Category: Samuel Sebastian Wesley (1810 – 1876)

Samuel Sebastian Wesley (1810 – 1876) was an English organist and composer. He was born in London, the son of the composer Samuel Wesley and his partner Sarah Suter, and grandson of Charles Wesley. After singing in the choir of the Chapel Royal as a boy, he embarked on a career as a musician, becoming organist of Hereford Cathedral in 1832. He moved to Exeter Cathedral three years later, and subsequently held appointments at Leeds Parish Church, Winchester Cathedral and Gloucester Cathedral. Famous as an organist in his day, he composed almost exclusively for the Church of England. His better known anthems include Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace and Wash me throughly. He also wrote several rather late examples of verse anthems, which contrast unison and contrapuntal sections with smaller, more intimate passages for solo voice or voices. Blessed be the God and Father, The Wilderness and Ascribe unto the Lord are of considerable length, as is his Service in E. The popular short anthem Lead me Lord is an extract from Praise the Lord, O my soul.

• Author of life divine (Gweedore) – Organ Lyrics 1. Author of life divine, who hast a table spread, furnished with mystic wine and everlasting bread, preserve the life Thyself hast giv’n, and feed and train us up for heav’n. 2. Our needy souls sustain with fresh supplies of love, till all Thy life we gain and all Thy fullness prove, and strengthened by Thy perfect grace, behold without a veil Thy face. Recording Details Tune: Gweedore Meter: 66 ...
• God is love, let heaven adore Him (Alleluia) – Organ Lyrics God is love, let heaven adore him; God is love, let earth rejoice; let creation sing before him and exalt him with one voice. God who laid the earth’s foundation, God who spread the heav’ns above, God who breathes through all creation: God is love, eternal love. God is love; and love enfolds us, all the world in one embrace; with unfailing grasp God holds ...
• O thou who camest from above (Hereford – 4 Verses) – Organ Lyrics O thou who camest from above the fire celestial to impart, kindle a flame of sacred love on the mean altar of my heart! There let it for thy glory burn with inextinguishable blaze, and trembling to its source return in humble prayer and fervent praise. Jesus, confirm my heart’s desire to work, and speak, and think for thee; still let me guard the holy ...
• O, you are worthy (Hereford – 4 Verses) – Organ Lyrics O, You are worthy, our Lord God, To You creative power belongs; All glory, Lord, and honour too, We praise You with our joyful songs. The Cherubim and Seraphim With heav’ns angelic throng rejoice; For all things have been made by You, All things created by your choice. Now holy, holy, holy Lord, Now upward rise the ‘ter nal song; Thrice holy Lord, to whom ...
• The Church’s one foundation (Aurelia) Lyrics The Church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord; she is his new creation, by water and the word: from heaven he came and sought her to be his holy bride; with his own blood he bought her, and for her life he died. Elect from every nation, yet one o’er all the earth, her charter of salvation, one Lord, one faith, one birth; one holy Name ...