Faith

I was playing through some piano books the other day, and this little ditty caught my eye, so I played it. “My faith looks up to thee” in an arrangement by Donna Krieger. Here’s the story behind the hymn.

Hymns: All my hope

I have to end this six-day journey through my favorite hymn verses with the text “All my hope on God is founded” by Herbert Howells (1892-1983). Howells is one of my boys — one of those composers who music invades my mind, feeds my soul, and tugs at (and confounds) my heart. The tune is

Hymns: One foundation

The church’s one foundationis Jesus Christ, our Lord;we are a new creationby water and the Word.From heav’n he came and taught uswhat perfect love can be;through life and death he sought us,and rose to set us free. Yet we on earth have unionwith God, the Three in One,and mystic, sweet communionwith those whose rest is

Hymns: O love divine

Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) composed the hymn tune DOWN AMPNEY, naming it for his birthplace where his father was vicar. I visited All Saints, Down Ampney parish nearly a decade ago. The text of this wonderful hymn is by Bianco da Siena, a 15th century Italian poet.  Come down, O Love divine, seek thou this soul

Hymns: There’s a wideness

I knew this hymn text from my Baptist days — from early in my life! But one of the alternate tunes in the Episcopal Hymnal 1982 makes this text come alive. ST. HELENA, by Calvin Hampton (1938-1984) is one of the most perfect pairing of tunes and texts I’ve ever heard. For the love of

Hymns: Praise, my soul

Praise, my soul, the King of heaven;to his feet your tribute bring.Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,evermore his praises sing.Alleluia, alleluia!Praise the everlasting King! henry francis lyte, 1834 Thus begins the hymn that will one day open my own funeral mass, sung to the powerful hymn tune LAUDA ANIMA, by John Goss (1800-1880). I did not know

Hymns: Love Divine

I think that this week I’m going to simply share some favorite verses of hymns, with maybe a word or two of purpose. Finish then thy new creationPure and spotless let us be;Let us see thy great salvation,Perfectly restored in thee,Changed from glory into glory,Till in heaven we take our place,Till we cast our crowns

Sunday evening rumblings and musings

I’m listening this evening to a newish recording of music by Herbert Howells, sung with exquisite refinement by the Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge, under the direction of  Stephen Layton.  This is awfully good stuff. [Here is a review on another blog:  *****CD Review • Howells Requiem • Choir of Trinity College Cambridge • Stephen