Here’s another hymn from the New Living Parish Hymn Book that is new to me.
This is a Pentecost, or Whitsunday if you like, song from an ancient Latin hymn, possibly C4 by St Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers, as translated by John Ellerton and Fenton John Hort. The text below is from this hymnal but I have seen many variations out there.
It is here set to THE CALL by Ralph Vaughan Williams as adapted by E. Harold Greer.
Hymnary notes the text set to pretty much everything except this tune. Nonetheless, I got chords from Hymnary to make a BIAB backing. I made it rather slow – I hope that is how it is meant to sound.
1 Joy because the circling year
Brings our day of blessings here,
Day when first the light divine
On the Church began to shine.
2 Like to quivering tongues of flame
Onto each the Spirit came,
Tongues, that each might hear their call,
Fire, that love might burn in all.
3 So the wondrous works of God
Wondrously were spread abroad;
Every tribe’s familiar tone
Made the glorious marvel known.4 Hardened scoffers vainly jeered;
Listening strangers heard and feared,
Knew the prophet’s word fulfilled,
Owned the work which God had willed.5 Still your Spirit’s fullness, Lord,
On your waiting Church be poured;
Grant our burdened heart release;
Grant us your abiding peace.
I can’t find the hymn with this setting.
Right tune, different text: