Christ be beside me, as in the "middle verses" of St Patrick's Breastplate? I think I may have sung them to Bunessan, but what I'm remembering from my Church of Ireland days is something different, probably "Deirdre", which misses out the word "be", and is 4 4 4 4 D metre.
You mentioned how “Morning Has Broken” always seems a bit twee to you. I wonder how much of that is due to the meter—5.5.5.4.D. Those short lines can give a sense of sing-songiness.
Brits of a certain age may think of it primarily as a school assembly song. I certainly do (though as a six-year old I probably understood very little of it!)
I used to have the sheet music which included the beautiful Rick Wakeman piano part, but never played it in church!
Ahem - Cat Stevens
Yes, but it was Rick on the piano!
Indeed. He got everywhere. That’s also him on Life on Mars.
Christ be beside me, as in the "middle verses" of St Patrick's Breastplate? I think I may have sung them to Bunessan, but what I'm remembering from my Church of Ireland days is something different, probably "Deirdre", which misses out the word "be", and is 4 4 4 4 D metre.
I'm as musically incompetent and ignorant as they come, but I feel Bunessan would definitely give it a different flavour! One of my favourites.
You mentioned how “Morning Has Broken” always seems a bit twee to you. I wonder how much of that is due to the meter—5.5.5.4.D. Those short lines can give a sense of sing-songiness.
Brits of a certain age may think of it primarily as a school assembly song. I certainly do (though as a six-year old I probably understood very little of it!)
I used to have the sheet music which included the beautiful Rick Wakeman piano part, but never played it in church!
Ahem - Cat Stevens
Yes, but it was Rick on the piano!
Back in the 1970's when our local commercial radio station started, they used to have a God Slot on the breakfast show (rather like 'Thought for the Day' on BBC Radio 4 I suppose) (Apparently the regular DJ hated having to introduce it as he was an atheist) and this slot was called 'Morning has Broken' (my father was one of the pool of speakers, which is probably why I remember it so well). It had a theme tune of a rather lovely piece of piano music, but at the time I had no idea how it related to the 'Morning has Broken' name (I knew MHB was a hymn of course, as I'd learnt it in primary school assembly) ... it was only years later when I actually heard the Cat Stevens recording that I realised this piano theme used on the radio was actually the introduction to the song! (But never realised until now that it was played by Rick Wakemen - thanks Gill! )
Our choir was rather depleted by illness and didn’t sing any solos.
Hymns
You servants of God, / Laudate Dominum
Now to the King of heaven, / St John
Author of faith, eternal word, / Warrington
Rejoice in God’s saints, / Paderborn
Not quite what I sang, but I listened to an excellent recital by our city’s specialist Bach Choir in the local cathedral. There were special soloists for this occasion: a baroque flautist and baroque oboist, both with international reputations and wonderful.
The orchestra for these concerts always has period instruments: recorders, baroque brass, baroque bassoon and baroque flutes, as the score requires. They tune to the pitch of the baroque era, about a semitone lower than A440. I sang with them once some years ago and the slightly lower pitch makes the Bach tenor parts much more comfortable.
Cantatas:
Die Elenden sollen essen, BWV 75
Brich dem Hungrigen dein Brot, BWV 39
Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan, BWV 99
After a music free Sunday (a nice peaceful 8am) I was asked to play for a "Funeral Requiem" today. The deceased (95 years old) been a choir member for years and had left instructions, so we had -
The day of resurrection (Ellacombe)
They whose course on earth is o'er (Vienna)
Harris in F (it is decades since I played that let alone heard it)
Easter Anthems (sung to a dull chant by Pelham Humphrey 🥱)
Lord enthroned (St Helen)
Thou visitest the earth (Greene) sung at the administration which reminded me of Harvest Evensongs
Thine for ever God of love (Newington) during the ablutions
During the high church ritual around the coffin before the commendation we had Summer suns are glowing (Ruth). I smiled thinking it was as well she hadn't died in winter 🤣 The words were actually very appropriate really especially with the references to "the veil uplifting" and "death with thee is bright"
Choir sang the Nunc to Hylton Stewart in C as the coffin exited which made a mice cheerful end.
One of the best and most postive funerals I have ever played for, full of joy and hope in resurrection and eternal life.
There again on Friday for Lady Day in Harvest as I like to call it 🤣
After a music free Sunday (a nice peaceful 8am) I was asked to play for a "Funeral Requiem" today. The deceased (95 years old) been a choir member for years and had left instructions, so we had -
The day of resurrection (Ellacombe)
They whose course on earth is o'er (Vienna)
Harris in F (it is decades since I played that let alone heard it)
Easter Anthems (sung to a dull chant by Pelham Humphrey 🥱)
Lord enthroned (St Helen)
Thou visitest the earth (Greene) sung at the administration which reminded me of Harvest Evensongs
Thine for ever God of love (Newington) during the ablutions
During the high church ritual around the coffin before the commendation we had Summer suns are glowing (Ruth). I smiled thinking it was as well she hadn't died in winter 🤣 The words were actually very appropriate really especially with the references to "the veil uplifting" and "death with thee is bright"
Choir sang the Nunc to Hylton Stewart in C as the coffin exited which made a mice cheerful end.
One of the best and most postive funerals I have ever played for, full of joy and hope in resurrection and eternal life.
There again on Friday for Lady Day in Harvest as I like to call it 🤣
Yes, indeed - a lovely selection of hymns, and quite a send-off...
I assume you'll be playing some suitable stuff on Friday?
There again on Friday for Lady Day in Harvest as I like to call it 🤣
I know it's not the focus of this, but I've only been to one Harvest service, in Ireland when I briefly lived there. Are they still quite widespread in posters' experience?
@Bishops Finger they have not yet finalised the Friday material but it is the sort of ultra high church place that is likely to produce 'the sheet' a thing I believe you are familiar with 😉 so am expecring some exotic words if not music. I was there once before (around Pentecost time I think) and had to play a shedload of verses to the abominable (imho) tune of the "Lincolnshire Poacher" and the words used were 'ultra vires' on that theatrical occasion. Will report back here on Sunday dv.
@Climacus Not sure about Ireland although a friend from Derry says the country areas usually have Harvest services in that district. In the west of Englamd (being latgely rural) they are still highly common and popular. First Evensong of Harvest can still occur here and there on the Friday before Harvest Sunday, with or without supper.
Harvest is not a thing in English RC circles. Maybe because we are mainly an urban rather than a rural lot (at least since we became legal.) A few years ago our local Churches Together were planning a joint Harvest service. There was an awkward silence when I was asked what harvest hymns we sang. We don't.
@Climacus - Harvest Festival services are still a thing in many churches in the UK, though (as @Baptist Trainfan observes), often celebrated rather late! Our Place used to have it in early October, but this year it has been brought forward to mid-September.
@Truron - yes, you may well find the church you're playing for using *The Sheet*, though there are some good Marian hymns in a few of the regular hymnbooks IYSWIM.
Here's a nice rendering (IMHO) of Hail, Holy Queen, from the Anglican cathedral in Hong Kong:
Harvest Festival services are still a thing in many churches in the UK.
Blame the Rev. Robert Hawker of Morwenstow, noted not only for inventing the modern Harvest Festival but also for spending hours in his little hut on the cliffs, dressing up as a mermaid and sitting on a rock, and excommunicating his cat ...
We still decorate the church for Harvest Festival. In Canada it was really quite a big thing, as they celebrate Thanksgiving with a public holiday on the first Monday of October, which coincided neatly with everything looking suitably autumnal.
Many of the more fantastic stories told about Hawker are based on an unreliable biography published by the Reverend Sabine Baring-Gould in 1876, only a few months after Hawker's death.
The article doesn’t specifically say why Baring-Gould’s biography should be considered unreliable, nor is a source cited for that particular statement. But it does note that Hawker’s hut on the cliffs is the smallest property held by the National Trust.
As I mentioned previously I had agreed to play for an 'Assumption' service yesterday but an RC colleague asked me to cover him for a Vigil Mass on Thursday evening. It ended with a hymn of very wonderful words (imo) sung to a lovely Irish tune known to me. I found a recording of it on Youtube, the words I think could be sung by pretty much any mainstream Christian.
Holy virgin by God's decree
Mass of Peace
Tell out my soul (Woodlands)
Be still and know that I am God
I sing a maid of tender years (Flight of the earls)
A nice plain sort of Mass and a decent homily focusing on the Resurrection.
"Solemn Mass of the Assumption" in an Anglican parish
Well this made the RC vigil Mass seem plain in comparison! The whole thing was something of an extravanganza which admittedly I did rather expect. The service emded with a long procession during which the image of the BVM without a child (this always irks me as Mary without Jesus makes no sense) tottered around the church during some outrageously worded hymns and concluded in a sort of enthronement ceremony with rose petals descending from the ceiling. It was rather like the Albert Hall at the festival of remembrance 🤣 frankly I thought it the height of idiocy 😳
As to the music we had
Arise O ark of Christ the Lord (Golden Sheaves). so at least a nice tune
Mass of St Thomas
Magnificat to Hylton Stewart in C
Her virgin eyes saw God incarnate born (Woodlands)
*unusual choice of tune but went very well
In splendour arrayed in vesture of gold (Laudate Dominum)
Ave Maria (Bruckner)
Ave Maria O maiden O mother
Procession
Daily daily sing to Mary (Daily daily) again a nice tune at least
Hail Queen of heaven the ocean star (Stella)
then during an incensing of the 'shrine' the one @Bishops Finger mentioned recently "Hail holy Queen enthroned above". I won't say what it reminded me of ...
One thing about these extreme high churches is that there is usually a good bunfight with alcohol afterwards ... believe me after that mammoth theatrical performance a drink was much needed 🤣
By the way @Bishops Finger it was indeed very much the Sheet as I only recognised the Gradual as being from an Anglican source (Bp Thomas Ken) but some of the rest were not even known to RC friends so only God himseld knows where they got dredged up from. Ans yes the May hymn of drivel was indeed the one about happy birds singing Te Deums 🤣 this man would be an unhappy one singing the Miserere!
The Assumption of Our Lady (Soul and Body*) into Heaven is being kept at Our Place tomorrow, though without the extravagances mentioned by the long-suffering @Truron:
Ye who own the faith of Jesus v1-4 (Daily, Daily)
Something from The Sheet - possibly Hail, Holy Queen (as mentioned earlier) Let all mortal flesh keep silence (Picardy) Ye who own etc. v5-7 (Daily, Daily again)**
*FatherInCharge keeps emphasising this every time he mentions The Assumption. The concept begs a few questions - and assumptions - of its own.
**I agree that Daily, Daily is a good tune, but I also like the alternative in our book - Den des Vaters sinn geboren, another early 18thC tune.
As far as I know there was no music at our place for the Assumption. Although it is a holy day of obligation, it is decades since I last observed it. I have enough trouble getting my head around the basics of Christianity without trying to cope with Mary stuff.
As far as I know there was no music at our place for the Assumption. Although it is a holy day of obligation, it is decades since I last observed it. I have enough trouble getting my head around the basics of Christianity without trying to cope with Mary stuff.
Quite.
AFAIK, a fair few C of E places observe the principal Marian festival (whatever they may call it) on the Sunday closest to 15th August. Even our Cathedral is doing so, with a Solemn Eucharist with incense tomorrow morning.
As far as I know there was no music at our place for the Assumption. Although it is a holy day of obligation, it is decades since I last observed it. I have enough trouble getting my head around the basics of Christianity without trying to cope with Mary stuff.
Quite.
AFAIK, a fair few C of E places observe the principal Marian festival (whatever they may call it) on the Sunday closest to 15th August. Even our Cathedral is doing so, with a Solemn Eucharist with incense tomorrow morning.
I enjoyed it. I was somewhat taken aback by the fluttering rose petals.
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
(The Revised English Hymnal was introduced today as a supplement to (the Australian) Together in Song. I can't find it on hymnary.org so I can't give the melodies I don't recall.)
Setting: Peter Guy, Newcastle* Mass
All people that on earth do dwell (Old 100th) At the name of Jesus Be still for the presence of the Lord Sing we of the blessèd mother (Abbot's Leigh)
Postlude: Handel, March (occasional overture) [sorry if I have this wrong, I found it a jolly number and asked the organist and this is what I recall seeing]
Last night we sang Compline in an ancient priory. For the anthem we spread out around the walls to sing Gjeilo’s Ubi Caritas.
This morning we will be singing at the Eucharist at a large parish church.
Sumsion in F major, but Merbecke Gloria
Hymns:
Christ is made the sure foundation- Westminster Abbey
Blessed Jesu, Mary’s son -Liebster Jesu ( Dessau)
Christ whose glory fills the skies - Ratisbon
May the grace of Christ our Saviour - Waltham
Forth in thy name O Lord I go - Song 34
Evensong
Introit : Ave verum ( Elgar)
Preces and Responses -Smith
Canticles - Stanford in B flat
Anthem - Light of the world, we know thy praise ( Elgar )
Hymns:
Lord, thy word abideth - Ravenshaw
Thou art the way - St. James
O Thou who camest from above - Hereford
I have never heard of the rose petals for the Assumption although yesterday I was at a Festal Evensong in a very high Anglo=Catholic church. It ended with the Salve Regina sung in front of a rose petal strewn image of the Virgin and Child. This was an Edinburgh Festival Event in honour of the Sacred Arts.
Perhaps it comes from the tradition of the white rose petals which drop from the ceiling of St Mary Major in Rome on 5th August. This commemorates a 'graziosa legenda' which recalls a miraculous fall of snow on 5th August 355 which indicated where this church should be built and which has given it the name of 'Our Lady of the Snows'.
“God is here! As we your people” - Blaenwern.
“As we are gathered Jesus is here” (John Daniels).
“Baptised in water” - Bunessan.
“I'm not ashamed to own my Lord” - Jackson.
“Who is on the Lord’s side?” - Rachie.
No mention of Our Lady or her assumption at St Pete's:
God is love, his the care - Personent Hodie Father, I place into your hands Christ, whose glory fills the skies - Ratisbon Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Be thou my vision - Slane
Our resident guitar player has pranged a clavicle, so the chorus-type ditties will have to be accompanied on the "appliance" for the foreseeable future.
After a music free Sunday (a nice peaceful 8am) I was asked to play for a "Funeral Requiem" today. The deceased (95 years old) been a choir member for years and had left instructions, so we had -
The day of resurrection (Ellacombe)
They whose course on earth is o'er (Vienna)
Harris in F (it is decades since I played that let alone heard it)
Easter Anthems (sung to a dull chant by Pelham Humphrey 🥱)
Lord enthroned (St Helen)
Thou visitest the earth (Greene) sung at the administration which reminded me of Harvest Evensongs
Thine for ever God of love (Newington) during the ablutions
During the high church ritual around the coffin before the commendation we had Summer suns are glowing (Ruth). I smiled thinking it was as well she hadn't died in winter 🤣 The words were actually very appropriate really especially with the references to "the veil uplifting" and "death with thee is bright"
Choir sang the Nunc to Hylton Stewart in C as the coffin exited which made a mice cheerful end.
One of the best and most postive funerals I have ever played for, full of joy and hope in resurrection and eternal life.
There again on Friday for Lady Day in Harvest as I like to call it 🤣
Re ‘as well she hadn’t died in winter’ I can’t be the only person whose instructions (I’m in my 40s) are detailed enough to have music variation by liturgical season??
Our Place duly warbled the hymns I mentioned earlier, with a reasonable turn-out, considering that a number of the Faithful are Away, because holidays.
The Something From The Sheet™ was (my Spy tells me) a Marian hymn to the tune* more usually sung to Fanny Crosby's To God be the glory - alas! my Spy can't remember the words, as she was busy serving and censing (it was the Offertory hymn).
We had:
Make way
Longing for light
As the deer
We sing a love
Praise the one who breaks the darkness
I wouldn't mind our minister picking the same hymns all the time if they were better ones. We've had Make way and As the deer 6 times each in the 21 months he's been in post (and This is the day 8 times). All three are rather insipid.
With Jesus in the boat we can smile at the storm You never let go (Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death) Pour over me (Your love, shining like the sun) Oceans deep (You call me out upon the waters) I speak Jesus
This is all according to my spy (channelling my inner @Bishops Finger ), Mr Nen, who was on projection duty. I wasn't there - went instead to the coffee shop with my book.
Some of the churches I visit online have observed today as The Dormition (or Falling Asleep) of the Blessed Virgin Mary - I think this is the term used by many Orthodox churches, too.
Well, fair enough. She must have died, and left this earth, at some point...but FatherInCharge seems to think that the lack of any bones from her corpse being venerated anywhere as relics proves that she is in Heaven, body and soul.
I had never even heard of The Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary until @Gamma Gamaliel mentioned it recently on a thread. Every day's a school day on the Ship .
Some of the churches I visit online have observed today as The Dormition (or Falling Asleep) of the Blessed Virgin Mary - I think this is the term used by many Orthodox churches, too.
I certainly stand to be corrected, but I think that for the Orthodox, it would be the Dormition of the Theotokos, not of the BVM.
Today, we had:
“How Lovely, Lord” (Ps. 84)/MERLE’S TUNE
“Calm to the Waters”/CALM SEAS
“When We Are Living” (Pues si vivimos)/SOMOS DEL SEÑOR
“Give Thanks for Those Whose Faith Is Firm”/REPTON
Some of the churches I visit online have observed today as The Dormition (or Falling Asleep) of the Blessed Virgin Mary - I think this is the term used by many Orthodox churches, too.
I certainly stand to be corrected, but I think that for the Orthodox, it would be the Dormition of the Theotokos, not of the BVM.
Some of us use English. Take your pick of epithets from: "most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, Mother of God, and Ever-Virgin". In our church, for the titles of feasts, we would normally use just "Mother of God".
I cannot equal the lovely menu of music described by @Puzzler which is a shame. My RC colleague was still unwell and asked if I could cover again this morning so for their early(ish) Mass we had -
You shall cross the barren desert
Mass of Creation
Father and lifegiver (Princethorpe) which I enjoyed 😊
Abba Father let me be
Sing of Mary pure and lowly (Hyfrydol)
The last one was new to me but had nice words to do with the BVM and a damn sight better than most of the doggerel I endured on Friday 🤮Since discovered it was written by a former Cowley Dad so that explains the more measured approach!
Other than that I only had a country Evensong
O strength and stay (Strength and stay)
Hark my soul it is the Lord (St Bees)
Saviour again to thy dear name (Ellers)
The handful present purred happily through and the adjacent tavern served a nice cold beer on a warm evening.
Some of us use English. Take your pick of epithets from: "most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, Mother of God, and Ever-Virgin". In our church, for the titles of feasts, we would normally use just "Mother of God".
As I said, I stand to be corrected, so thank you for taking me up on that! Dormition of the Theotokos is what I’ve encountered—there’s a Greek Orthodox Church by that title not too far away from me. But my familiarity is admittedly limited.
Out of curiosity, I checked the website of the church I mentioned, and I guess not surprisingly, their calendar listed it as “Dormition of the Theotokos.” Meanwhile, the online calendar of the local Greek Orthodox church listed it as “The Dormition of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary.”
Meanwhile, my tribe’s calendar simply titles the day “Mary, the Mother of Jesus.” Kind of plain in comparison, but John Knox is still probably rolling in his grave.
With Jesus in the boat we can smile at the storm You never let go (Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death) Pour over me (Your love, shining like the sun) Oceans deep (You call me out upon the waters) I speak Jesus
This is all according to my spy (channelling my inner @Bishops Finger ), Mr Nen, who was on projection duty. I wasn't there - went instead to the coffee shop with my book.
Spies are useful. Mine is often busy serving etc., so doesn't always remember what they've sung from The Sheet - unless it's one of the ghastly bits of doggerel picked up by FatherInCharge, which seem to stick in the mind as dog poo sticks to one's shoe.
The music at both today’s services, as listed above, went very well, especially Evensong.
The church is in interregnum, and today they introduced new variants of their services, published online, together with a few paper copies, though not enough for all the choir. Amusingly, this morning’s booklet was entitled “ Eucharist in Vacancy Season”.
The music at both today’s services, as listed above, went very well, especially Evensong.
The church is in interregnum, and today they introduced new variants of their services, published online, together with a few paper copies, though not enough for all the choir. Amusingly, this morning’s booklet was entitled “ Eucharist in Vacancy Season”.
Watching the live stream of Evensong the officiant seemed to have some problems with the text, which was not quite 1662 Common Prayer. The live stream also cut off after one hour, during the sermon (which was not a sermon, because that was not allowed at Evensong during August).
Nice singing. I think I last sang Stanford in B flat in 1958 (or 1959), but certainly before my voice broke.
Covered evensong for a neighbour with a choir from the parish’s Oxford college patron. It was billed as ‘come and sing’ so they were happy to add me to the tenor line
Stanford in C
Ayleward Responses
Like as the hart - Howells
Glory to thee my God this night (TALLIS' CANON)
Eternal ruler of the ceaseless round (SONG 1 GIBBONS) - in place of the Psalm
Angel voices ever singing (ANGEL VOICES (Monk))
The music at both today’s services, as listed above, went very well, especially Evensong.
The church is in interregnum, and today they introduced new variants of their services, published online, together with a few paper copies, though not enough for all the choir. Amusingly, this morning’s booklet was entitled “ Eucharist in Vacancy Season”.
Watching the live stream of Evensong the officiant seemed to have some problems with the text, which was not quite 1662 Common Prayer. The live stream also cut off after one hour, during the sermon (which was not a sermon, because that was not allowed at Evensong during August).
Nice singing. I think I last sang Stanford in B flat in 1958 (or 1959), but certainly before my voice broke.
Considering we only met as a choir on Friday morning and had three services to prepare, it doesn’t sound too bad, though not perfect. I couldn’t find a recording of the Eucharist, but I found the complete Evensong. The choir did not have copies of anything other than sung items. Fortunately the words were familiar to most of us but we relied on our MD for much on-the-spot guidance.
A requiem today with a visiting priest (friend of the family - motto "I do it MY way.") and young guitarist (grandson of the deceased.) The unmusical priest had run though some of the hymns with the unchurched guitarist in advance. They arrived and expected me to have somehow absorbed what they had agreed by way of introductions, length of pauses between verses etc. A crowd of 50 or so, mainly parishioners must have wondered why the music was so crappy.
Sometimes my humble fee is earned with the sweat of keeping my mouth zipped tightly shut and smiling sweetly. I take great care over how I play at funerals. Respect for the deceased and a desire to leave a good impression of our church with those who may never have been to a catholic church.
Covered evensong for a neighbour with a choir from the parish’s Oxford college patron. It was billed as ‘come and sing’ so they were happy to add me to the tenor line
Stanford in C
Ayleward Responses
Like as the hart - Howells
Glory to thee my God this night (TALLIS' CANON)
Eternal ruler of the ceaseless round (SONG 1 GIBBONS) - in place of the Psalm
Angel voices ever singing (ANGEL VOICES (Monk))
Comments
Yes, but not the C F Alexander version (I'd normally sing that to GARTON). The lyrics are here (though this link offers yet another tune):
https://zealmusicpublishing.com/christ-be-beside-me
Indeed. He got everywhere. That’s also him on Life on Mars.
I'm as musically incompetent and ignorant as they come, but I feel Bunessan would definitely give it a different flavour! One of my favourites.
Back in the 1970's when our local commercial radio station started, they used to have a God Slot on the breakfast show (rather like 'Thought for the Day' on BBC Radio 4 I suppose) (Apparently the regular DJ hated having to introduce it as he was an atheist) and this slot was called 'Morning has Broken' (my father was one of the pool of speakers, which is probably why I remember it so well). It had a theme tune of a rather lovely piece of piano music, but at the time I had no idea how it related to the 'Morning has Broken' name (I knew MHB was a hymn of course, as I'd learnt it in primary school assembly) ... it was only years later when I actually heard the Cat Stevens recording that I realised this piano theme used on the radio was actually the introduction to the song! (But never realised until now that it was played by Rick Wakemen - thanks Gill! )
Our choir was rather depleted by illness and didn’t sing any solos.
Hymns
You servants of God, / Laudate Dominum
Now to the King of heaven, / St John
Author of faith, eternal word, / Warrington
Rejoice in God’s saints, / Paderborn
Not quite what I sang, but I listened to an excellent recital by our city’s specialist Bach Choir in the local cathedral. There were special soloists for this occasion: a baroque flautist and baroque oboist, both with international reputations and wonderful.
The orchestra for these concerts always has period instruments: recorders, baroque brass, baroque bassoon and baroque flutes, as the score requires. They tune to the pitch of the baroque era, about a semitone lower than A440. I sang with them once some years ago and the slightly lower pitch makes the Bach tenor parts much more comfortable.
Cantatas:
Die Elenden sollen essen, BWV 75
Brich dem Hungrigen dein Brot, BWV 39
Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan, BWV 99
The day of resurrection (Ellacombe)
They whose course on earth is o'er (Vienna)
Harris in F (it is decades since I played that let alone heard it)
Easter Anthems (sung to a dull chant by Pelham Humphrey 🥱)
Lord enthroned (St Helen)
Thou visitest the earth (Greene) sung at the administration which reminded me of Harvest Evensongs
Thine for ever God of love (Newington) during the ablutions
During the high church ritual around the coffin before the commendation we had Summer suns are glowing (Ruth). I smiled thinking it was as well she hadn't died in winter 🤣 The words were actually very appropriate really especially with the references to "the veil uplifting" and "death with thee is bright"
Choir sang the Nunc to Hylton Stewart in C as the coffin exited which made a mice cheerful end.
One of the best and most postive funerals I have ever played for, full of joy and hope in resurrection and eternal life.
There again on Friday for Lady Day in Harvest as I like to call it 🤣
Yes, indeed - a lovely selection of hymns, and quite a send-off...
I assume you'll be playing some suitable stuff on Friday?
I know it's not the focus of this, but I've only been to one Harvest service, in Ireland when I briefly lived there. Are they still quite widespread in posters' experience?
@Climacus Not sure about Ireland although a friend from Derry says the country areas usually have Harvest services in that district. In the west of Englamd (being latgely rural) they are still highly common and popular. First Evensong of Harvest can still occur here and there on the Friday before Harvest Sunday, with or without supper.
@Truron - yes, you may well find the church you're playing for using *The Sheet*, though there are some good Marian hymns in a few of the regular hymnbooks IYSWIM.
Here's a nice rendering (IMHO) of Hail, Holy Queen, from the Anglican cathedral in Hong Kong:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMK0zW2xq3Y&list=RDAMK0zW2xq3Y&start_radio=1
I think the hymn sung to the tune of The Lincolnshire Poacher must have been The happy birds Te Deum sing, which is drivel...
We still decorate the church for Harvest Festival. In Canada it was really quite a big thing, as they celebrate Thanksgiving with a public holiday on the first Monday of October, which coincided neatly with everything looking suitably autumnal.
The article doesn’t specifically say why Baring-Gould’s biography should be considered unreliable, nor is a source cited for that particular statement. But it does note that Hawker’s hut on the cliffs is the smallest property held by the National Trust.
http://cantusmundi.blogspot.com/2010/05/i-sing-maid.html
Anyway we had for that service
Holy virgin by God's decree
Mass of Peace
Tell out my soul (Woodlands)
Be still and know that I am God
I sing a maid of tender years (Flight of the earls)
A nice plain sort of Mass and a decent homily focusing on the Resurrection.
http://cantusmundi.blogspot.com/2010/05/i-sing-maid.html
"Solemn Mass of the Assumption" in an Anglican parish
Well this made the RC vigil Mass seem plain in comparison! The whole thing was something of an extravanganza which admittedly I did rather expect. The service emded with a long procession during which the image of the BVM without a child (this always irks me as Mary without Jesus makes no sense) tottered around the church during some outrageously worded hymns and concluded in a sort of enthronement ceremony with rose petals descending from the ceiling. It was rather like the Albert Hall at the festival of remembrance 🤣 frankly I thought it the height of idiocy 😳
As to the music we had
Arise O ark of Christ the Lord (Golden Sheaves). so at least a nice tune
Mass of St Thomas
Magnificat to Hylton Stewart in C
Her virgin eyes saw God incarnate born (Woodlands)
*unusual choice of tune but went very well
In splendour arrayed in vesture of gold (Laudate Dominum)
Ave Maria (Bruckner)
Ave Maria O maiden O mother
Procession
Daily daily sing to Mary (Daily daily) again a nice tune at least
Hail Queen of heaven the ocean star (Stella)
then during an incensing of the 'shrine' the one @Bishops Finger mentioned recently "Hail holy Queen enthroned above". I won't say what it reminded me of ...
One thing about these extreme high churches is that there is usually a good bunfight with alcohol afterwards ... believe me after that mammoth theatrical performance a drink was much needed 🤣
By the way @Bishops Finger it was indeed very much the Sheet as I only recognised the Gradual as being from an Anglican source (Bp Thomas Ken) but some of the rest were not even known to RC friends so only God himseld knows where they got dredged up from. Ans yes the May hymn of drivel was indeed the one about happy birds singing Te Deums 🤣 this man would be an unhappy one singing the Miserere!
Apologies for the length everyone 🤭
The Assumption of Our Lady (Soul and Body*) into Heaven is being kept at Our Place tomorrow, though without the extravagances mentioned by the long-suffering @Truron:
Ye who own the faith of Jesus v1-4 (Daily, Daily)
Something from The Sheet - possibly Hail, Holy Queen (as mentioned earlier)
Let all mortal flesh keep silence (Picardy)
Ye who own etc. v5-7 (Daily, Daily again)**
*FatherInCharge keeps emphasising this every time he mentions The Assumption. The concept begs a few questions - and assumptions - of its own.
**I agree that Daily, Daily is a good tune, but I also like the alternative in our book - Den des Vaters sinn geboren, another early 18thC tune.
Quite.
AFAIK, a fair few C of E places observe the principal Marian festival (whatever they may call it) on the Sunday closest to 15th August. Even our Cathedral is doing so, with a Solemn Eucharist with incense tomorrow morning.
Incense is another one we don't do.
Even some Lutherans use it occasionally:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKPDkvoWncY&list=RDMKPDkvoWncY&start_radio=1
/apologies for slight tangent/
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
(The Revised English Hymnal was introduced today as a supplement to (the Australian) Together in Song. I can't find it on hymnary.org so I can't give the melodies I don't recall.)
Setting: Peter Guy, Newcastle* Mass
All people that on earth do dwell (Old 100th)
At the name of Jesus
Be still for the presence of the Lord
Sing we of the blessèd mother (Abbot's Leigh)
Postlude: Handel, March (occasional overture) [sorry if I have this wrong, I found it a jolly number and asked the organist and this is what I recall seeing]
* the Australian one
This morning we will be singing at the Eucharist at a large parish church.
Sumsion in F major, but Merbecke Gloria
Hymns:
Christ is made the sure foundation- Westminster Abbey
Blessed Jesu, Mary’s son -Liebster Jesu ( Dessau)
Christ whose glory fills the skies - Ratisbon
May the grace of Christ our Saviour - Waltham
Forth in thy name O Lord I go - Song 34
Evensong
Introit : Ave verum ( Elgar)
Preces and Responses -Smith
Canticles - Stanford in B flat
Anthem - Light of the world, we know thy praise ( Elgar )
Hymns:
Lord, thy word abideth - Ravenshaw
Thou art the way - St. James
O Thou who camest from above - Hereford
Music Director : Peter North
Perhaps it comes from the tradition of the white rose petals which drop from the ceiling of St Mary Major in Rome on 5th August. This commemorates a 'graziosa legenda' which recalls a miraculous fall of snow on 5th August 355 which indicated where this church should be built and which has given it the name of 'Our Lady of the Snows'.
“As we are gathered Jesus is here” (John Daniels).
“Baptised in water” - Bunessan.
“I'm not ashamed to own my Lord” - Jackson.
“Who is on the Lord’s side?” - Rachie.
Do not be afraid
Love divine all loves excelling
And another Wesley as a voluntary. Choral Song.
Ye Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim - LAUDATE DOMINUM
We Have a Gospel to Proclaim - GERMANY
God is love, his the care - Personent Hodie
Father, I place into your hands
Christ, whose glory fills the skies - Ratisbon
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord
Be thou my vision - Slane
Our resident guitar player has pranged a clavicle, so the chorus-type ditties will have to be accompanied on the "appliance" for the foreseeable future.
Heaven help us ...
Re ‘as well she hadn’t died in winter’ I can’t be the only person whose instructions (I’m in my 40s) are detailed enough to have music variation by liturgical season??
The Something From The Sheet™ was (my Spy tells me) a Marian hymn to the tune* more usually sung to Fanny Crosby's To God be the glory - alas! my Spy can't remember the words, as she was busy serving and censing (it was the Offertory hymn).
*To God Be The Glory, by W H Doane.
Make way
Longing for light
As the deer
We sing a love
Praise the one who breaks the darkness
I wouldn't mind our minister picking the same hymns all the time if they were better ones. We've had Make way and As the deer 6 times each in the 21 months he's been in post (and This is the day 8 times). All three are rather insipid.
You never let go (Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death)
Pour over me (Your love, shining like the sun)
Oceans deep (You call me out upon the waters)
I speak Jesus
This is all according to my spy (channelling my inner @Bishops Finger ), Mr Nen, who was on projection duty. I wasn't there - went instead to the coffee shop with my book.
Well, fair enough. She must have died, and left this earth, at some point...but FatherInCharge seems to think that the lack of any bones from her corpse being venerated anywhere as relics proves that she is in Heaven, body and soul.
YMMV.
Today, we had:
“How Lovely, Lord” (Ps. 84)/MERLE’S TUNE
“Calm to the Waters”/CALM SEAS
“When We Are Living” (Pues si vivimos)/SOMOS DEL SEÑOR
“Give Thanks for Those Whose Faith Is Firm”/REPTON
Some of us use English. Take your pick of epithets from: "most holy, most pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, Mother of God, and Ever-Virgin". In our church, for the titles of feasts, we would normally use just "Mother of God".
Fixed coding - Nenya, Ecclesiantics Host
You shall cross the barren desert
Mass of Creation
Father and lifegiver (Princethorpe) which I enjoyed 😊
Abba Father let me be
Sing of Mary pure and lowly (Hyfrydol)
The last one was new to me but had nice words to do with the BVM and a damn sight better than most of the doggerel I endured on Friday 🤮Since discovered it was written by a former Cowley Dad so that explains the more measured approach!
Other than that I only had a country Evensong
O strength and stay (Strength and stay)
Hark my soul it is the Lord (St Bees)
Saviour again to thy dear name (Ellers)
The handful present purred happily through and the adjacent tavern served a nice cold beer on a warm evening.
Out of curiosity, I checked the website of the church I mentioned, and I guess not surprisingly, their calendar listed it as “Dormition of the Theotokos.” Meanwhile, the online calendar of the local Greek Orthodox church listed it as “The Dormition of our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary.”
Meanwhile, my tribe’s calendar simply titles the day “Mary, the Mother of Jesus.” Kind of plain in comparison, but John Knox is still probably rolling in his grave.
Spies are useful. Mine is often busy serving etc., so doesn't always remember what they've sung from The Sheet - unless it's one of the ghastly bits of doggerel picked up by FatherInCharge, which seem to stick in the mind as dog poo sticks to one's shoe.
I'm somewhat reassured that it's not just me that thinks so!
The church is in interregnum, and today they introduced new variants of their services, published online, together with a few paper copies, though not enough for all the choir. Amusingly, this morning’s booklet was entitled “ Eucharist in Vacancy Season”.
Watching the live stream of Evensong the officiant seemed to have some problems with the text, which was not quite 1662 Common Prayer. The live stream also cut off after one hour, during the sermon (which was not a sermon, because that was not allowed at Evensong during August).
Nice singing. I think I last sang Stanford in B flat in 1958 (or 1959), but certainly before my voice broke.
Stanford in C
Ayleward Responses
Like as the hart - Howells
Glory to thee my God this night (TALLIS' CANON)
Eternal ruler of the ceaseless round (SONG 1 GIBBONS) - in place of the Psalm
Angel voices ever singing (ANGEL VOICES (Monk))
Considering we only met as a choir on Friday morning and had three services to prepare, it doesn’t sound too bad, though not perfect. I couldn’t find a recording of the Eucharist, but I found the complete Evensong. The choir did not have copies of anything other than sung items. Fortunately the words were familiar to most of us but we relied on our MD for much on-the-spot guidance.
Sometimes my humble fee is earned with the sweat of keeping my mouth zipped tightly shut and smiling sweetly. I take great care over how I play at funerals. Respect for the deceased and a desire to leave a good impression of our church with those who may never have been to a catholic church.
PHWOAR!!!