Our hymn this week features a beautiful melody and a fine meditation, in a mingling of sadness and quiet confidence -- sung by an impressive boys' choir.
Debra, Tony: Thanks so much for this. I haven't heard it for SO many years! Again it seems to me so sad that as Catholics, we've been deprived of many wonderful hymns. I love the plainsongs and chants that enrich our worship, but wish the powerful inspirations available could be ours also.
Could the Esolens or anyone please comment on how the hymn tunes come to have names, such as Rockingham, when the composer is known, as above with Samuel Webbe. Why isn’t the tune known as, say, Webbe?
A further confusion is that composers of hymn tunes seem to vary according to source. Fr Rutler’s book on hymns doesn’t mention Webbe at all in connection with Rockingham. What is a reliable source?
Was it not Our Lady who said to Saint Catherine Laboure “Come to the foot of the altar…” Let us always boldly draw near to the throne of grace to find comfort and help. We will never be turned away.
Thanks for this post, including the beautiful choral version. As I listened to it, I prayed the lyrics would come back to many of these boys when they face the inevitable sorrows of life.
Nancy, I am sure that the director of this choir would appreciate your request. If you visit the website of the choir, you will see that formation is a huge part of the mission of the ministry. I was impressed, deeply. We need more such REAL ministries to boys, and to all children.
Debra, Tony: Thanks so much for this. I haven't heard it for SO many years! Again it seems to me so sad that as Catholics, we've been deprived of many wonderful hymns. I love the plainsongs and chants that enrich our worship, but wish the powerful inspirations available could be ours also.
I didn’t know this hymn before reading the post.
Could the Esolens or anyone please comment on how the hymn tunes come to have names, such as Rockingham, when the composer is known, as above with Samuel Webbe. Why isn’t the tune known as, say, Webbe?
A further confusion is that composers of hymn tunes seem to vary according to source. Fr Rutler’s book on hymns doesn’t mention Webbe at all in connection with Rockingham. What is a reliable source?
Was it not Our Lady who said to Saint Catherine Laboure “Come to the foot of the altar…” Let us always boldly draw near to the throne of grace to find comfort and help. We will never be turned away.
Thanks for this post, including the beautiful choral version. As I listened to it, I prayed the lyrics would come back to many of these boys when they face the inevitable sorrows of life.
Nancy, I am sure that the director of this choir would appreciate your request. If you visit the website of the choir, you will see that formation is a huge part of the mission of the ministry. I was impressed, deeply. We need more such REAL ministries to boys, and to all children.