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.

• For the beauty of the earth (Heathlands) – Organ Hymn – For the beauty of the earth – Lyrics For the beauty of the earth, For the beauty of the skies, For the love which from our birth Over and around us lies, Lord of all, to thee we raise This our grateful hymn of praise. For the beauty of each hour Of the day and of the night, Hill and vale, and ...
• God is here! As we His people (Bethany – Smart) Lyrics Download Recording Details Tune: Bethany (Smart) Meter: 87 87 D Style: Victorian Hymn Composer: Henry Thomas Smart (1813 – 1879) Lyricist: Fred Pratt Green (1903 – 2000) Church Year: General Music Copyright Public Domain Lyrics © Stainer & Bell Ltd. Performance Copyright ℗ 2017 Richard M S Irwin. Certain rights reserved.
• God of mercy, God of grace (Heathlands) – Organ Lyrics – 3 verses 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 Thy feet their tribute pay, And Thy ...
• Son of God, eternal Saviour (Everton Smart) – Organ Lyrics Son of God, eternal Saviour, Source of life and truth and grace, Son of Man, whose birth incarnate Hallows all our human race, Thou, our Head, who, throned in glory, For thine own dost ever plead, Fill us with thy love and pity; Heal our wrongs, and help our need. As thou, Lord, hast lived for others, So may we for others live; Freely have ...
• 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 ...