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This Sunday is Palm Sunday, the day on which we recall Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Our worship begins with All Glory, Laud and Honour and our Gradual Hymn is Ride on, ride on in majesty to the wonderful tune 'The King's Majesty'. Read this weeks blog post from Dr. Phil Rogers exploring the background of this hymn:

Ride on, ride on in majesty  

Henry Hart Milman (1791-1868), who wrote the words of this hymn, was educated first in Dr Burney’s school and then at Eton and at Brasenose College, Oxford, where he won all the glittering prizes.  In 1821 he was elected Professor of Poetry at Oxford; he had two terms in that position.  Ordained to the priesthood in 1816, he became rector of St Mary’s Church, Reading, now usually known as Reading Minster. In 1835, Robert Peel appointed Milman Rector of St Margaret's, Westminster, and he was made a Canon of Westminster Abbey in the same year.  In 1849 he became Dean of Saint Paul's, where he remained until his death.  Milman was well known as an historian; his grand history of western religion began with History of the Jews in 1829, followed by two volumes on the history of Christianity in 1840 and 1855.  He also wrote poems of epic length and style on historical subjects, as well as composing verse drama, translating Aeschylus and Euripides, editing Horace, editing Gibbons’ Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, and writing a score of hymns.  This hymn was written in response to a request from his friend Reginald Heber (1783–1826) for texts for a hymn book.  Heber also asked Walter Scott and Robert Southey for texts.  Milman sent several, Scott one, Southey none.  Eleven of Milman’s hymns appeared in Heber’s collection, published posthumously by Heber’s wife, Amelia, as Hymns Written and Adapted to the Weekly Church Service of the Year (London: John Murray, 1827).

 

Milman’s hymn is often sung to the tune “Winchester New,” but we now sing the tune “The King’s Majesty” by Graham George (1912-1993), written in 1940.  George was born in Norwich, England; he emigrated to Canada as a teenager in 1928 and studied with Alfred Whitehead in Montreal.  He took both undergraduate and graduate degrees in music from the University of Toronto (1936, 1939).  After a period of time working as an organist and choirmaster in Quebec, George moved to Kingston in 1946 as resident musician in Queen’s University.   He was later (1968) made acting Head of the Department of Music at Queen’s, remaining in that position until 1971. George founded both the Kingston Choral Society (1953) and the Kingston Symphony Orchestra (1954), conducting both until 1957. He composed much, changing his style significantly after studying with Paul Hindemith in 1952-53.  In addition to Anglican liturgical music and hymns, George wrote ballets and operas, music for symphony orchestra and for chamber groups.  He also played organ and conducted choirs in Kingston Anglican churches and in Grace United Church in Gananoque.

 

Hear a setting of this hymn with organ and brass (St Mary the Virgin, New York City): Click here

Hear an improvisation on this hymn from former Cathedral assistant organist, Matt Fraser: Click here