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John Bacchus Dykes

1823 - 1876 Person Name: Dykes Composer of "BETHANY" in Church Hymnal As a young child John Bacchus Dykes (b. Kingston-upon-Hull' England, 1823; d. Ticehurst, Sussex, England, 1876) took violin and piano lessons. At the age of ten he became the organist of St. John's in Hull, where his grandfather was vicar. After receiving a classics degree from St. Catherine College, Cambridge, England, he was ordained in the Church of England in 1847. In 1849 he became the precentor and choir director at Durham Cathedral, where he introduced reforms in the choir by insisting on consistent attendance, increasing rehearsals, and initiating music festivals. He served the parish of St. Oswald in Durham from 1862 until the year of his death. To the chagrin of his bishop, Dykes favored the high church practices associated with the Oxford Movement (choir robes, incense, and the like). A number of his three hundred hymn tunes are still respected as durable examples of Victorian hymnody. Most of his tunes were first published in Chope's Congregational Hymn and Tune Book (1857) and in early editions of the famous British hymnal, Hymns Ancient and Modern. Bert Polman

Joseph Haydn

1732 - 1809 Person Name: Haydn Composer of "ORENA" in Jubilant Voices Franz Joseph Haydn (b. Rohrau, Austria, 1732; d. Vienna, Austria, 1809) Haydn's life was relatively uneventful, but his artistic legacy was truly astounding. He began his musical career as a choirboy in St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna, spent some years in that city making a precarious living as a music teacher and composer, and then served as music director for the Esterhazy family from 1761 to 1790. Haydn became a most productive and widely respected composer of symphonies, chamber music, and piano sonatas. In his retirement years he took two extended tours to England, which resulted in his "London" symphonies and (because of G. F. Handel's influence) in oratorios. Haydn's church music includes six great Masses and a few original hymn tunes. Hymnal editors have also arranged hymn tunes from various themes in Haydn's music. Bert Polman

George Frideric Handel

1685 - 1759 Person Name: Handel Composer of "[I would not live alway: I ask not to stay]" in Sharon's Dewy Rose George Frideric Handel (b. Halle, Germany, 1685; d. London, England, 1759) became a musician and composer despite objections from his father, who wanted him to become a lawyer. Handel studied music with Zachau, organist at the Halle Cathedral, and became an accomplished violinist and keyboard performer. He traveled and studied in Italy for some time and then settled permanently in England in 1713. Although he wrote a large number of instrumental works, he is known mainly for his Italian operas, oratorios (including Messiah, 1741), various anthems for church and royal festivities, and organ concertos, which he interpolated into his oratorio performances. He composed only three hymn tunes, one of which (GOPSAL) still appears in some modern hymnals. A number of hymnal editors, including Lowell Mason, took themes from some of Handel's oratorios and turned them into hymn tunes; ANTIOCH is one example, long associated with “Joy to the World.” Bert Polman

Anonymous

Author of "I would not live always: I ask not to stay" in A Collection of Psalms and Hymns for the Use of Universalist Societies and Families 16ed. In some hymnals, the editors noted that a hymn's author is unknown to them, and so this artificial "person" entry is used to reflect that fact. Obviously, the hymns attributed to "Author Unknown" "Unknown" or "Anonymous" could have been written by many people over a span of many centuries.

George Kingsley

1811 - 1884 Composer of "FREDERICK" in The National Hymn Book of the American Churches Born: July 7, 1811, Northampton, Massachusetts. Died: March 14, 1884, Northampton, Massachusetts. Kingsley played the organ at the Old South Church and Hollis Street Church in Boston, Massachusetts. He also taught music at Girard College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, served as music supervisor for public schools in Philadelphia, and compiled a number of music books, including: Sunday School Singing Book, 1832 The Harmonist, 1833 The Social Choir, 1836 The Sacred Choir, 1838 The Harp of David, 1844 The Young Ladies’ Harp, 1847 Templi Carmina (Northampton, Massachusetts: 1853) The Juvenile Choir, 1865 --www.hymntime.com/tch

William Augustus Muhlenberg

1796 - 1877 Person Name: William A. Muhlenberg Author of "I would not live alway, I ask not to stay" in The Seventh-Day Adventist Hymn and Tune Book Mühlenberg, William Augustus, D.D., son of the Rev. Dr. Mühlenberg, and grandson of Henry Melchior Mühlenberg, the patriarch of Lutheranism in America, was born in Philadelphia Sept. 16, 1796. He graduated at the University of Pennsylvania in 1814. Entering Holy Orders in 1817, he was successively Assistant Rector of St. James's Lancaster, 1823; Rector of the Church of the Holy Communion, New York, 1843; St. Paul's College, Flushing (1828); St. Luke's Hospital, New York (1855); St. John's and Long Island (1865), were established by him. He died April 6, 1877. His poetical gift was genuine, but not largely used. In 1826 he contributed four hymns to the Prayer Book Collection (of which he was one of the Committee). His Poems appeared in 1859. He had previously published Church Poetry, 1823; and The People's Psalter, 1858. I would not live alway followed in 1859 (revised in 1871). This last contains 26 pieces, the hymns in the Prayer Book Collection, 1826, with the exception of "I would not live alway," being omitted. The following are his principal lyrics:— 1. Carol, brothers, carol. Christmas Carol. "Made for the boys of St. Paul's College—-the Chorus adapted from one of the Rev.[Bishop] A.C. Coxe's Christian Ballads"-—in 1840. 2. How short the race our friend has run. Death of a Young Person. Contributed to the Prayer Book Collection, 1826. 3. I would not live alway. Eternal rest desired. Four texts of this poem are extant: 1st the Original; 2nd the version given in the Prayer Book Collection, 1826; 3rd the author's revised version of 1859; and 4th his rewritten text of 1871, the second of these being that known to the hymnbooks. The history of the poem is somewhat complicated. We quote it here as given by us in the History of the American Episcopal Church, 1885, p.637, as we have nothing further to add thereto:-— "The most famous of these (Dr. Mühlenberg's hymns) was probably first written. 'I will not live alway' has an intricate history, which was not simplified by the author's lapse of memory in his later years. In his brief ‘story of the hymn,' printed with its ‘evangelized’ text in 1871, every date is wrong by two or three years; and his assertion, ‘The legend that it was written on an occasion of private grief is a fancy,' hardly agrees with the clear and minute recollections of persons of the highest character, still living, and who knew the circumstances thoroughly. The date of composition assigned, 1824, is probably (not certainly) correct; it was written at Lancaster, in a lady's album, and began:— I would not live alway; no, no, holy man, Not a day, not an hour, should lengthen my span.' In this shape it seems to have had six eight-line stanzas. The album was still extant in 1876, at Pottstown, Pa., and professed to contain the original manuscript. Said the owner's sister, ‘It was au impromptu. He had no copy, and, wanting it for some occasion, he sent for the album.' In 1826 he entrusted his copy to a friend, who called on him on the way from Harrisburg to Philadelphia, to carry to the Episcopal Recorder, and in that paper it appeared June 3, 1826 (not 1824). For these facts we have the detailed statement of Dr. John B. Clemson, of Claymont, Del., the Ambassador mentioned, who also chances to have preserved that volume of the paper. Thus appearing (without name) it was adopted by the sub-committee [of the Prayer Book Collection, 1826]. When their report was presented to the entire committee in 1826—-not 1829, as Dr. Mühlenberg had it—-'each of the hymns was passed upon. When this came up one of the members remarked that it was very sweet and pretty, but rather sentimental, upon which it was unanimously thrown out. Not suspected as the author, I voted against myself. That, I supposed, was the end of it.’ The committee, which sat until late at night at the house of Bishop White, agreed upon their report to the Convention, and adjourned. But the next morning Dr. Onderdonk (who was not one of their number, but who, on invitation, had acted with the sub-committee, which in fact consisted of him and myself), called on me to inquire what had been done. Upon my telling him that among the rejected hymns was this one of mine, he said, 'That will never do,' and went about among the members of the committee soliciting them to restore the hymn in their report, which accordingly they did; so that to him is due the credit of giving it to the Church.' As thus adopted it was a small and altered selection from the original lines, made by Dr. Onderdonk ‘with some revision' by the author. He was never satisfied with these texts, but revised the poem in 1859, and re¬wrote it in 1871….The authorship of this, as of many another popular lyric, has been disputed. The claim of Henry Ward, a printer of Lichfield, Conn., has been vehemently urged, and revived but a few years ago. Of course it is unsupported by adequate evidence. When Dr. Mühlenberg was asked to assure ‘some of his brethren, editors of Church papers,' of his paternity, his manly reply was, ‘If they thought I was capable of letting the work of another pass for so many years as my own, they would not be sure of anything I might say.'" 4. Jesus' Name shall ever be. The Holy Name, Jesus. This is entitled "The Blessed Name of Jesus. An Evangelical Rosary." It was written in 1842, and revised for Schaff's Christ in Song in Aug., 1868. 5. King of kings, and wilt Thou deign. Submission to Jesus. Appeared in his Poems, 1859. 6. Like Noah's weary dove. The Ark of the Church. Contributed to the Prayer Book Collection, 1826, No. 24, in 5 st. of 4 1. It sometimes begins with st. ii., "0 cease, my wandering soul;" and again with st. in., "Behold the Ark of God." 7. Saviour, Who Thy flock art feeding. Holy Baptism. This is the most widely known of Dr. Mühlenberg's hymns. It was contributed to the Prayer Book Collection, 1826, No. 86, in 4 st. of 4 1. It is sometimes given as "Jesus, Who Thy flock art feeding." 8. Shout the glad tidings, exultingly sing. Christmas. Contributed to the Prayer Book Collection, 1826, No. 46, in 3 st. of 4 1., with the chorus :— "Shout the glad tidings, exultingly sing, Jerusalem triumphs, Messiah is King;" the opening lines, followed by the first stanza, and a repetition of the chorus, and so on to the end. Sometimes the hymn opens with st. i.: "Zion, the marvellous story be telling," or as “Sion the marvellous story be telling," instead of the chorus. Dr. Mühlenberg says that the hymn was written— "at the particular request of Bishop Hobart, who wanted something that would go to the tune by Avison, then popular, to the words of Moore, ‘Sound the loud timbrel,' &c. He liked the verses I made so well that he had them struck off before the hymns (Prayer Book Collection] were published, and sung in Trinity Church on Christmas day." 9. Since o'er Thy footstool here below. Earth and Heaven. Appeared in the Episcopal Register, 1824, and in his Poems, 1859. 10. The mellow eve is gliding. Evening. Dated 1825 (?) and published in his Poems, 1859. 11. The throne of his glory—-as snow it is white. Advent. Dated 1839, and published in his Poems, 1859. 12. Thine handmaid,Saviour, can it be? Admission of a Nursing Sister. Written on the words, "Come, follow me," for the reception of a Sister at St. Luke's Hospital, New York, 1859. [Rev. F. M. Bird, M.A.] --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907) See also in: Hymn Writers of the Church

W. T. Dale

1845 - 1924 Arranger of "["I would not live alway;" I ask not to stay]" in Times of Refreshing

Henry R. Bishop

1786 - 1855 Person Name: H. R. Bishop Composer of "SWEET HOME" in The Christian Church Hymnal Bishop, Henry Rowley, was born at London, Nov. 18, 1786, and died at London, April 30, 1855. See a full notice in the Dictionary of Nat. Biog., v., 91. From 1840 he was occasional and from 1843 to 1848 sole conductor of the Antient Concerts. Of his Twelve Corales...as sung at the Concerts of Ancient Music, for which (with Words expressly written to them) they were adapted and arranged by Sir Henry R. Bishop, 1844 (B. M. copy is H. 878), some are fairly literal translations from the German, others have no connection with their nominal originals. Three were noted in this Dictionary, but their source not having been traced in 1892, we now subjoin them:— 1. Behold, how glorious is yon sky, p. 127, ii. This is from "Wie herrlich ist die neue Welt" in C. H. Graun's oratorio Der Tod Jesu, 1756 (B. M. copy, 11. 1805, catalogued as 1766), the words being by Karl Wilhelm Ramler, b. Feb. 25, 1725, at Colberg, in Pomerania; 1748, Professor of Literature at the Cadet School in Berlin; d. at Berlin, April 11, 1798. 2. God is our Refuge in distress, Our Shield, p. 325, i. 3. O let us praise the Lord, With hearts of true devotion, p. 963, ii., No. 4. The Winchester Hymn Book, 1857, alters stanza i., the original line 1. 3, 4 being:— "Whose spirit roams abroad, To calm life's troubled ocean." Another fairly close version is,"Wake, O wake! a voice is crying," from "Wachet auf," p. 805, ii. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, New Supplement (1907)

L. O. Emerson

1820 - 1915 Composer of "I WOULD NOT LIVE ALWAY" in Book of Worship Luther Orlando Emerson was born at Parsonsfield, Maine, August 3, 1820. He descended from distinguished English ancestry. His parents were quite musical, and while the family circle were together, they had a choir and orchestra of their own. The father played the violoncello, the mother was an excellent singer, the flute and violin added their sweet tones, till the quiet homestead rang with melody. Mr. Emerson's education was obtained at the district school, Parsonsfield Seminary and Effingham Academy. He was full of energy, quick and versatile, an apt scholar, and with a view to entering the profession of medicine he entered Dracut Academy, Mass. But his great love for music swerved him from that course, and now, having far better opportunities for cultivating and enjoying this taste and ability, he soon determined upon music as the profession of his choice. He accordingly commenced a course of musical instruction under the late I. B. Woodbury, then a popular teacher of music. After several years of study on the voice, piano, organ and in harmony, Mr. Emerson went to Salem, Mass., began teaching, and took charge of his first choir at a salary of one hundred dollars per year. Here he commenced the composition of music for his own choir, whiich was so popular with its members and the congregation, that Mr. Emerson was encouraged to seek a larger hearing by publishing a collection of church music. Among the tunes was that of Sessions, named after his pastor, which was destined to have a perennial popularity, and is often used in worship in the place of Old Hundred, for the Doxology. At the great Peace Jubilee it was received with applause when sung by a chorus of ten thousand voices, accompanied by an orchestra of two hundred instruments and a great pipe organ. The effect was sublime beyond expression. In 1847 occurred the marriage of Mr. Emerson to Miss Mary Gore, daughter of a prominent Boston merchant. She was a lady of much musical taste and ability. In 1853 he decided to make an effort to put his music before the public, and accordingly went to Boston in search of a publisher. Like most young and unknown authors, he met with but little encouragement, but finally found a publisher in the person of Mr. B. B. Muzzy. Thus was the Romberg Collection published. The book was not pushed — hence it found no market. After a residence of eight years in Salem, Mr. Emerson removed to Boston, accepting the position of organist and musical director at the Bulfinch Street Church, then under the pastoral care of Rev. Wm. R. Alger, which he filled for four years. He eagerly improved the rare means of culture which were once more enjoyed, meanwhile teaching and composing music. In 1857 he formed the connection with Oliver Ditson Company, of Boston, of author and publisher, which has continued to the present time with but one interruption (a single volume brought out by another firm), the Golden Wreath, which at once became popular, and sold forty thousand during the first year, this being the initial volume in the long series since brought out by these publishers. In 1858 came the Golden Harp, which was also a success. These successes gave him not only encouragement, but reputation. Mr. Emerson now entered upon a career of usefulness and popularity for which he had been preparing during the years of self-denying struggle and discipline. He was called to take charge of the music in the Second Congregational Church, Greenfield, Mass., and also of the musical department of Power's Institute, at Bernardston. Amid nature's most beautiful surroundings, he had a quiet retreat for the pursuit of his true vocation, the composition of church music. The first fruit of his genius here was the Sabbath Harmony, in 1860. This book was also a success. In 1863 followed the Harp of Judah, which had the remarkable sale of nearly fifty thousand copies in the first three months. This book probably gave Mr. Emerson his preeminence as a composer of church music, containing as it did his anthem, Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah, and many of his finest compositions. Having declined the solicitations of Dr. Lowell Mason to become his associate in music, Mr. Emerson started forth on his own plans, and attained the highest rank among those who loved the pure and beautiful in song. Mr. W. S. B. Mathews, a musical critic, pronounces him the best melodist of all the psalmodic writers. In 1866 the equally successful Jubilate appeared, followed by the Choral Tribute, the Standard and the Leader. In the last two Dr. I. R. Pahner was associated with him. Later on came the Salutation, Voice of Worship, Herald of Praise, etc. The diligence with which Mr. Emerson plied his pen can be estimated when one recalls the fact that he has made seventy-two collections of music, embracing music for churches, singing schools, public schools, choral societies and conventions, instruction books for voice, organ, etc. He has also composed and published scores of songs, quartets and instrumental pieces. The great amount of work this represents can only be appreciated by those who have undertaken similar labors. Some years ago the degree of Doctor of Music was conferred upon Professor Emerson by the Faculty of Findlay College, Findlay, Ohio. For many years past. Dr. Emerson has devoted his energies to the grand purpose of elevating the general character of music in our churches, and thus largely advancing the interests of true worship. He places great stress upon the mission of church music. He regards sacred music as the best expression of devotional feeling that exists. He looks upon sacred song as prayer, and believes that it inspires and intensifies prayer. With this view he has taken an active and prominent part in musical festivals and conventions, of which he has conducted over three hundred throughout the United States and Canada. As a conductor, he stands in the front rank. As a teacher. Dr. Emerson has an exceedingly happy faculty of imparting in a concise manner to his classes. His very pleasing address enables him to command the undivided attention of his pupils. As a singer, he has always held high rank, and has sung much in public. His voice is a baritone of great compass, and quite powerful. As a lecturer upon music, Dr. Emerson has attracted much attention. His most popular lecture is entitled The World of Music, in which he traces its origin and progress, and gives some excellent traits of the lives of the great composers. In this lecture he also shows the design of music, and how it has been prized in every age of the world, among all nations — its power in the Church and State, and the need of its influence in the family — in joy and sorrow — for this life and the life to come. -Biography of Gospel Song and Hymn Writers