A processional for St Cuthbert, based on the life of our great northern saint, and various prayers of St Cuthbert's Day, in use at Durham Cathedral. Set to Arthur Wills' majestic 'Etheldreda', written for her festivities at Ely Cathedral (though I understand it has fallen out of use recently).
I was inspired by the Ely hymn (written by 'J. Saunders'), the first verse of which is:
On this day, with saints and martyrs,
Bless we Etheldreda's name.
Virtuous matron, love declaring,
By her life the Christ unveiling,
In whose strength she overcame.
Arthur Wills' wonderful tune has the feel of an old 'Tantum ergo', as it rolls along - with plenty of interesting harmony for ATB underneath. I'm usually of the opinion that local hymns and tunes should probably stay local, but this tune deserves to be better known, and I feel it suits a hymn for Cuthbert very well. If you have Amazon Music or Spotify, there's a recording of it from Ely, on 'Evensong for Etheldreda' (Herald).
If permission isn't available for 'Etheldreda', it could be sung to George Thalben-Ball's enjoyable 'Llanherne' (https://hymnary.org/tune/llanherne_thalben_ball) - or, if you're feeling really fruity, 'Windermere (Maker)' (https://hymnary.org/tune/windermere_maker)...
Alexander Crawford
Tune: Etheldreda (Arthur Wills - posted below)
On this day, with hosts of heaven,
Bless we great Saint Cuthbert’s name!
By his life God’s love proclaiming,
Countless Christians’ faith sustaining,
Sing we of his holy fame.
(Verse inspired by Durham Cathedral’s Collect of St Cuthbert)
Glory of this wondrous sanctuary,
Living symbol of our faith;
Through the years, with prayer untiring,
Pilgrims young and old inspiring,
Drawing hearts to seek God’s grace.
Called from tending sheep by visions,
Pledged his life to serve his Lord;
Blessed with holy gifts of healing,
Through his works God’s pow’r revealing,
Lived and taught Christ’s sacred word.
Drawn to solitude and silence,
Sought a life of work and prayer;
Dwelt in distant contemplation,
Filled with love for God’s creation,
Birds and beasts all in his care.
Called to serve the Church as bishop,
Left his island sanctuary;
Priest and people wisely leading,
For their welfare interceding,
Showed his Christ by word and deed.
And at last, this faithful shepherd
Went to his eternal rest;
Yet in death, still wonders working,
Pilgrims, of God’s love still learning,
By his prayers our lives are blessed.
(Verse inspired by a prayer of Durham Cathedral, ‘Raise up in us, O Lord…’)
Raise in us, O Lord, like Cuthbert,
Gifts of holiness and zeal,
That with joy, your praises singing,
With your good creation living,
Your great love we may reveal.
(Verse inspired by a prayer of Durham Cathedral, ‘Open our eyes, Lord…’)
On our pilgrimage, great Father,
Guide us to our heavenly home;
Cuthbert in our minds abiding,
Cuthbert in our hearts, providing
Faith and courage as we go.
Praise the Lord of all creation,
With the Spirit, and the Son;
Songs of thanks and joy ascending,
Blessings from our God descending,
‘Til in heaven we all are one.
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