The chorale melody set in these two preludes has its roots in the Gregorian chant repertoire. It is a German version of the Veni Sancte Spiritus chant. The chorale would have been sung at Pentecost. The text of the first verse reads as follows, "Come Holy Ghost, Lord God, fill with your good mercy the heart, soul, and mind of your faithful, igniting them with your burning love. Oh Lord, through your glowing light you have gathered to belief this people from all of the world's tongues. For this you are praised with song. Halleluja, Halleluja." Both of Buxtehude's settings of the chorale place the chorale melody in the soprano with a fair amount of embellishment.

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