Church Music Corner › Feast of All Saints, 2026 [loc-005W]

Gaudeámus omnes in Dómino, diem festum celebrántes sub honóre Sanctórum ómnium: de quorum solemnitáte gaudent Angeli, et colláudant Fílium Dei.

This morning I directed our choir at All Saints Ainslie for Harris' arrangement of Bach's chorale to text by George Herbert:

King of glory, King of peace,

I will love Thee;

and that love may never cease,

I will move Thee.

Thou hast granted my request,

Thou hast heard me;

Thou didst note my working breast,

Thou hast spared me.

Wherefore with my utmost art

I will sing Thee,

and the cream of all my heart

I will bring Thee.

Though my sins against me cried,

Thou didst clear me;

and alone, when they replied,

Thou didst hear me.

Sev'n whole days, not one in sev'n,

I will praise Thee;

in my heart, though not in heav'n,

I can raise Thee.

Small it is, in this poor sort

to enroll Thee:

e'en eternity's too short

to extol Thee.

Afterwards a soprano in our choir Polly was baptized. We reprised Rutter's Gaelic Blessing for her:

Deep peace of the running wave to you,

Deep peace of the flowing air to you,

Deep peace of the quiet earth to you,

Deep peace of the shining stars to you,

Deep peace of the gentle night to you,

Moon and stars pour their healing light on you,

Deep peace of Christ, the light of the world, to you.