Voluntary on "St. Mary" (O Lord turn not Thy face from me)

Charles Darnton (1836-1933) was self taught and an organist in Camden Town and Hampstead was a prolific composer who published a large amount of church music, including over 90 anthems. In addition, he wrote a large number of organ pieces.

This work is found in "Hymn Tune Voluntaries Part I" published by J. Curwen & Sons Ltd. around 1908.

This is another one of "those pieces" that needs a bit of polish and filling-out, in addition to creative and thoughtful registrations.

If you just banged through this, I suspect most wouldn't find it too pleasing or interesting. However a little "expansion" (without changing notes or actual harmonies) shines it up quite nicely, and makes for a good church voluntary.

The tune "St. Mary" is not very popular in the United States. It first appeared in a Welsh Psalter in 1621, compiled and/or composed by Edmund Prys (1542/13-1623), a Welsh clergyman, poet, Archdeacon of Merionthshire.

It is associated with a number of penitential texts, and I give a representative one below.

O Lord, turn not thy face from me,
Who lie in woeful state,
Lamenting all my sinful life
Before thy mercy-gate:

A gate which opens wide to us
That do lament their sin;
Shut not that gate against me, Lord,
But let me enter in.

And call me not to strict account
How I have sojourned here;
For then my guilty conscience knows
How vile I shall appear.

Mercy, good Lord, mercy I ask:
This is my humble prayer;
For mercy, Lord, is all my suit:
O let thy mercy spare.

Form in "Supplement to the New Version," 1708

J. Marckant (16th century)

The score is attached, as well as photos of Park Chapel Camden-Town where Darnton served as organist.