Music plays an important role in the coronation of King Charles III – and there are some hymns in the service. We’ll hear two of them in this week’s programme.
Window of Westminster Abbey cloister Photo: CC 3.0 / Decan
SONG: PRAISE, MY SOUL, THE KING OF HEAVEN
Artist: Choir of Westminster Abbey
Words/Music: Henry Francis Lyte/John Goss
Recording: Hyperion 712801
Praise, my soul, the king of heaven!
to his feet thy tribute bring,
ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
who like we his praise should sing:
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Alleluia!
Praise the everlasting king.
Praise Him for His grace and favour
To his people in distress.
Praise Him still the same for ever,
Slow to chide, and swift to bless
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Alleluia!
Glorious in His faithfulness.
Angels, help us to adore Him
Ye behold Him face to face;
Sun and moon, bow down before Him,
Dwellers all in time and space.
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Alleluia!
Praise with us the God of grace.
SONG: COME, LET US TO THE LORD OUR GOD
Artist: Scottish Philharmonic Singers
Words/Music: Morrison/Anon arr James Roberton
Recording: Abbey 282830
Come, let us to the Lord our God
With contrite hearts return;
Our God is gracious, nor will leave
The desolate to mourn.
His voice commands the tempest forth
And stills the stormy wave;
And though His arm be strong to smite,
’Tis also strong to save.
As dew upon the tender herb,
diffusing fragrance round;
As show’rs that usher in the spring,
and cheer the thirsty ground:
So shall His presence bless our souls,
And shed a joyful light;
That hallowed morn shall chase away
The sorrows of the night.
SONG: O GOD, YOU SEARCH ME AND YOU KNOW ME
Artist: Choir of Wells Cathedral, Malcolm Archer (dir), Rupert Gough (organ)
Words/Music: Bernadette Farrell
Recording: Hyperion 712104
O God, you search me and you know me
All my thoughts lie open to your gaze
When I walk or lie down you are before me:
Ever the maker and keeper of my days.
You know my resting and my rising
You discern my purpose from afar
And with love everlasting you besiege me:
In ev'ry moment of life or death, you are.
Before a word is on my tongue, Lord,
You have known its meaning through and through.
You are with me beyond my understanding:
God of my present, my past and future, too.
Although your Spirit is upon me,
Still I search for shelter from your light.
There is nowhere on earth I can escape you:
Even the darkness is radiant in your sight.
For you created me and shaped me,
Gave me life within my mother's womb.
For the wonder of who I am, I praise you:
Safe in your hands, all creation is made new.
SONG: WAIRUA TAPU
Artist: NZ Youth Choir (2003), Karen Grylls (dir), Albert Mataaga (guitar)
Words/Music: Ngapo Wehi
Recording: Trust MMT 2048
Wairua tapu tau mai ra
wairua tapu mai runga
uhia mai taonga mai
homai to aroha
Wa hia kia tika
akona mai ra kia u kit e pai ho roia
kia ma tonu ra
Mohau te tino koroia.
[Holy Spirit embrace me
Holy Spirit from up above
encase me in the precious gifts
give to me your love.
This place of truth
teach me the things that are right
bathe me, cleanse me
to You goes the glory.]
SONG: HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING?
Artist: Con Anima (St Patrick’s College, Wellington), Nick Field (oboe), Lance Mundy (piano), Roger Powdrell (dir)
Words/Music: Robert Lowry
Recording: Private 1469
My life flows on in endless song;
Above earth’s lamentation
I hear the sweet though far off hymn
That hails a new creation:
Through all the tumult and the strife
I hear the music ringing;
It finds an echo in my soul –
How can I keep from singing?
What though my joys and comforts die?
The Lord my Saviour liveth;
What though the darkness gather round!
Songs in the night He giveth:
No storm can shake my inmost calm
While to that refuge clinging;
Since Christ is Lord of Heav’n and earth,
How can I keep from singing?
I lift mine eyes; the cloud grows thin;
I see the blue above it;
And day by day this pathway smoothes
Since first I learned to love it:
The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart,
A fountain ever springing:
All things are mine since I am His –
How can I keep from singing?
SONG: KUMBAYA
Artist: Con Anima, St Patrick’s College, Wellington, Roger Powdrell (dir), Ilham Kurnia (piano)
Words/Music: TRAD
Recording: Private 1469
Kumbaya my Lord, kumbaya
Kumbaya my Lord, kumbaya
Kumbaya my Lord, kumbaya
Oh Lord, kumbaya
Someone's praying, Lord, kumbaya
Someone's praying, Lord, kumbaya
Someone's praying, Lord, kumbaya
Oh Lord, kumbaya
Someone's singing Lord, kumbaya
Someone's singing Lord, kumbaya
Someone's singing Lord, kumbaya
Oh Lord, kumbayah
Someone's shouting Lord, kumbaya
Someone's shouting Lord, kumbaya
Someone's shouting Lord, kumbaya
Oh Lord, kumbayah
Kumbaya my Lord, kumbaya
Kumbaya my Lord, kumbaya
Kumbaya my Lord, kumbaya
Oh Lord, kumbaya
Oh Lord, kumbaya.
SONG: GLORIA III
Artist: St Thomas Music Group, Margaret Rizza (dir)
Words/Music: Margaret Rizza
Recording: Alliance Music 190892
Gloria, Gloria,
In excelsis Deo!
Gloria, Gloria,
Alleluia, alleluia!
SONG: CHRIST IS MADE THE SURE FOUNDATION
Artist: Choir of Westminster Abbey
Words/Music: Anon trans John Neale/Henry Purcell
Recording: Hyperion 712801
Artist: Choir of Westminster Abbey
Words/Music: Anon trans Neale/Purcell
Recording: Griffin 224018
Christ is made the sure foundation,
Christ the Head and Corner-stone,
Chosen of the Lord, and precious,
Binding all the Church in one,
Holy Sion's help for ever,
And her confidence alone.
All that dedicated city,
Dearly loved of God on high,
In exultant jubilation
Pours perpetual melody;
God the One in Three adoring
In glad hymns eternally.
Here vouchsafe to all Thy servants
What they ask of Thee to gain,
What they gain from Thee, for ever
With the blessèd to retain,
And hereafter in Thy glory
Evermore with Thee to reign.
Praise and honour to the Father,
Praise and honour to the Son,
Praise and honour to the Spirit,
Ever Three, and ever One,
One in might, and one in glory,
While unending ages run.
