bach's version is a faster tempo compared to what is more popularly listened to now. I can surmise that this work was inspired by its Baroque era where arts should communicate religious themes as a way of impressing visitors. The Roman Catholic Church during that period strongly endorsed this as a way of maintaining control and power over the popularity of the Protestant Reformation. The original intent of the musical arrangement is not for weddings but the feel of the song is just so "churchy"  and triumphant that might have led to its popular use:

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.
Through the way where hope is guiding,
Hark, what peaceful music rings;
Where the flock, in Thee confiding,
Drink of joy from deathless springs.
Theirs is beauty's fairest pleasure;
Theirs is wisdom's holiest treasure.
Thou dost ever lead Thine own

The original German verses were written by Martin Jahn. The lyrics express a close, friendly, and familiar friendship with Jesus, who gives life to the poet:

    Wohl mir, daß ich Jesum habe,
    o wie feste halt' ich ihn,
    daß er mir mein Herze labe,
    wenn ich krank und traurig bin.
    Jesum hab' ich, der mich liebet
    und sich mir zu eigen giebet,
    ach drum laß' ich Jesum nicht,
    wenn mir gleich mein Herze bricht.
    —from BWV 147, Chorale movement no. 6

    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.
    —from BWV 147, Chorale movement no. 10

The original German text does not correspond to the most common English version. A close-to-literal translation of the original German:

    Well for me that I have Jesus,
    O how strong I hold to him
    that he might refresh my heart,
    when sick and sad am I.
    Jesus have I, who loves me
    and gives to me his own,
    ah, therefore I will not leave Jesus,
    when I feel my heart is breaking.
    —from BWV 147, Chorale movement no 6

    Jesus remains my joy,
    my heart's comfort and essence,
    Jesus resists all suffering,
    He is my life's strength,
    my eye's desire and sun,
    my soul's love and joy;
    so will I not leave Jesus
    out of heart and face.
    —from BWV 147, Chorale movement no. 10

A good dose of classical art.