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Blessed Jesus, at Thy Word (LIEBSTER JESU)

Johann R. Ahle · C. Winkworth

Score

Read it and listen to it right here. It can't be downloaded — to sing it with your choir, use it in Cantico.

History

Blessed Jesus, at Thy Word (LIEBSTER JESU)

The melody LIEBSTER JESU is by Johann Rudolf Ahle (1625–1673) and was published in 1664, with the text “Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier” by Tobias Clausnitzer (1663). The English translation used here is by Catherine Winkworth (1858).

About the piece

A gathering hymn that asks Jesus to open the hearts of those who come together to hear his Word. This edition carries the melody with its text, in 14 measures.

How to prepare it

The melody is simple, with a range of E♭4–F5 (a major ninth), and it is worth learning by heart so you can sing while looking at the assembly. Take care with the long syllables at the end of each phrase: they are the natural moment to breathe. It is a good melody for introducing German choral song to a beginning choir.

When to use it

It fits very well as an entrance hymn or before the readings in Ordinary Time.