I was Glad

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I was glad (Latin: Laetatus sum ) is a common opening song of the Anglican Church and one of the traditional hymns at the coronations of British monarchs . The best known version comes from the year 1902 by Hubert Parry , who used verses 1-3,6,7.

text

The text of the introit is from Psalm 122 in the Book of Common Prayer from 1662:

  1. I was glad when they said unto me: We will go into the house of the Lord.
  2. Our feet shall stand in thy gates: O Jerusalem.
  3. Jerusalem is built as a city: that is at unity in itself.
  4. For thither the tribes go up, even the tribes of the Lord: to testify unto Israel, to give thanks unto the Name of the Lord.
  5. For there is the seat of judgment: even the seat of the house of David.
  6. O pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.
  7. Peace be within your walls: and plenteousness within your palaces.
  8. For my brethren and companions' sakes: I will wish thee prosperity.
  9. Yea, because of the house of the Lord our God: I will seek to do thee good.

translation

  1. I was happy when they said to me: We are going to the house of the Lord!
  2. Our feet shall stand in your gates, Jerusalem!
  3. Jerusalem is built as a city, one in itself.
  4. For there the tribes go up, yes the tribes of the Lord - a testimony for Israel to give thanks to the name of the Lord!
  5. For there is the throne of judgment, even the throne of the house of David.
  6. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! It should be good for those who love you!
  7. Peace be in your walls and abundance in your palaces!
  8. For the sake of my brothers and friends, I wish you well!
  9. Yes, because of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek to do you good!

The psalm is a song of the pilgrims to the Jerusalem temple and a prayer for the peace and prosperity of Jerusalem . Its use in coronation worship draws parallels between Jerusalem and the United Kingdom , as William Blake wrote in his poem Jerusalem (Parry set this poem to music in 1916).

Use at coronations

Henry Purcell: I was glad

For earlier coronations the text was u. a. set to music and performed by Henry Purcell and William Boyce . The Parry version was written for the coronation of Edward VII and revised in 1911 for the coronation of George V. So the usual foreplay was added. This second version now included antiphonal chants and brass fanfares. Apart from the imperial effect of the music, the most important innovation was the integration of the call Vivat, vivat Rex ... or Vivat Regina ... (Long live King / Queen ...) in the central section, with which the students of the Westminster School traditionally call the monarch welcome. This section, which is rewritten in each case, is generally omitted if the hymn is performed on non-royal occasions. At the coronation of a reigning king and queen, first the vivat is called for the queen, then that for the king.

Use at other events

Parry's setting was played on April 29, 2011 during the three and a half minute bridal procession at the wedding of William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (formerly Kate Middleton) at Westminster Abbey. It was also performed at the wedding of his parents, Charles, Prince of Wales and Diana, Princess of Wales in 1981. The piece has also traditionally been played as the first hymn on other royal occasions.

Further settings

Web links

grades

Video clips

  • Westminster Abbey Choir at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on April 29, 2011 www.youtube.com
  • King's College Chapel Choir, Cambridge www.youtube.com
  • Choir of Saint Paul's Cathedral in the 2002 Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II. Www.youtube.com
  • Video with grade tracking: www.youtube.com

Audio clips

Example: Performed by the London Symphony Orchestra and the London Symphony Chorus conducted by Richard Hickox