When I sang this years ago it meant nothing to me . I found it boring and repetitive . I have been since saved and changed by the blood of the Lamb . It is now the most beautiful sound . It is simply breathtaking . Thank you Lord Jesus !
In my opinion, one of the greatest works of vocal music composed within the English Cathedral tradition, if not within the canon of Western Classical Music at large.
I sang thus last month (im a chorister) and to here the youngest one (7) be so full of this was amazing. You heard proper good singing mixed with exited kids especially at crucify. Singing this this lent!!
Comparing this a bit to Blessed Be the God and Father (it’s in a shuffle) this is structurally similar but overall superior. There’s quite a bit of text to get through but the “recitative” sections have engrossing rhythms and unpredictable melodic lines with counterpoint in the strings that keeps them from dragging. The choral sections in Blessed Be are better but overall this is the stronger work.
First time I read through this in choir I burst into tears and started sobbing uncontrollably. That final amen is still to this day one of the most devastatingly beautiful things I've ever heard/sung.
I love this song, I heard that Queen Elizabeth had this song sung and sang it at a yearly tearoom gathering, I am so humble and grateful, thank you Queen Elizabeth. Praise Jesus.
Sung this many times whilst at Leeds Parish Church (1963 - 1971) under Donald Hunt’s direction. I miss it so very much, now being in the twilight years! Very happy times.
