Who? Yes, I know. Most of us don't pay a great deal of attention to the people who write the hymns we've come to know and love over the years -- whether they've written the lyrics, composed the music, or both. And lest you think I've been spending days like this one -- rainy, during a pandemic -- researching obscure lyricists or composers, that's not the case.
It just so happened that Rev. Neale's death was mentioned as by Dean Robert of Canterbury Cathedral, in his list of "on this day" items prior to Morning Prayer for today. He quoted a piece of one of Rev. Neale's hymns with with I was completely unfamiliar, but my interest was aroused enough to dig out my big black Hymn Book (The Book of Common Praise, Revised 1938) to see what all he wrote.
There are nine hymns in that tome for which he wrote lyrics. The first, for Epiphany, begins, "O Thou who by a star didst guide/The wise men on their way,/Until it came and stood beside/The place where Jesus lay..."
It would seem that Rev. Neale was inspired in particular by special occasions, for in addition to Ephiphany, he wrote one for 'Saints' Days', one for 'Ember Days and Ordination', and one for laying the foundation stone of a new church (!). He also wrote a hymn for times of 'pilgrimage and conflict' and one suitable for a funeral or memorial service.
In all my years (decades, really) of singing in church -- both in choirs and in the congregation -- I remember nary a one of those.
But...and it's a big "BUT"...There are two that I know well, and you probably do too. While all of his other hymns are singles, Rev. John Mason Neale wrote two carols for Christmastide: "Good Christian men rejoice" (now sung as "Good Christians all rejoice"), and that perennial favourite of so many, sung on Boxing Day or for the Feast of St. Stephen: "Good King Wenceslas".
Rev. Neale had a penchant for high Anglicanism, was partial to the work of the Oxford Movement and was instrumental in founding the Society of St. Margaret, an Order of Anglican nuns whose work was focused on caring for the sick. For his trouble, he endured insults, abuse, ostracism and even personal violence.
In the end, he is best remembered for his hymns -- not only the ones he wrote, but also ones from the Eastern Church that he translated to English. "More than anyone else, he made English-speaking congregations aware of the centuries-old tradition of Latin, Greek, Russian, and Syrian hymns." - Wikipedia.
These included more that are familiar and well loved, which you might recognize -- and yes, they tend to be those marking Holy Days and special occasions: All Glory, Laud and Honour (Palm Sunday); O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Advent); and Of the Father's Love Begotten (Christmas).
So now...for your enjoyment, a trio of these favourites...
(I wonder what Rev. Neale would think of this 2016 version?!)
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Then this from 2008...with hopes that soon again we can sing in congregation...
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And finally, this...
Maybe you'll find yourself humming one of these as you go about the rest of your day, and wherever you are, may your day be blessed!
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