CHRIST LAG IN TODESBANDEN

Stanza Arc

The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law to Gospel: Christ's sacrificial death for human sin → cosmic victory over Death → grateful response and eucharistic celebration → resurrection joy

Associated Hymn Texts (1)

Christ Jesus lay in Death's Strong Bands

Bach Cantatas Using This Tune (1)

BWV 4 — Christ lag in Todesbanden ("Christ lay in death's bonds") (1724)

Easter Sunday

SATB soloists, chorus, brass, strings

One of Bach's earliest surviving cantatas. Pure chorale cantata on Luther's Easter hymn. Remarkable in using no original text whatsoever.