Crown Him with many Crowns

Today is "Christ the King Sunday". The Church's last "hurrah" before we move into the quiet contemplation of Advent. It is a great, festive day, and is still celebrated with great solemnity in many churches.

The music of this hymn was composed by George Job Elvey, who was a very important musical presence in his day. He was born at Canterbury on 29 March 1816, and at an early age, he was admitted as a chorister of Canterbury Cathedral, under Highmore Skeats. In 1830, his brother, Stephen, was appointed organist of New College, Oxford, George went to reside with him, and completed his musical education under his brother's guidance. He studied at the Royal Academy of Music under Cipriani Potter and Dr. Crotch. Before he was 17 he had become a very expert organist. In 1834, he gained the Gresham gold medal for his anthem, 'Bow down Thine ear, Lord,' and in 1835 he succeeded Skeats as organist of St. George's Chapel, Windsor. He matriculated from New College on 17 May 1838, and graduated with his Mus. Bac.

Of his best-known works produced chiefly between 1856 and 1860 many were composed for special services at St. George's Chapel. He was knighted on 24 March 1871, and remained at Windsor until 1882. After some years spent in retirement he died at the Towers, Windlesham, on 9 September 1893.

He is best remembered today for his hymn-tunes, the two most famous being "St. George's Windsor" (Come, ye thankful people, come", and the one at hand, "Diademata".

The glorious text of this hymn was composed by Matthew Bridges (1800-1894), who began his literary career with the publication of a poem, "Jerusalem Regained." He is know for such superb texts as this one, and one which many of us will soon be singing in Advent, "Lo! He comes with clouds descending."