1000 Songs/My Jesus as thou wilt (Benjamin Schmolck)

My Jesus as thou wilt (Benjamin Schmolck)

1000 Songs

Text
Possibly from Mark 14:36

Author
Benjamin Schmolck, 1704. He was quite well known throughout Germany. Schmolck’s hymns and spiritual songs numbered 1,183 in all. He and Bach were both ardent members of the Lutheran church and some of Bach's work made Schmolck's more memorable.

Translations/Challenges
Translated from German by: Jane Borthwick, 1854. Originally Titled: "Mein Jesu, wie du willt". There is also a slightly updated version on a catholic-based webpage here.

Editor's Choice
I would definitely use this song today, but I would definitely recommend updating some of the more dated language.

Tune
This page is set to the tune JEWETT. This link plays an example of the tune DENBY.

Composer: Charles J. Dale, 1904. Set to the tune: "DENBY." There is not much information on Charles Dale, but he is the most well known for the tune DENBY, which has also been used for several other songs. It first appeared in the Lutheran Hymnal. Also set to: JEWETT, from the op­era Der Frei­schütz, by Carl M. von We­ber, 1821; ar­ranged by Hu­bert P. Main. (Midi)

Editor's Choice
Personally, I prefer DENBY. However, it is a bit more solemn and magnanimous, so I would probably actually use JEWETT because I think that it matches the message of the text a little better.

Author biography
His father was a minister and then sent him to theological school, where he began to write poetry and songs, eventually at least 1,183.

Author's circumstances
After writing this song, Benjamin Schmolck lost two children in a fire and he himself was paralyzed, blind, and an invalid. Yet this song demonstrates his submission to God's sovereignty.

Cultural setting
Hymn #420 from The Lutheran Hymnal