Hymn of the Week: April 10, 2022

by Pat Partridge, Canon Precentor Organist and Choirmaster
Christ Church Cathedral, St. Louis

Hymn 154: All Glory, Laud and Honor

The use of this text and well-known German chorale tune at the procession on the Sunday of the Passion has been a strong tradition in the Episcopal Church since the appearance of the hymn in the 1871 edition of the Hymnal.

This is one of the few medieval hymns about whose authorship is certain. The text, which is based on Matthew 21:6-11 and parallel passages in the other Gospels, is ascribed to Theodulph, Bishop of Orleans, by his contemporary, Lupos of Ferrieres, in a letter written in 837.

The tune Valet will ich dir geben (also known as St. Theopulph), was written by Mechoir Teschner for Valerius Herberger's hymn, following the devastation of the plague of 1613 in his hometown of Fraustadt. This tune is well known to all church-going people in most denominations. Once sung, the refrain will stay with you for days.

Enjoy a 2013 performance of the hymn from King's College, Cambridge