566. In You Is Gladness

1 In you is gladness amid all sadness,
Jesus, sunshine of my heart.
By you are given the gifts of heaven;
you the true Redeemer are.
Our hearts you waken, we're not forsaken;
who trusts you surely has built securely
and stands forever: Alleluia!
Our hearts are pleading, your presence needing,
living or dying, on Christ relying
now and forever: Alleluia!

2 If he is ours, we fear no powers
not of sin or death or night.
He knows our troubles, our pain and struggles;
he upholds us by his might.
Wherefore the story tell of his glory
with heart and voices; all heaven rejoices
in him forever: Alleluia!
We shout for gladness away, all sadness!
love him and praise him, and still shall raise him
glad hymns forever: Alleluia!

Text Information
First Line: In you is gladness
Title: In You Is Gladness
Author: Johann Lindemann (1598)
Translator: Catherine Winkworth (1858, alt.)
Meter: PM
Language: English
Publication Date: 1987
Scripture: ; ; ; ;
Topic: New Year - Old Year; Praise & Adoration; Walk with God (6 more...)
Tune Information
Name: IN DIR IST FREUDE
Composer: Giovanni G. Gastoldi (1591)
Meter: PM
Key: E♭ Major


Text Information:

Scripture References:
st. 2 = Rom. 8:35-39, Heb. 4:14-16

Cantor Johann Lindemann (b. Gotha, Thuringia, Germany, 1549; d. Gotha, 1631) wrote this text to fit the tune IN DIR IST FREUDE. It was published in Lindemann's Amarum Filii Dei Decades Duae (1598). Lindemann attended the gymnasium (high school) in Gotha and then studied at the University of Jena. He returned to Gotha, where he served on the council and became a cantor in several churches (1580-1631). One of the signers of the Lutheran Formula of Concord (1577), Lindemann published Amarum Filii Dei Decades Duae (1598), which included his "In You Is Gladness." Catherine Winkworth (PHH 194) prepared the English translation for the second series of her Lyra Germanica (1858).

The text confesses with joy the Christian's security of walking intimately with God through the ups and downs of daily life. The two long stanzas consist of various short biblical phrases and allusions woven into an integrated pattern of praise and petition, confession and rejoicing. All are punctuated by periodic "alleluias." The words of the text suggest Q&A 1 of the Heidelberg Catechism.

Liturgical Use:
Many occasions of worship in which encouragement and joy in Christ's saving work are appropriate in the face of "sin or death or night"; after Lord's Supper; funerals.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

Tune Information:

IN DIR IST FREUDE is one of many balletti (dance-like songs) written by Giovanni G. Gastoldi, a priest and composer from Mantua, Italy. It was originally published in his Balleti a cinque voce (1591 ), where it was set to "Alieta vi.a, Amor ciinuita", which like so many balletti had a "fa-la-la" refrain.

Gastoldi served as a deacon and singer in the chapel of the Gonzaga family in Mantua. Succeeding Giaches de Wert, he directed music in the Church of Santa Barbaras in Mantua from 1592 to 1608. Little is known about the rest of his life. Gastoldi composed a considerable body of court music, such as madrigals, and some church music, but he is best known for his Balletti, which influenced composers such as Monteverdi, Hassler, and Morley.

The melody consists of short phrases formed into two sections, each repeated. The well-known organ prelude on this tune by Johann S. Bach (PHH 7) is cast into complex counterpoint (found in his Orgelbuchlein). But congregational singing and accompaniment should reflect the original character of lighthearted dance music. Sing in a swinging lively manner and strive for long musical phrases. Part singing is appropriate throughout, or try changing from unison to part singing (or vice versa) at the repeats of the A and B musical phrases. Maintain one pulse per measure.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook


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