Ermuntre dich, mein schwacher Geist

Last updated
"Ermuntre dich, mein schwacher Geist"
Christmas carol
Other name"Brich an, du schönes Morgenlicht"
Textby Johann Rist
LanguageGerman
Melodyby Johann Schop
Published1641 (1641)

"Ermuntre dich, mein schwacher Geist" is a German Christmas carol with lyrics by Johann Rist and a melody by Johann Schop, first published in 1641. Historically it was contained in Protestant hymnals, but the current one, Evangelisches Gesangbuch , uses only three of its stanzas, the ninth, the second and the twelfth, titled "Brich an, du schönes Morgenlicht". This stanza was used by Johann Sebastian Bach as a chorale in Part II of his 1734 Christmas Oratorio .

Contents

History

Johann Rist wrote the text of "Ermuntre dich, mein schwacher Geist" [1] as a Christmas carol in twelve stanzas. The melody by Johann Schop was first published with the text in Lüneburg in 1641, as the opening song of Rist's collection Himlischer Lieder (of heavenly songs). The song is titled "Lob-Gesang. Von der frewdenreichen Geburt vnd Menschwerdung vnsers Hernn und Heylandes Jesu Christi" (Song of praise. Of the joyful birth and incarnation of our Lord and Redeemer Jesus Christ). [2] It was reprinted in Protestant hymnals, beginning in Johann Crüger's Praxis pietatis melica of 1648 or 1653, with a slightly revised melody. [2] A Lutheran hymnal from the 19th century has the hymn in nine stanzas. [3] In the 1878 lexicon of hymns of all times, the song is described as most often rendered in nine stanzas. [4]

The modern Protestant hymnal, Evangelisches Gesangbuch , uses only three of the song's stanzas, the ninth, the second and the twelfth of the original, under the title "Brich an, du schönes Morgenlicht". [2] : 10 

In the Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary , the hymn is number #118 and begins with "Arise, My Soul, Sing Joyfully", cut to four stanzas, using the translation made for the 1973 Australian The Lutheran Hymnal. [5] In Lutheran Service Book , the hymn is #378, cut to three verses with "Break forth" as the first stanza. [6] In Worship Supplement 2000, one verse, "Break forth", is included as hymn #714. [7] Moravian Book of Worship includes "Break forth" as hymn #287 in one stanza. [8] The Baptist Hymnal 2008 includes a second stanza to "Break forth" written by Arthur Tozer Russell as hymn #210. [9] A second stanza by Russell following "Break forth" as the first verse is also found in the Ambassador Hymnal as hymn #49. [10] In the 1993 Christian Worship , "Break forth" cut to a single stanza is hymn #44, [11] but it will be omitted from the upcoming Christian Worship Hymnal. [12]

Text and tune

The text begins with a call of the individual singer to self, to contemplate the birth of the Saviour. [2] : 10  The ninth stanza refers to the light that the shepherds see, saying "Brich an, du schönes Morgenlicht" (Break, you beautiful morning light), tells the shepherds not to be afraid, and announces that the weak little boy will ultimately bring peace. [2] : 11 

Musical settings

Vincent Lübeck composed a Christmas cantata, Willkommen, süßer Bräutigam (Welcome, sweet bridegroom), beginning with the hymn's second stanza. [2] : 10  Johann Sebastian Bach set the text and tune of the ninth stanza, "Brich an, du schönes Morgenlicht", as a chorale [13] in Part II of his 1734 Christmas Oratorio , [14] as the reaction of the shepherds to the light in the sky, beginning the annunciation to the shepherds. [2] : 10 

Harmonisation in Bach's Christmas Oratorio BWV 248-12.jpg
Harmonisation in Bach's Christmas Oratorio

In 1735, Bach set the text as a sacred song for Schemellis Gesangbuch, scored for voice and continuo in nine of the twelve stanzas, BWV 454. [15] [16] In 1777, his son Johann Christoph Friedrich Bach used the setting from the Christmas Oratorio as the 6th movement of his Ascension Oratorio, first performed then in Bückeburg. [17]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Johann Rist</span> German poet and dramatist

Johann Rist was a German poet and dramatist best known for his hymns, which inspired musical settings and have remained in hymnals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort</span> Lutheran hymn

"O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort" is a Lutheran hymn in German, with text by Johann Rist, first published in Lüneburg in 1642. It was translated into English in several versions. The hymn was used in cantata music, including Bach's first chorale cantata of his second cantata cycle, BWV 20.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Komm, Heiliger Geist, Herre Gott</span>

"Komm, Heiliger Geist, Herre Gott" is a Lutheran hymn for Pentecost, with words written by Martin Luther based on "Veni Sancte Spiritus, reple tuorum corda fidelium". The hymn in three stanzas was first published in 1524. For centuries the chorale has been the prominent hymn (Hauptlied) for Pentecost in German-speaking Lutheranism. Johann Sebastian Bach used it in several chorale preludes, cantatas and his motet Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf, BWV 226.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">O Welt, sieh hier dein Leben</span>

"O Welt, sieh hier dein Leben" is a Lutheran Passion hymn in German by Paul Gerhardt. In 16 stanzas of 6 lines, it was first published in 1647 in Johann Crüger's Praxis pietatis melica. The hymn is known as the source for chorales in Bach's Passions. It was translated to English in several versions, for example "O, World! behold upon the tree" by Catherine Winkworth in 1858.

"Herzlich lieb hab ich dich, o Herr" is a Lutheran hymn in German by the Protestant theologian and reformer Martin Schalling, written in Amberg in 1569 and first printed in 1571. It is sung to an anonymous melody, Zahn No. 8326, which appeared in a tablature book for organ in 1577. The hymn is often used for funerals, especially the third and last stanza, "Ach Herr, laß dein lieb Engelein". It appears in the current German Protestant hymnal Evangelisches Gesangbuch (EG).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Komm, Gott Schöpfer, Heiliger Geist</span> Lutheran hymm for Pentecost

"Komm, Gott Schöpfer, Heiliger Geist" is a Lutheran hymn for Pentecost, with words written by Martin Luther based on the Latin "Veni Creator Spiritus". The hymn in seven stanzas was first published in 1524. Its hymn tunes are Zahn No. 294, derived from the chant of the Latin hymn, and Zahn No. 295, a later transformation of that melody. The number in the current Protestant hymnal Evangelisches Gesangbuch (EG) is 126.

"Warum sollt ich mich denn grämen" is a Lutheran hymn with a text by Paul Gerhardt written in 1653. It was first published that same year in the fifth edition of Johann Crüger's hymnal Praxis Pietatis Melica, set to a melody composed by Crüger. In the 1993 Protestant hymnal, Evangelisches Gesangbuch, it appears as number 370 with a melody composed by Johann Georg Ebeling, which was published with the divergent title "Warum sollt ich mich doch grämen" in Pauli Gerhardi Geistliche Andachten in 1666.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Es ist genug</span>

"Es ist genug" is a German Lutheran hymn, with text by Franz Joachim Burmeister, written in 1662. The melody, Zahn No. 7173, was written by Johann Rudolph Ahle who collaborated with the poet. It begins with a sequence of three consecutive rising whole tone intervals.

"Straf mich nicht in deinem Zorn" is a Lutheran hymn with a text written by Johann Georg Albinus as a paraphrase of Psalm 6. It was first printed with a formerly secular melody in Dresden in 1694. The song was included in 31 hymnals. The melody inspired musical settings both for organ and vocal works. The hymn was translated by Catherine Winkworth as "Not in anger, Mighty God", which appeared in 13 hymnals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele</span> Lutheran hymn by Johann Crüger with lyrics by Johann Franck

"Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele" is a Lutheran hymn in German, with lyrics by Johann Franck and a hymn tune by Johann Crüger. It was first published in Crüger's 1649 Geistliche Kirchen-Melodien, and was later adopted in other hymnals, such as the 1653 edition of his Praxis pietatis melica.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr</span>

"Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr" is an early Lutheran hymn, with text and melody attributed to Nikolaus Decius. With the reformers intending church service in German, it was intended as a German version of the Gloria part of the Latin mass, used in almost every service. Decius wrote three stanzas, probably in 1523, while a fourth was added, probably by Joachim Slüter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">In dich hab ich gehoffet, Herr</span>

"In dich hab ich gehoffet, Herr" is a Lutheran hymn in seven stanzas, written by Adam Reusner and first published in 1533. He paraphrased the beginning of Psalm 31. It was first sung to the melody of a Passion hymn. The melody connected with the hymn in 1560 was derived from models dating back to the 14th century. A third melody from 1608 became a hymn tune for several other songs and translations to English. In the German Protestant hymnal Evangelisches Gesangbuch, the hymn appears as EG 257 with the second melody. Johann Sebastian Bach used the second and third melodies in chorale preludes, and the third also in cantatas and the St Matthew Passion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Was mein Gott will, das g'scheh allzeit</span> 16th century German Lutheran hymn

"Was mein Gott will, das g'scheh allzeit" is a Lutheran hymn in German. The text from c. 1550 is attributed to Albert, Duke of Prussia. The melody, Zahn No. 7568, goes back to a tune by Claudin de Sermisy, written in 1529 for a secular French song. The hymn has belonged to core Lutheran hymnody without interruption and is part of the Protestant hymnal Evangelisches Gesangbuch as EG 364.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christus, der uns selig macht</span>

"Christus, der uns selig macht" is a German Lutheran Passion hymn in eight stanzas in German by Michael Weiße, written in 1531 as a translation of the Latin hymn "Patris Sapientia" to an older melody of the Bohemian Brethren.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fröhlich soll mein Herze springen</span>

"Fröhlich soll mein Herze springen" is a Christian Christmas hymn by Paul Gerhardt, originally in 15 stanzas in artful metre. It was first published, "Frölich sol mein hertze springen", in 1653 in the fifth edition of the hymnal Praxis Pietatis Melica by Johann Crüger, who also created a melody. Johann Sebastian Bach used it as a chorale in his Christmas Oratorio, with a different melody by Johann Georg Ebeling. The song is part, with twelve stanzas, of the current Protestant hymnal Evangelisches Gesangbuch and other songbooks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ich steh an deiner Krippen hier</span>

"Ich steh an deiner Krippen hier" is a German Christmas hymn, with lyrics by Paul Gerhardt which were first published in 1653. It was then sung with an older melody by Martin Luther, but a melody which was likely created by Johann Sebastian Bach for Schemellis Gesangbuch of 1736 is now part of current Protestant and Catholic hymnals.

<i>Und es waren Hirten in derselben Gegend</i>, BWV 248 II Second cantata of Johann Sebastian Bachs Christmas Oratorio

Und es waren Hirten in derselben Gegend, BWV 248II, is a 1734 Christmas cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach as the second part of his Christmas Oratorio. Bach was then Thomaskantor, responsible for music at four churches in Leipzig, a position he had assumed in 1723.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier</span>

"Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier" is a Lutheran hymn with text written by Tobias Clausnitzer in 1663, and a hymn tune, Zahn No. 3498b, based on a 1664 melody by Johann Rudolph Ahle. A prayer for illumination, it is suitable for the opening of a church service and to be sung before a sermon. The song is part of the Protestant hymnal Evangelisches Gesangbuch as EG 161. It is also part of the Catholic hymnal Gotteslob as GL 149. It is popular also in English translations such as "Blessed Jesus, at your word" by Catherine Winkworth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">O Jesu Christe, wahres Licht</span> Lutheran hymn

"O Jesu Christe, wahres Licht" is a Lutheran hymn by the German Baroque poet, Lutheran minister and hymn-writer Johann Heermann. The text was first published in 1630 during the Thirty Years' War. It is a prayer for enlightenment of those who are ignorant, and of those who turned away. It was associated with a melody from Nürnberg, dating to 1676. The hymn is part of modern German hymnals, both Protestant and Catholic. It was translated to English as "O Christ, our true and only light".

References

  1. ↑ Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light, entry in Glory to God: A Companion by Carl P. Jr. Daw, 2016, pages 134–135
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Schmidt, Eberhardt (2000). "33 Brich an, du schönes Morgenlicht". In Hahn, Gerhard; Henkys, Jürgen (eds.). Liederkunde zum Evangelischen Gesangbuch (in German). Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht. pp. 9–13. ISBN   978-3-52-550325-6.
  3. ↑ Evangelisch-lutherisches Gesangbuch Wilh. Hassel, 1857
  4. ↑ Fischer, Albert Friedrich Wilhelm (1878). "Ermuntre dich mein schwacher Geist". Kirchenlieder-Lexicon: Hymnologisch-literarische Nachweisungen über ca. 4500 der wichtigsten und verbreitetsten Kirchenlieder aller Zeiten, in alphabetischer Folge nebst einer Übersicht der Liederdichter (in German). F. A. Perthes. p. 172.
  5. ↑ 118. Arise, My Soul, Sing Joyfully, hymnary.org and First lines of hymns, Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary Indexes
  6. ↑ 378. Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light, hymnary.org
  7. ↑ 714. Break Forth, O Beauteous Heav'nly Light, hymnary.org, (includes facsimile copy)
  8. ↑ 287. Break Forth, O Beauteous Heav'nly Light, hymnary.org, (includes facsimile copy)
  9. ↑ 210. Break Forth, O Beauteous Heav'nly Light, hymnary.org, (includes facsimile copy)
  10. ↑ 49. Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light, hymnary.org
  11. ↑ 44. Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light, hymnary.org
  12. ↑ Hymns cut or retuned from CW and CWS, Hymnal Committee. (Archived December 26, 2021)
  13. ↑ "Ermuntre dich, mein schwacher Geist BWV 248/12 ChS; BC F 57.2a/b". Bach Digital . Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  14. ↑ Dahn, Luke. "BWV 248(2).12(3)". bach-chorales.com (in German).
  15. ↑ Ermuntre dich, mein schwacher Geist, BWV 454 (Bach, Johann Sebastian) : Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
  16. ↑ Ermuntre dich, mein schwacher Geist University of Alberta
  17. ↑ "Himmelfahrtskantate (original version) BR‑JCFB F 3a; Wf XIV/8". Bach Digital . Retrieved 5 December 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.