Andrew Young (1807-1891) spent his life in Edinburgh, Scotland where he was a school teacher and head master. Many of Mr. Young’s hymns and poems were published in 1876 as The Scottish Highlands and Other Poems, which included “There Is a Happy Land,” which is included in many hymnals to this day. Its theme of eternal life and peace is summed up in the first verse:

There is a happy land, far, far away,
Where saints in Glory stand, bright, bright as day.
O how they sweetly sing: Worthy is our Savior King!
Loud let His praises ring, praise, praise for aye.

Grace Alone is a simple, lovely, and moving song by Scott Wesley Brown and Jeff Nelson. Its message of hope and assurance is particularly appropriate today. This song also reminds us of Christ’s service and our responsibility to others, admonishing us to “go forth in grace alone.”

The hymn tune “St. Anne” was composed in 1708 by William Croft, the organist at St. Anne’s Church, Soho, London. The words, “O God Our Help in Ages Past” were written by Isaac Watts, also in 1708, as a paraphrase of Psalm 90. For a hymn, the tune is remarkably strong and resolute and has often been used by other composers, notably J. S. Bach and Handel, as the basis for different compositions.

This particular “fanfare overture” setting of the tune is somewhat in keeping with the contrapuntal uses that were in fashion when the tune was originally composed. Instead of standard percussion, for example, timpani alone are used, a reference in style to the celebratory percussion and trumpet combinations of the 18th century.

“Kingsfold” is a traditional English melody, possibly originating in the Middle Ages. It was included in an anthology, English Country Songs, at the end of the 19th century. Ralph Vaughan Williams heard the tune in Kingsfold, Sussex (hence its name) and included it as a hymn tune in The English Hymnal (1906) to the words “I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say” by Horatius Bonar (1808-1889).

In the first chapter of Mark’s Gospel, we read an amazing story of many people who were physically and mentally ill being brought to Jesus to be healed. This drew the attention of the entire village who came out to witness Jesus and left amazed at what they saw. Covid 19 has caused many to be both physically and mentally ill, requiring healing.

This meditation seeks to portray, through music, this coming to Jesus to be healed, using this hymn by Thomas Moore (1779-1852):

Here is a meditative study on Sir Hubert Parry’s beloved hymn tune, “Repton.” Parry set his melody to the words of American Quaker poet John Greenleaf Whittier, and over many decades it has become a beloved hymn, particularly in the United Kingdom.

A sensitive setting of the chorus by General John Gowans (1934-2012) and General John Larsson (b. 1938), both of whom were one time the world leaders of The Salvation Army. Of the hundreds of lyrics General Gowans penned, this succinct chorus meant the most to him, for it was his personal mission statement:

This beautiful old prayer chorus by Salvation Army officer and musician Edward Joy is well-loved by Salvationists around the world. It is a “holiness” text that speaks of submitting completely to the Lord’s will – “not a fragment, but the whole” – and the simple melody follows well the meaning and emotional content of the words. This arrangement is also purposely simple to present the song in a direct and prayerful way

Younger bands may find this a useful arrangement of the traditional hymn. While the statements in this simple hymn are grand, as in the lyrics “Father all glorious, Ever victorious,” the simplicity of the setting should allow the faithful to easily focus on the thoughts being expressed. The short fanfare introduction and interlude should draw attention to the invocation and praise this sturdy hymn expresses.