Where did it come from? 

The music of J. S. Bach that we now know as "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desirings"  was composed as part of Cantata 147  (Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben  trans. "Heart and mouth and deed and living"). If I wanted to be academic, I could point out in great detail how BWV 147 has its roots in an earlier Bach Cantata of 1716 but I won't.  The chorale setting occurs not once but twice during the Cantata, as the closing movement of each of the two parts of the Cantata.   Therefore, we can conclude that choirs should never sing two verses at one time during a worship service. More appropriate, following Bach's example would be to do one verse at a time at different points in the service.

However, Bach performed a revised and expanded version in 1723 in Leipzig on the Feast of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary. This feast day observes the occasion when Mary, pregnant with Jesus visits her cousin Elizabeth who is pregnant with John (the Baptist). As the story goes, Fetus John lept in the womb when the pregnant Mary appeared at the door. For a full reading, visit Luke 1:39-57. May 31st has been set aside for this special day.

The German text we are using is the text that ended Part One.  Although it is slightly related to the literal translation, the text from the famous anthem has been modified from the original German text. I have not discovered how this came about.

The tune, originally known as "Werde Munter, Mein Gemuthe" ("Be Glad, My Soul") was composed by Johann Schop. One would hardly recognize it from the original because  Bach changed the meter and rhythm from 4/4 to 3/4 and added the now well known flowing obligato in triple-time.

The version that we are preparing uses a trio of expert handbell ringers to 'present' the famous obligato. Bach's version uses the violin / oboe on those notes. We will (maybe) use organ or possibly oboe for the melody, originally sung by the sopranos. The quartet of singers (3 men & 1 woman) start with Bach, but quickly digress to their own unique thing.