Henry Purcell

Henry Purcell (September 10, 1659 - November 21, 1695) is considered to be England's most important pre-twentieth century composer (he was supplanted after that by Edward Elgar).

He began his musical life, as many English composers do, as a boy chorister at the Chapel Royal. His earliest known compositions date from his pre-teen years. At seventeen he was appointed as the organist at Westminster Abbey. He went on to compose both sacred and secular pieces: many anthems and choral works (though the pieces listed as "hymns" are not what we would consider hymns), as well as a great amount of music for the theater. Toward the end of his life he served as organist at both Westminster Abbey and the Chapel Royal.

The following hymn tune was adapted from a melody in the final "Alleluia" section of Purcell's anthem O God, thou art my God (around 1692). The adaptation was by Ernest Hawkins and first appeared in Vincent Novello's tune collection The Psalmist (1843), though the tune (named WESTMINSTER ABBEY in honor of Purcell's longtime association with the church) did not become widely popular for another hundred years or so.

Christ is made the sure foundation,

Christ the head and cornerstone;

Chosen of our God, and precious,

Binding all the church in one,

Holy Zion’s help forever,

Zion's 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.

To this temple, where we call you,
Come, O God of hosts, today;

With your wonted lovingkindness

Hear your people as they pray.

And your fullest benediction

Shed within its walls alway.

Grant, we pray, to every people

All the grace they ask to gain;

What they gain from you forever

With the blessèd to retain,

And hereafter in your glory

Evermore with you to reign.

Latin, 7th century; tr. John Mason Neale, 1851; alt.

Tune: WESTMINSTER ABBEY (8.7.8.7.8.7.)

Henry Purcell, c.1692; adapt. Ernest Hawkins, 1843

This hymn is better known in some denominations to the tune REGENT SQUARE by Henry Smart (usually without the second verse). The text has been modernized (thou changes to you, etc.), which works fine in this case, I think.

Purcell died at the age of 36; one theory holds that he died of "chocolate poisoning." He was buried in Westminster Abbey, next to the organ. His epitaph reads: "Here lyes Henry Purcell Esq., who left this life and is gone to that blessed place where only his harmony can be exceeded". Today there is a Purcell Club that gives tours and concerts in support of the Abbey.

P.S. Thus far September has seemed weighted toward hymn tune composers rather than text writers, and a look at the rest of the month shows that the trend continues. Just the way the calendar worked out. So I may insert some interesting texts here and there (not that I think the texts so far have been deficient, just not so much the focus).