J. S. Bach - Christ, unser Herr, zum Jordan kam, BWV 684

J. S. Bach - Christ, unser Herr, zum Jordan kam, a 2 Clavier e Canto fermo in Pedale BWV 684
"To Jordan Came the Christ, Our Lord" for two manuals with melody in the pedals

This song is about Jesus' baptism in the Jordan River. The left hand running sixteenth notes seem to represent the Jordan River. You an also hear the tune "Freu dich sehr, o meine Seele", in the left hand patterns. It is an interesting coincidence that the tune "Freu dich sehr" is set to the popular hymn; "Comfort, Comfort Now My People", which is a song about John the Baptist. Bach would not have known this however.

The right hand and the left hand eighth notes sound like dunking.

Here is the English lyric/translation by Richard Massie (1800 - 1887) to the hymn tune which is played in the pedals:

1. To Jordan came our Lord the Christ,
To do God's pleasure willing,
And there was by Saint John baptized,
All righteousness fulfilling;
There did he consecrate a bath
To wash away transgression,
And quench the bitterness of death
By his own blood and passion;
He would a new life give us.

2. So hear ye all, and well perceive
What God doth call baptism,
And what a Christian should believe
Who error shuns and schism:
That we should water use, the Lord
Declareth it his pleasure;
Not simple water, but the Word
And Spirit without measure;
He is the true Baptizer.

3. To show us this, he hath his word
With signs and symbols given;
On Jordan's banks was plainly heard
The Father's voice from heaven:
"This is my well-beloved Son,
In whom my soul delighteth;
Hear him." Yea, hear him every one
Whom he himself inviteth,
Hear and obey his teaching.

4. In tender manhood Jesus straight
To holy Jordan wendeth;
The Holy Ghost from heaven's gate
In dovelike shape descendeth;
That thus the truth be not denied,
Nor should our faith e'er waver,
That the Three Persons all preside,
At Baptism's holy laver,
And dwell with the believer.

5. Thus Jesus his disciples sent:
Go teach ye every nation,
That lost in sin they must repent;
And flee from condemnation:
He that believes and is baptized,
Obtains a mighty blessing;
A new-born man, no more he dies,
Eternal life possessing,
A joyful heir of heaven.

6. Who in this mercy hath not faith,
Nor aught therein discerneth,
Is yet in sin, condemned to death,
And fire that ever burneth;
His holiness avails him not,
Nor aught which he is doing;
His inborn sin brings all to naught,
And maketh sure his ruin;
Himself he cannot succor.

7. The eye of sense alone is dim,
And nothing sees but water;
Faith sees Christ Jesus, and in him
The lamb ordained for slaughter;
She sees the cleansing fountain red
With the dear blood of Jesus,
Which from the sins inherited
From fallen Adam frees us,
And from our own misdoings.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Johann Sebastian
• Clavier Ubung 3
• catechism
• Lutheran
• chorale prelude
• hymn
• orgel
• orgue
• organ
• Bach
• pipe organ
• Baptism
• Jordan river
• John the Baptist

[jwingram1947]

Exceptionally well play!  Thank You.

[rttipton]

Great performance, nice commentary on the music and good recording! Thanks.