Tag: hymnody

Harringey, now with recording.

Byartsyhonker October 13, 2015 2 Comments
Back in 2012 I set these words by Doug Chaplin: From the Jordan to the desert, from the crowd to barren place, Spirit-driven, Satan-tempted, Lord, you sought the Father’s grace: show us now your pow’r, in weakness, presence in the empty space. Out of Egypt with God’s people, freedom brings its testing stress: what is right and what is truthful, how the name of God confess? Jesus, be our...

Open Volume

Byartsyhonker May 21, 2014 0 Comments
I am looking for words and music for a hymnal. The working title is "Open Volume: singable, photocopiable hymns". The intent is to create a body of new hymnody which will be available to churches as a supplement, or as individual pieces; to showcase the work of writers and composers who might not gain the attention of traditional publishers; and to make the advantages of Creative Commons...

Wedding Hymn

Byartsyhonker October 28, 2013 0 Comments
When I was choosing music for the wedding, I had a bit of a hard time: there was so much that was good, and that I wanted to include, but it was also important that the wedding itself not be completely taken over by the music; also that the service itself wouldn't go on for too long! With some regret I limited myself to five hymns and an anthem. One of my favourite hymns is "O Love divine, how...

Early Music Experiences

Byartsyhonker October 13, 2013 1 Comment
Ruth of Moss and Jones asks: What are your earliest music experiences? What do you remember, perhaps vaguely, being played in your house when you were a toddler / pre-school aged child? This is interesting: I think for me, the first question and the second aren't necessarily the same. My instinctive answer to "What are your earliest music experiences", you see, isn't to do with listening to music...

Those Naughty Organists

Byartsyhonker May 3, 2013 0 Comments
I read with some bemusement an article in the Telegraph. Beware the wrath of the church organist, it warns, and goes on to list various musical infelicities. Slipping unexpected tunes into music is practically obligatory, as far as I'm concerned. Yes, I will play "We're walking in the air" as a recessional voluntary when it is actually snowing (or at least for the first Sunday snowfall of the...

Two tunes for “Christ, whose glory fills the skies”

Byartsyhonker January 11, 2013 0 Comments
Every time we sing "Christ, whose glory fills the skies" I despair a bit. The tune "Ratisbon" is... well, it's okay, but it's not anything to really write home about. The other tune suggested in New English Hymnal is just boring. So I thought I'd write a couple of my own tunes for the same text. It is really a wonderful text, after all! I think that on reflection my tunes aren't much to write...

AcWriMo 10: Colworth CM

Byartsyhonker November 12, 2012 0 Comments
Since I stumbled across them in the "confirmation" section of the New English Hymnal -- in fact the one hymn makes up the entire section -- I've liked these words by Matthew Bridges (1800-94): 1 My God, accept my heart this day, And make it always Thine, That I from Thee no more may stray, No more from Thee decline. 2 Before the Cross of Him Who died, Behold, I prostrate fall; Let every sin be...

AcWriMo 9: Poppleton 887 887

Byartsyhonker November 12, 2012 0 Comments
This text by Ben Jonson is often sung to Melita: 1 I sing the birth was born tonight, The Author both of life and light: The angels so did sound it; And like the ravished shepherds said, Who saw the light and were afraid, Yet searched, and true they found it. 2 The Son of God, th'eternal King, That did us all salvation bring, And freed the world from danger, He whom the whole world could not...

AcWriMo 8 & #10eleven12: Leyton DCM

Byartsyhonker November 12, 2012 2 Comments
I completed this on Saturday, 10th November as my contribution to 10eleven12 but didn't get a chance to transcribe it and upload it until today. Words by Thomas Thurman: Elijah thought he stood alone; you spoke of his mistake, but took no form throughout the storm nor showed within the quake. O Lord, whose peaceful whispering within the silence stirred give now to those who bear your name an ear...

AcWriMo 7: Old Street CM

Byartsyhonker November 9, 2012 0 Comments
I like these words by Isaac Watts, but the only sung version of them I know is a bit difficult for congregational singing. You can hear it about 33 seconds into my Easter Journeys contribution from spring 2012: Now, I'm sure there are other tunes. "Martyrdom" is certainly used sometimes, but that is now so closely associated with "As pants the hart for cooling streams" that it feels a bit odd....