From the 1725 untitled collection of small keyboard works and songs compiled for Bach’s second wife Anna Magdalena (commonly referred to for English-speaking audiences as the Anna Magdalena Notebook), “Bist du bei mir” (If you are with me), BWV 508, is based on an aria by Gottfried Heinrich Stölzel (1690-1749), which was probably a popular tune at that time. The origin of the text remains unknown, but this uplifting melody has become an often requested selection for modern weddings.

— From program notes by Gregg Wager