Bright the Vision that delighted (Trinity Sunday)

Tomorrow is Trinity Sunday.

Ever since I was a young boy, and interested in the Church, I always loved Trinity Sunday. Perhaps I liked what it was all about. Maybe I liked the dramatic story of the Prophet Isaiah being in the Great Temple of heaven, and seeing the Lord seated upon his high throne. Maybe it was that we sang the great old standard, "Holy, holy, holy," one of the few hymns I recall from the Catholic church we attended, and where I still live one block away from.

This hymn-tune, known by two names - "Laus Deo" and "Redhead No. 46" was composed by Richard Redhead (1820-1901), who is actually one of my heroes. He was organist of All Saint's Church, Margaret Street in London from 1839 to 1864, and was the organist who founded the Choir School. Not to demean his music, but it was the school founding that makes him a hero to me.

The text is by Richard Mant (1776-1848) who was an English churchman who became a bishop in Ireland. He was a prolific writer, his major work being a History of the Church of Ireland.

This text and tune pair well together, and tell us of the Prophet's vision in heaven. The last verse incorporates a descant by Percy Whitlock (1903-1946). There is one full verse on introducion, and a photo of Richard Redhead is attached below.

The text is given in the First Comment.

Please also take a listen to my upload of Norman Gilbert's "Sortie" based upon this melody.