I was sorting through some choir music the other day and came across an anthem c. 1926 - original price: 22 cents, but that was stamped over with "25 cents". Goodness knows how long ago that music was purchased! The title is: In Joseph's Lovely Garden, words by Helen A. Dickinson.
In Joseph's lovely garden
The Lord Christ's tomb was made,
And there His broken body
To rest was gently laid.
A great rock strongly sealed it,
That Death might have full sway;
But God sent down His angel,
To roll the stone away.
When dawn was faintly breaking
Across the garden fair,
Three women entered weeping,
Bearing spices rare.
Then spake the guardian angel,
In shining raiment bright,
He whom ye seek is risen,
And Death is vanquished quite!
O angel of the garden,
Descend to us today,
And comfort all our sadness,
And drive death's fear away.
We all are sorrow laden
Speak to our hearts we pray,
"He whom ye love is risen,
And lives with Christ alway!"
O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
All praise to Thee we bring;
No power of death could hold Thee,
Our Saviour, Lord, and King!
As Thou has ris'n all glorious,
May we one day arise,
O'er sin and death victorious,
In Thy blest Paradise.
I dare say that 80+ years ago when this was written, the language used in it was much closer to 'everyday' than it is now. Although the use of Thee, Thou and Thy is very poetic, it's not used much in literature or church today. I also find it interesting that Death is capitalized in places, almost as if it is a person (the grim reaper?). One thing that I wish was done today that I see in this anthem is capitalizing him, or his when it refers to Christ. I'm not sure why that isn't done anymore... Does anyone out there know?
2 comments:
I didn't know that "him" or "his" referring to Christ wasn't capitalized anymore! I still do in my own writings. To me, it seems disrespectful, to say the least, not to accord Him that small tribute.
Well, maybe I should clarify a little. In some church-y circles, capitalizing when referring to Father, Son or Holy Spirit seems to not be done. In other circles, it IS still done. I'm with you Dorothy, in that it seems a little disrespectful, and it also can make the lyrics refer to ??? a boyfriend, a great dad ... To whom exactly?
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