Watch free video Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring

Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring is the most common English title of the 10th and last movement of the cantata Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147 ("Heart and Mouth and Deed and Life"), composed by Johann Sebastian Bach in 1716 and 1723.

A transcription by the English pianist Myra Hess (1890–1965) was published in 1926 for piano solo and in 1934 for piano duet.The British organist Peter Hurford made his organ transcription for the chorale movement as well.Today, it is often performed at wedding ceremonies as well as during Christian festive seasons like Christmas and Easter, slowly and reverently. This is, however, in contrast to the effect suggested by Bach in his original scoring, for voices with trumpet, oboes, strings, and continuo.