Brethren Archive
The Year 1927

Praise Songs. Music & Words

by J. W. Sargeant




Comments:
Nick Fleet said ...

It's great to have this available. This 1927 edition appears to be a joint JW Sargeant/G Morrish reprint of JWS's 1913 'New Edition' (88 pages). In 1905 he had issued a 'New and Enlarged Edition' (84 pages) which is the same as this one minus the last three hymns but including Thomas Kelly's "Lord, accept our feeble song!"

The first edition of Praise Songs is undated [annoyingly typical of 'Brethren' !] but must have been c.1895.  It comprised 56 pages and finishes with J G Deck's "Soon will the Master come" and had about half a dozen hymns substituted for others in the later editions.

Praise Songs was the first publication to feature the tunes of Miss S. M. Walker, Joseph Revell, the elusive Mary Sidney Cooper, and Janet Harriet McNair (1874-1961).

Wednesday, Jan 11, 2023 : 02:27
Steve H said ...
It is great to see all seven verses of Paul Gerhardt's hymn - Midst the darkness storm and sorrow,,,, included here (one of my favourite hymns), but I am not familiar with this tune.

The Pleading Voice by Clara H Scott works well - Hymn 155 in the 1981 Revised Edition of The Believers Hymn Book

Steve H


Wednesday, Jan 11, 2023 : 05:35
Nick Fleet said ...

Actually, Steve, I think this hymn is an original by Frances Bevan. According to her Hymns of Ter Steegen, Suso and Others (1894) it was written at "P.G.", that is, "Princes Gate" her London home at the time.  But it is one of those written by 'Others' (in this case, herself).  It is not a translation from the German of Paul Gerhardt but appeared as “The Bride” in A Voice to the Faithful (1871), vol. 5, pp, 63-4.  Its theme and content are quite different from Gerhardt's compositions and none of his hymns has yet come to light that might be suggested as a candidate for its inspiration.

Wednesday, Jan 11, 2023 : 18:55
Gabriele said ...
Does anyone know the original German lyrics of the song "Midst the darkness"?
Sunday, May 21, 2023 : 00:10
Nick Fleet said ...
Gabriele, I think I may have misled you by my previous comment. I have since looked further into the origins of this hymn and have updated my comment above accordingly.
Sunday, May 21, 2023 : 16:34
Nick Fleet said ...

Key to initials (where known) in Praise Songs:

C.L. = Charles Leflaive

E.E.P = ?

E.L.B = Edward Lawrence Bevir

E.W.T. = Evelyn Wilbraham Trench

G.H. = Gertrude Helyar

G.W.H. = ?

G.T.S. = Gerhardt Ter Steegen

H.K.B. = Hannah Kilham Burlingham

L.J.M. =  ?

J.H.McN. = Janet Harriet McNair

J.R. = Joseph Revell

Pearie (sic) = Dearle

S.E.McN. = Stuart Edmund McNair

S.L. = ?

S.M.W. = Sarah Matilda Walker

W.H. = ?

W.P. = W. Pinsen

If any can help supply those still unknown, it would be appreciated.

Sunday, May 21, 2023 : 21:19
Gabriele said ...
Nick, thank you very much for your effort and for the enlightening information.
Gabriele
Monday, May 22, 2023 : 03:35


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