Music for this Sunday

The First Sunday of Lent, Year B – February 18

The anthem at Communion this Sunday is one of my favourite poems. A Hymn to God the Father, by John Donne (1571/2 – 1631), is one of his Divine Poems. Donne came from a recusant family, families that remained loyal to the Roman Church. Because of this, although educated at both Cambridge and Oxford, he was not granted degrees because he would not take the Oath of Supremacy, an oath agreeing that the King was the Supreme Governor of the Church, He led a colourful life. He did, however, later in life join the Church of England and was granted the living of two parishes.

The poem was set to music by Pelham Humphrey (1647-1674). It was published posthumously. In his short life he influenced the music of Henry Purcell and John Blow. He was the Master of the Children in the Chapel Royal. This work is his best known composition.