Hymn of the Week: December 26
by the Rev. Brooke Myers,
Retired Priest
December 26, 2021
Hymn 324: Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
PICARDY
There is a part of the Eucharist called the Presentation in which the bread and wine (and monetary offerings) are carried to the altar. This action has traditionally accompanied by a hymn. Let all mortal flesh keep silence is an example of such a hymn, and is taken from the 5th c. Liturgy of St. James.
The text, translated by Gerard Moultrie in the 19th c., takes its cue from the Old Testament books Habakkuk and Zephaniah and from the 4th chapter of the Book of Revelation, in which the heavenly City of God is described. The first verse reinforces the proper posture one takes in God’s presence: heavenly thoughts, fear and trembling. Verses two and three articulate the heart of the Gospel: Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords, born of Mary, who feeds and saves his people. The final verse speaks of the multitudes and bizarre angelic figures who eternally worship Christ in heaven.
For use with this text the noted English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams adapted a 17th c. folk tune, first published in 1860, from the Picardy region of France. The first two lines of the three-line melody are ascending and identical, the last line rises then falls. Vaughn Williams’ arrangement evokes plainsong chant and gives the text a meditative tone. Episcopalians have been singing this hymn since its inclusion in the 1916 Hymnal.
Look to YouTube under Let all mortal flesh keep silence for a rendition -- here is one example:
Let all mortal flesh keep silence, and with fear and trembling stand;
ponder nothing earthly-minded, for with blessing in his hand
Christ the Lord to earth descendeth, our full homage to demand.
King of Kings, yet born of Mary, as of old on earth he stood,
Lord of Lords in human vesture, in the Body and the Blood
he will give to all the faithful his own self for heavenly food.
Rank on rank the host of heaven spreads its vanguard on the way,
as the Light of light descendeth from the realms of endless day,
that the powers of hell may vanish as the darkness clears away.
At his feet the six- winged seraph; cherubim with sleepless eye,
veil their faces to the Presence, as with ceaseless voice they cry,
“Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, Lord most high!”
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