| Description: | Today, June 11th, is the feast of St. Barnabas the Apostle.
Born Joseph, he was an early Christian, one of the prominent Christian disciples in Jerusalem. He and Paul the Apostle undertook missionary journeys together and defended Gentile converts against the Judaizers. They traveled together making more converts (c. 45–47), and participated in the Council of Jerusalem (c. 50) Barnabas and Paul successfully evangelized among the "God-fearing" Gentiles who attended synagogues in various Hellenized cities of Anatolia.
Barnabas' story appears in the Acts of the Apostles, and Paul mentions him in some of his epistles.
Although the date, place, and circumstances of his death are historically unverifiable, Christian tradition holds that Barnabas was martyred at Salamis, Cyprus, in 61 AD.
His "attributes" (how he is depicted) include his pilgrim's staff, the olive branch, and holding the Gospel of Matthew.
His name meaning "son of consolation" or "son of encouragement".
This rather "busy" hymn-tune is named "St. Osyth". It was composed by Thomas Wood (1892-1950). The son of a master mariner, Wood had an interesting career, including study at Exeter College, Oxford, receiving his doctorate in 1920 and director of music at Tonbridge School. As a composer, much of his music was choral, either short partsongs and cantatas.
This melody has a nice "roll" to it, although I found it a bit "awkward" to "hook up" with! It is intended for unison singing.
The text was composed by the hymnodist and hymnologist, The Rev. John Ellerton (16 December 1826 – 15 June 1893), who wrote several well-known hymn texts. His most famous is surely, "The day Thou gavest, Lord, is ended," sung to the tune of St. Clement.
The score is attached below, as well as several likenesses of St. Barnabas, and a photo of John Ellerton. I did not find a photo of Thomas Wood.
The complete text is given in the FIRST COMMENT. |
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