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This is my setting of the famous chorale “Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme“ (“Sleepers awake“). Both the words and the music of the chorale were written by the Lutheran pastor Philipp Nicolai (1556 -- 1608). While he was a pastor in Unna, Westphalia, the plague killed hundreds of his parishioners. Nicolai's response to this was to write his book “Freudenspiegel des ewigen Lebens“ (“Joyous Mirror of Eternal Life“) in 1599. This contains both “Wachet auf“ and also the well-known chorale “How brightly shines the morning star“ (“Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern“). Johann Sebastian Bach used “Wachet auf“ in his cantata BWV 140 for the last Sunday in the church's year, the Sunday before Advent. The text of the hymn is about the second coming of Jesus. Wake, O wake! with tidings thrilling The watchmen all the air are filling, Arise, Jerusalem, arise! Midnight strikes! no more delaying, The hour has come! we hear them saying, Where are ye all, ye virgins wise? The Bridegroom comes in sight, Raise high your torches bright! Alleluya! The wedding swells loud and strong: Go forth and join the festal throng! Sion hears the watchmen shouting, Her heart leaps up with joy undoubting, She stands and waits with eager eyes; See her friend from Heaven descending, Adorned with truth and grace unending! Her light burns clear, her star doth rise. Now come, Thou precious crown, Lord Jesu, God's own Son! Hosanna! Let us prepare to follow there, Where in Thy supper we may share. Every soul in Thee rejoices, From men and from angelic voices Be glory given to Thee alone! Now the gates of pearl receive us, Thy presence never more shall leave us, We stand with angels round Thy throne. Earth cannot give below The bliss Thou dost bestow. Alleluya! Grant us to raise to length of days, The triumph-chorus of Thy praise. More information about my music can be found at:
