Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring

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Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring is a movement from a cantata written by Johann Sebastian Bach during his time in Leipzig, Germany. The cantata, "Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben," is officially the 147th out of the 300 cantatas that Bach wrote.

A chorale melody is found inside of the cantata, as was the typical of the time of Bach's composing, where most cantatas had generally transformed into a sort of abbreviated oratorio. Bach wrote a total of 200 cantatas during his time in Leipzig, largely due to the fact that Leipzig Churches would go through about 58 different cantatas each year. Though in the modern day the song is often employed in weddings, this is in no way related to the scope of the piece, nor was it intended to be a wedding piece upon composition. The cantata was composed to be a full, traditional Church hymn, hence its approximate 20 minutes of length.

[edit] Appearance in media

"Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" appears in many films. Most recently, these include, but are not limited to:[1]

• The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005)
• Boogie Nights (1997)
• Flubber (1997)
• A League of Their Own (1992)
• Meet the Parents (2000)
• Minority Report (2002)
• Mona Lisa Smile (2003)
• Paradise Road (1997)
• Picture Perfect (1997)
• Runaway Bride (1999)
• Stealing Home (1988)
• Three Men and a Little Lady (1990)
• Mind Walk (1990)
• Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion (1998)
• Drummania 6th mix and onward, as "Children's Sketchbook"(子供の落書き帳)

The Byrds adapt the melody for the bridge of "She Don't Care About Time".^{[citation needed]}. Josh Groban re-worked the song for his "Live in Concert" DVD in 2002.

It also appears in Christian pop rock singer Rebecca St. James's album entitled Christmas.

[edit] Text

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
In the love of joys unknown.

[2]

Words of Cantata No. 78: (The origional composition "Jesu, der du meine Seele" is part of Contata 78)

Jesus, Thou who by Thy bitter death hast forcefully torn my soul from the devis's dark cave and from deepest suffering, and hast by Thy pleasing word informed me, be now, oh God, my protector.

We hasten to Thee with weak but diligent steps, oh Jesus, oh Master, to assist Thee. Thou faithfully seekestout the sick and the erring. Do listen how we raise our voices to ask for help. May Thou cause Thy countenance to shine upon us.

Oh, I am a child of sin, I err far and wide. The discovery of traces of sin in me is not to desert me in my mortality. My will aims toward the bad. Yet my soul say: Oh, who shal redeem me? But to force flesh and blood to do good is byond all my strength. I would not hide any harm, but I cannot tell how often I have failed. So I undergo the pain and torture of my sins and the burden on my sorrow, otherwise unberable to me, and sighing transfer them to Thee, Jesus. Oh Lord, do not reckon the misdeed that has provoked Thee.

Thy blood thus strikes out my guilt, lightens my heart once more, and absolves me. If the lord of hell calls to me for strife, Jesus will be at my side that I brave and victorious.

THe wounds, nails, crown and grave, the blows given there to the Lord are now signs of victory to Him and are able to give me renewed strength. When a terrible judgement pronounces the curse over the damned, Thou wilt change it to a blessing. No pain or torture can harm me, since they are familiar to my Lord; and since Thy heart burneth with love for me, I once more place mine down before Thee. This my heart, mixed with greif, sprinkeled with Thy beloved blood so shead at the corss, I give to Thee, Lord Jesus Christ.

Now Thou wilt quiet my conscience that cries out so against my self for vengeance. For will be filled with Thy faith, since Thy word is hope to me. If Christians believe in Thee, no foe in all eternitycan steal them from Thy hands.

Lord, I believe, help me, weakling that I am, do not let me despair. Thou canst strengthen me at the approach of sin and death. In Thy good will shallI trust until after stife I happily see Thee, Lord Jesus, in sweet eternity.

[edit] External links

• http://www.mangore.com/jesus_joy_of_mans_desiring.html Jesus Joy of man's desiring] at mangore.com
• Easybyte - free easy piano arrangement of "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" plus midi sound file