"O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig" | |
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Lutheran Passion hymn | |
![]() The hymn in Johann Spangenberg's Kirchengesenge Deudtsch, published in Magdeburg in 1545 | |
English | O Lamb of God, innocent |
Catalogue | Zahn Nos. 4360–4361 |
Text | by Nikolaus Decius |
Language | German |
Based on | "Agnus Dei" |
Melody | by Decius on an older model |
Published | 1531 |
"O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig" ("O Lamb of God, innocent") is an early Lutheran hymn, with text and melody attributed to Nikolaus Decius. Originally intended as a German version of the Latin Agnus Dei, it was instead used as a Passion hymn. In both contexts, the hymn has often been set to music, prominently as the cantus firmus in the opening chorus of Bach's St. Matthew Passion. It is included in most German hymnals, and has been translated by Catherine Winkworth, among others.