Chorale Melodies used in Bach's Vocal Works
Jesus Christ, unser Herre

Melody & Text | Use of the CM by Bach | Use of the CM by other composers

Melody & Text:

“Dank sei Gott in der Höhe” (Thanks be to God on High) is a Morning song of writer-theologian Johann Mühlmann (1600-1651) in seven 8-line stanzas (1618) and based on Psalm 86:12, which is set to the Bartholomäus Gessius melody (Zahn 5391), published in the Christliches Hauß und Tisch Musica (Table Talk music [Grace at Meals]; Frankfurt/Oder 1605). It was set by Bach as a plain chorale, BWV 287 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWUQa412HTA, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPd7s2O-aIs). It is known in English as “While yet the morn in breaking,” by Catherine Winkworth (http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/w/h/i/whileyet.htm), with the music, “Geduld, die Soll’n Wir Haben,” in the Geistliche Lieder (Frankfurt, 1607). It is found in the Lutheran Hymnal.
Source: Devotional Hymns: Morning, Evening Songs (William L. Hoffman, December 14, 2017)

Melody: Zahn 5391
Composer: Bartholomäus Gesius (1605)

Text: Dank sei Gott in der Höhe
Author: Johann Mühlmann (1618), based on Psalm 86:12

Use of the Chorale Melody by Bach:

Text: Dank sei Gott in der Höhe

Chorale Dank sei Gott in der Höhe, BWV 287
Ref: RE 311; Br 310; KE 54; AmB 46II p.77; BGA 34; BC F119.1

Use of the Chorale Melody by other composers:

Sources: Bach Digital; BGA; Zahn
Prepared by Aryeh Oron (October 2018)