Lord, enthroned in heavenly splendour ("Bryn calfaria")

On Sunday, the Church celebrates the Feast of Christ the King. It is the "last Sunday of the year," and the Church's new year begins the following week with the First Sunday of Advent.

The hymn, "Lord, enthroned in heavenly splendour" is one of those hymns that "sums up" the triumphant events in the earthly Life of Jesus: his Resurrection, his Ascension and his Glorification at the hand of the Father. So, even though it's not a "Christ the King hymn," it's a very fitting selection for the day.

The tune, "Bryn Calfaria" is a rugged and exciting one. It was composed by William Owens (1813-1891). Owens was born in Bangor, the son of a quarryman, and he himself began work in the same quarry when he was ten years old. He learnt music at classes held by Robert Williams. He wrote his first hymn-tune when he was 18. He formed a temperance choir which attained an excellent reputation. He composed several temperance pieces, but it was the hymn-tune called "Bryn Calfaria" which made the composer famous, and continues to have a considerable vogue in Wales and in England.

The words are by George Hugh Bourne (1840-1925), and Anglican priest. His words are stirring and dramatic, and pair flawlessly with the intense melodic characteristics of the melody.

This hymn is almost given as a "Communion Hymn," but that does not mean that it is "quiet, background music"! Not in the slightest!

This hymn has always been a favorite of many of my former choristers, as this gives ample opportunity for dramatic, stirring and exciting feelings, and really brings the words to the hearts of the singers/worshippers.

The score is attached below, but I have no photos of either William Owens or of George Bourne.

The FULL TEXT is given in the first comment.

This is Anglo-Catholicism at its very best!