BLOG | Grow with us in faith and love.

Week 5

Da Jesus an dem Kreuze stund (As Jesus Hung Upon the Cross), BWV 621

When Jesus on the cross was found,
His body pierced with many a wound,
With torture very bitter;
The dying Words, which He then spake,
With a still heart consider

–Johann Böchenstein, trans. Moravian Hymn Book (1746)

This final chorale prelude of Lent is filled with crucifixion symbolism. Everything in this piece descends downwards. The only reason it ever goes upward is to begin descending again. The chorale melody is in the Phrygian mode, the darkest and gloomiest of the old church modes. Theological scholars have suspected that the descending motives in all of the voices represent Christ’s body sinking on the cross as he hung after being crucified.

The text of the chorale supports this compositional choice. The hymn is traditionally sung on Good Friday and is built around the Seven Last Words from the cross. Each verse expands on a specific word. Again, we hear stark, percussive German words and phrases, like “bitterlichen Schmerzen” (bitter pain). The descent of all musical lines paints a picture of this pain as the Savior dies on the cross, slowly and severely.