O PERFECT LOVE (Barnby)

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O PERFECT LOVE (Barnby)

Composer: Joseph Barnby (1889)
Published in 204 hymnals

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	O Perfect Love

Piano/Organ
	Preludes for Flute and Organ

Choral
	ESSENTIAL COLLECTION FOR THE CHURCH SOLO…

Composer: Joseph Barnby

Joseph Barnby (b. York, England, 1838; d. London, England, 1896) An accomplished and popular choral director in England, Barby showed his musical genius early: he was an organist and choirmaster at the age of twelve. He became organist at St. Andrews, Wells Street, London, where he developed an outstanding choral program (at times nicknamed "the Sunday Opera"). Barnby introduced annual performances of J. S. Bach's St. John Passion in St. Anne's, Soho, and directed the first performance in an English church of the St. Matthew Passion. He was also active in regional music festivals, conducted the Royal Choral Society, and composed and edited music (mainly for Novello and Company). In 1892 he was knighted by Queen Victoria. His compositions in… Go to person page >

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Tune Information

Title:	O PERFECT LOVE (Barnby)
Composer:	Joseph Barnby (1889)
Meter:	11.10.11.10
Incipit:	13555 55177 62345
Key:	E♭ Major
Copyright:	Public Domain

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Texts

O perfect Love, all human thought transcending

O perfect Love, all human thought transcending,
lowly we kneel in prayer before thy throne,
that theirs may be the love which knows no ending,
whom thou in sacred vow dost join in one.

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Alternative Tunes

More tunes with meter 11.10.11.10 ^ top

Notes

Joseph Barnby (PHH 438) composed O PERFECT LOVE and said it was a "hymn tune in the natural style and idiom … of our own time." Originally an anthem, O PERFECT LOVE was shortened into a hymn tune for publication in The Hymnal Companion (1890) and in the Church Hymnary (1898). The tune is also known as FIFE and SANDRINGHAM.

Erik Routley (PHH 31) calls Barnby's hymn tunes "shamelessly sentimental." O PERFECT LOVE is surely an example of what he means (Barnby's tunes at 438 and 447 are not). Sometimes thought to be the most notorious product of the Victorian composers, this tune is often performed with too much rubato and in a sentimental manner too often associated with weddings. Sing it in unison at a cheerful pace.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook, 1988

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Timeline

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Piano/Organ Preludes for Flute and Organ Creative Hymn Accompaniments for Organ, Vol. 4 COLLECTED WORKS OF DON HUSTAD More Piano/Organ...
Choral ESSENTIAL COLLECTION FOR THE CHURCH SOLOIST, THE More Choral...
Handbells FIVE-BY-FIVE FOR WEDDINGS FIVE EASY SETTINGS FOR WEDDINGS More Handbells...
PowerPoint O PERFECT LOVE (Gray Psalter 580) O PERFECT LOVE (Celebration Hymnal 458) O PERFECT LOVE (Hymnal for Worship & Celebration 533) More PowerPoint...

Harmonizations, Introductions, Descants, Intonations

An Organist's Book of Hymns: The Liturgical Year: 3 Part Hymns and Chorale Preludes
Composer/Editor Noel Jones
Published By: Frog Music (2014) pp. 132
200 New Last Verses
Published By: Kevin Mayhew Ltd. (2007) pp. 72
Creative Hymn Accompaniments for Organ: Volume 4 A Tribute to Dale Wood
Composer/Editor Gerhard Krapf
Published By: The Sacred Music Press (2005) pp. 27
Two Hundred One Hymn Tune Prelude Miniatures
Composer/Editor Mark Winchester
Published By: Frog Music (2005) pp. 140
The Ultimate Finishing Touch: Last-verse Arrangements of Well-loved Hymn Tunes
Composer/Editor Harrison Oxley
Published By: Kevin Mayhew Ltd. (2000) pp. 96
More Last Verses: Another Two Hundred Varied Hymn Tune Harmonies
Composer/Editor Noel Rawsthorne
Published By: Kevin Mayhew Ltd. (1996) pp. 123
Creative Hymn Accompaniments for Organ: Volume 2
Composer/Editor Gerhard Krapf
Published By: The Sacred Music Press (1994) pp. 19
Music Supplement: The United Methodist Hymnal
Composer/Editor Gary Alan Smith
Published By: Abingdon Press (1991) pp. 266
The Concordia Hymn Prelude Series Volume 35: General: O - Pi
Composer/Editors Richard Hillert; Carl Flentge Schalk
Published By: Concordia Publishing House (1985) pp. 9
Free Harmonizations of Hymn Tunes: By Fifty American Composers
Composer/Editor D. DeWitt Wasson
Published By: Hinshaw Music, Inc. (1984) pp. 39
Hymns of Grateful Praise: Organ Voluntaries, Interludes, Modulations, and Free Harmonizations of Well-Known Hymns
Composer/Editor Alice Jordan
Published By: Broadman Press (1980) pp. 36
Favorite Hymn Tunes in Dual Settings Book 2: For All Organs
Composer/Editor Arthur E. Bergman
Published By: King Music Publishing Co. (1964) pp. 58
Thirty Short Preludes on Well-Known Hymns for Organ
Composer/Editor Flor Peeters
Published By: C. F. Peters Corporation (1960) pp. 34

Organ Solo

The Organist's Companion Volume 43 Number 5 July 2021 General, Weddings, Patriotic, Communion: A Bi-monthly Journal of Quality Organ Music for the Practical Church Musician
Composer/Editors Wayne Leupold; Ann Slowins
Published By: Wayne Leupold Editions, Inc. (2021) pp. 18
Augsburg Organ Library Marriage
Composer/Editors Norma Aamodt-Nelson; Emma Lou Diemer
Published By: Augsburg Fortress (2014) pp. 67
The Organist's Library Volume 55
Composer/Editor David Schwoebel
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2014) pp. 46
The Organ Portfolio Volume 76 Number 5 May June 2013: The Service Music Anthology for the Church Organist
Composer/Editors Douglas E. Wagner; David Schwoebel
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2013) pp. 12
The Organist's Library Volume 51
Composer/Editor Robert J. Powell
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2012) pp. 13
The Organ Portfolio Volume 74 Number 6 July August 2011: The Service Music Anthology for the Church Organist
Composer/Editors Gilbert M. Martin; Robert J. Powell
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2011) pp. 13
The Organist's Companion Volume 32 Number 5 July 2010 General, Weddings, Patriotic, Communion: A Bi-monthly Journal of Quality Organ Music for the Practical Church Musician
Composer/Editors Wayne Leupold; Fobert M. Speed
Published By: Wayne Leupold Editions, Inc. (2010) pp. 12
Sunday Morning Organist Volume 5: Best of the Saint Cecilia Series
Composer/Editor Austin C. Lovelace
Published By: Alfred Music Publishing Company, Inc. (2009) pp. 34
The Church Year Volume 3: Ordinary Time through Christ the King
Composer/Editor Austin Cole Lovelace
Published By: Wayne Leupold Editions, Inc. (2009) pp. 5
The Ultimate Organ Book: For Weddings, Funerals & the Church Year
Composer/Editor Hal H. Hopson
Published By: Hope Publishing Company (2007) pp. 55
Easy Hymn Preludes for Organ Volume 5: Musica Sacra
Composer/Editor Benjamin M. Culli
Published By: Concordia Publishing House (2006) pp. 40
The Sacred Organ Journal Volume 40 Number 5 May June 2006: A Bi-Monthly Anthology for Church Organists
Composer/Editor Gilbert M. Martin
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2006) pp. 22
The Sacred Organ Journal Volume 40 Number 5 May June 2006: The Organist's Companion for the Church Year
Composer/Editor Gilbert M. Martin
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2006) pp. 22
The Organist's Companion Volume 27 Number 5 July 2005 General, Weddings, Patriotic, Communion: A Bi-monthly Journal of Quality Organ Music for the Practical Church Musician
Composer/Editors Wayne Leupold; George Lachenauer
Published By: McAfee Music Corporation (2005) pp. 8
The Organ Portfolio Volume 66 Number 5 May June 2003: A Bi-monthly Anthology for the Church Organist
Composer/Editors Gilbert M. Martin; Robert W. Thygerson
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2003) pp. 80
The Organist's Library Volume 35
Composer/Editor Robert W. Thygerson
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2003) pp. 80
Consoliere Classic Volume VI Hymn-based Compositions: A Collection of the Finest Organ Music from Consoliere and Manualiere
Composer/Editors Alison J. Luedecke; Richard Proulx
Published By: World Library Publications, Inc. (2002) pp. 5
Easy Hymn Preludes for Organ Volume 1: Musica Sacra
Composer/Editor Carl Flentge Schalk
Published By: Concordia Publishing House (2002) pp. 38
The Complete Wedding Collection: Organ Solos from Prelude to Postlde
Composer/Editors Joseph Barnby; Janet Linker
Published By: Beckenhorst Press, Inc. (1997) pp. 35
Exalted Praise: Hymn Arrangements for Organ
Composer/Editor Dennis R. Johnson
Published By: Lillenas Publishing Company (1995) pp. 35
The Organist's Companion Volume 17 Number 5 July 1995 General, Weddings: A Bi-monthly Journal of Quality Organ Music for the Practical Church Musician
Composer/Editors Wayne Leupold; John G. Barr
Published By: Wayne Leupold Editions, Inc. (1995) pp. 27
The Organist's Companion Volume 16 Number 5 July 1994 General, Weddings: A Bi-monthly Journal of Quality Organ Music for the Practical Church Musician
Composer/Editors Wayne Leupold; Murray C. Bradshaw
Published By: Wayne Leupold Editions, Inc. (1994) pp. 14
Three Preludes on "O Perfect Love": For Organ
Composer/Editor Janet Linker
Published By: The H. W. Gray Company, Inc. (1994) pp. 2, 5, 8
The Alice Jordan Collection Volume II: Hymn Tunes for Organ
Composer/Editor Alice Jordan
Published By: Belwin-Mills Publishing Corporation (1993) pp. 26
The Organist's Companion Volume 15 Number 5 July 1993 General, Weddings: A Bi-monthly Journal of Quality Organ Music for the Practical Church Musician
Composer/Editors Wayne Leupold; Edward W. Beals
Published By: Wayne Leupold Editions, Inc. (1993) pp. 6
PedalPoint Volume 9 Number 3 April May June 1990: Church Music and Study Helps for Pianists and Organists
Composer/Editors Sharron Lyon; Dennis R. Johnson
Published By: The Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention (1990) pp. 23
The Organist's Companion Volume 12 Number 5 July 1990 General, Weddings: A Bi-monthly Journal of Quality Organ Music for the Practical Church Musician
Composer/Editors Wayne Leupold; David P. Ruhl
Published By: McAfee Music Corporation (1990) pp. 17
The Organist's Companion Volume 10 Number 5 August 1988 General, Weddings: A Bi-monthly Journal of Quality Organ Music for the Practical Church Musician
Composer/Editors Wayne Leupold; Alice Jordan
Published By: McAfee Music Corporation (1988) pp. 4
The Concordia Hymn Prelude Series Volume 35: General: O - Pi
Composer/Editors Richard Hillert; Carl Flentge Schalk
Published By: Concordia Publishing House (1985) pp. 8
Preludes on Wedding Hymns
Composer/Editor Gordon Young
Published By: Harold Flammer, Inc. (1983) pp. 16
Reflections on Six Hymn-Tunes: For Organ
Composer/Editor Kevin Norris
Published By: Art Masters Studios, Inc. (1983) pp. 4
Wedding Music Book III
Composer/Editor David N. Johnson
Published By: Augsburg Publishing House (1983) pp. 25
Here Comes the Bride: A Collection of Traditional Wedding Music for Organ / Voice / Piano
Composer/Editors Fred Bock; Joseph Barnby
Published By: Fred Bock Music Company (1980) pp. 48
Hymns of Grateful Praise: Organ Voluntaries, Interludes, Modulations, and Free Harmonizations on well-known hymn tunes
Composer/Editor Alice Jordan
Published By: Broadman Press (1980) pp. 36
The Organist Volume 84 Number 2 May 1980: A Bi-monthly Magazine for Church Organists
Composer/Editors Edward Broughton; Joseph Barnby
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1980) pp. 12
The Organist's Companion Volume 2 Number 5 August 1980 General, Weddings: A Bi-monthly Journal of Quality Organ Music for the Practical Church Musician
Composer/Editors Wayne Leupold; John R. Cowell
Published By: McAfee Music Corporation (1980) pp. 28
O Worship the King: Hymn and Chorale Settings for the Organ
Composer/Editor Raymond H. Haan
Published By: Broadman Press (1979) pp. 32
The Festive Organ
Composer/Editor Gilbert M. Martin
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1978) pp. 30
The Collected Works of Don Hustad: An Anthology of Organ Arrangements Collected from the Published Works of Organist, Composer Don Hustad
Composer/Editor Donald P. Hustad
Published By: Hope Publishing Company (1976) pp. 76
Consoliere Volume 4 Number 3 July August September 1973: Practical and Distinctive Pieces for the Church Organist
Composer/Editors Charles G. Frischmann; Richard Proulx
Published By: World Library Publications, Inc. (1973) pp. 9
49 Sacred Melodies: For All Organs
Composer/Editors Gregory P. Cohn; Joseph Barnby
Published By: G. Schirmer, Inc. (1970) pp. 53
The Chapel Hour Series Volume 3: Wedding Music for the Church Service and At Home Playing
Composer/Editor Chester Nordman
Published By: Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation (1970) pp. 34
Three Organ Hymns: For Weddings or General Use
Composer/Editor Donald P. Hustad
Published By: Hope Publishing Company (1970) pp. 7
World's Favorite Wedding Music: For All Organs
Composer/Editors Lawrence Grant; Joseph Barnby
Published By: Ashley Publications, Inc. (1970) pp. 5
Lorenz's Organ Album No. 49: Three-Staff Voluntaries for the Church Organ
Composer/Editor Gilbert M. Martin
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1969) pp. 24
The Organ Portfolio Volume 32 Number 5 June 1969: A Bi-Monthly Magazine for Church Organists
Composer/Editors L. N. Porter; Gilbert M. Martin
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1969) pp. 24
Preludes on Well-Known Hymn Tunes Volume 4: For Organ with Hammond Registration
Composer/Editor Samuel W. Shanko
Published By: Broadman Press (1965) pp. 13
Preludes on Well-Known Hymn Tunes Volume Four: For Organ with Hammond Registration
Composer/Editor Samuel W. Shanko
Published By: Broadman Press (1965) pp. 13
21 Preludes on Standard Hymns for the Organ
Composer/Editor Rob Roy Peery
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1963) pp. 31
46 Sacred Songs For All Year: For All Organs
Composer/Editor Anonymous
Published By: Hansen Publications, Inc. (1961) pp. 60
Thirty Short Preludes on Well-Known Hymns for Organ
Composer/Editor Flor Peeters
Published By: C. F. Peters Corporation (1960) pp. 34
Thirty Short Preludes on Well-Known Hymns for Organ: Opus 95
Composer/Editor Flor Peeters
Published By: C. F. Peters Corporation (1960) pp. 34
The Organ Portfolio Volume 21 Number 5 June 1958 Number 125: A Bi-Monthly Magazine for Church Organists
Composer/Editors Ellen Jane Lorenz; Joseph Barnby
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1958) pp. 59
Six Chorale Improvisations on Well Known Hymn Tunes: For the Organ
Composer/Editor Harry Alexander Matthews
Published By: G. Schirmer, Inc. (1957) pp. 11
The Organist Volume 57 Number 2 May 1953: Voluntaries for the Church Organ
Composer/Editor Rob Roy Peery
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1953) pp. 31

Piano Solo

A Classic Wedding: A Complete Resource for the Perfect Wedding
Composer/Editors Bryce Inman; Joseph Barnby
Published By: Word Music Group, LLC (2010) pp. 22
The Contemporary Wedding Pianist
Composer/Editors Lloyd A. Larson; Joseph Barnby
Published By: Hope Publishing Company (2009) pp. 48
Big Silver Book of Wedding Piano Solos
Composer/Editors Ken Barker; Carol McMillen Tornquist; Larry Dalton
Published By: Word Music Group, LLC (2004) pp. 22
The Church Pianist Volume 18 Number 5 May June 2002: The Pianist's Companion for the Church Year
Composer/Editor David Sarandon
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2002) pp. 27
Big Gold Book of Medium Difficult Piano Solos
Composer/Editors Carol McMillen Tornquist; Ken Barker; Rolin R. Mains
Published By: Word Music Group, LLC (2000) pp. 78
PedalPoint Volume 15 Number 3 April May June 1996: Church Music and Study Helps for Pianists and Organists
Composer/Editors Sharron Lyon; Michael Cox
Published By: The Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention (1996) pp. 7
Classic Hymns in Contemporary Style: Solo Piano Arrangements
Composer/Editor Stan Pethel
Published By: GlorySound (1994) pp. 24
Favorite Hymn Arrangements for Piano
Composer/Editor Robert W. Thygerson
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1994) pp. 24
Hymn Reflections Level 4: Piano Arrangements of Favorite Hymns
Composer/Editor Sid Richardson
Published By: Belwin-Mills Publishing Corporation (1990) pp. 12
The Church Pianist Volume 6 Number 5 May June 1990: The Pianist's Companion for the Church Year
Composer/Editors Hugh S. Livingston, Jr.; Thomas R. Berdos
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1990) pp. 14
Lifetime of Love: Wedding Songs for Piano
Composer/Editor Carol Tornquist
Published By: Singspiration Music, Inc. (1989) pp. 16
PedalPoint Volume 8 Number 3 April May June 1989: Church Music and Study Helps for Pianists and Organists
Composer/Editors Sharron Lyon; Richard Kingsmore
Published By: The Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention (1989) pp. 10
The Church Pianist Volume 4 Number 5 May 1988: The Pianist's Companion for the Church Year
Composer/Editors Hugh S. Livingston, Jr.; John Scriveyner
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1988) pp. 26
The Church Pianist Volume 3 Number 6 July 1987: The Pianist's Companion for the Church Year
Composer/Editors Hugh S. Livingston, Jr.; Joseph Barnby
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1987) pp. 26
Sacred Melodies with Variations: Transcribed for the Piano
Composer/Editor William Stickles
Published By: Charles H. Hansen Music Corporation (1951) pp. 50

Piano and Organ Duet

Easy Wedding Duets: For Organ and Piano
Composer/Editors Lani Smith; Joseph Barnby
Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1974) pp. 17

Voices: Organ and Voice

Cavalcade of Hymns and Sacred Songs: All Organ Deluxe Album Over 100 Selected Titles
Composer/Editor Anonymous
Published By: California Music Press (1963) pp. 28
It's Wedding Time No. 1: Selections for the Sacred Wedding Service for Organist and Singer
Composer/Editors Fred Bock; Norman Johnson; Joseph Barnby
Published By: Singspiration Music, Inc. (1962) pp. 48

Voices: Vocal Solo

Whom God Hath Joined Together: Wedding Selections Compiled by Fred Bock
Composer/Editor Fred Bock
Published By: Fred Bock Music Company (1977) pp. 18

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Baptist Hymnal 1991 #512

Text: O Perfect Love

Bulletin Score (PDF)
Full Score (PDF)
Bulletin Score (melody only) (PDF)

Christian Classics Ethereal Hymnary #364

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Text: O Perfect Love

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The Cyber Hymnal #14840

Text: പൂര്‍ണ്ണമാം സ്നേഹം, മാനുഷ്യര്‍ക്കതീതം

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Psalter Hymnal (Gray) #580

Text: O Perfect Love

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Small Church Music #7366

Text: Szent, örök Isten (Sacred, eternal God)

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The United Methodist Hymnal #645

Text: O Perfect Love

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Worship and Rejoice #610

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Trinity Psalter Hymnal (2018), p.317

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O PERFECT LOVE (Barnby)

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