| Description: | The Refreshment Sundays or Rose Sundays are Sundays within the two major fasts observed in Western Christianity, Lent and Advent. On these days, the fast was allowed to be relaxed, hence the name "Refreshment Sunday". Correspondingly, the liturgical colours of the season are replaced with rose, hence the name "Rose Sunday".
Today, is the fourth Sunday in Lent, known as "Laetare Sunday." The word "laetare" is the first word of the Introit for the day, and translates as "be happy," so it lightens the somber tone of the Lenten season.
In England the day is also known as "Mothering Sunday." In former years, apprentice boys got the day off to visit their mothers, hence "Mothering Sunday".
This hymn, which speaks of Christ as the Good Shepherd, is definitely brighter than most hymns sung in Lent.
The melody comes from John Randall's "Psalms & Hymn Tunes" and dates from 1794. The tune is attributed to Charles Collignon. He was educated at Cambridge University, and taught anatomy there from 1753-85.
The text is by George Herbert (1593-1633), the important scholar, poet, priest and orator. His texts are often considered "quaint" by some scholars, but they are also powerful and highly personal.
I have several nice uploads on this tune uploaded here, in case you wish to hear the melody in an actual piece.
The score is attached below, as well as a likeness of George Herbert.
The FULL TEXT is given in the First Comment. |
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