Few
musicians
have
contributed
to the
joy of
hymn-singing
as much
as Ralph
Vaughan
Williams.
As musical
editor
or part-editor
of three
immensely
important
twentieth
century
collections
of Christian
music,
the English
Hymnal,
Songs
of
Praise and The
Oxford
Book
of
Carols,
he introduced
us to
a wealth
of noble
and beautiful
material
and contributed
many
of his
own compositions
to enrich
this
heritage.
His acute
taste
and broad
musical
sympathy
allowed
him to
bring
into
our
repertoire
gems
from a
great
variety
of backgrounds – mediaeval,
Lutheran,
Methodist,
Catholic
and
Evangelical;
and
his superb
musicianship
is evident
in every
arrangement
he made,
as in
every
melody
he composed.
He
believed
that
congregations
deserved
the best,
and that
was what
he sought
to give
them.
His work
as arranger
or composer
could
be haunting
and mysterious,
as in
his versions
of the
sixteenth
century
melodies
by Tallis;
bracing
and celebratory,
as with
the folksong
tune
he set
to Bunyan’s
hymn,
He
who
would
valiant
be;
majestic,
as in
his
much-loved
setting
of For
all
the
saints.
His
melody
for
Come
down,
O Love
Divine is lodged
in the
memory
of countless
couples
who
have
sung
it at
their
weddings,
and
the
beautiful
Come
my
Way,
my
Truth,
my
Life expresses
a deep
and
simple
devotion
that
any
believer
can
identify
with.
He
has given
great
gifts
to the
common
imagination – in
our Churches
and in our
whole country.
It is a
legacy that
should be
treasured
and passed
on. Vaughan
Williams
knew that
music was
not a luxury
but a vital
element
in human
life; and
he created
wonderful
musical
experiences
that could
be shared
by people
of all sorts
of different
levels of
musical
attainment.
That is
one reason
for his
lasting
popularity
in our congregations.
He helps
to shape
a real unity
and cohesion
in our worship
by binding
us in song.
So, to mark
this fiftieth
anniversary
of his death,
let us honour
his memory
by singing
one (maybe
more) of
his hymns
on Sunday
12 October
2008 – which
is also
his birthday.
The Ralph
Vaughan
Williams
Society
confidently
looks forward
to a great
tribute
to this
exceptional
genius,
and I hope
we can
all ensure
a worldwide
celebration
on that
day, truly
ecumenical
and joyful.
Dr
Rowan Williams
Archbishop
of Canterbury
