Georg Philipp Telemann composed the church cantata Ich will den Kreuzweg gerne gehen (I will gladly walk the Cross way), TWV 1:884, for bass, violin and continuo for the 21st Sunday after Trinity.

[1][5][6] Neumeister's text for this cantata possibly inspired the anonymous poetry for Bach's Ich will den Kreuzstab gerne tragen, BWV 56.

The recitative, "Ah, whoever reflected the fruit of the Cross", expands that being Christian is connected to bearing hardship.

A line from the hymn "Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan" is quoted in text and melody.

The central aria, in a major key, begins with an exalted acceptance of hardship and punishment, "I kiss the whip with joyful courage".