Something for the weekend. O God Beyond All Praising. Written by Michael Perry in 1982, it served as the recessional hymn at the funeral of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia on February 20, 2016. The tune is Thaxted, the hymn tune written by Gustav Holst from the middle section of the Jupiter movement of Holst’s The Planets. It seems fitting the day before Palm Sunday.
Don, This new version is new words to Gustav’s music-probably most famous is UK I Vow To Thee My Country. Check out hymn sung for marriage of Eliz II in the episode of The Crown series-as Winston Churchill walks in-didnt really happen; and really was sung at the funeral of Winston C 30 Jan 65. At least 20 hymns and songs have been written using Gustav’s music. I will require the song in the form of O God Beyond All Praising at my funeral-with emphasis on the 2nd verse. I Vow version sung at Princess Di’s wedding and funeral, and at Margaret T’s funeral.
I have not yet heard a version I dislike. Must add new verses re valiant Texians.
Guy Mcclung, Texas
Our Diocese uses the hymn “O God beyond all praising” as a recessional for ordination of priests.
Let us put war on hold until we have heard all of the music.
Now, tell me there is no God. I dare you.
It is a glorious hymn, especially when performed by classically trained musicians accompanied by a first rate choir. When my daughter married in 2012, she asked me to “choose the songs” for her wedding Mass, and I took that as license — secretly hiring a classically trained organist, the Atlanta Symphony Brass Quintet, and the St. Thomas More Schola (the talented choir that performs each year at Atlanta’s Red Mass). I selected “O God Beyond All Praising as her the processional hymn. Through all manner of creative trickery and deception the surprise held, and needless to say the music was moving beyond words.
Fortunately, in the interest of posterity my wife hired a videographer over my objection. Per usual, she was so right.
It has become one of my five favorite hymns Mike!
Watching the British NOV 11 Remembrance Day program is always quite moving, especially towards the end when the royal family, veterans, active duty and citizens sing I Vow To Thee My Country.
The mission congregation recently sang O God Beyond All Praising a cappella at Sunday Mass. Groan…a beautiful hymn butchered. We were started off the wrong key.