| Description: | This great hymn is sung in the United Kingdom each year on Remembrance Sunday, which is always observed on the 2nd Sunday of November.
The melody and bass of this hymn appear in "A Supplement to the New Version", 1708, and are probably by William Croft (1678-1727). The tune is famously-known as "St. Anne."
William Croft (baptized 30 December 1678 – 14 August 1727) was born at the Manor House, Nether Ettington, Warwickshire. He was educated at the Chapel Royal, under the instruction of John Blow, and remained there until 1698. Two years after this departure, he became organist of St. Anne's Church, Soho. In 1707, he took over the Chapel Royal's "Master of the Children" post, which had been left vacant by the suicide of Jeremiah Clarke (one of Croft's pupils in this capacity was Maurice Greene). The following year, Croft succeeded Blow (who had lately died) as organist of Westminster Abbey. He composed works for the funeral of Queen Anne (1714) and for the coronation of King George I (1715).
While this tune is his most enduring legacy, he is also remember for his solemn and magnificent "Funeral Sentences," which are written very much in the style of Purcell, and sung at state funerals and memorial services.
The text of this great hymn is based upon Psalm 90, and is by Isaac Watts. Isaac Watts (17 July 1674 – 25 November 1748) was an English Christian minister, hymnwriter, theologian and logician. A prolific and popular hymn writer, his work was part of evangelization. He was recognized as the "Father of English Hymnody", credited with some 750 hymns. Many of his hymns remain in use today and have been translated into numerous languages.
The free accompaniments are by T. Tertius Noble (1867-1953), organist of Ely Cathedral, York Minster, and St. Thomas Church, NYC.
Photos are attached of Croft, Watts, and Noble.
The full text is given in the First Comment. |
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