In our day of thanksgiving one psalm let us offer

I present to you a hymn, which I believe you will find unique. Unique in the "meaning" of the text, and the "tradition" in performing it.

I came across this hymn when I attended All Saints' Church, Margaret Street in London. All Saints is considered by many to be the "ultimate" Anglo-Catholic church. This hymn is sung on All Saints Sunday, and it is done in the manner in which I've recorded it here. You may find the "style used" to be "ultra sophisticated," and not the sort of thing that a congregation could "pull off," but you have to be aware that the congregation of All Saints is of the "ultra sophisticated" nature.

The text was written by William Henry Draper (1855-1933) and talks about the "saints who have gone before," but THESE saints are not the "big-name saints," they are the saints that we knew personally - the people form our parish who have served and passed on. It is this that makes the text so unique.

The music was composed by Richard Strutt (1849-1927). He had an interesting life, and was the son of the Second Baron Rayleigh, and was educated at Winchester and at Magdalen College, Oxford (MA 1876). He worked for an American bank in London, and joined the London Stock Exchange. He served as Warden and Choirmaster for over three decades at St. John’s Church, Wilton Road, London. His interests were wide ranging: He was a Fellow of the Philharmonic, Horticultural, and Zoological Societies, served on the Council of the Corporation of the Church House, and was involved with the North China and Shantung Mission, the Gregorian Society, and the Church Music Society.

The name of this hymn-tune is "St. Catherine's Court," and it is attached below.
When this hymn is sung, with congregation and choir kneeling, and performed like I have tried to "replicate" here, the effect is shattering. Like all "true" Anglo-Catholicism, we find a bittersweet mix of the ultra-refined, and ultra-emotional.

I've also attached a photo of All Saints Church.