Music for March 13

The gem of liturgical worship is hymnody and each one has a story. First the story, then the title-

1. Robert Robinson (1735-1790) was eight years at his father's death and struggled for sobriety in his youth. At 17, Robert and some of his drinking buddies attended a George Whitfield revival meeting and the Evangelist’s words haunted him for years- “prone to wander, Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love.” Three years later, as a minister preparing a sermon, Robert wrote Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing. The music for the hymn was composed by Asahel Nettleton in 1813. This is our opening hymn and invitation to hear what’s in store for us in Word and music.

2. Fred Pratt Green (1903-2000) had a long and fruitful career as a hymn writer. This particular hymn uses a poetic device called, hypotyposis—or lifelike description in order to feel we are witnesses to the crucifixion. Made even more vivid is the choice of haunting music- The Third Tune by Thomas Tallis. You may recognize the tune from Ralph Vaughan Williams’ masterpiece, Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis. To mock your reign, O dearest Lord is our sequence hymn.