Come, ye thankful people, come

This very well-known hymn was composed by George. J. Elvey (1816-1893), who was organist of St. George's Chapel, Windsor. Hence the name of the tune: "St. George's Windsor."

The text by Henry Alford (1810-1871) is truly a great one, dealing with things FAR beyond just a harvest festival.

This time I chose a "mildly modern fanfare approach," which is probably a bit more "American" than "British," but I guess it's OK.

I wish ALL our member a VERY Happy Thanksgiving - whether they are in the U.S. and celebrating the holiday, or living elsewhere in the world. May we ALL be
thankful.

Come, ye thankful people, come,
Raise the song of harvest home;
All is safely gathered in,
Ere the winter storms begin;
God, our Maker, doth provide
For our wants to be supplied;
Come to God's own temple, come,
Raise the song of harvest home.

All the world is God's own field,
Fruit unto His praise to yield;
Wheat and tares together sown,
Unto joy or sorrow grown;
First the blade, and then the ear,
Then the full corn shall appear:
Lord of harvest, grant that we
Wholeseome grain and pure may be.

For the Lord our God shall come,
And shall take His harvest home;
From the field shall in that day
All offenses purge away;
Give his angels charge at last
In the fire the tares to cast,
But the fruitful ears to store
In His garner evermore.

Even so, Lord, quickly come
To Thy final harvest home;
Gather Thou Thy people in,
Free from sorrow, free from sin;
There forever purified,
In Thy presence to abide:
Come, with all Thine angels, come,
Raise the glorious harvest home.

Words, Henry Alford, 1844 (1810-1871)
Music, George Job Elvey, 1859 (1816-1893)