Hymn Blog - January 3, 2010

January 3, 2010 – Epiphany Sunday

VU 79 – Arise, Your Light Is Come. This Epiphany hymn by Ruth Duck was first published by the Ecumenical Women’s Centre of Chicago in “Because We are One People” (1974). The tune, FESTAL SONG, was composed in 1872, by New York City organist William Henry Walter, incorrectly named in Voices United as William Walker.

 VU 93 – When Heaven’s Bright with Mystery. This text was submitted to Voices United by the late Rob Johns, who was a United Church minister in Winnipeg. The tune, SUSSEX CAROL, is a traditional English melody collected by Ralph Vaughan Williams in Sussex in 1904. He used it in his “Fantasia on Christmas Carols” (1912) and arranged this version for “Eight Traditional English Carols” in 1919.

MV 82 – Bathe Me in Your Light. Author John Oldham served as a United Church minister for many years in Manitoba, including 14 years at Donnelly United Church in Winnipeg. While there, he developed a deep respect and affinity for native spirituality and how it relates to the Christian tradition. The music is by Ron Klusmeier, prolific Canadian composer of hymn tunes and prominent United Church music leader.

VU 96 – Will You Come and See the Light. Author Brian Wren, born in England and ordained in the Congregational Church, now lives in the United States with partner Rev. Susan Heafield, a United Methodist Pastor and composer. In this text he calls upon his experience working for Third World aid and development projects. The setting is the Scottish folk tune KELVINGROVE, arranged by Valerie Ruddle, a British music teacher, composer and author.