Hail to the Lord who comes

Today, February 2nd, is the Feast of the Purification, also called Candelmas.

Counting forward from December 25 as Day One, we find that Day Forty is February 2. A Jewish woman is in semi-seclusion for 40 days after giving birth to a son, and accordingly it is on February 2 that we celebrate the coming of Mary and Joseph with the infant Jesus to the Temple at Jerusalem to offer sacrifice, both on behalf of Mary and on behalf of Jesus as a first-born male. As they did so, they were greeted by the aged Simeon.

The act of the blessing of candles and grand processions are also a part of this day.

The canticle, "Nunc dimittis," also known as the "Song of Simeon," comes from this event, and is sung at every Roman Vespers and Anglican Evensong.

The music for this rare tune was composed by Sir Francis H. Champneys (1848-1930), an Anglican priest and amateur musician, he was a student of John Goss, Organist of St. Paul's Cathedral, London.

The name of this rather unique tune is "St. Veronica." It will surely be unfamiliar to most everyone!

The text is by John Ellerton (1826-1893). Ellerton, also an Anglican priest, was quite prolific as an author of hymn texts, and worked as an editor of several hymnals.

Last year, EdoL did a fine upload of this same text, but using the more familiar tune, "Old 120th",

The "St. Veronica tune is very different, having a distinct appeal, and marked by a dramatically ascending scale at the end of the verse.

The score is attached below, as well, as a photo of John Ellerton, the author of the text. There is also a photo of a painting showing Simeon greeting the Lord Jesus at His arrival at the temple, carried in the arms of the Virgin Mary.

The full text is given in the First Comment.