The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is made up of some 360 men and women, all of whom are volunteers. There are many husband-wife combinations and many families have participated in the choir for generations. Choir members are currently limited to twenty years of participation, allowing new members to join the choir on a regular basis.
The choir was founded in August 1847, one month after the Mormon Pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley. The choir is completely self-funded, traveling and producing albums to support their organization. Choir members are not paid for their participation or performances.
Although the choir has traditionally been recognized for its sound quality, the most recent director, Craig Jessop, a student of Robert Shaw, has made changes designed to improve the overall quality of the choir. Jessop's efforts to add vitality to the choir's sound include the formation of The Orchestra at Temple Square, the 2005 addition of The Bells on Temple Square (a hand bell choir), and continual refinement of the choir's tone, enunciation, and repetoire. The minimum age for participation has been reduced from 30 to 25. In addition, new choir members participate in The Temple Square Chorale training choir, a combination music theory/performance school led by associate director and composer/arranger Mack Wilberg.
Jusu Joy of Man's Desiring
Mormon Tabernacle Choir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Holy wisdom, love most bright
Drawn by Thee, our souls aspiring
Soar to uncreated light
Word of God, our flesh that fashioned
With the fire of life impassioned
Striving still to truth unknown
Soaring, dying round Thy throne
In "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring," the Mormon Tabernacle Choir beautifully expresses their adoration for Jesus, attributing various qualities to him. The lyrics describe Jesus as the source of joy and inspiration for mankind. He is regarded as holy wisdom and the epitome of love, radiating a brilliant light. The song suggests that in the presence of Jesus, our souls are elevated, striving to reach the uncreated light, symbolizing spiritual enlightenment and transcendence.
The second stanza focuses on Jesus as the Word of God, emphasizing his divine role in the creation of humanity. He is portrayed as the creator who fashioned our flesh, infusing it with the fiery passion of life. The mention of "striving still to truth unknown" highlights the human quest for understanding and knowledge, suggesting that Jesus is the ultimate truth we seek. The song concludes with the image of souls soaring and dying around the divine throne, depicting both spiritual liberation and submission to God's authority.
Overall, "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" is a deeply spiritual and reverent hymn that celebrates the profound connection between humanity and Jesus, recognizing him as the ultimate source of joy, wisdom, and inspiration.
Line by Line Meaning
Jesu, joy of man's desiring
Jesus, the source of mankind's deepest longings and happiness
Holy wisdom, love most bright
Divine knowledge and perfect love, shining brilliantly
Drawn by Thee, our souls aspiring
Guided and motivated by Jesus, our souls reach for higher goals
Soar to uncreated light
Elevate towards the eternal, divine light
Word of God, our flesh that fashioned
Jesus, who took human form as the embodiment of God's message
With the fire of life impassioned
Enthusiastically filled with the energy and zeal of existence
Striving still to truth unknown
Continuously seeking the undiscovered truth
Soaring, dying round Thy throne
Ascending, surrendering, and revolving around the majestic presence of Jesus
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Integrity Music, Downtown Music Publishing, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: J BACH, JONATHAN STARKEY, JAMES NEWTON HOWARD, JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
kerlyne dorleus
I love the Tabernacle Choir, I love Jesus ❤
Claudete Ramos
Maravilhoso.... É Jesus minha alegria e minha alma satisfaz!!!!! 🙌🎼🎶
Ya.
Amen, God Bless You.
MrTouche777
Muito lindo, sempre choro ao ouvi-los
Terry Slade
Wonderful! One of my favorite pieces by JS Bach. And is this a Mack Wilberg arrangement? It is a stunning version. Thank you for this. And to think that the members of the choir and orchestra are volunteers. I weep for joy knowing that they donate their amazing talents to bring joy to the world.
They say art is how you decorate space, and music is how you decorate time. This organization decorates time beautifully!
MusicByMack
Hi, I sing with the Choir! Mack wanted an arrangement the Choir could call its own. He stayed as true as possible to Bach's original piece, while drawing on different arrangements he's heard.
CINTHYA CHARLES
Excellent choir voices
Congratulations❤❤❤❤
Sharon Kofoed
Beautiful job!
Emmanuel Monle Nyode
My greatest desire is to someday play this piece on the organ. I really love the brass intro. Well done.
MARK MUSHAMO
What an amazing 😍 choir