Johann Sebastian Bach (March 1685 – July 1750) born in Eisenach, was a German composer and musician of the late Baroque period.

Known for his prolific output of music across many forms of music, he is regarded as one of the greatest composers in the history of Western music.

He died in Leipzig in July 1750.

For further information about Johann Sebastian Bach.

Bach, J S: St John Passion, BWV245: Soprano aria, Ich folge dir.

For further information about St. John's Passion (German: Johannes-Passion).

You may purchase a recording of the work from Presto Music.

Text:

Ich folge dir gleichfalls

mit freudigen Schritten
und lasse dich nicht,
mein Leben, mein Licht.
Befördre den Lauf
und höre nicht auf,
selbst an mir zu ziehen, 

zu schieben, zu bitten.

English translation:

I follow you with joyful steps
and do not let you leave,
my life, my light.
Continue your course
and don't stop,
Draw me on, to push, to ask.

International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) pronunciation of the German text.

ˈɪç fˈɔlɡə dˈiːɾ ɡlˈa͡ɪçfals


mˈɪt frˈɔ͡ødɪɡən ʃrˈɪtən

ˈʊnt lˈasə dˈɪç nˈɪçt,

mˈa͡ɪn lˈeːbən, mˈa͡ɪn lˈɪçt.

bəfˈœɾdɾə dˈeːn lˈa͡ʊf

ˈʊnt hˈøːrə nˈɪçt ˈa͡ʊf,

zˈɛlpst ˈan mˈiːɾ t͡sˈuː t͡sˈiːən,


t͡sˈuː ʃˈiːbən, t͡sˈuː bˈɪtən.