Stanzas 1 and 2 are free translations by Robert Bridges who added stanzas 3 and 4, his own work, for his Yattendon Hymnal, 1899.
For comments on Bridges see [Hymn 32].
MUSIC. INNSBRUCK is commonly attributed to Heinrich Isaak, c. 1460-c. 1527, a German or Dutch (it is not certain which) born musician who spent most of his life in Italy, an eminent organist and composer. Isaak was kapellmeister of Lorenzo the Magnificent and later of Maximilian of Vienna. The tune was first published, so far as is known, in Nürnberg, 1539, in a different version, set to the words, “Innsbruck ich muss dich lassen.” Later it was adapted to the hymn, “O Welt ich muss dich lassen,” and then to Gerhardt’s evening hymn, “Nun ruhen alle Wälder.” The melody has appeared in many different forms in German collections. The arrangement here is that made by J. S. Bach and used in his St. Matthew Passion and elsewhere.
557. Now cheer our hearts this eventide
Nikolaus Selnecker, 1532-92
Tr. Robert Bridges, 1844-1930
1.
Ach bleib’ bei uns, Herr Jesu Christ,
Weil es nun Abend worden ist;
Dein göttlich Wort, das helle Licht,