Beautiful Jesu

One of the songs played at our wedding was J.S. Bach's Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring. To our shame, we chose it simply because it was a "lovely" piece of music. Now I have nothing with lovely pieces of music but I wish I had done a bit more homework on the original words etc which would have given it more meaning and allowed us and our guests to appreciate and enjoy it even more. Anyway today following a very interesting post on the objectivity of beauty (see Music and the Objectivity of Beauty) I decided to check out what the words for Bach's Jesu are. For now, all I'm going to say is: Bach, what a genius. To listen to a modern rendition sung in English (words below) listen to it here

Josh Groban Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring from Jacy JoyPals on Vimeo.

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