Anyone know the hymn tune?
  • I'm wondering if anyone could identify the hymn tune used with the text Take Up Your Cross. It starts at 15:50 in the following video.

    https://youtu.be/k5eTrfZGk4c
  • Welcome, Nathan, to the comment side of the forum.

    It's a very well-known tune, but I'll have to look up the name for you.
  • Got it:

    It's called Eisenach, and the tune was composed by Johann Schein (1586-1630).
  • Liam
    Posts: 5,093
    If you scroll down to the Page Scans section at this link and then follow the ribbon of images to the right and continue in the direction, you can find divers settings with other texts, in reverse chronological order (most recent first):

    https://hymnary.org/tune/eisenach_schein
  • mmeladirectress
    Posts: 1,100
    I love this forum. I don't think I've ever seen a question asked that wasn't answered by someone, somewhere. Amazing!
  • CHGiffenCHGiffen
    Posts: 5,193
    Here is the original Bach harmonization, realized as the Chorale "Durch dein Gefängnis, Gottes Sohn" from the St. John Passion ... one of the most poignant chorales ever. Unlike the usual Eisenach tune that we see today, the first line is repeated to form an 88. 88. 88 tune (instead of L.M.).

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  • Charles,

    Do you know if he harmonized it in more than one way (as he did with several other chorales)?
  • Chris, thank you for the welcome, and thank you everyone for the help. The link to Hymnary was especially useful. Bach's harmonization is beautiful also.

    I was thinking of using this hymn for Triumph of the Holy Cross (September 14) this year and much prefer Eisenach to Erhalt Uns, Herr or Breslau, at least for the feast day. The other two tunes might be better for use during Lent, though.
  • What text would you be using to this tune?
  • CHGiffenCHGiffen
    Posts: 5,193
    It is slightly differently harmonised as "Mach's mit mir, Gott, nach deiner Gut" - this time with the meter 87. 87. 88.

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    It is worth mentioning here that Bach's treatment of the original Johann Schein melody is quite smoothed out from what would have been found in typical German hymnals of the period (the chorale begins at the 1 minute mark in the following video):

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  • Chris, I would use use Take Up Your Cross like it is done in the video I first posted.
  • madorganist
    Posts: 906
    One more Bach harmonization of the same tune, from Cantata 139
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNsqN4wWl0g