David Hill provided verses 1-3 and 7 of the original, which are all that printed in most places. The original verses 4-6 are: Sing praises, then, for all who here sought and here found him, Whose journey is ended, whose perils are past; They believed in the Light; and its glory is round them, Where the clouds of earth's sorrow are lifted at last. In the presence of Jesus the Saints are in glory, Who have known him and loved him, and served him below;: Their reward is with him to be happy for ever And to follow the Lamb wheresoe'er he may go. Blessed Saints in the presence of Jesus for ever, Be mindful of us who here struggle below; Intercede for your brethren, who linger in exile, That on them life eternal their God may bestow.
This hymn was composed for the 1,000th-year rededication of Shrewsbury Abbey in England. The periodic break in the music is to allow the reverberations through the abbey to subside somewhat. Otherwise, the choir and clergy in the front of the abbey would eventually be singing a half meter ahead of the congregation in the rear of the nave, who would finish each verse a half-meter behind the choir and organ.
A beautiful unison hymn.
David Hill provided verses 1-3 and 7 of the original, which are all that printed in most places. The original verses 4-6 are:
Sing praises, then, for all who here sought and here found him,
Whose journey is ended, whose perils are past;
They believed in the Light; and its glory is round them,
Where the clouds of earth's sorrow are lifted at last.
In the presence of Jesus the Saints are in glory,
Who have known him and loved him, and served him below;:
Their reward is with him to be happy for ever
And to follow the Lamb wheresoe'er he may go.
Blessed Saints in the presence of Jesus for ever,
Be mindful of us who here struggle below;
Intercede for your brethren, who linger in exile,
That on them life eternal their God may bestow.
St. Ignatius of Antioch Episcopal Church, New York City
Why is a beat dropped at the end of every line?
I find the dropped beats intrusive, an interruption to the flow of a fine hymn.
Not a fan.
It was common in Anglo Catholic circles until about 50 years ago.
Which church is this?
So many organists cannot count. This way of playing is very odd
This hymn was composed for the 1,000th-year rededication of Shrewsbury Abbey in England. The periodic break in the music is to allow the reverberations through the abbey to subside somewhat. Otherwise, the choir and clergy in the front of the abbey would eventually be singing a half meter ahead of the congregation in the rear of the nave, who would finish each verse a half-meter behind the choir and organ.