There were six five-line stanzas in the original of this poem, attributed to Valentin Thilo (1607-1672), who was professor of rhetoric at the University of Königsberg, Germany, for 28 years. During this period he was elected dean of the Philosophical Faculty five times, and twice the rector of the university. Nearly all his hymns were written for the festivals of the Christian year. This hymn was published in Samuel Scheidt’s Görlitzer Tabulaturbuch, 100 chorale settings he prepared for the town council of Gorlitz in 1650. 

O JESULEIN SÜSS (O Sweet Little Jesus) was first published in a Catholic book in Cologne, Germany, 1623.J. S. Bach’s (1685-1750; see Biographies) version of the tune, with a figured bass, was printed in the Schemelli Gesangbuch, 1736, a collection of 954 spiritual songs and arias. The preface to this work says that this one was “improved in the thorough bass by J. S. Bach” (he changed the bass line, the foundation upon which the total harmony was improvised). We are indebted to E. Harold Geer for both the translation of the text and the harmonization. 

After quite a search, this combination of text and tune was found in only one book, Hymnal for Colleges and Schools, Yale University Press, 1956, of which Geer was the editor. 

E. Harold Geer was born in 1886 at Tabor, Iowa. He began the study of violin at age 5, and was educated at Doane College in Nebraska and Oberlin College in Ohio. He studied organ and composition with Widor in Paris, and T. Tertius Noble in America. Before going to Vassar College (for women), Poughkeepsie, New York, he held posts as a college teacher and church organist in Ohio, Michigan, and Massachusetts. He went to Vassar as assistant professor of music, and stayed for 36 years, teaching organ, playing 

for chapel, and directing the Vassar College Choir, for which he arranged more than 100 pieces for women’s voices. 

His insistent emphasis on the selection of superior music had a great influence in improving the musical taste of the students who sang it and heard it. Music for the regular chapel service was meticulously prepared and beautifully performed. His annual traditional Christmas program always attracted large audiences. He was kind and had a keen sense of humor, yet was always frank and outspoken. Even those who disagreed with him never for a moment doubted the sincerity of his convictions. His final work published was a book, Organ Registration in Theory and Practice, 1957. He died at Christmas of that year.