-Virginia Woolf
"So fine was the morning except for a streak of wind here and there that the sea and sky looked all one fabric, as if sails were stuck high up in the sky, or the clouds had dropped down into the sea." -Virginia Woolf
Comments
I was very moved by the music selections at Prince Philip's funeral on Saturday. Though there were only four singers due to Covid restrictions, they conveyed modest dignity and somber, heartfelt emotion. I especially appreciated the selection of Eternal Father, Strong To Save, which is a hymn which I've sung several times with choirs in Remembrance Day services. Eternal Father is a maritime hymn which implores the Lord for protection of those traversing the sea. Though now used by naval forces in many countries at benediction and memorial services, it is British in origin, written by William Whitting of Winchester, England in 1860. He had grown up around the sea and once nearly drowned when a ship he was on narrowly avoided sinking during a storm. He composed Eternal Father, Strong To Save inspired by his experiences and by the words of Psalm 107: They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; These see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep. For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit's end. Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. The hymn no doubt had great significance for Prince Philip as he was an officer in the British navy. In addition, it was played at the 1979 funeral of his uncle Louis Mountbatten, who was an Admiral in the British navy and was murdered by IRA terrorists while at sea in his fishing boat. Also, Winston Churchill requested that the hymn by sung at a church service he attended aboard the HMS Prince Of Wales when he was meeting with Franklin Roosevelt in 1941. The singers at Prince Philip's funeral sang the original lyrics, which are solely about the perils of the ocean. Eternal Father, strong to save, Whose arm hath bound the restless wave, Who bid'st the mighty ocean deep Its own appointed limits keep; O hear us when we cry to Thee, For those in peril on the sea. O Christ, Whose voice the waters heard And hushed their raging at Thy word, Who walkedst on the foaming deep, And calm amidst its rage didst sleep; O hear us when we cry to Thee, For those in peril on the sea. Most Holy Spirit, Who didst brood Upon the chaos dark and rude, And bid its angry tumult cease, And give, for wild confusion, peace; O hear us when we cry to Thee, For those in peril on the sea! O Trinity of love and power, Our brethren shield in danger's hour; From rock and tempest, fire and foe, Protect them wheresoe'er they go; Thus evermore shall rise to Thee Glad hymns of praise from land and sea. In 1940 however, new lyrics were composed which included other branches of the military in their plea for divine protection; this is the version which I'm more familiar with. Eternal Father, strong to save, Whose arm hath bound the restless wave, Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep Its own appointed limits keep: O hear us when we cry to thee For those in peril on the sea. O Christ, the Lord of hill and plain O'er which our traffic runs amain By mountain pass or valley low; Wherever, Lord, thy brethren go, Protect them by thy guarding hand From every peril on the land. O Spirit, whom the Father sent To spread abroad the firmament; O Wind of heaven, by thy might Save all who dare the eagle's flight, And keep them by thy watchful care From every peril in the air. O Trinity of love and power, Our brethren shield in danger's hour; From rock and tempest, fire and foe, Protect them whereso'er they go, Thus evermore shall rise to thee Glad praise from air and land and sea. Here's the version from the funeral:
|
About MeI'm a lover of good books, classic movies, and well-written shows (as well as some pretty cheesy ones, to be completely honest). Categories
All
Archives
March 2024
Fun SitesOdds & Ends |