Because I had another zoom scheduled the evening of your talk about The Merchant of Venice, I only got to hear the first part. I plan to listen to the rest; thank you for recording it! During my one year in Catholic high school in 9th grade, dear Sr. Louise had us commit to memory Portia's speech. I have loved this song, but had never heard all the verses! Thank you so much for these insights! Question: Is there any family relation between the Fabers who arrange piano music and Frederick Faber? I am blessed as an almost 70-year-old to be able to take the piano lessons I have always wanted.
The thing that strikes me after a close reading is that Verse 3 seems to be about possible life on other planets! With some googling I found that Fr. Faber did in fact contemplate this possibility elsewhere in his writings, so this is not a crazy interpretation.
Because I had another zoom scheduled the evening of your talk about The Merchant of Venice, I only got to hear the first part. I plan to listen to the rest; thank you for recording it! During my one year in Catholic high school in 9th grade, dear Sr. Louise had us commit to memory Portia's speech. I have loved this song, but had never heard all the verses! Thank you so much for these insights! Question: Is there any family relation between the Fabers who arrange piano music and Frederick Faber? I am blessed as an almost 70-year-old to be able to take the piano lessons I have always wanted.
The thing that strikes me after a close reading is that Verse 3 seems to be about possible life on other planets! With some googling I found that Fr. Faber did in fact contemplate this possibility elsewhere in his writings, so this is not a crazy interpretation.
https://amishcatholic.com/2017/11/26/father-faber-on-extraterrestrials/
But we make our love too narrow
By false limits of our own;
And we magnify his strictness
With a zeal he will not own.
This is my favorite verse.
This was my daughter’s favorite hymn from her cathedral chorister days as a child.
The love of God is broader
Than the measures of man's mind.
Brilliant! I hadn't heard this hymn with that tune before; thanks for such a blessed beginning to my day.