J. S. Bach’s Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring has never ceased to stir my heart. Of all the renditions, none can grab me so movingly as Josh Groban in his captivating performance with the mesmerizing Lili Hayden on the violin.
Bach wrote the Cantata that contains this excerpt in 1723. Its lyrics articulate for us what is unspoken in the depth of our souls, releasing our yearnings for a transcendent Creator, magnificent yet compassionate, afar yet ever so near.
Jesu, joy of man’s desiring
Holy wisdom, love most bright
Drawn by Thee, our souls aspiring
Soar to uncreated light
Word of God, our flesh that fashioned
With the fire of life impassioned
Striving still to truth unknown
Soaring, dying round Thy throne
Through the way where hope is guiding
Hark, what peaceful music rings
Where the flock, in Thee confiding
Drink of joy from deathless springs
Theirs is beauty’s fairest pleasure
Theirs is wisdom’s holiest treasure
Thou dost ever lead Thine own
In the love of joys unknown
*****
Ripple Effects 
So beautiful. What a great violinist.
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!!
Ellen, hope all your family is back in time for your Christmas reunion. A blessed Christmas to you and yours!
Arti
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Beautiful! Thanks for sharing it. 🙂
Merry Christmas!
Shari: A blessed Christmas to you and yours too, and a wonderful 2009 for writing and blogging!
Arti
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Exquisite! It brought tears to my eyes. Coincidentally, when I clicked on You Tube to favorite the video, the next featured video was of a violinist at a Josh Groban concert playing “Kashmir,” one of my favorite songs. So thank you again! Merry Christmas!
That must be Lucia Micarelli at JG’s Awake concert, playing LZ’s Kashmir. I saw the concert in my home city here and wrote a review on it. Just click on “Concerts” on the heading bar. It was superb… much better than listening to CD’s.
Yes, a Merry Christmas to you and yours … may 2009 bring in more good books, movies and music for us all!
Arti
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Wishing you a Merry Christmas!
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Very moving..thanks for sharing Josh Groban with us. He has such a God given voice.
Wishing you & all the like-minded bloggers a very Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.
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Yes, that’s the same concert — Josh Groban’s “Awake”in the Flames stadium. Now this is the second time I’ve visited that stadium in cyberspace. On facebook I joined a Calgary Flames wave because another Catherine Sherman, who lives in Calgary, invited her facebook friends. There are a group of us Cathy Shermans from around the world on facebook — kind of dorky, I know. Everything is connected.
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Thank you for this lovely musical interlude, and have a splendid day! Vic
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Can’t get enough, I’m listening to it again.
Years ago, I’ve long decided to have ‘Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring’ played at my funeral.
Thanks again, have a prosperous, fruitful 2009. Awaiting more from Ripple Effects….Great Work Arti.
MavisMolly:
Thanks for your kind words and the same to you too… Have a wonderful 2009! May you enjoy more great movies and many rewarding reads.
Arti
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