Composer

:

German Anonymous

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

2:43

"On Jordan's Bank the Baptist's Cry" is a hymn that was composed by an anonymous German composer. The hymn is based on the biblical story of John the Baptist, who preached and baptized people in the Jordan River. The hymn is also known as "Winchester New" because it was set to a new tune by the English composer, Thomas Ravenscroft, in the 17th century. The hymn was composed in the 16th century and was first published in a German hymnal in 1601. It was later translated into English by Charles Coffin in the 18th century. The hymn has since become a popular Advent hymn in many Christian denominations. The hymn is composed of four verses, each of which describes a different aspect of John the Baptist's ministry. The first verse describes John's preaching and his call for repentance. The second verse describes John's baptism in the Jordan River and his proclamation of Jesus as the Messiah. The third verse describes the coming of Christ and the joy that his arrival brings. The fourth verse is a prayer for Christ to come and bring salvation to the world. The hymn is characterized by its simple melody and its use of repetition. The melody is based on a traditional German folk tune and is easy to sing. The repetition of the phrase "Prepare the way for the Lord" in each verse emphasizes the importance of John the Baptist's message and his role in preparing the way for Christ. Overall, "On Jordan's Bank the Baptist's Cry" is a powerful hymn that celebrates the ministry of John the Baptist and the coming of Christ. Its simple melody and repetitive structure make it easy to sing and remember, making it a popular choice for Advent worship services.

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