The text Oh come, oh come, Emmanuel - originating in the early centuries, documented in this synopsis and ultimately widely used from 1710 onwards - expresses the yearning of the Israelites for their Redeemer with an especial emphasis. Manfred Länger has captured this yearning in his composition, set to a very simple and yet deeply felt melody whose first phrase consists of basically a single tone. This composition becomes denser as it proceeds; the refrain (Gaude, gaude) that recurs five times becomes more and more confident. Thus anticipation becomes joy and merges into a radiant hymn of praise in triple meter.
