Music to lift your soul in this time of dispersement
Alan Bullard, Friston resident and UK composer, whose music is performed all over the world, has allowed us to post videos of himself playing some well-known hymns to uplift us in these troubled times. For most of them you shouldn't have too much trouble finding the words online.
Lord of All Hopefulness
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg9kdi17ogaOTn88S3A
My Song is Love Unknown
For Palm Sunday - All glory, laud and honour
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg9lOyyfuc071XL-5_w?e=xnrdUK
For Holy Week - O Sacred Head
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg9lPfAXBd9-XqmNsrw?e=q0OSLb
And something special from Alan:
This is my cantata, Wondrous Cross, (based on the Seven Last Words of Jesus Christ), performed by the Lion Walk Church Choir on Palm Sunday evening, 2012.
A hymn for Good Friday - Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg9lQxt9jFmdQcEZ5bw?e=uFHESE
And something special for Easter Day - Christ the Lord is risen today
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg9ohnfmLBQCI7RfhHg?e=Em8zD3
Another beautiful Easter hymn - Now the green blade riseth
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg9ojwbHZVFjtiGg3uQ?e=z9z4Rp
And This Joyful Eastertide continues!
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg9oqWuEgCntjjaQ_Zw?e=7qghT0
Here's a 20th-century favourite - Living Lord
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg9pHsolWcFe-p1Uk6Q?e=jeNnS4
A classic hymn to a 20th-century tune that became a great favourite - At the name of Jesus
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg9pNZMv6q82ngb-_rg?e=C7Enim
This is a particularly beautiful modern hymn - Brother, sister, let me serve you - and the pictures and performers are rather special!
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg9pMBmtEwhkZ6lZ_vQ?e=C7rcXA
A good old favourite - Great is thy faithfulness
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg9pJ0RxtD17C9wyvjw?e=2LPs8k
A hymn very much for our time - Through all the changing scenes of life
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg9s2rGWGnL31qNF44A?e=61CzJS
A favourite of many - O Jesus, I have promised
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg9s5LGO-YYz_yB4JrA?e=a0zks3
A beautiful hymn - Seek ye first the kingdom of God - and Alan says 'a performance by the Bullard family virtual choir, including two grand-daughters. The pictured churches are, mainly, ones with which we have family connections or have recently visited.'
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg9tf951hbUxV2rI4Ew?e=yuiHJQ
A lovely hymn from Scandinavia - The love of God
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg9s1rxIyGmOdXH_R0Q?e=BzMuRv
One for Ascension Day (Thursday 21st May) - Ye servants of God
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg9xE8EvpDuGLwhxODA?e=dPHdx1
And a familiar hymn that is apt for our times - Jesus shall reign
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg9xKQMjU1tRJ7b-aQw?e=uVtWGk
A modern hymn with words also particularly appropriate for out times - Do not be afraid
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg9xMU2m5fzbdTzrdjw?e=c27J33
One of the great Pentecost hymns - Come down, O love divine
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg9xLGMGsAz-IGvmaUw?e=rgYyBb
A hymn to (as Alan says) 'always have by our side' - The Lord's my shepherd
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg9shcQQONbYQiYmZdA?e=kNTSRa
A hymn for Trinity Sunday - Go forth and tell
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg9xJLGFiOsz9ie9jyQ?e=IZihEG
A magnificent hymn - All my hope on God is founded.
Alan writes:
The tune is by Herbert Howells (1892-1983). - he was my composition teacher at the Royal College of Music and this tune is called ‘Michael’ in memory of his son who sadly died of polio, aged 9, in the 1930s. Dr Howells kept Michael’s school sports-gear etc. in his garage in Barnes for the rest of his life.
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg90gmmuJFX0vQOs37A?e=CcOxTH
Of 'When in our music God is glorified' Alan writes:
This Sunday (June 14th) is, I’m told, called ‘Music Sunday’ so here’s an appropriate hymn: Fred Pratt Green’s words to a tune by Stanford.
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg90e4bwz-lgMGhBqBQ?e=qN7jqy
A hymn that is more than just for harvest - For the fruits of all creation
Alan writes:
Having just returned from a stroll through lovely Suffolk farmland, this seemed an appropriate choice of hymn. As the previous hymn, words are by the Methodist minister Fred Pratt Green. The music is by Francis Jackson, now aged 102: he was organist of York Minster from 1946 to 1982 (and a chorister there from 1929-33!). It’s a beautiful hymn with a sweeping melody.
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg90dJaIAZH2NdN9N4Q?e=814Yqo
A good rousing hymn - The God of Abraham praise
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg90f7G7krsqgMvj-EQ?e=UkWO9h
A hymn from the modern Iona tradition - The love of God comes close where stands an open door
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg91K2DGcHvKKNyYOtA?e=UJnmMq
One of the classics, with George Herbert's glorious words - Let all the world in every corner sing - and, as Alan says, ‘…No door can keep them out..’ As some churches prepare to open for worship (though perhaps not singing yet), this hymn - a request from a friend - seems a very appropriate one.
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg94MRHPS47ESLlA1KQ?e=BEHy1L
A hymn that seems particularly relevant at the moment - Just as I am
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg91He4j6DHCrqO9bJQ?e=KErsTc
Something of a modern classic - Colours of day
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg91_8hNy4_dYqw9S-A?e=SwS07D
A beautifully simple hymn with words by a very famous cricket commentator - God whose farm is all creation
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg91-SGBq22vByYpawQ?e=7aIFWh
A fairly obcure American folk-song took on a whole new lease of life when Sydney Carter borrowed its tune and added his own remarkable words - Lord of the Dance
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg91IiLs_mjcXxekjWA?e=SaBs5t
A hymn based on beautiful Irish words - Be Thou my vision
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg98UKqbHH2jLIw-IJQ?e=DUVmv2
An old favourite - King of glory, King of peace
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg98SkzK30WYeXNJX9A?e=HkzMbx
A hymn we don't know so well - but is good for our times - There's a quiet understanding
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg98uUW5gUwQxtjHMTw?e=Twnj2X
One of the great hymns of praise - Praise, my soul, the King of heaven
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg98T0_9XlZcNHAqvRA?e=3XeEmR
Alan says: 'Here’s a hymn for this Sunday - Christ is the World’s true light. You can sing it to ‘Now thank we all our God’ which I recorded here (in colder weather):
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg90jKYZfRojfMxv26w?e=WKLYhI
A hymn that's not so well-known in Anglican circles but is a real gem. A quick online search will find the words. Alan says: A lovely hymn by George Caird today. Caird was a Congregationalist scholar, minister, and, amongst many other things, principal of Mansfield College. The equally beautiful tune is by S. S. Wesley.
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg98vS5X-wpgpIZq-3w?e=QZ6hzJ
Alan says: 'Well, perhaps not quite a hymn - the words are the familiar text, but the music is new'. (He's too modest to say that he wrote it!)
What happened when an English public-school teacher paired up the end of an American Quaker's poem about a demon drink and the melody of an aria from one of Sir Hubert Parry's oratorios? Answer - a much-loved hymn - Dear Lord and Father of mankind!
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg991ah2viU4WX3zaVA?e=ws0gf1
A lovely modern hymn - God is love, and where true love is God himself is there.
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg99zf3FsRZS8pC6Xjg?e=rjYXe8
Another classic - Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg99xMTGLJGDb23Vzsw?e=w1b9l9
Alan says: 'One of our favourite hymns - here (as a few months ago) sung by a virtual choir… ' Brother, sister, let me serve you
A 'children's hymn' (the writers include some 1960's Junior Church members) with a powerful message for us all - Think of a world without any flowers
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg99wlXkzjwJPv0wtOg?e=6AJeKM
Alan says: Here’s a hymn for this Sunday - and even if we are unable to physically meet for worship at the moment, Jesus is here. As we are gathered, Jesus is here.
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg99vMdMCjKP_E1Sn6Q?e=UnyaGn
A little touch of Advent in the summer - one of the geat hymns from the Lutheran tradition - Wake, O wake, with tidings thrilling
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg99yKGZ3sGe_w51mDQ?e=9Ps3l5
The great prayer of St Francis turned into a beatiful hymn - Make me a channel of your peace
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg-ECEOqBJYEVSMHMvQ?e=CA3yfv
Another favourite - Father, hear the prayer we offer
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg-EBXizG0aOqQm0RdQ?e=9m4NBX
A harvest hymn by the great Methodist hymn-writer Fred Pratt Green - For the fruits of all creation, thanks be to God
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg90dJaIAZH2NdN9N4Q?e=RkSCDU
Another 20th-century classic - Jesus is Lord
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg-B-TChMuM2YeStbSA?e=orEELH
A real old favourite that actually began life in Russia - How great thou art
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg91J5P-36I_wL4N6zA?e=v1Dm9D
Something from 'across the water' in Ireland - Be thou my vision., O Lord of my heart
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg98UKqbHH2jLIw-IJQ?e=Q8mbkI
German words translated and set to a Silesian folk-tune - Fairest Lord Jesus
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg-EAFgvz9yB0ewvwrg?e=2zJR03
John Newton wrote some of the most memorable of all hymns - including this one, Great shepherd of thy people, hear
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg-Enj1ZavUmf4h9zRw?e=etjaj3
Another Gospel passage turned into a memorable hymn - A new commandment
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg-ElgGoUviJNCn1ZIQ?e=Edc7dS
Beautiful words, set to Orlando Gibbons's beautiful tune - Eternal ruler of the ceaseless round
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg-Em-yiNu_r40srQ_w?e=sO4BtF
Yet another of those old favourites that seems to speak particularly powerfully in our current times - Through all the changing scenes of life
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg9s2rGWGnL31qNF44A?e=Lf61Od
The Kingdom of God is justice and joy (nothing else need be said!)
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg94Ae0oqfg0hcEuOwA?e=Xac72r
A good example of the Scottish tradition of metrical psalms - Psalm 121 made into a hymn - I to the hills will lift my eyes.
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg-Ek6ox4mdnwkD-DbQ?e=BiyWKc
No celebration of All Saints would be complete without this classic - For all the saints who from their labours rest
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg-IUwcfAuzMugsne4w?e=6ObkIi
A fine Charles Wesley hymn for All Saints tide - Come, let us join the saints above
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg-ISPcnhvtwhL9k2LA?e=qgjIwc
Alan says: Instead of watching my fingers you can see and hear the choir of Ferryhill Parish Church, Aberdeen, singing my arrangement of ‘The Lord’s my Shepherd’ for their Remembrance Day service.
As Alan says: "A rather beautiful text by W. Y. Fullerton, set to a very well-known melody" - I cannot tell
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg-ITiuC9XOpf6wVprQ?e=MjWR0j
A wonderful hymn of praise, though, as Alan says, it's a pity it only has two verses - From glory to glory advancing we praise thee, O Lord
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg-IQzRoukRKoxHW1Qw?e=QaCgaa
A special treat - not a hymn but a song of hope that Alan wrote during the first lockdown - Rainbow. Alan says 'It’s performed by family and friends and I hope you enjoy it'.
A rousing tune if ever there was one - God is love
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg-IOVLNpKa-o9oXIpg?e=t576Li
We're nearly in Advent, so here's a foretaste. Born in the night, Mary's child.
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg-INmZJpv-4uFr3G0A?e=cloxqb
One of the great Advent hymns - Lo, He comes with clouds descending
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg-MJF4YRXElh52IO7g?e=oc2HPC
Something to reflect on in difficult times - God is working his purpose out
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg-MIgAVMQJlWEP88dg?e=ZnNIYu
Alan says: "Here is my setting of ‘There is no rose’ (originally 15th century German) to a less well-known translation: ‘There is a rose tree blooming’ performed by a choir of 2 x 2."
Another gem - Great shepherd of thy people, hear
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg-Enj1ZavUmf4h9zRw?e=yEdleM
A self-explanatory title - The kingdom of God is justice and joy
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg94Ae0oqfg0hcEuOwA?e=p8Ukky
Alan says: Here’s an Advent anthem for today - my setting of ‘Creator of the Stars of Night’ incorporating the original plainsong melody
https://youtu.be/l_8f5v81rHoTimothy Dudley-Smith's great Magnificat hymn - Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg-MHNq3NDWUvXJIPow?e=VKblac
Another of Fred Pratt-Green's best - Christ is the world's light, He and none other
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg-MFTtLirrSGAy7E9w?e=xYyshb
Alan says: An Advent carol - my setting of Chanticleer, performed by the choir of Selwyn College, Cambridge, with visuals added by me!
An Annunciation carol - The angel Gabriel from heaven came
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg-MEdywxAGMzA4tsKA?e=8uRhFa
Alan says: In this week, where so many people will be lonely, away from friends and family, I hope that this new carol might bring a little comfort, and remind us of the Christmas message. Apologies to those who may have already seen this (and thank you to those who are singing in it!).
A Christmas favourite - It came upon a midnight clear
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg-MGlr8R3DTL6BgiEQ?e=DiMAnz
Alan says: Well, today the ‘Bullard Family Singers’ bring you ‘Sing out Angels’. The singers range in age from 3 to 73.
https://youtu.be/hSDswAaAbdQAlan says: Two carols for Christmas Eve:
This night - my setting of an ancient Hebridean text: https://youtu.be/3v31UIBG_Js
Silent Night: https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg-My02HXrAugSqgvDg?e=6c3ZMD
Alan says: Happy Christmas everyone!
1. O Come all ye faithful https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg-MDGoBXO-N8DFzPXQ?e=AV2OkH
2. A boy is born in Bethlehem https://youtu.be/Se9viCvk43E
A hymn for Boxing Day - God is love
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg-IOVLNpKa-o9oXIpg?e=vsGlrh
A less well-known Christmas beauty - Look how the rose is growing
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg-MCg0tdTb_ejRtyCw?e=HpheQ3
Alan says: Here is my setting of the well-known poem ‘What Child is this’ - which I’ve called ‘For Christ is Born’. Hope you enjoy it.
And look out for some views of the interior of Friston church gloriously decorated for Christmas!
Another seasonal favourite - Brightest and best
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg-NePnYWF___O2oo3A?e=qFddJ5
A hymn heralding the approach of Epiphany - Wise men seeking Jesus
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg-NbpY856KjmpCvdhQ?e=CuVyp6
A gentle Christmas carol - What is that fragrance, sweet and healing?
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg-NcDOO5AKaFNVUG3Q?e=lJmWgu
Another of Alan's lovely compositions - Scots Nativity
‘….God’s angels and shepherds and kine in their stall, And wise men and Virgin, Thy guardians all…'
Three kings from Persian lands afar. Alan writes of this beautiful piece 'The composer, Cornelius, writes a solo voice part to fit with a traditional hymn, 'How brightly shines the morning star’ - I’ve incorporated both aspects into my piano version'.
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg-NpbDmqvmWIr6ljJQ?e=zeGJOY
An old favourite, sung at many a wedding - Lead us, heavenly Father
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg-BWJO6c_efDpGwYTA?e=baQg8a
An inspiring hymn from the Iona tradition - Who would think that what was needed
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg-MvUV5105VktUzWQg?e=azosNB
An Epiphany favourite - (O) worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg-NmLgNwK4e3Bz6XQA?e=K5Gl7h
Alan says: Here’s J. S. Bach’s lovely harmonisation of a traditional German lullaby/carol.
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg-NlSmMwZFpz66jvWA?e=v9fbOP
Alan says: The ladies of the Bullard virtual choir sing for you again - recorded last Spring / Summer.
Seek ye first the Kingdom of God
A good message for today - Do not be afraid
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg9xMU2m5fzbdTzrdjw?e=1ae86m
Alan says: Here’s a hymn for this weekend: 'All my hope on God is founded'.
Music by my teacher at the RCM, Herbert Howells, written in memory of his son, Michael.
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg90gmmuJFX0vQOs37A?e=T2QgpW
Another favourite - Lord of all hopefulness
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg-N_IcyHQImer6I7sg?e=sbOFZF
Something of a modern classic - Brother, sister, let me serve you
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtEyLDlEdaeJg-QFxLc84jb4-1-9Vg?e=37VMek</span>
If you want to know a bit more about Alan, do visit his website www.alanbullard.co.uk