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There is a land of pure delight

Author: Isaac Watts (1674-1748) Meter: 8.6.8.6 Appears in 1,402 hymnals Topics: Death and Bereavement Lyrics: 1 There is a land of pure delight, where saints immortal reign; infinite day excludes the night, and pleasures banish pain. 2 There everlasting spring abides, and never-withering flowers; death, like a narrow sea, divides that heavenly land from ours. 3 Sweet fields beyond the swelling flood stand dressed in living green; so to the Jews old Canaan stood, while Jordan rolled between. 4 But timorous mortals start and shrink to cross the narrow sea, and linger shivering on the brink, and fear to launch away. 5 O could we make our doubts remove, those gloomy doubts that rise, and see the Canaan that we love with unbeclouded eyes; 6 Could we but climb where Moses stood, and view the landscape o'er, not Jordan's stream, nor death's cold flood, should fright us from the shore! Scripture: Deuteronomy 34:1-2 Used With Tune: BEULAH

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on your side

Author: Katharina Amalia Dorothea von Schlegel (b. 1697); Jane Laurie Borthwick (1813-1897) Meter: 10.10.10.10.10.10 Appears in 178 hymnals Topics: Death and Bereavement Lyrics: 1 Be still, my soul: for God is on your side; bear patiently the cross of grief or pain; leave to your God to order and provide; in every change he faithful will remain. Be still, my soul: your best, your heavenly friend through thorny ways leads to a joyful end. 2 Be still, my soul: for God will undertake to guide the future as he has the past. Your hope, your confidence let nothing shake, all now mysterious shall be bright at last. Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know his voice who ruled them while he lived below. 3 Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart and all is darkened in the vale of tears, then you shall better know his love, his heart, who comes to soothe your sorrow, calm your fears. Be still, my soul: for Jesus can repay from his own fullness all he takes away. 4 Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on when we shall be for ever with the Lord, when disappointment, grief, and fear are gone, sorrow forgotten, love’s pure joys restored. Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past, all safe and blessèd we shall meet at last. Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:17 Used With Tune: FINLANDIA

Praise, my soul, the King of heaven

Author: Henry Francis Lyte (1793-1847) Meter: 8.7.8.7.4.4.7 Appears in 539 hymnals Topics: Death and Bereavement Lyrics: 1 Praise, my soul, the King of heaven; to his feet thy tribute bring; ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, who like me his praise should sing? Praise him! Praise him! Praise the everlasting King. 2 Praise him for his grace and favour to our fathers in distress; praise him, still the same for ever, slow to chide, and swift to bless: Praise him! Praise him! glorious in his faithfulness. 3 Father-like he tends and spares us; well our feeble frame he knows; in his hands he gently bears us, rescues us from all our foes: Praise him! Praise him! widely as his mercy flows. 4 Frail as summer's flower we flourish; blows the wind and it is gone; but, while mortals rise and perish, God endures unchanging on. Praise him! Praise him! Praise the high eternal One. 5 Angels, help us to adore him; ye behold him face to face; sun and moon, bow down before him; dwellers all in time and space. Praise him! Praise him! Praise with us the God of grace. Scripture: Psalm 103 Used With Tune: PRAISE, MY SOUL

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Tunes

Tune authorities

MACCABAEUS

Meter: 10.11.11.11 with refrain Appears in 139 hymnals Composer and/or Arranger: George Frederick Handel (1685-1759) Topics: Death and Bereavement Tune Key: D Major Incipit: 53451 23454 32345 Used With Text: Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son

FINLANDIA

Meter: 10.10.10.10.10.10 Appears in 283 hymnals Composer and/or Arranger: Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) Topics: Death and Bereavement Tune Sources: Original arrangement from the symphonic poem Finlandia Tune Key: F Major Incipit: 32343 23122 33234 Used With Text: Be still, my soul: the Lord is on your side

PETRA (REDHEAD No. 76)

Meter: 7.7.7.7.7.7 Appears in 455 hymnals Composer and/or Arranger: Richard Redhead (1820-1901) Topics: Death and Bereavement Tune Sources: Church Hymn Tunes, 1853 Tune Key: E Flat Major Incipit: 11234 43112 32211 Used With Text: Rock of Ages, cleft for me

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Instances

Published text-tune combinations (hymns) from specific hymnals

If Christ had not been raised from death

Author: Christopher Idle (b. 1938) Hymnal: Ancient and Modern #204 (2013) Meter: 8.6.8.6 D Topics: Death and Bereavement Lyrics: 1 If Christ had not been raised from death our faith would be in vain, our preaching but a waste of breath, our sin and guilt remain. But now the Lord is risen indeed; he rules in earth and heaven: his gospel meets a world of need — in Christ we are forgiven. 2 If Christ still lay within the tomb then death would be the end, and we should face our final doom with neither guide nor friend. But now the Saviour is raised up, so when a Christian dies we mourn, yet look to God in hope — in Christ the saints arise! 3 If Christ had not been truly raised his Church would live a lie; his name should nevermore be praised, his words deserve to die. But now our great Redeemer lives; through him we are restored: his word endures, his Church revives in Christ, our risen Lord. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 Languages: English Tune Title: KINGSFOLD

Now is eternal life

Author: George Wallace Briggs (1875-1959) Hymnal: Ancient and Modern #211 (2013) Meter: 6.6.6.6.8.8 Topics: Death and Bereavement Scripture: John 5:24 Languages: English Tune Title: CHRISTCHURCH

Guide me, O thou great Jehovah

Author: William Williams (1717-1791); Peter Williams (1722-1796) Hymnal: Church Hymnary (4th ed.) #167 (2005) Meter: 8.7.8.7.8.7.7 Topics: Death and Bereavement Lyrics: 1 Guide me, O thou great Jehovah, pilgrim through this barren land; I am weak, but thou art mighty; hold me with thy powerful hand: Bread of heaven, Bread of heaven, feed me till my want is o'er. 2 Open now the crystal fountain whence the healing stream doth flow; let the fire and cloudy pillar lead me all my journey through: strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer, be thou still my strength and shield. 3 When I tread the verge of Jordan, bid my anxious fears subside! Death of death, and hell's destruction, land me safe on Canaan's side! Songs of praises, songs of praises, I will ever give to thee. Scripture: Exodus 13:21-22 Languages: English Tune Title: CWM RHONDDA

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People

Authors, composers, editors, etc.

Edmond Budry

1854 - 1932 Person Name: Edmond Budry (1854-1932) Topics: Death and Bereavement Author of "Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son" in Ancient and Modern

Jean Sibelius

1865 - 1957 Person Name: Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) Topics: Death and Bereavement Composer of "FINLANDIA" in Church Hymnary (4th ed.) Johann Julius Christian [Jean] Sibelius DM Finland 1865-1957. Born at Hameenlinna, Finland, the son of a Swedish-speaking medical doctor, he lost his father to typhoid in 1868, leaving the family in substantial debt. His mother, again pregnant, had to sell their property and move in with her widowed mother. His aunt Julia gave him piano lessons when he was seven on the family upright piano, wrapping him on the knuckles when he played a wrong note. He learned to improvise as he played. His uncle, Pehr Ferdinand Sibelius, was interested in music, especially the violin, and gave Jean a violin when he was 10. As his musical advisor his uncle encouraged him to play and compose music. He played music with sister on piano, brother on cello, and himself on violin. He attended a Finnish-speaking prep school in 1874 and continued his education at the Hameenlinna Normal Lyceum thereafter. Jean also showed a strong interest in nature, frequently walking around the countryside when the family moved to the Loviisa coast for the summer months. In 1881 he took violin lessons from the local bandmaster, and developed a strong interest in violin. He became an accomplished player, and thought of becoming a virtuoso, but realizing he began study too late in life for that, instead opted to compose. He often played music in quartets with neighboring families, adding to his chamber music experience. He took the French form of his name, Jean. He studied law at the Imperial Alexander University in Finland, but showed far more interest in music. He then studied music at the Helsinki Music Institute (now Sibelius Academy) from 1885-1889. The school’s founder, Martin Wegelius, did much to support education development in Finland and gave Sibelius his first lessons in composition. Another teacher,,Ferruccio Busoni, a pianist-composer, helped him as well and became a life-long friend. Other friends, pianist Adolf Paul, and conductor-to-be, Armas Jarnefelt, also helped him. In 1892 he married Armas ‘s sister, Aino Jarnefelt, daughter of General Alexander Jarnefelt, governor of Vaasa. They had six daughters, Eva, Ruth, Kirsti, Katarina, Margareta, and Heidi. He continued his musical studies in Berlin (1889-1890) with Albert Becker, and in Vienna (1890-1891) with Robert Fuchs and Karl Goldmark. In Berlin he had opportunity to attend concerts and operas. In Vienna he turned to orchestral composition and had much success, although he had gallstone surgery during that period. He also traveled to the UK, France, Germany, and the USA during this time in his life, composing, conducting, and socializing. In 1892 he took on teaching assignments at the Music Institute and at Kajanus’s conducting school, but this left him with little time for composing. Sibelius’ works were more and more appreciated in Helsinki concert halls as he composed and conducted symphonies in the mid-1890s. In 1898 he was awarded a substantial grant, initially for 10 years, and later extended for life, allowing him to concentrate on composition. Much of his music became popular in Finland and in Germany. In 1899 he began work on his first symphony. It went well, but other patriotic music hehad composed did even better, since Russia was trying to restrict the powers of the Grand Duchy of Finland. In 1900 Sibelius went on an international tour with Kajanus and his orchestra, presenting his recent works. In 1901 he wrote his second symphony, which received rave reviews. He continued to compose as he became popular and well-known. In 1903 he had a new home built near Lake Tuusula north of Helsinki, calleed Ainola (after his wife). He gave concerts in and around Finland, spending more and more time away from home, to the chagrin of his wife. After a time he returned home and composed from there. He spent much time wining and dining in Helsinki, and it had a disastrous effect on his wife, who finally entered a sanitorium. He resolved again to give up drinking and concentrate on composing his 3rd symphony. He met Gustav Mahler in Helsinki and they became friends. He performed his 3rd symphony in St Petersburg, Russia. In 1907 he underwent a serious operation for suspected throat cancer, and spent time in the hospital in 1908. His smoking and drinking had now become life-threatening. He cancelled concerts for Rome, Warsaw, and Berlin, but kept one in London. His health deteriorated further, And his brush with death inspired him to compose his 4th symphony. In 1909 his successful throat operation resulted in renewed happiness for him and his wife, Aino. He continued conducting concerts, and met Claude Debussy, who further encouraged his musical efforts. He began working on his 4th symphony in 1910, but had to write other music to compensate for dwindling funds. He finished his 4th symphony in Berlin and conducted concerts in Sweden in 1911. In 1912 he completed short orchestral works. Over the next several years he continued producing a variety of pieces of music, well-received, especially in America. He was given an honorary DM degree from Yale University and also another from the University of Helsinki about the same time. WW1 interrupted his music royalties in 1915, and he was forced to compose smaller works for publication to make ends meet. He completed his 5th symphony at age 50, but he was dissatisfied with it and reworked it three times In 1917 he starting drinking again, triggering arguments with his wife. The Russian Revolution in 1917 caused an improvement in their personal relationship, and he wrote his ‘Jager March’ to celebrate Finnish independence from Russia. The next year the Finnish Civil War began, putting a damper on his march. In 1919, after the war, he completed his 6th symphony. In 1920 George Eastman , of Eastman Kodak, asked him to teach for a year in New York, but he declined. He did enjoy a trip conducting several concerts in England in 1921. He premiered his 6th symphony in 1923. In 1924 he completed his 7th symphony. The next year he composed a number of small pieces. He began drinking again. He did write a few more major works, but for the last thirty years of his life he avoided publicly talking about his music. He tried to write an 8th symphony, but was unsatisfied with it and burned the scores. In fact, he burned a laundry basket full of music he had written, to the chagrin of his wife. But, afterward, he became calmer and gradually had a lighter mood. In 1935 he was awarded the Goethe-Metal, with a certificate signed by Adolf Hitler. A Soviet invasion of Finland in 1939 was repelled, but Finland gave up territory to Russia as a result. In 1941 Sibelius and his wife returned to their Finland home, Ainola, after a long absence. He did not compose much the last few years, and died at Ainola. His wife outlived him by 12 years. John Perry

John Goss

1800 - 1880 Person Name: John Goss (1800-1880) Topics: Death and Bereavement Composer of "PRAISE, MY SOUL" in Church Hymnary (4th ed.) John Goss (b. Fareham, Hampshire, England, 1800; d. London, England, 1880). As a boy Goss was a chorister at the Chapel Royal and later sang in the opera chorus of the Covent Garden Theater. He was a professor of music at the Royal Academy of Music (1827-1874) and organist of St. Paul Cathedral, London (1838-1872); in both positions he exerted significant influence on the reform of British cathedral music. Goss published Parochial Psalmody (1826) and Chants, Ancient and Modern (1841); he edited William Mercer's Church Psalter and Hymn Book (1854). With James Turle he published a two-volume collection of anthems and Anglican service music (1854). Bert Polman

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