Yesterday saw the 150th anniversary of the birth of Edward Elgar, and this is marked in our music today.
The tune for the Gloria paraphrase is too well-known to need comment. That for the gradual was written in 1878, and originally entitled "Hymn Tune in F major"; it was published in 1896 with the title Drakes Broughton. Elgar later incorporated it into his Nursery Suite, which was prompted by the birth in August 1930 of Princess Margaret. Today, out of feeling for the singers (it goes rather high), we sing it not in F but two notes lower, in E flat.
The words of the gradual are from Cardinal Newman’s The Dream of Gerontius, when on his death-bed, Gerontius declares his Christian faith.
Have you noticed the very simple rhyme scheme used by Heber in the opening hymn?
before the service
Chanson de Matin
The tune for the Gloria paraphrase is too well-known to need comment. That for the gradual was written in 1878, and originally entitled "Hymn Tune in F major"; it was published in 1896 with the title Drakes Broughton. Elgar later incorporated it into his Nursery Suite, which was prompted by the birth in August 1930 of Princess Margaret. Today, out of feeling for the singers (it goes rather high), we sing it not in F but two notes lower, in E flat.
The words of the gradual are from Cardinal Newman’s The Dream of Gerontius, when on his death-bed, Gerontius declares his Christian faith.
Have you noticed the very simple rhyme scheme used by Heber in the opening hymn?
before the service
Chanson de Matin
Edward Elgar
2 June 1857 – 23 February 1934
after the service
Trio section Nobilmente from Pomp and Circumstance March No 4
Edward Elgar
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opening hymn
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
early in the morning our song shall rise to thee;
holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty!
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!
Bishop R Heber 1783 - 1826
Nicea
J B Dykes 1823 - 1876
for gloria in excelsis
Glory in the highest
to the God of heaven!
Peace to all his people
through the earth be given!
Mighty God and Father,
thanks and praise we bring,
singing Alleluia
to our heavenly king.
Christopher Idle b 1938
Land of hope and glory
from Pomp and Circumstance March No 1
Edward Elgar 2 June 1857 – 23 February 1934
gradual hymn
Firmly I believe, and truly
God is Three and God is One
and I next acknowledge duly
manhood taken by the Son.
John Henry Newman 1801 - 1890
Drakes Broughton
Edward Elgar 2 June 1857 – 23 February 1934
offertory hymn
Affirm anew the threefold name
of Father, Spirit, Son,
our God whose saving acts proclaim
a world's salvation won.
In him alone we live and move
and breath and being find,
the wayward children of his love
who cares for humankind.
Timothy Dudley-Smith b 1926
Tyrol
Tyrolean melody
during the giving of communion
Father God, the Lord, Creator,
by whose hand we all are fed,
in your mercy re-create us
at the Breaking of the Bread.
John Richards
Waltham
H Albert 1604 - 1651
harmony by J S Bach 1685 - 1750
final hymn
Eternal God, your love's tremendous glory
cascades through life in overflowing grace,
to tell creation's meaning in the story
of love evolving love from time and space.
Alan Gaunt b 1935
Highwood
R R Terry 1865 - 1936
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