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Thaxted x7x
O God beyond all praising
String quartet, oboe, horn, timp, organ, choir, and congregation
Arranged for seven-piece instrumental ensemble of Oboe, French Horn, String Quartet, and Timp with Choir, Congregation, and Organ. In this version without harp the string quartet is more prominent, especially in the prologue. Price includes $7 license we pay to put lyrics in the score
updated Mar 2025; the previous link was to the wrong clip.
Price:
$42.00
Originally a figure in the symphonic suite The Planets, by Gustav Holst, located in the middle of Jupiter: the Bringer of Jollity, THAXTED was later arranged by the composer as a hymn tune. He gave it the name Thaxted, after the English village where he lived for many years, and where he was founder of an annual music festival. (As Pluto had not yet been discovered, the symphony is an eight-movement composition. And given Pluto's subsequent 'undiscovery,' The Planets remains very much a wonder.)
Michael Perry (1942-1996) was canon at Rochester Cathedral, and editor of Jubilate Hymns. As THAXTED is usually associated with the English patriotic hymn I vow to thee my country, Perry wrote this hymn to provide a text "more appropriate for Christian worship." Originally two verses, a middle verse was added later at the request of Richard Proulx in reference to the Pauline discourse connecting the passing of earthly splendor with future glory, a verse appropriate to some occasions such as a requiem or memorial. But Perry's own preference was that the additional verse should in most cases be omitted. The hymn was written in 1982 specifically for this tune, and a license from the copyright holder, Hope Publishing Company, is required for use.
References
Thaxted (tune) Wikipedia entry about the tune
Thaxted Parish Church official Thaxted wesbsite
History of Hymns (UMC Discipleship Ministries): "O God beyond all praising."
Version 260515
- Improved engraving of score and parts
Version 8.8.11 x7x
- Reimagined first violin in the first three bars
- Revised string articulations to conventional practice
- Minor page layout improvements
- The sibling arrangement of Sine Nomine was similarly updated
8.7.10 x7x
- More prominent role for the string quartet
- Without harp
Includes these changes made to the eight-piece version with harp
- Dozens of voice leading cues improved
- Added passing note in descant
- Score and parts re-configured for legibility
- Full score in both 10x13 and US Letter (86% of 10x13)
- Organ Score US Letter landscape
- includes vocal parts
- optimized for page turns
Version 8.7.9.6
- First publication with this voicing
- Choral score includes a version for duplex printing on tabloid printer
Previous versions were released in different voices
- Strings 4-4-1-1-1, Horn, Trumpet, and Timp (available through Oratorio Society of Minnesota)
- Harp, Violin, Flute, Oboe, Cello, and Timp (original 2007, matches small ensemble Rutter Requiem)
1. O God beyond all praising,
we worship you today,
and sing the love amazing
that songs cannot repay.
for we can only wonder
at every gift you send,
for blessings without number
and mercies without end.
We lift our hearts before you
and wait upon your Word;
we worship and adore you
Our great and mighty Lord.
2. The flower of earthly splendor
in time must surely die,
its fragile bloom surrender
to you, the Lord most high;
but hidden from all nature
the eternal seed is sown--
though small in mortal stature,
to heaven's garden grown:
for Christ the Word incarnate
from death has set us free,
and we through him are given
the final victory!
3.Then hear, O gracious Savior,
accept the love we bring.
that we who know your favor
may serve you as our king;
and whether our tomorrows
be filled with good or ill,
we'll triumph though our sorrows
and rise to bless you still:
to marvel at your beauty
and glory in your ways,
and make a joyful duty
our sacrifice of praise.
‘O God Beyond All Praising’ Michael Perry © 1982 The Jubilate Group (admin. Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188). For licensing, contact Hope Publishing Company, 800-323-1049, www.hopepublishing.com
This cost $10 at Staples (2023)
Choir booklet prep
If you have access to a printer that can print both sides of an 11x17 sheet, you can create a four-page booklet of the choir part. Fold the front (pages 4 and 1) over the inside spread (pages 2 and 3). A file for this as well as single 8½ x 11 sheets are included.
