I have done this one before, but never with a straight organ backing so I though I have another go at FINLANDIA.
Whether BIAB should be doing Sibelius at all is another question, but it is a glorious and moving funeral tune and a lovely text even in translation: done by Jane Borthwick from Katharina von Schegel’s original. The text varies – this is the one in the New Living Parish Hymn Book.
1. Be still, my soul: the Lord 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 rightful end.2. Be still, my soul: your God does undertake
To guide the future as he has the past,
Your hope, your confidence let nothing shake,
All now mysterious shall be clear at last.
Be still, my soul: the tempests still obey
His voice, who ruled them once on Galilee.3. Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shall you 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 forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgotten, love’s pure joy restored.
Be still my soul: when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.
This isn’t exactly the same as the arrangement in the NLPHB.
