Music Notes
Hymn of the Day: ELW 323, “God Loved the World”
Text: Gesangbuch, Bollhagen (1791)
Tune: Rockingham Old
In the United States this hymn was published in the first official hymnal of the Lutheran Church. August Crull made the first translation for the Evangelical Lutheran Hymn Book (1889). ELW uses a modified version of stanzas of that translation.
August Crull’s fine Engloish translations of hymns from the German apperaed in a number of hymnbooks. He almost single-handedly compiled the Evangelical Lutheran Hymn Book (1889), a critical book for English translations of German hymns in the United States.
ROCKINGHAM OLD, (aka Rockingham) first appeared in 1790 in a collection prepared by Edward Miller entitled, Psalms of David for the Use of Parish Churches. As described by Temperly in The Hymn Tune Index, this edition is “noteworthy as a collection of simple but musically literate and well-harmonized tunes, sung by the congregation and led by an organ and choir of children,” a wonderful instance of support for the congregation’s singing.
Musical Meditation: “Amazing Grace”, David Cherwein
Text: John Newton (1725–1807)
We are probably all aware of “Amazing Grace,” the Christian hymn published in 1779, with words written in 1772 by the English poet and Anglican clergyman John Newton. Newton wrote the words from personal experience.
NEW BRITAIN (also known as AMAZING GRACE) was originally a folk tune, probably sung slowly with grace notes and melodic embellishments. Typical of the Appalachian tunes from the southern United States, NEW BRITAIN is pentatonic with melodic figures that outline triads. It was first published as a hymn tune in shape notes in Columbian Harmony (1829) to the text "Arise, my soul, my joyful pow'rs." It was first set to "Amazing Grace" in William Walker's Southern Harmony (1835).
Of David Cherwien's many musical gifts, his impressive ability to create improvisations stands out the most. David Cherwien, music director of the National Lutheran Choir, is a nationally known conductor, composer and organist. Recognized for his contributions to the field of church music and liturgy, he is in demand as a clinician and hymn festival leader across the country.
Choir Anthem: “Restore My Soul”, Robert J. Powell (1932)
Robert J. Powell was born in Benoit, Mississippi. Since 1958 he has published over 300 compositions for organ, choir, handbells and instrumental ensembles with leading American and English church music publishers. Robert Powell grew up in sacred music, beginning his training in the 5th grade and starting to compose in 7th grade. By age 18, he was providing piano and organ music for worship services, something he continued through his years in college and as a chaplain’s assistant in the U.S. Army. Mr. Powell holds a Bachelor of Music in Organ and Composition from Louisiana State University (1954) and a Master of Sacred Music from Union Theological Seminary in New York (1958), where he studied under Alec Wyton. He was Assistant Organist at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York from 1958 to 1960, Organist/Choir director at St. Paul’s in Meridian, MS from 1960 - 1965, and Director of Music at St. Paul’s School in Concord, N.H. from 1965-1968. He held the position of Organist and Choir Director at Christ Church in Greenville, SC from 1968 to 2003.
Restore my soul, O Lord, And heal my heart's distress.
O cleanse me from my weariness, And bring my spirit rest.
Restore my joy, O Lord, My heart is standing still.
O touch me, reach my emptiness, Retrieve my broken will.
O God, who sees beyond our sight, who hears our every prayer,
Remake our foolish human faith, For always you are there.
Accept my life, O Lord, My heart: flawed, frail, and spent,
Requires the comfort of thy love to mend life's discontents.
—Beverly Easterling