The composer of the tune, Johann Rudolph Ahle, 1625-73, received his education at the Universities of Göttingen and Erfurt. He was elected Cantor of St. Andreas’ Church, and director of the music school, at Erfurt. Interested also in civic affairs, he was elected to the town council at Mühlhausen in 1656, and made mayor in 1661. He became one of the most radical reformers of church music, cultivating the simple chorale style and avoiding the polyphonic counterpoint then in use. Ahle wrote over 400 songs, many of which are still in use among the Protestant churches of England and America.
553a. Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier
Tobias Clausnitzer, 1619-84
1.
Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier,
Dich und dein Wort anzuhören;
Lenke Sinnen und Begier
Auf die süssen Himmelslehren,
Dass die Herzen von der Erden
Ganz zu dir gezogen werden!