Friedrich Eickhoff

Until today he is known through the Lieder Geh aus, mein Herz, und suche Freud and Ihr Kinderlein, kommet,[1][2] which he created by combining sacred texts (by Paul Gerhardt and Christoph von Schmid) with spring melodies by August Harder and Johann Abraham Peter Schulz.

Beside his pedagogical activity Eickhoff was organist of the evangelic congregation at the Apostelkirche, where two years before him Johann Heinrich Volkening [de] had come as a pastor (until 1838).

Eickhoff's concern for folk Christian songs had grown out of his teaching profession as well as his organist service.

By singing atmospheric texts to catchy melodies, images and message of the gospel were to be impressed upon children and families.

Eickhoff's songs experienced their real breakthrough through Johann Heinrich Volkening's songbook Kleine Missionsharfe.