Notes on the Notes – September 23, 2012
VU #371 – Open My Eyes, That I May See – This hymn was written by Clara H. Scott in 1895 and is her most well-know hymn. In 1882, she published the Royal Anthem Book, the first volume of anthems published by a woman. She was born in 1841 in Elk Grove, Illinois and died on June 21, 1897, (Dubuque, Iowa), thrown from a buggy by a runaway horse.
VU #374 – Come and Find the Quiet Centre – The words were written by Shirley Erena Murray in 1989 for a Presbyterian Women’s conference on the theme of “Making Space.” The tune, known as Beach Spring, was attributed to Benjamin Franklin White (1844) and harmonized by Ronald A. Nelson (1978).
VU #227 – For the Fruit of All Creation – This week we are using verse 2 as our offering response. This hymn of thanksgiving for the fruits of human labour extends the theme by relating it to the need for sharing of gifts, not only of labour, but also of Spirit. The traditional Welsh song “Ar Hyd Y Nos” (All Through the Night) was arranged as a hymn tune by Ralph Vaughn Williams, the musical editor of The English Hymnal (1906).
VU # 504 – How Clear is Our Vocation, Lord – The words for this hymn are by Reverend Fred Pratt Green (1981). Green was a British Methodist minister and hymnwriter. His hymns show his concern with social issues. He has set his words to the tune Repton, by C. Hubert H. Parry (1888).
The Anthem – Our Song of Fellowship and Faith – The warmth and encouragement of the Christian community is celebrated in this beautiful song by Don Besig and Nancy Price.
