Category: Henry Thomas Smart (1813 – 1879)

Henry Thomas Smart (1813 – 1879) was an English organist and composer. Born in London, a nephew of the conductor Sir George Thomas Smart, he first studied law, but soon gave this up for music.

In 1831 he became organist of Blackburn parish church, then of St Giles-without-Cripplegate, St Luke’s Old Street and finally of St Pancras, in 1864. This last post he held for the rest of his life.

Smart was highly rated as a composer by his English contemporaries, but is now remembered only by a few organists and choral singers. His many compositions for the organ were described as “effective and melodious, if not strikingly original” by the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica, which also praised his part songs.

His cantata The Bride of Dunkerron was written for the Birmingham Festival of 1864; the oratorio Jacob for Glasgow in 1873; and his opera Bertha was produced with some success at the Haymarket in 1855. His best known composition is now probably the hymn tune Regent Square, commonly sung to the words “Light’s abode, celestial Salem” or “Angels, from the realms of glory”. His Evening Service in B Flat has enjoyed a renaissance in recent years.

In the last fifteen years of his life Smart was practically blind.

• God is here! As we His people (Bethany – Smart) Hymn – God is here! As we His people – Lyrics God is here! As we his people meet to offer praise and prayer, may we find in fuller measure what it is in Christ we share: Here, as in the world around us, all our varied skills and arts wait the coming of His Spirit into open minds and hearts Here are symbols ...
• God of mercy, God of grace (Heathlands) Hymn – God of mercy, God of grace – Lyrics God of mercy, God of grace, Show the brightness of Thy face; Shine upon us, Saviour, shine, Fill Thy Church with light divine, And Thy saving health extend, Unto earth’s remotest end. Let the people praise Thee, Lord! Be by all that live adored; Let the nations shout and sing Glory to their Saviour King, At ...
• Worship the lord in the beauty of holiness (Moredun) Lyrics Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness, Bow down before Him, His glory proclaim; Gold of obedience and incense of lowliness, Bring and adore Him—the Lord is His Name. Low at His feet lay Thy burden of carefulness, High on His heart He will bear it for thee; Comfort thy sorrows and answer thy prayerfulness, Guiding thy steps as may best ...