Postlude on "St. Gertrude" (Onward, Christian soldiers)

Roland Diggle (January 1, 1885 – January 13, 1954) was an English-born, American organist and composer who wrote and arranged an enormous number of published pieces, and who served for forty years as organist and choirmaster at St. John's Episcopal Church of Los Angeles, California.

Roland Diggle was born in London England, and he was educated at the Royal College of Music in London.

He moved to the USA in 1904 where he became a tireless advocate of organ music. During his lifetime he wrote or arranged over 500 organ compositions. He was well known in national and international music circles and his works have been published both in the U.S. and abroad. He served for forty years as organist and choirmaster at St. John's Episcopal Church of Los Angeles, California, and he presented recitals at both the San Diego and San Francisco World's Fair Expositions.

He died in Los Angeles, California, and is buried at Angelus Rosedale Cemetery.

"Postlude on 'St. Gertrude'" was published in 1943 by Amsco Music Publishing Co., New York City. It is dedicated "For Margery J. Hughes."

There is a brief introduction and build up, which is followed by a fughetta. This leads to a grandiose statement of the tune, which is played in the tenor register upon the Solo tuba, and set against some tricky chordal passage work. All in all, I'd say this is quite successful and effective.

Many people have a prejudice against this tune, largely for 2 reasons: 1) they think it is a "revival hymn" and not appropriate for formal worship, and 2) the Church no longer wants a war-like God, and the text by the Rev. Sabine Gould is certainly a militant one.

Whatever your position about the second point, this hymn is actually a great 19th century Anglo-Catholic item, and not what we often think of!

The score is attached below, as well as two photos of Diggle and of St. John's Church (now cathedral), Los Angeles. These photos show the church as it was during Diggle's time there.