Words: , 1661 (Je­sus bleib­et meine Freude, mein­es Herz­ens Trost und Saft); trans­lat­ed from Ger­man to Eng­lish prob­ab­ly by (1844-1930).

Music: (1590-1664); ar­ranged by for the chor­us clos­ing his Can­ta­ta 147, 1723.


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.