I am about the last person in the world who should be
writing about hymns, as I am an unbeliever and critic of religion and only sing
hymns in my bath. Yet I still remember the old tunes and famous words and wish
to pay them due tribute. “Why should the Devil have all the good music?” is a
question attributed to Luther, Charles Wesley, William Booth of the Salvation
Army and a London clergyman Rev Rowland Hill. Whoever said it, there are many
cherished hymns to cheer up those dismal hours in church and I share with you
10 of my favourites.
1. For all the Saints who from their Labours
rest. Words by William Walsham How and music (Sine Nomine) by Ralph Vaughan Williams. A rousing affair, very
suitable for commemoration services and indeed any normal occasions:
For
all the saints, who from their labours rest,
Who
Thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Thou
wast their Rock, their Fortress and their Might;
Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well fought fight;
Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
2.Onward,
Christian Soldiers! Words by Sabine Baring-Gould and
music (St Gertrude) by Sir Arthur
Sullivan. Has been a firm favourite since 1871, condemned by a small number as
militaristic, it was sung rousingly by Churchill and Roosevelt together at
their first wartime meeting at sea in 1941:
Onward
Christian soldiers!
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before.
Christ, the royal Master,
Leads against the foe;
Forward into battle,
See, His banners go!
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before.
Christ, the royal Master,
Leads against the foe;
Forward into battle,
See, His banners go!
3.Be Still my Soul. Words
by Katherina von Schlegel and music from
Finlandia by Jean Sibelius. A beautiful tune if rather lowering lyrics. My mother
loved this piece, so it resonates greatly with me but anyhow the Finlandia Hymn belongs to the world.
Be still, my soul; the
Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In ev'ery change be faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly friend
Through thorny way leads to a joyful end.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In ev'ery change be faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly friend
Through thorny way leads to a joyful end.
4.
I vow to Thee my Country Words by Sir Cecil
Spring Rice, music by Gustav Holst (Thaxted)
using a passage from his Jupiter in The Planets suite. Spring Rice was a
senior British diplomat who wrote the poem in 1912 but first published it in a
hymnary in 1925. It became very popular at war memorial services and was
familiar to schoolchildren throughout the UK. It was thought by some to glorify
country before God, but it is still widely used. Whatever, it is an inspiring
and patriotic hymn.
I vow to thee, my country, all earthly things
above,
Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love;
The love that asks no question, the love that stands the test,
That lays upon the altar the dearest and the best;
The love that never falters, the love that pays the price,
The love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice.
Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love;
The love that asks no question, the love that stands the test,
That lays upon the altar the dearest and the best;
The love that never falters, the love that pays the price,
The love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice.
5. Come
down, O Love Divine Words by Bianco da Siena, 15th century,
translated by R F Littledale. Music by Ralph Vaughan Williams (Down Ampney). Even I can see that the lyric
of this hymn for Pentecost is spiritually moving and intelligent, a match for
the excellent music.
Come down, O love divine, seek thou this soul of mine,
And visit it with thine own ardour glowing.
O Comforter, draw near, within my heart appear,
And kindle it, Thy holy flame bestowing.
And visit it with thine own ardour glowing.
O Comforter, draw near, within my heart appear,
And kindle it, Thy holy flame bestowing.
O let it freely burn, till earthly passions turn
To dust and ashes in its heat consuming;
And let Thy glorious light shine ever on my sight,
And clothe me round, the while my path illuming.
6.
All People that on Earth do Dwell (The old 100th)
Words by William Kethe (1561), Music by Louis Bourgeois (1551) harmonised by
Ralph Vaughan Williams (1900). This splendid and venerable anthem taken from
the Scottish Psalter of the 16th century is used at celebratory
assemblies throughout the land.
All people that on earth do dwell,
Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice.
Him serve with mirth, His praise forth tell;
Come ye before Him and rejoice.
7. O sacred Head, sore
Wounded Words attributed to Arnolf of Leuven, 13th century,
translated by Robert Bridges (1901). Music by Johann Sebastian Bach from his St Matthew Passion. Easter and the Crucifixion are at the
heart of Christianity and naturally have attracted the finest literary and
musical talents. This chorale is a piece of great solemnity.
O sacred head, sore wounded,
Defiled and put to scorn;
O kingly head, surrounded
With mocking crown of thorn:
What sorrow mars thy grandeur?
Can death thy bloom deflow'r?
O countenance whose splendour
The hosts of heav'n adore!
Defiled and put to scorn;
O kingly head, surrounded
With mocking crown of thorn:
What sorrow mars thy grandeur?
Can death thy bloom deflow'r?
O countenance whose splendour
The hosts of heav'n adore!
8. Rejoice today with one Accord,
Words by Henry W Baker (1860) Music by Martin Luther (1529) Ein Feste Burg. This was the version
used in my time to put words to Luther’s magnificent Hymn. One can imagine its
cadences echoing around some lofty Gothic cathedral in Protestant Germany.
Rejoice today with one accord,
Sing out with exultation;
Rejoice and praise our mighty Lord,
Whose arm hath brought salvation;
His works of love proclaim
The greatness of His Name;
For He is God alone
Who hath His mercy shown;
Let all His saints adore Him!
Sing out with exultation;
Rejoice and praise our mighty Lord,
Whose arm hath brought salvation;
His works of love proclaim
The greatness of His Name;
For He is God alone
Who hath His mercy shown;
Let all His saints adore Him!
(I could not find the right video. The above has the right
music but a different lyric. Sorry!)
 |
| Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) Master hymn composer and arranger |
9. O Little Town of
Bethlehem Words by Phillips Brooks, Music by Ralph Vaughan Williams (Forest Green) adapted from an English
folksong. A simple enough Christmas carol written by a Philadelphia pastor. The
tune by Vaughan Williams has several delightful phrases making it a joy to
sing.
O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by;
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee to-night.
10. Jerusalem Words
by William Blake (1808), music by Sir Hubert Parry (1916). This has become an unofficial
second national anthem for England with visionary and prophetic words combined
with a terrific tune.
And did those feet in ancient time,
Walk upon England’s mountains green:
And was the holy Lamb of God,
On England’s pleasant pastures seen!
Walk upon England’s mountains green:
And was the holy Lamb of God,
On England’s pleasant pastures seen!
And did the Countenance Divine,
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here,
Among these dark Satanic Mills?
Bring me my Bow of burning gold;
Bring me my Arrows of desire:
Bring me my Spear: O clouds unfold!
Bring me my Chariot of fire!
I will not cease from Mental Fight,
Nor shall my Sword sleep in my hand:
Till we have built Jerusalem,
In England’s green & pleasant Land.
I encourage you all to
make your own selection and keep singing!
Sidney Donald
05.08.18
Text Copyright Sidney Donald 2018
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