In class on Monday, Sept. 23, we listened to the "Jupiter" section of Holst's The Planets. In the midde of that section, Holst treats us to a beautiful melody, which lingers in many listeners' minds because it seems so song-like. Indeed, Holst eventually turned the melody into a stand-alone song by pairing it with words from a poem written by the English poet Cecil Spring-Rice, and by having the song performed as a separate piece with orchestra. This song was quickly turned into a hymn by Ralph Vaughn Williams, and it remains popular as a hymn to this day. Chris Rose, from our class, has sent us a copy of the words, attached, and below. Here is a link to a performance of the hymn on YouTube.
Does the hymn version increase your appreciation of this melody or not? Post your comments! (Below the hymn words.)
Thaxted,
Words by Sir Cecil Spring-Rice, set to a melody by Gustav Holst.
Verse I
I vow to thee, my country, all earthly things
above,
Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love;
The love that asks no question, the love that stands the test,
That lays upon the altar the dearest and the best;
The love that never falters, the love that pays the price,
The love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice.
Verse 2
And there's
another country, I've heard of long ago,
Most dear to them that love her, most great to them that know;
We may not count her armies, we may not see her King;
Her fortress is a faithful heart, her pride is suffering;
And soul by soul and silently her shining bounds increase,
And her ways are ways of gentleness, and all her paths are peace.