Hymn Tunes Thaxted + Jerusalem

Traditionally seen as two patriotic British hymns. However, I prefer them when used with more Christian words praising God - O God, Beyond All Praising and O Love of God, How Strong and True.

The first tune is from Gustav Holst's Jupiter. Traditionally used to sing Sir Cecil Spring Rice's words 'I Vow to Thee My Country.' However, I prefer the words by Michael Perry of 'O God, Beyond All Praising'

O God beyond all praising,
we worship you today
and sing the love amazing
that songs cannot repay;
for we can only wonder
at every gift you send,
at blessings without number
and mercies without end:
we lift our hearts before you
and wait upon your word,
we honor and adore you,
our great and mighty Lord.

Then hear, O gracious Savior,
accept the love we bring,
that we who know your favor
may serve you as our king;
and whether our tomorrows
be filled with good or ill,
we'II triumph through our sorrows
and rise to bless you still:
to marvel at your beauty
and glory in your ways,
and make a joyful duty
our sacrifice of praise.

The St John Cantius Organ is my favourite of the three sets I own for playing hymns. It is so majestic and the pedal reed - the Bombarde 16 foot is so powerful (you'll hear it at the end of Jerusalem). The acoustics, especially the dying down of the pipes at the end of a piece, makes this a really lovely organ.

Hope you enjoy, whichever words you prefer these tunes to!

John