From Pub to Pulpit - 25 June 2022

St. Michaels and All Angels Saturday 25 June at 7.30pm

With Broomdasher, Coracle, St. Michaels Church Choir and organist Gus Orchard A celebration of Vaughan Williams’ 150th anniversary, his passion for native folksong of the British Isles and his ability to turn traditional melodies into high church music. Sponsored by:

"National music should represent the people. Music is the expression of the soul of the nation… the same circumstances that produced our beautiful Folk Songs also produced our history, our customs; our incomparable landscapes, perhaps even I may add, our independable weather and our abominable food” Ralph Vaughan Willliams.

Part 1 St. Michaels Church Choir, Dir. Kate Cheetham, present music of Ralph Vaughan Williams and Harold Darke ‘’Let all the world in every corner sing’ from ‘5 Mystical Songs’ by Vaughan Williams

Infused with modal harmonies implied by many a folksong and loved by RVW this makes a rousing opener to the evening.

‘The Call’ from ‘5 Mystical Folksongs’ Solo by Alison Kingshott

A melody with the simplicity of folksong sets the spiritual words of George Herbert.

‘O Taste and See’ by Vaughan Williams

One of his last sacred pieces, written for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II using the simple pentatonic (5 note) scale typical of folksong.

Communion Service in F by Harold Darke Kyrie – Credo – Sanctus – Benedictus – Agnus Dei – Gloria Soloists: Bridget Snasdell, Malcolm Penny, Pete Scull

Contemporary with RVW, Darke also imbues his music with the modal harmonies of folksong. The choir regularly sing movements from this setting on Sunday mornings.

Part 2 BROOMDASHER are a five-voice London-based acapella group who already had many years’ experience between them before they first formed in 2016. Since then, they’ve created an enviable reputation for their arrangements, harmonies and engaging live shows, which encourage the audience to join in.

They are: Chris Hayes, Deena Marcus-Jedamzik, Josephine Swinhoe, Margaret Moore and Richard Cryan.

Part 3 CORACLE is a new trio bringing together three vastly experienced and well-respected musicians who have large followings in their own right: Paul Hutchinson is an accordionist and one half of the extremely successful duo Belshazzar’s Feast, who have entertained audiences around the world for more than 25 years.

Karen Wimhurst is a clarinettist, composer and arranger who has worked with many top orchestras and ensembles. A long-term collaborator with Paul, their previous groups, Pagoda Project and The Maniacs were praised for their inventiveness.

Anna Tam is a classically trained musician who is a former member of the extremely popular Medieaval Baebes. She plays a range of unusual instruments, including nyckelharpa, hurdy gurdy, viola da gamba and cello.

Part 4: It’s you!

It’s time to hear four folksongs: The Murder of Maria Marten; A Brisk Young Farmer; The Ploughboy’s Dream and Our Captain Calls and to find out how they became those wellknown hymns in the following pages.

Sing up and enjoy!

I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Come unto Me and rest; Lay down, thou weary one, lay down Thy head upon My breast.”

I came to Jesus as I was, Weary and worn and sad; I found in Him a resting place, And He has made me glad.

I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Behold, I freely give The living water; thirsty one, Stoop down, and drink, and live.”

I came to Jesus, and I drank Of that life-giving stream; My thirst was quenched, my soul revived, And now I live in Him.

O Little Town of Bethlehem O little town of Bethlehem How still we see thee lie Above thy deep and dreamless sleep The silent stars go by Yet in thy dark streets shineth The everlasting light The hopes and fears of all the years Are met in thee tonight.

For Christ is born of Mary And gathered all above While mortals sleep, the angels keep Their watch of wondering love O morning stars together Proclaim the holy birth And praises sing to God the King And peace to men on Earth.

I heard the voice of Jesus say, “I am this dark world’s Light; Look unto Me, thy morn shall rise, And all thy day be bright.”

I looked to Jesus, and I found In Him my Star, my Sun; And in that light of life I’ll walk, Till trav’ling days are done.

How silently, how silently The wondrous Gift is given So God imparts to human hearts The blessings of His Heaven No ear may hear His coming But in this world of sin Where meek souls will receive Him still The dear Christ enters in.

I heard the voice of Jesus say, “My Father’s house above Has many mansions; I’ve a place Prepared for you in love.”

I trust in Jesus—in that house, According to His word, Redeemed by grace, my soul shall live Forever with the Lord.

O holy Child of Bethlehem Descend to us, we pray Cast out our sin and enter in Be born to us today We hear the Christmas angels The great glad tidings tell O come to us, abide with us Our Lord Emmanuel.

‘Tis Winter Now the Fallen Snow

He Who Would Valiant Be

'Tis winter now; the fallen snow Has left the heav'ns all coldly clear; Through leafless boughs the sharp winds blow, And all the earth lies dead and drear.

He who would valiant be 'Gainst all disaster, Let him in constancy Follow the Master.

There's no discouragement Shall make him once relent His first avowed intent To be a pilgrim.

And yet God's love is not withdrawn; His life within the keen air breathes; His beauty paints the crimson dawn, And clothes the boughs with glittering wreaths.

And though abroad the sharp winds blow, And skies are chill, and frosts are keen, Home closer draws her circle now, And warmer glows her light within.

O God! Who giv'st the winter's cold As well as summer's joyous rays, Us warmly in Thy love enfold, And keep us through life's wintry days.

Who so beset him round With dismal stories, Do but themselves confound His strength the more is.

No foes shall stay his might, Though he with giants fight: He will make good his right To be a pilgrim.

Since, Lord, thou dost defend Us with thy Spirit, We know we at the end Shall life inherit.

Then fancies flee away!

I'll fear not what men say, I'll labour night and day To be a pilgrim.