"The Lord God is a sun and shield." Psalm 84:11
|
Words: John Keble, 1820; first published in his The Christian Year, 1827. The words come from a poem that starts "'Tis gone, that bright and orbèd glaze."
Music: "Hursley," Katholisches Gesangbuch, Vienna, Austria, 1774; adapted from Metrical Psalter, 1855
|
Historical Note: Herbert Oakeley composed "Abends" specifically for these words:
I was, many years ago, impelled to set Keble's words to music for Henry Baker, in consequence of the inadequacy if not vulgarity of the tune which had got into general use. I refer to "Hursley," which, however, is now less often sung than formerly.
"Hursley," strange to say, had been in use in Germany-where, as a rule, chorales (Anglicè hymn tunes) are so dignified and admirable-since circiter 1792, and is attributed to Paul Ritter.
One of my reasons for disliking it so much is the resemblance it bears to a drinking song, "Se vuol ballare," in Nozze di Figaro. As Mozart produced that opera in 1786, he is responsible for the opening strain, which suits his Bacchanalian words very well. But to hear "Sun of my soul, Thou Saviour dear," sung to a lively tune, unsuitable to sacred words, had the effect of driving me out of church.
Despite Oakeley's distaste for "Hursley," we like it.