Hymn of the Week: April 22, 2022

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

Hymn 292: O Jesus, crowned with all renown
Kingsfold

Traditionally, the three days before Ascension have been observed as Rogation days, set aside for the special blessing of the crops. Today, to fit these days in a time of the year that is more relevant to the differing times around the nation for the planting of crops and gardens, the rubrics of the BCP allow for this observance on the traditional days or at other times. With such flexibility, this hymn for Rogation Days has ongoing usefulness.

This text has been in the Hymnal 1982 since 1916, but was not paired with this tune until Hymnal 1940. Written by Archbishop Benson while headmaster of Wellington, this text was first printed in the Hymnbook for Use of Wellington College (London, 1860).

Ralph Vaughan Williams, who arranged this tune, heard it at Kingsfold, a village in northwest Sussex and gave it that name. Kingsfold is a dignified modal melody, typical of the English folk tune.