Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ

"Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ"
Hymn by Martin Luther
"Gelobet seystu Jhesu Christ" in Walter's Eyn geystlich Gesangk Buchleyn
English	Praise be to You, Jesus Christ
Catalogue	Zahn 1947
Text	by Martin Luther
Language	German
Published	1524 (1524)
Harmonized MIDI version

"Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ" ("Praise be to You, Jesus Christ") is a Lutheran hymn, written by Martin Luther in 1524. It was first published in 1524 in the Eyn geystlich Gesangk Buchleyn. For centuries the chorale has been the prominent hymn (Hauptlied) for Christmas Day in German speaking Lutheranism, but has also been used in different translations internationally. It has appeared in hymnals of various denominations including the Catholic Church.

Text

Luther expanded a pre-Reformation stanza which is attested in Northern Germany in the 15th century, mainly in prayerbooks from the convent of Medingen, based on Grates nunc omnes, the Latin sequence of the midnight mass for Christmas, by six stanzas. Each stanza ends on the acclamation Kyrieleis. The hymn was published in Eyn Enchiridion in Erfurt in 1524.

Tune

Melody as it appears in the final movement of the cantata by Bach (BWV 91)

${ \clef treble \key g \major \tempo 4=90 \set Staff.midiInstrument = "english horn" { \set Score.tempoHideNote = ##t \override Score.BarNumber #'transparent = ##t \time 4/4 \relative { \partial 4 g' g4 g a g c4 d c2 \fermata b8 c d4 e d8 c b4 a g \fermata g c b8 c d4 a g8 fis e4 d \fermata d a' a a b c8 b a4 g8 (a b4 a2) \fermata g4 g g2 g4 \fermata \bar "|."} } }$

The hymn tune (Zahn No. 1947) was first printed in Eyn geystlich Gesangk Buchleyn, a booklet of spiritual song, collected by Johann Walter but is attested also in the prayerbooks from the convent of Medingen and even appears on an antependium made by the nuns in the late 15th century. It seems likely that both Luther and Walter collaborated to modify an older melody. In the first verse, the highest notes accentuate important words such as Jesu, Mensch (man), Jungfrau (virgin), Engel (angels).

Musical settings

Balthasar Resinarius's chorale motet based on "Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ" was printed in 1544. A setting of the hymn by Walter is dated 1551, Antonio Scandello's 1575. Lucas Osiander wrote a four-part setting in 1586, Erhard Bodenschatz in 1608, Samuel Scheidt wrote two settings in 1650. A five-part motet of Johannes Eccard was printed in 1597, one of Adam Gumpelzhaimer in Augsburg in 1618, Andreas Raselius wrote a five-part setting in 1610. Melchior Schärer (1570–1602) set the hymn as a motet a cappella for three parts, and Michael Praetorius composed various settings. Johann Hermann Schein wrote a cantata for three parts in 1618, Johann Crüger set it for four voices, two obbligato instruments (violins) and continuo.

The hymn appears in several of Johann Sebastian Bach's Christmas cantatas. He inserted its seventh stanza in one of his church cantatas, Sehet, welch eine Liebe hat uns der Vater erzeiget, BWV 64, written for the Third Day of Christmas 1723. He used the complete chorale as the base for one of his chorale cantatas, Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ, BWV 91, composed in Leipzig for Christmas Day of 1724, setting the final stanza four voices with horns and timpani:

$\header { tagline = " " } \layout { indent = 0 \context { \Score \remove "Bar_number_engraver" } } global = { \key g \major \numericTimeSignature \time 4/4 \set Score.tempoHideNote = ##t \set Timing.beamExceptions = #'() } \score { << \new Staff \with { \magnifyStaff #5/7 } << \new Voice = "horn1" { \voiceOne \mark \markup \tiny "Two Horns" \relative c'' { \global \partial 4 g4 | g g a g | c d c2\fermata | b8 c d4 e d8 c | b4 a g\fermata g | c b8 c d4 a | b8 cis16 d cis4 d\fermata d | a a a b | c8 b a4 g8 a b4 | a2\fermata b8 c d c16 d | e d c d e fis e fis g4\fermata } } \new Voice = "horn2" { \voiceTwo \relative c' { \global \partial 4 b4 | g b d b8 d | g4 g g2 | g8 a b4 c8 b a4 | g d b d8 d | d d d d d d d d | g a16 b a4 a a | d, g d g | a8 g4 d8 b d g4 | d2 g8 a b a16 b | c8 g g16 a g a b4 } } >> \new ChoirStaff << \new Staff << \new Voice = "soprano" { \voiceOne \relative c'' { \global \partial 4 g4 | g g a g | c d c2\fermata | b8 c d4 e d8 c | b4 a g\fermata g | c b8 c d4 a | g8 fis e4 d\fermata d | a' a a b | c8 b a4 g8 a b4 | a2\fermata g4 g | g2 g4\fermata \bar "|." } } \new Voice = "alto" { \voiceTwo \relative c' { \global \partial 4 d4 | e d8 e fis4 e | g g8 f e2 g8 a b4 c8 b a4 | g fis d d8 e | fis4 g g fis8 e | d b cis4 a a | d cis fis g | a8 g4 fis8 e a g4 | fis2 d8 e f4 | e e d } } >> \new Lyrics \lyricsto "soprano" { Das hat er al -- les uns ge -- tan, sein _ gross Lieb zu _ zei -- gen an; des freu sich _ al -- le Chri -- _ sten -- heit und dank ihm des in E -- _ wig -- keit _ _ _ Ky -- ri -- e -- leis! } \new Staff << \clef bass \new Voice = "tenor" { \voiceOne \relative c' { \global \partial 4 b4 | c b a8 d b4 | e8 c b4 g2 | e'4 f g d | d d8 c b4 g | a d8 c b g d'4 | d a8 g fis4 fis8 g | a b cis e d4 d | e8 d e d d c b c | d2 d4 b | g c b } } \new Voice = "bass" { \voiceTwo \relative c' { \global \partial 4 g8 fis | e fis g4 d e8 d | c4 g c2 | e4 d c fis, | g8 b d4 g, b | a g8 a b c d c | b g a4 d d8 e | fis g a cis, d c b4 |a8 b c d e fis g4 | d2 b8 a g4 | c8 e16 d c8 c, g'4 } } >> >> \new Staff \with { \magnifyStaff #5/7 } << \clef bass { \relative c { \global \mark \markup \tiny "Timpani" \partial 4 g4 | g g d' r | r2 r4\fermata r | r2 r4 d | d d g,\fermata r | r g g d' | d r r\fermata r | r2 r4 d | d8 g, d'4 g,8 d' g,4 | d'2\fermata g,4 g | g8 g16 g g8 g g4\fermata } } >> >> \layout { \context { \Score \remove "Mark_engraver" \remove "Staff_collecting_engraver" } \context { \Staff \consists "Mark_engraver" \consists "Staff_collecting_engraver" } } } \score { << \new Staff \with { midiInstrument = "french horn" midiMinimumVolume = #0.7 midiMaximuumVolume = #0.8 } << \new Voice = "horn1" { \voiceOne \relative c'' { \global \partial 4 g8.. r32 | g8.. r32 g8.. r32 a8.. r32 g8.. r32 | c8.. r32 d8.. r32 c4. r8 | b c d8.. r32 e8.. r32 d8 c | b8.. r32 a8.. r32 g8. r16 g8.. r32 | c8.. r32 b8 c d8.. r32 a8.. r32 | b8 cis16 d cis4 d8. r16 d8.. r32 | a8.. r32 a8.. r32 a8.. r32 b8.. r32 | c8 b a8.. r32 g8 a b8.. r32 | a4. r8 b c d c16 d | \tempo 4=68 e d c d \tempo 4=53 e fis e \tempo 4=23 fis g4 r } } \new Voice = "horn2" { \voiceTwo \relative c' { \global \partial 4 b8.. r32 | g8.. r32 b8.. r32 d8.. r32 b8 d | g8.. r32 g8.. r32 g4. r8 | g a b8.. r32 c8 b a8.. r32 | g8.. r32 d8.. r32 b8. r16 d8 d | d d d d d d d d | g a16 b a8.. r32 a8. r16 a8.. r32 | d,8.. r32 g8.. r32 d8.. r32 g8.. r32 | a8 g8.. r32 d8 b d g8.. r32 | d4. r8 g8 a b a16 b | c8 g g16 a g a b4 r } } >> \new ChoirStaff << \new Staff \with { midiInstrument = "choir aahs" midiMinimumVolume = #0.7 midiMaximuumVolume = #0.8 } << \new Voice = "soprano" { \voiceOne \relative c'' { \global \tempo 4=78 \partial 4 g8.. r32 | g8.. r32 g8.. r32 a8.. r32 g8.. r32 | \tempo 4=73 c8.. r32 \tempo 4=68 d8.. r32 \tempo 4=56 c4. r8 | \tempo 4=78 b c d8.. r32 e8.. r32 d8 c | \tempo 4=68 b8.. r32 \tempo 4=58 a8.. r32 \tempo 4=28 g8. r16 \tempo 4=78 g8.. r32 | c8.. r32 b8 c d8.. r32 a8.. r32 | \tempo 4=68 g8 \tempo 4=63 fis \tempo 4=58 e8.. r32 \tempo 4=28 d8. r16 \tempo 4=78 d8.. r32 | a'8.. r32 a8.. r32 a8.. r32 b8.. r32 | c8 b a8.. r32 \tempo 4=68 g8 a b8.. r32 | \tempo 4=56 a4. r8 \tempo 4=78 g8.. r32 g8.. r32 | g4.. r16 \tempo 4=20 g4 r } } \new Voice = "alto" { \voiceTwo \relative c' { \global \partial 4 d8.. r32 | e8.. r32 d8 e fis8.. r32 e8.. r32 | g8.. r32 g8 f e4. r8 | g a b8.. r32 c8 b a8.. r32 | g8.. r32 fis8.. r32 d8. r16 d8 e | fis8.. r32 g8.. r32 g8.. r32 fis8 e | d b cis8.. r32 a8. r16 a8.. r32 | d8.. r32 cis8.. r32 fis8.. r32 g8.. r32 | a8 g8.. r32 fis8 e a g8.. r32 | fis4. r8 d8 e f8.. r32 | e8.. r32 e8.. r32 d r } } >> \new Staff \with { midiInstrument = "choir aahs" midiMinimumVolume = #0.7 midiMaximuumVolume = #0.8 } << \clef bass \new Voice = "tenor" { \voiceOne \relative c' { \global \partial 4 b8.. r32 | c8.. r32 b8.. r32 a8 d b8.. r32 | e8 c b8.. r32 g4. r8 | e'8.. r32 f8.. r32 g8.. r32 d8.. r32 | d8.. r32 d8 c b8. r16 g8.. r32 | a8.. r32 d8 c b g d'8.. r32 | d8.. r32 a8 g fis8. r16 fis8 g | a b cis e d8.. r32 d8.. r32 | e8 d e d d c b c | d4. r8 d8.. r32 b8.. r32 | g8.. r32 c8.. r32 b r } } \new Voice = "bass" { \voiceTwo \relative c' { \global \partial 4 g8 fis | e fis g8.. r32 d8.. r32 e8 d | c8.. r32 g8.. r32 c4. r8 | e8.. r32 d8.. r32 c8.. r32 fis,8.. r32 | g8 b d8. r16 g,8. r16 b8.. r32 | a8.. r32 g8 a b c d c | b g a8.. r32 d8. r16 d8 e | fis g a cis, d c b8.. r32 | a8 b c d e fis g8.. r32 | d4. r8 b8 a g8.. r32 | c8 e16 d c8 c, g'4 r } } >> >> \new Staff \with { midiInstrument = "timpani" midiMinimumVolume = #0.8 midiMaximuumVolume = #0.9 } << \clef bass { \relative c { \global \partial 4 g4 | g g d' r | r2 r4 r | r2 r4 d | d d g, r | r g g d' | d r r r | r2 r4 d | d8 g, d'4 g,8 d' g,4 | d'2 g,4 g | g8 g16 g g8 g g4 r } } >> >> \midi { } }$

Bach included the sixth and seventh stanzas of the hymn respectively in the first and third cantatas of his Christmas Oratorio (1734). BWV 314, one of his four-part chorale settings of the hymn tune, in D major, and appearing in the c. 1735 Dietel manuscript, was likely also written as part of a Christmas cantata.

Gottfried Heinrich Stölzel used the hymn's fifth stanza in the centre of his Christmas cantata Kündlich groß ist das gottselige Geheimnis. Cantatas based on the hymn were also composed by Gottfried August Homilius, Friedrich Zelle [scores], and Kurt Hessenberg, whose Op. 9 is a chorale cantata based on the hymn, written in 1935 for mixed chorus, two solo voices, organ and orchestra.

The hymn inspired organ settings by Protestant Baroque composers such as Dieterich Buxtehude, Johann Pachelbel, Georg Böhm, Bach, Homilius, Johann Christoph Altnikol and Johann Philipp Kirnberger. It is used prominently in Felix Mendelssohn's Piano Trio No. 2 as the culminating melody of the finale. Robert Schumann used the chorale for the theme and variations in the third movement of his Violin Sonata No.2 in D minor, Op. 121, changing the meter to triple time.

References

^ John Julian (1907). "Texts "Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ, das du Mensch". Dictionary of Hymnology. Retrieved 14 December 2010.
^ "Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ / Text and Translation of Chorale". bach-cantatas.com. 2008. Retrieved 13 December 2010.
Zahn, Johannes (1889). Die Melodien der deutschen evangelischen Kirchenlieder (in German). Vol. I. Gütersloh: Bertelsmann. pp. 522–523.
Henrike Lähnemann, An dessen bom wil ik stighen. Die Ikonographie des Wichmannsburger Antependiums im Kontext der Medinger Handschriften, in: Oxford German Studies 34 (2005), pp. 19-46.
^ "Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ / Chorale Melodies used in Bach's Vocal Works". bach-cantatas.com. 2008. Retrieved 13 December 2010.
BWV 314 at Luke Dahn's www.bach-chorales.com website.
"Christmas Cantatas" (PDF). eclassical.com. 2018. pp. 18–19. Retrieved 22 December 2018.

External links

Media related to Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ at Wikimedia Commons
O Jesus Christ, All Praise to Thee
BWV 62.6 bach-chorales.com

v t e German Lutheran hymns
Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh darein Ach Gott, wie manches Herzeleid Ach Herr, mich armen Sünder Ach lieben Christen seid getrost Ach wie flüchtig, ach wie nichtig Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr An Wasserflüssen Babylon Aus der Tiefen rufe ich, Herr, zu dir Auf meinen lieben Gott Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir Befiehl du deine Wege Christe, du Lamm Gottes Christ lag in Todesbanden Christum wir sollen loben schon Christ unser Herr zum Jordan kam Christus, der uns selig macht Christus ist erstanden Da der Herr Christ zu Tische saß Da Jesus an dem Kreuze stund Der Herr ist mein getreuer Hirt Der Mond ist aufgegangen Die beste Zeit im Jahr ist mein Die güldne Sonne voll Freud und Wonne Dies sind die heilgen zehn Gebot Dir, dir, Jehova, will ich singen Du meine Seele singe Du, o schönes Weltgebäude Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott Ein Lämmlein geht und trägt die Schuld Erhalt uns, Herr, bei deinem Wort Ermuntre dich, mein schwacher Geist Erschienen ist der herrlich Tag Es ist das Heil uns kommen her Es ist genug Es spricht der Unweisen Mund wohl Es woll uns Gott genädig sein Freuet euch der schönen Erde Geh aus, mein Herz, und suche Freud Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ Gelobt sei Gott im höchsten Thron Gott sei gelobet und gebenedeiet Herr Christ, der einig Gotts Sohn Herr Gott, dich loben wir Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend Herr Jesu Christ, du höchstes Gut Herr Jesu Christ, wahr Mensch und Gott Herr, stärke mich, dein Leiden zu bedenken Herzlich lieb hab ich dich, o Herr Herzlich tut mich verlangen Herzliebster Jesu Heut triumphieret Gottes Sohn Ich hab in Gottes Herz und Sinn Ich singe dir mit Herz und Mund Ich steh an deiner Krippen hier Im Frieden dein, o Herre mein In dich hab ich gehoffet, Herr In dir ist Freude Jerusalem, du hochgebaute Stadt Jesu Leiden, Pein und Tod Jesu, meine Freude Jesu, meines Glaubens Zier Jesus Christus, unser Heiland, der den Tod überwand Jesus Christus, unser Heiland, der von uns den Gotteszorn wandt Komm, Gott Schöpfer, Heiliger Geist Komm, Heiliger Geist, Herre Gott Liebster Gott, wann werd ich sterben Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier Lob Gott getrost mit Singen Lobt Gott, ihr Christen alle gleich Macht hoch die Tür Meinen Jesum laß ich nicht Mit Fried und Freud ich fahr dahin Mitten wir im Leben sind Nun bitten wir den Heiligen Geist Nun danket alle Gott Nun danket all und bringet Ehr Nun freut euch, lieben Christen g'mein Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland Nun lasst uns den Leib begraben Nun lasst uns gehn und treten Nun laßt uns Gott dem Herren Nun liebe Seel, nun ist es Zeit Nun lob, mein Seel, den Herren Nun preiset alle Gottes Barmherzigleit O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden O Jesu Christe, wahres Licht O komm, du Geist der Wahrheit O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig O Mensch, bewein dein Sünde groß O Welt, sieh hier dein Leben Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele Sie ist mir lieb, die werte Magd Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied Straf mich nicht in deinem Zorn Such, wer da will, ein ander Ziel Valet will ich dir geben Vater unser im Himmelreich Verleih uns Frieden Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme Wär Gott nicht mit uns diese Zeit Warum betrübst du dich, mein Herz Warum sollt ich mich denn grämen Was mein Gott will, das g'scheh allzeit Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan Was willst du dich betrüben Weißt du, wie viel Sternlein stehen Werde munter, mein Gemüte Wer nur den lieben Gott läßt walten Wer weiß, wie nahe mir mein Ende Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern Wie soll ich dich empfangen Wir glauben all an einen Gott Wir wollen alle fröhlich sein Wo Gott der Herr nicht bei uns hält Wo soll ich fliehen hin
Lutheran chorale List of hymns by Martin Luther

German Lutheran hymns

v t e English-language Lutheran hymns
Again, Thy Glorious Sun Doth Rise A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth All glory be to God on high All Ye Who on This Earth Do Dwell A Mighty Fortress Is Our God Can you count the stars that brightly Children of the Heavenly Father Christ, by Whose All-saving Light Christ Jesus Lay in Death's Strong Bands Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord Come, Holy Spirit, From Above Come, See The Place Where Jesus Lay Day by Day Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice Evening and Morning Farewell I Gladly Bid Thee For the Lord reigneth From Heaven Above to Earth I Come Give to the Winds Thy Fears God's Word Is Our Great Heritage Go Forth, My Heart, and Seek Delight How Great Thou Art How Lovely Shines the Morning Star I Am Alone, Your God and Lord If God Had Not Been on Our Side If Thou but Trust in God to Guide Thee I Into God's Own Heart and Mind In Peace and Joy I Now Depart In the Midst of Earthly Life I Stand Beside Thy Manger Here Jerusalem, Thou City Fair and High Jesus Christ, Our Blessed Savior Jesus I Will Never Leave Lamb of God, Pure and Holy Land of the Living Lift Up Your Heads Lord Jesus Christ, Be Present Now Lord Jesus Christ, True Man and God Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Thy Word Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart May God Bestow on Us His Grace My Soul, Now Bless Thy Maker Not in Anger, Mighty God Now Glad of Heart Be Every One Now Lay We Calmly in the Grave Now Let All Loudly Sing Praise Now Let Us Come With Singing Now Praise We Christ the Holy One Now Thank We All Our God O Christ, Thou Lamb of God O Dearest Jesus, What Law Hast Thou Broken O How Shall I Receive Thee O Jesus Christ, All Praise to Thee O Lord, How Many Miseries O Lord, Look Down from Heaven, Behold O Lord, We Praise Thee O Sacred Head, Now Wounded O Sinner, Come Thy Sin to Mourn Our Blessed Savior Spoke Seven Times Our Father, Thou in Heaven Above Out of the Depths I Cry to Thee Praise God the Lord, Ye Sons of Men Rejoice My Heart, Be Glad and Sing Salvation now has come for all Savior of the Nations, Come Seek Where Ye May to Find a Way Sink Not Yet, My Soul, to Slumber Soul, Adorn Thyself with Gladness The golden sunbeams with their joyous gleams The Happy Christmas Comes Once More The moon has been arising The Mouth of Fools Doth God Confess The Only Son from Heaven Thy Way and All Thy Sorrows Today in Triumph Christ Arose To Jordan Came Our Lord Upon the Cross Extended Up, Ye Christians, Join in Singing Wake, Awake, the Night is Flying What God Ordains Is Always Good We All Believe in One True God We now implore God the Holy Ghost We Sing, Immanuel, Thy Praise We Sing Thy Praise, O God We Thank Thee, Jesus, Dearest Friend Who Knows When Death May Overtake Me Why art Thou Thus Cast Down, My Heart? Why Should Cross and Trial Grieve Me Ye Christians, Pluck Your Courage Up
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English-language Lutheran hymns

v t e Hymn tunes by Zahn number
58 159 192 198 294–295 297a–c 345–346 350 352 423 533, 547–549 624 983 1174 1217–1222 1576 1689a 1706 1743 1887–1889 1947 1951 1976–1978 2029a 2164 2293 2459 2460b–2465 2561 2585 2778 3449 3498 3986 4297a 4360–4361 4427–4429a 4430 4431–4432a 4434–4435 4437–4438 4440–4441a 4442–4443 4457 4486 4947 5142 5385a 5403–5404a 5629 6283 6288 6424 6543 6551 6634–6635 6923 7012 7173 7246 7247 7377 7445a–b 7568 7663 7971 8013–8018a 8032 8244 8303 8326 8359 8405a 8584 8652

Hymn tunes by Zahn number

58
159
192
198
294–295
297a–c
345–346
350
352
423
533, 547–549
624
983
1174
1217–1222
1576
1689a
1706
1743
1887–1889
1947
1951
1976–1978
2029a
2164
2293
2459
2460b–2465
2561
2585
2778
3449
3498
3986
4297a
4360–4361
4427–4429a
4430
4431–4432a
4434–4435
4437–4438
4440–4441a
4442–4443
4457
4486
4947
5142
5385a
5403–5404a
5629
6283
6288
6424
6543
6551
6634–6635
6923
7012
7173
7246
7247
7377
7445a–b
7568
7663
7971
8013–8018a
8032
8244
8303
8326
8359
8405a
8584
8652

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