11234 (Setting: Johann Hermann Schein)
11554 (Setting: Melchior Vulpius, alt.)
Meter: 6.6. 7.7. 7.7.
Source: Jacob Regnart, Kurtzweilige teutsche Liedlein, Nürnberg, 1574
Proper Text: In God, My Faithful God (Auf meinen lieben Gott)
This tune has its origins in a secular composition by Jacob Regnart to accompany the text “Venus, du und dein Kind seid alle beide blind,” printed in the collection Kurtzweilige teutsche Liedlein, Nürnberg, 1574. From there it swiftly passed into sacred use. It appeared in two chief melodic forms, with the incipits 11554 and 11234, respectively. It is the latter that continues to be used in the Missouri Synod tradition through its association with the text “In God, My Faithful God (Auf meinen lieben Gott).” The setting used for the Free Lutheran Chorale-Book is that by Johann Hermann Schein. The 11554 variation, which is in fact closer to the secular original, has come to be traditionally associated with the Danish hymn “O Bride of Christ, Rejoice (Fryd dig du Kristi brud),” which in the Missouri Synod tradition is sung to a later tune, “Wo soll ich fliehen hin,” which dates to 1679, nearly a century after the Danish hymn’s composition. For the Free Lutheran Chorale-Book, the setting of the 11554 version is that by Melchior Vulpius, with some alterations.