Jessie Seymour Irvine

Born on this day in 1836, Jessie Irvine was the daughter of a Scottish clergyman. As a young student of the organ, she wrote a tune which was later published in the Northern Psalter (1872) called CRIMOND, harmonized by David Grant. The tune was assumed to be Grant's for many years, and it was not until the Scottish Psalter of 1929 that Irvine was finally credited as the composer. I've found no reference to any other compositions by her.

Though it was not the original text used for this tune, this paraphrase of Psalm 23 is now the most widely used for CRIMOND.

Thou art my Shepherd, I’ll not want.
Thou makest me down to lie
In pastures green; thou leadest me
The quiet waters by.

My soul thou dost restore again;
And me to walk doth make
Within the paths of righteousness,
Even for thine own Name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk in death’s sad vale,
Yet will I fear no ill;
For thou art with me; and thy rod
And staff my comfort still.

My table thou hast furnishèd
In presence of my foes;
My head thou dost with oil anoint,
And my cup overflows.

Goodness and mercy all my life
Shall surely follow me;
And in God’s house forevermore
My dwelling place shall be.

Scottish Psalter, 1650; adapt. 1990
Tune: CRIMOND (C.M.)
Jessie Seymour Irvine; harm, David Grant, 1872

This hymn is believed to be a favorite of Queen Elizabeth; it was sung at her wedding in 1947. It has appeared in many hymnals, and as I've said before, appears to be the oldest hymn tune written by a woman that remains in wide use today.

More Voices Found: Helen Maria Williams

Today is the birthday of Helen Maria Williams, born in 1761. She was well-known in the literary circles of her time, particularly after the poet Wordsworth addressed a sonnet to her. She took up several causes, including abolition and feminism in her poetry and her published letters. In later years she lived in Paris, where she was briefly imprisoned during the French Revolution for her writing. Her popularity declined as literary England felt she had abandoned them for France, and her poetry was little published for many years after her death. This hymn, however, appeared in many hymnals in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

While thee I seek, protecting Power,
My earthly cares be stilled;
And may this consecrated hour
With better hopes be filled.

Thy love the power of thought bestowed;
To thee my thoughts would soar:
Thy mercy o’er my life has flowed;
That mercy I adore.

In each event of life, how clear
Thy guiding hand I see!
Each blessing to my soul more dear,
Because conferred by thee.

In every joy that crowns my days,
In every pain I bear,
My heart shall find delight in praise,
Or seek relief in prayer.

My lifted eye, without a tear,
The gathering storm shall see:
My steadfast heart shall know no fear;
That heart will rest on thee.

Helen Maria Williams, 1786; alt.
Tune: CRIMOND (C.M.)
Jessie Seymour Irvine, 1872; arr. David Grant

When I first found this hymn several years ago, I was looking for texts that referred to God in different ways, and was a little surprised to find this one all the way back in 1786. "Protecting Power" was not a standard name for God in Williams's time - note that it's the only name she uses in the text - it sounds much more modern.

CRIMOND, by Jessie Seymour Irvine, actually does appear in Voices Found, as well it should - it's the oldest known hymn tune by a woman that is still in use today in several hymnals.