J. S. Bach's 'Leipzig' Chorale Preludes by Leahy Anne. Leaver Robin A

Author:Leahy, Anne.,Leaver, Robin A. [Leahy, Anne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Scarecrow Press Inc.
Published: 2011-02-19T16:00:00+00:00

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Nun komm der Heiden Heiland

The Hymn

The text of Nun komm der Heiden Heiland is Luther’s translation of the fourth-century Latin Advent hymn Veni redemptor gentium, attributed to Bishop Ambrose of Milan (334–397).1 The hymn existed in several German paraphrases before the Reformation, the earliest dating from the twelfth century.2 The hymn tune was not composed by Ambrosius, nor stanza 8 which was added during the Middle Ages.3 The earliest source of the melody is a Swiss-Benedictine manuscript dating from 1120. It is possible that it stems from the nearby Benedictine Abbey at St. Gallen, which could perhaps date it as far back as 900.4 Luther’s version was published with the text in 1524 in the Erfurt Enchiridia and in Johann Walter’s Geystliche Gesangk Buchleyn at Wittenberg.5 It is possible, therefore, that this hymn was written by Luther for Advent 1523.6 Luther employs a 7.7.7.7 meter, transforming the eight-syllable lines of the original Latin to suit the different metrical pattern. The text of the hymn as it appears in the Weimar hymnbook of 1713, where it is listed under the heading “Von der Menschwerdung JEsu Christi,” is as follows:

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