This song refers to Jesus as the “Spotless Rose”, and tells us that he will be born of Mary, descended from Jesse, and that she will be pure. Mary is the “tender root”, and the rosebud (Jesus) will blossom on a cold night in the middle of winter … More A Spotless Rose
I still remember vividly the complete shock I experienced one December at school around five years ago. I had volunteered to organise and run the whole school assembly on the last afternoon of term, immediately before breaking up for the Christmas holidays … More Christmas Carols
I don’t remember how long ago this was introduced at St Margaret’s, possibly Advent 2010, possibly earlier, but I do remember being stunned that all the solo verses were written – quite unusually – for the alto voice … More This is the Record of John – Gibbons
A long time favourite, I was reminded of this hymn in May 2017 when I attended an Open Day at Trinity Laban Conservatoire … More I Vow to Thee My Country
According to Wikipedia, this is one of the most often performed hymns in the U.K. It even features in a shortened form as “All Good Gifts” in “Godspell” … More We Plough the Fields and Scatter
This article first appeared in the October 2014 issue of our parish magazine. In the first “Sister Act” film, a Reno lounge singer named Deloris Van Carter (played by Whoopi Goldberg) witnesses her mobster boyfriend killing an employee. She is then hidden in a convent under a witness protection program. She doesn’t take easily to … More Hail, Holy Queen – Marc Shaiman (1959-present)
Come, my Way, my Truth, my Life:
Such a Way, as gives us breath:
Such a Truth, as ends all strife:
Such a Life, as killeth death … More The Call (R V Williams)
This article first appeared in the September 2014 issue of our parish magazine.
This month’s musical musings are dedicated to my godson, who is due to start at high school this month, and may choose to attend confirmation classes when he turns 12 years old … More “Take This Moment” John Bell (1949-present)
This is one of my favourite hymns, learned at High Down County Junior School, Portishead, back in the 1970s, and always sung with gusto by everyone present. I never quite understood who Julie was … More O Jesus I Have Promised
We learned this during choir practices in summer 2012 and I immediately loved the sound of the words and interplay of the parts. Written for two equal female voices, sometimes they sing the same music in canon … More “O Salutaris” Cesar Franck (1822-1890)
St Margaret's Church Prestwich 